But the exact opposite had happened, and he had forced himself to walk away from her time and time again. Not because he thought she’d change her mind anymore, but because he knew she wouldn’t. And at twenty-five, when she’d kissed him for the first time he’d known she was it for him. He’d promised her there were no strings attached when he’d already been in love with her for almost half of his life. But if a casual fling was the closest he’d get to her, he’d thank Merlin for his genetics and take what he could get. 