It always came down to his freaking pride.

“There were so many ways he could have answered her snarky question. But sometim…”

“He (Tristan) pushed her onto her back and braced his arms on either side of her…”

“She was whole and real, not someone he held in his mind and heart but whom he c…”

“At first it was the complete antithesis of the kiss she’d shared with Matthew. …”