His fingers traced my jaw as he leaned closer. "Tell me, River. Does my presence frighten you?" Our eyes met, and the question hung between us. The answer came easily. "I'm not sure," I whispered. Daimen's expression hardened as he studied me intently. "That's what puzzles me. You deliberately provoke me, and most people wouldn't dare. It seems you're someone I need to figure out." ********* River and Daimen crossed paths in the hallways of the same high school, attended overlapping classes, and lived within reach of one another—yet they inhabited different worlds entirely. When graduation ended, they became strangers to each other. Years passed before destiny conspired to pull them back together. River Sparrow avoids conflict at all costs. Nervous by nature, she maintains an optimistic outlook despite her anxious tendencies. Reserved and gentle-spoken, the model student who prefers solitude, she dedicates her time to the local animal shelter where one particular dog captures her heart completely. Daimen Princeston thrives on confrontation. Powerful and intimidating, his mere presence sends people scrambling for cover. A dangerous edge surrounds him, and crossing him comes at a price. River has every reason to fear him. Yet as River discovers the man beneath everyone's terror, her perception shifts entirely. Proximity breeds understanding, and understanding ignites passion. She begins to wonder if she's fallen for someone capable of darkness—and whether she has the right to offer him the devotion he craves.