Page 23 of Keeping What He Wants

Ella sniffled and covered her eyes with her hand. Ryker’s demeanor immediately changed. Instead of saying anything, he scooped her into his arms and sat with her on his lap. She hated crying. Didn’t even know why tears flowed down her cheeks. All the stuff that happened played over and over in her mind. It hurt even more to think that he didn’t seem to care about her feelings like she thought he should.

“I’m sorry.” He swiped his fingers beneath her eyes. “I don’t want you to hurt. Ever.”

She didn’t say anything. Part of her missed his comfort. The other part was confused about everything.

“Are we okay?” He pressed his lips to her cheek.

“I don’t know.” She snuggled against him. “Ask me again in the morning.”

He kissed her cheek before standing with her in his arms. He carried her down the hall to their bedroom and laid her on their bed.

“Sit up and take your scrubs off.”

Ella sat up and worked on taking her clothes off while Ryker grabbed a t-shirt of his from the closet. She didn’t want to admit how comfortable it was being in her own environment. After pulling the t-shirt on, she moved back to the bed and climbed in, rolling to her side. The comfort was an instant relief. She pulled the blankets up to her neck and fell asleep before Ryker joined her.

*****

Morning came early, and Ella wasn’t ready to get out of bed. Ryker lay next to her, and she took a moment to watch him sleep. She missed him. She was pissed but missed pulling him close and letting him wrap his arms around her. She blew out a breath and moved closer to him, laying her head on his chest and her leg over his leg.

Ryker stirred, kissing her forehead before shifting so he could wrap his arms around her. Cuddling up to him felt so much better than lying alone in an empty on-call room.

“I forgive you.” She rested her chin on his chest. “But don’t do it again.”

He rolled her to her back, leaning down to kiss her. “I love you, Ella.”

“I love you too.”

When she decided to get up, she went to the bathroom first. She’d slept in her makeup the night before and had raccoon eyes from her smeared eyeliner and mascara. She took the time to wash her face and get her skin in order again before leaving to find something to eat.

Ryker sat on the end of the bed with his phone to his ear. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll be there in a minute.” He hung up and glanced over his shoulder at her. “What time are you working today?”

“I have to be there for the night shift. Seven to seven.”

He tossed his phone to the bed beside him. “I need to go get my bike.”

She pulled open a drawer and found a pair of shorts. “I’ll take you.”

After pulling them on, she bent to search through her scrubs for her phone and her ID badge.

Ryker stood and held his hand out to her. “I can have someone else take me. You look tired.”

“I’m always tired.” She shook her head. “Let me find my keys and wallet.”

He looped his arms around her waist. “You can crawl back in that bed and sleep.”

She couldn’t. Not without him there. “I’m fine. Really. I need to do laundry. I also need to stop by the store and pick up some things we’re out of.”

He propped his hands on his hips. Ella took in his toned body, the way his muscles defined him. Nudity was never an issue with him. He wasn’t embarrassed or modest in any way. He’d live nude if he could. His dark hair was five weeks past the need for a hair cut and a little too long for her liking. Dark scruff had grown on his cheeks, making him deliciously sexy and completely badass at the same time.

“I’ve got to handle some things at the club and then I’m coming back to spend the rest of the day with you.” His gaze pierced hers. “In bed.”

She scoffed, and he took a step toward her. His fingers lingered along her cheek as he touched her face.

He leaned in to kiss her. “We will.”

“I think sex is the last thing either one of us should focus on right now.”

“I didn’t say anything about sex.” He nibbled along her lower lip. “But if that’s what the lady wants…”

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