World‑famous explorer Riggs Dwyer has survived jungles, deserts, and storms that should’ve killed him. But relationships? Those never make it past base camp. He’s perfect boyfriend material — loyal, thoughtful, dangerously charming — but he’s never in one place long enough for anything real to last. Adventure is his oxygen, and he’s built an entire life around never staying still.

Maddie once believed in hope. Hope that her mother would get better. Hope that her brothers would finally grow up. Hope that the man she loved would choose a future with her. But hope betrayed her every time, and she’s done letting it wreck her life. The only way to stay safe is to never hope again.

Meeting Maddie in the most unusual way should have been impossible. But now that he’s gotten to know her, he’s realizing she’s the first person who’s ever made him wonder what it would feel like to stay.

But for any chance with her, he’d have to give up the adrenaline-charged life he’s addicted to, and may be contractually obligated to… it’s complicated.

And letting him in means risking the one thing Maddie swore she’d never allow, to be vulnerable to being hurt again. She knows she should walk away, but she can’t bring herself to, he’s too perfect, so instead, she makes him promise they’ll be just friends.

Problem solved… right?

If only. Friendship was never going to be enough. Not for him. Not for her. Not when every instinct they have pulls them closer together.