Rafe Cameron was sprawled out on the living room couch, his limbs heavy and his shirt clinging to his skin with sweat after an intense training session at the gym. The room was quiet, filled only with the faint hum of the air conditioning and his own slow, steady breaths. Just as he was beginning to drift into a well-earned rest, the sharp sound of the doorbell shattered the silence.

He let out a groan, rubbing a hand over his face. Of course, he was the only one home—his entire family had gone out earlier, leaving him to fend for himself. The last thing he wanted to do was move.

Dragging himself upright, Rafe swung his legs off the couch and rose to his feet with a sigh. Muscles aching, he made his way toward the front door, each step a small protest from his tired body.