"Don't joke like that, Riley!" she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest in a weak attempt to regain some composure.
He chuckled again, his deep voice like velvet. "Relax, I was just trying to lighten the mood. You looked like you were about to run for the hills."
Ava exhaled sharply, trying to steady herself, but her body remained tense. The heat radiating from Riley, the sheer presence of him, made her nerves tangle and her heart hammer wildly in her chest.
He leaned back on his elbows, his powerful form illuminated under the bright sun overhead.
The way his muscles flexed so effortlessly, the confidence in his posture—it all made it glaringly obvious that he was entirely at ease, while she was the one drowning in uncertainty.
"Now," Riley continued, his tone smooth and coaxing, "why don't you return the favor? You already came—it's only fair you do something for me now."
Ava bit her lip, considering his words.
She hadn't forgotten why she was here.
