Page 33 of Breaking the Rules (Roaming Devils MC 1)

She rubbed her sweaty forehead, feeling feverish. Her throat ached and she knew the infection was kicking her ass right now. “Will one of you get me something to drink?”

“Yeah. Sure.” One of the men left her and disappeared into the small kitchen. She moved to the bag she had next to the door and grabbed a suture kit, mask, and gloves from it. When she came back, she snatched the floor lamp from behind the recliner to assist her.

“Here.” The guy handed her some ice water and she thanked him for it.

“Uh, what you’ve got … it’s not contagious, is it?”

“It’s strep.” She swallowed. Her throat was on fire. She sipped from the ice water, then set it aside. “I’m fighting a fever. It’s highly contagious, which is why I’m trying to combat this the best I can.”

Ryker stared at her. “We shouldn’t have come. I told you this was a fucking bad idea.”

“It’s fine.” She pulled the mask on, then the gloves. After dabbing at his wound with gauze, she opened the suture kit. It only took her a few minutes to sew him up. Fortunately, the knife hadn’t sliced any vital organs. “You’re as good as new. You’ll probably be sore for the next few days.”

“Thanks.” Ryker sat up, groaning. The guys helped him off the table while Ella cleaned up the trash. He glanced back at her. “Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look well.”

“I feel horrible.” She tossed the trash and went to find some fever reducer. “I’m fine, though.”

She really didn’t want to talk to him. With him stopping by, she didn’t even know what to think. He hadn’t spoken to her since he’d broken down in her arms at the club. He didn’t appear to be high or struggling with drugs at the moment, but she couldn’t really tell. Ryker sent his friends outside and hung around, waiting for her to come back to the living room.

“What?”

The compassion in his eyes surprised her. “Thanks.”

She nodded and swallowed her pills. “Shut the door on your way out.”

“Yeah. Okay.” He walked to the door and opened it.

Ella climbed back into bed, shivering. She closed her eyes. The next thing she felt was a hand stroking her back. She rolled over and stared at Ryker. He’d come back in and was making himself comfortable on her bed.

“You’re not okay.” Ryker pulled her blanket tighter around her. “I don’t think you should be alone either.”

“And you think I want you here?” Incredulity filled her tone. He was the last person that needed to stay with her.

“Maybe not.” Ryker swallowed. “But considering your state, there’s not much you can do to get me to leave.” He kissed her clammy cheek. “Get some sleep. I’ll stay on the couch.”

He left her for the couch and she found herself not caring. She closed her eyes and drifted off.

Throughout the night, she battled with her fever. She shivered no matter how many blankets covered her. Ryker watched her from the sofa for a while before he finally got up. She didn’t know what he planned to do with stitches in his side, but he moved in behind her, pulling her body against his. The heat was an instant comfort. He smoothed her hair back and tucked the blanket tighter around her. It was an odd gesture from him. Bikers didn’t normally take the time to care for others and she didn’t expect him, out of everyone in her life, to be the one willing to put his life on hold to make sure she was okay. When she thought she knew him, he surprised her. Her throat burned every time she swallowed. Believing something else went on between them was dangerous. The longer she entertained the fantasy of them being together, the more she’d convince herself that it was possible. He didn’t say anything, but simply held her, letting his body heat seep into her skin.

When Ella woke the next morning, Ryker was on the sofa, shirt and shoes off, watching TV. She sat up and frowned. “I thought you were a dream.”

Glancing away from the TV, he studied her a moment. In a gruff voice, he said, “No. Sorry.”

Part of her wanted to jump into his arms. Deep inside she knew that he’d hold her. He’d comfort her and shelter her. It was a damn good feeling too. But the other part of her wanted to kick him to the curb. Trouble followed him wherever he went and after their last meeting, she had no business allowing him to get so close to her. She had no business wanting to be that intimate with him. Standing, she walked past him to the bathroom. So what was she going to do? Her mind ached from the constant juggling of her thoughts. At some point in time, she needed to make a decision and stick with it.

Ella stared at herself in the mirror. Maybe his compassion came from how awful she looked. If she found herself looking like she did, she’d pity herself too. Her blonde hair was messy and needed to be washed. Dark circles had formed beneath her eyes, which definitely didn’t convey a come-hither look. Not that that was what she really went for. Her nose and forehead looked like she’d smeared baby oil on them.

Almost immediately, she felt stupid for even caring that she looked the least bit unattractive to him. It shouldn’t have mattered. Fatigue filled her blue eyes and she wondered how long Ryker planned to stay. Her energy level plummeted and she knew that doing even simple things would take a bit of effort. Sagging against the vanity, she depended on it to hold her up. The cool basin of the sink felt good against her feverish skin as she gripped it. It would be so embarrassing if she had to ask him to help her.

After using the facilities successfully on her own, she went back to the living area and stared at him. “How do you feel today?” he asked before she could say or do anything.

“I’m still freezing.” She rubbed her arms. “I haven’t been sick in so long. I forgot how horrible it is. My throat is burning like the pits of hell.”

He patted the sofa next to him. “Have a seat. You don’t look like you feel that great.”

She walked over to him and sat down. He pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and tucked it around her. She caught a whiff of his scent and it made her stomach do a flop. Afterward, she watched as he stood, leaving her for the kitchen. He got her some crushed ice and water before grabbing a bottle of pills to help reduce her fever.

“You didn’t have to stay with me. I can take care of myself.”

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