Chapter Eleven

Ryker lay back against the pillows, watching as Ella got ready for work. He was fairly certain that she had no clue he was awake. Her towel-covered body was wet from her shower as she finger combed through her hair. He didn’t know what her day consisted of, but he wanted to pull her down on the bed and bury himself inside her.

“When can I take a shower?” Ryker asked.

She glanced over at him. “You can’t get your stomach wet.”

“So if I face away from the spray, I’m good?”

“It’s been two days.”

“Yeah. And I want a shower.” Ryker stood and walked toward her, nude. He’d pulled his clothes off sometime yesterday and he couldn’t lie in his own filth anymore.

“Wait.” She went to her bag next to the door, bending slightly to reveal her sexy thighs to him. She grabbed several packages of gauze and medical tape. “Stand still.”

She taped the covering onto his skin before going to the kitchen and grabbing some plastic wrap. She cut a piece off and put it over the gauze, taping it in place.

“I can take a shower now?”

“Yes. Keep your back to the spray.” He stared at her. “If you get an infection you could die. I can’t save you from that. Just … don’t get it wet.”

He reached out for her, but she pulled away from him. “Babe.”

She was still worried about him. He knew sleep didn’t come to her very well. She moved around all night and woke up dragging. He didn’t know if it was from saving him or what, but she was convinced he was fragile and going to break at any moment.

Instead of going after her, he turned and went to take a shower. The water felt good along his back. He dropped his head back and let the water soak into his skin. He’d talked to Vampire and Superman about going after his father, who conveniently went into hiding with another chapter along with Sonny and a few others. He didn’t know what charter kept them safe, but they’d eventually find him.

Ryker washed his body and hair before stepping out and wrapping a towel around his waist. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and the scratchy beard he’d grown needed to come off. Some men liked them but he was not one of them.

He pulled the protective covering off his stomach and tossed it into the trash. Nothing got wet, so Ella didn’t have to fret over him. He opened the door and peeked his head out.

“Hey, Ella? Where’s the shaving cream?”

She didn’t respond, so he went out to find her. She wasn’t in the living area or bedroom, so he went to the kitchen. With her back to him, she stood at the sink, drinking a cup of coffee.

“Hey.”

Ella jumped, spilling the hot liquid over her hand. “Shit. Don’t scare me like that.”

She set the mug down and ran water over her hand. Ryker watched her for a moment. Her agitation showed with every move she made. He didn’t know why she was pissed, but he was definitely intrigued.

“What’s going on with you?”

“What?” She turned her head. “Nothing.”

“You’ve been angry for the past two days. Spill it.”

“Just leave me alone.”

He ran a hand over his face. “Not going to happen. Tell me what is wrong with you.”

She slammed the faucet off and turned to face him. “I’m late for work. I’m not doing this with you right now.”

Ryker took a step back and held out his arm so she couldn’t pass him. “We may not be doing this right now, but we will have this conversation tonight.”

She pushed his arm out of her way. He leaned against the doorframe of the kitchen and watched as she gathered her things. She didn’t say anything to him as she opened the door and slammed it behind her, leaving for the day.

“Bye, Ella. I fucking love you too.”