I made my way to my room, it was just as I left it earlier, the bed still unmade and the curtains still drawn. Pulling the curtains open with my left hand was easy enough, and I managed to negotiate the gym equipment with no issues. I was off to a good start. Opening the cupboard, I tried to find something simple and loose-fitting to wear. The search turned up tonnes of oversized t-shirts, but the most comfortable pants I could find were leggings. I considered a dress momentarily, but I didn't have anything suitable in that department either. In the end, I selected one of my oversized band t-shirts and a pair of black leggings. Changing underwear wasn't too challenging a task, I'd figured out a technique when I went to the bathroom earlier, so I felt I had experience in that department. Next, I tried to take my t-shirt off. My left hand did its best, tugging the sleeve of the right arm down as I tried to pull the casted arm through it, but the cast kept getting caught on the slee
"Kate..." I heard a man's voice calling to me. It was deep but gentle and I felt drawn to it. "Kate..." it repeated, and I felt my consciousness flooding back as my eyes fluttered open. Ryder was hovering over me, looking into my eyes as his fingers traced the curve of my jaw. He smiled as my eyes opened, and I couldn't help but smile back. "Hey..." he murmured softly as the fingers of my left hand reached out to touch his face. They brushed over his lips as I blinked with dreamy eyes. He caught my hand and held it against his lips, pressing a kiss to my palm. The sound of a man clearing his throat caught my attention. With a frown, I tried to sit up, trying to find the source of the sound. The harsh reality of my broken arm struck me as I tried to use it to prop myself up and I winced in pain. I squinted as I looked around the room, realizing the sun had set and the lights were on. A delicious smell wafted through the air and Aunt Mara stood in the kitchen, preparing mugs for co
"I... I didn't realize," Dr Kelly admitted, which was unsurprising because we hadn't exactly gone public with the news just yet. I wasn't sure about the boys, but I wanted to figure out how to handle the relationship before I felt comfortable letting everyone else and their dog in on it. "It's no big deal," I assured the doctor as I shot Ryder a stern look. He knew I didn't want to be Luna, why was he throwing this around now? "Well, uh, I'd be happy to make a house call on Friday to see to the removal of the cast if you like?" he offered, suddenly seeming far more accommodating now that he realized I might hold some position of power. I hated it. "No, it's fine. I'll come to your offices, thank you," I assured him, keen to end the conversation now. He reopened his leather doctor's bag and produced a business card, handing it to me with a winning smile. "If you need anything, day or night, please let me know," he went on, laying the charm on thick now. I took it with a hesitant sm
I woke to the sound of my bedroom door creaking open.Trying to sit up, I squinted toward it, expecting to see Aunt Mara, but to my surprise, Ryder slipped in.Before I could say a word, he shushed me, taking the few steps over to my bed and slipping in beside me."It's too early... Sleep," he urged, pulling the covers up around us.I was still half asleep and confused. "Why are you here?" I asked, my voice sounding gruff and tired."Your Aunt just left for work, so I'm here to take care of you for the day, remember? But forget about that now. Just go back to sleep," he insisted, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close against his body."Why didn't you stay last night? I wanted you to stay..." I pouted, trying my best to give him an accusing look in spite of my sleepy eyes."Because it felt weird with your aunt here. It's her house and she didn't invite me to stay and it just felt weird. I wanted to... You made it really hard to say no," he replied sincerely, finishing o
He stepped closer to me with hungry eyes, his fingers resting on my hips for a moment before snaking their way into the waistband of my panties. He paused again as if waiting for me to give him the all-clear.Was I doing this? Was I letting Ryder undress me? Where was this going and was I okay with it? My mind raced with questions while my heart raced with a combination of excitement, anticipation, and fear.I nodded.He slipped them down with the confidence that told me he'd done this many times before and the thought made me feel some type of way. I wasn't about to try and unpack that now though.Standing there, frozen to the spot, my mind was a mess of questions only I could answer, but the answers seemed elusive.His eyes lingered on me like a predator before I turned and stepped into the bath, seeking out the obscurity that the bubbles would provide. He watched me as I lowered myself into the water, then submerged myself below its surface to wet my hair. I tried my best to keep m
"You okay over there?"Ryder asked as I slid deeper into the water, my eyes still closed as my heart tried to find its regular tempo. He'd pulled his hand away a little while ago and had given me a moment to get a grip of myself, but I was still coming down from my high. "Kate?" he tried again, his fingers trailing over my exposed knee. I shuddered at his touch and giggled before nodding and immersing my lips below the water. "You're alright then?" he repeated with a smirk on his lips. I nodded, still partially submerged, a beaming smile on my lips. The water was beginning to get cold now though, and I was eager to get out as soon as I was capable of walking again. He leaned over the bath, his elbows resting on the side of it as he watched me with adoration. Reaching his hand out, he ran his fingers over my cheek, then cupped it gently. I rubbed my face against him like a cat seeking affection. "I'm fucking crazy about you, Kate," he confessed, a hint of vulnerability lacing his
Now that I was dressed, I stood there awkwardly, waiting for Ryder to take the hint and leave the room to give me a little privacy to talk to Tyler."Right," he said, the realization dawning on him, "I'll, uh, see what I can find for us to eat," he decided, heading out of the room and closing the door behind him.I sighed a breath of relief at having managed to avoid a slightly awkward conversation, and picked up my phone, finding Tyler's number before pressing the 'call' button.I was about to give up after it rang about 8 times without an answer, but then he finally picked up."Kate," he said breathlessly."I'm here," I replied, wanting to assure him that I hadn't dropped the call."Sorry, I didn't want to take the call in front of the entire meeting, so I had to excuse myself. How are you?" he asked, the words pouring out of him, hurried and urgent."I'm okay. My arm feels a lot better today. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the cast off tomorrow. How are things with you? You said yo
After hanging up, the room felt emptier and so did I. Tyler's absence was a void I couldn't seem to fill. At least I still had the promise of Saturday though. I headed out with a sigh, eager to burrow myself in Ryder's arms. He was standing in the kitchen, hidden behind an open cupboard. "Well, I can offer you cereal," he said, shaking two boxes in my general direction, but as I approached he noticed my miserable demeanor and set the boxes on the counter before meeting me in the lounge with a caring hug. "You okay?" he whispered down into my ear, holding me tightly. I nodded, but the truth was that I was once again fighting back my tears. "I'm sorry, Kate. If it makes you feel any better, he really wishes he could be here. And I'm not just saying that. I know how hard these last couple of days have been for him too," he explained, trying to make the pain a little more bearable by showing me that it was shared. I couldn't find the words to respond, so once again, I simply nodded