Page 36 of A Wolf's Wound
“Maybe not.But I’m sure they’d feel better knowing that my pack was looking out for you.”
I nod; what he’s saying makes sense.And his care for what my parents might think, and how that might affect me, is touching.Ryder’s more thoughtful and perceptive than I’ve given him credit for.
Not to mention that having Ryder watching out for me means he’d be watching out for April, too, at least while she’s in our apartment.If she got hurt by whatever or whoever seems to have it out for me, I’d never forgive myself.
“Fine.I accept your offer of protection, Ryder Stone.”
“Why, thank you, Dr.Hannah Kelly,” he says, his relief evident in his newly relaxed posture.“May I start tonight?”
“You may, but not in here,” I say.I stand up and open the door.“I know you mean well, Ryder, but I was serious about having boundaries.”
He follows me to the door.“What kind of boundaries?”he asks.
I swallow, suddenly aware of how close we’re standing.“The kind that keeps you out of my apartment at night.”
“Would it be so terrible to have me here?”
“Not terrible but complicated.”
“I promise to be a perfect gentleman.”
“I believe you, but my answer is still no.”
He nods, even as he moves closer to me.“I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with gazing at your window, then.”
“I guess so.”I look up at him.We’re so close together that I can feel the heat from his body.I have to fight the urge to touch his shirt.He meets my eyes, and we look at each other.I’m torn between wanting to step closer and closing the door.
Loud voices from the stairwell break our staring contest.Two women I recognize as my neighbors enter, talking and laughing.They don’t notice us, but their presence brings me back to myself.
“See, I’ll be fine in here,” I tell Ryder, nodding at the girls.“I have neighbors, and Shadow, and April will be home soon.”
“And I’ll be outside,” he adds.
I nod.“Right.And I have the numbers you put in my phone.”
“Promise me you’ll use them, Hannah,” Ryder says, his voice rough with urgency.“Don’t be stubborn or too proud to ask for help.Even if it’s from me or another member of my pack.”
“I won’t be,” I promise.“I mean it, Ryder.I know my limits, and I know when to ask for help.”
His lips quirk up in a quick smile.“More boundaries.Why do I feel like you have a lot of them, Hannah?”
“Because I do, Ryder,” I answer.“They’ve helped me get this far, and I don’t plan on losing any of them anytime soon.”
“I respect that,” he says, and I believe him.
“Thank you.Have a good night,” I say.
“You too.”Ryder steps into the hallway and begins walking toward the stairs.He turns around halfway down the hall and looks back at me.I nod, and he does too.
Back inside, I lock the door and then make sure all of the windows are locked.I know Ryder already checked, but I can’t help myself.The sun has fully set and the night sky is clouded.I turn on every light in the apartment, even the one in the bathroom, to chase away the shadows.
I should make dinner, maybe wake up Shadow and fill him in.But instead I sink down onto the couch and look around the quiet apartment.Ryder’s somewhere outside.I wonder if he’s looking up at my apartment, at all the lights, and smiling.The thought comforts me, even as the night looms ahead, feeling impossibly long and threatening.
Chapter 21
Ryder
Thenightpassesslowly.
