Riley’s pov

His lips were still warm in mine when he pulled back.

I stood frozen, my heart slamming against my ribs so hard I was sore everyone in the room could hear it. The party noise filtered back in slowly— the music, the laughter, the chapter— bit it all fell distant like I was underwater.

Zavi’s eyes locked on mine, something flicked in them but I couldn’t place it.

I couldn’t breathe.

“See?” Zavi’s voice cut through the haze, cold and calm as he turned to face Emma. “Now get the hell out of my face.”

Emma’s face contorted, her shock mirphongbinto fury. Her nails dug her palm as...