Page 62 of Desperate Pucker
His stubbled cheeks flush the lightest shade of pink as he rubs the back of his neck. “They think I’m annoying.”
“Well, yeah. All siblings are annoyed by each other. But deep down, I bet they love you a lot.”
Warmth flickers in Ryker’s eyes when he looks at me. I finish most of the soup in my bowl, along with my tea.
“How are you feeling?”
I let out a breath. “A little better. Still pretty weak and achy, but my stomach feels more settled. I’m craving sugar now.”
Ryker shakes his head. “No sugar for you just yet.”
I stick out my lip, but he just stares at me.
When I yawn, he nods at the pillow at the end of the couch. “You should get some sleep.”
A tiny ping of sadness hits me. Does he want me to sleep so he can leave?
“You probably have to head out, right?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Maddy.”
He gets up, makes his way over to the couch, and tucks me under the blanket. He leans down and brushes my hair out of my face. I melt.
“Why do you keep calling me Maddy?”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Because that’s your name. You told me it was fine to call you that when we met.”
“Yeah, but everyone else calls me Madeline. I figured you would too eventually.”
His eyes flicker with something I don’t recognize. Something warm and fiery.
“I like that I’m the only one who calls you Maddy. It makes me feel like you’re mine.”
My stomach dips.Oh.
I’m caught off guard by how much I like that.
Ryker and I are in a weird limbo right now. When we met, we didn’t like each other, but we figured out a way to work together. Sometimes we get along. Sometimes we fight like sworn enemies. He’s kissed me breathless and made me come. He drops everything to take care of me.
My heart swells in my chest just thinking about it. I don’t know what exactly we are to each other. All I know is I like it.
I like that he calls me Maddy. I like that he thinks of me as his.
“You’ll stay with me?” I ask, my eyelids feeling heavy when I blink.
“Yes.”
I yawn again. “You can turn on the TV if you get bored.”
“Don’t worry about me, princess. Just rest.”
He runs his hands through my hair. Tingles fly across my scalp.
“Oh god, that feels so good,” I murmur.
He sits on the edge of the coffee table, gently running his fingers through my hair until I fall asleep.
Chapter 22
