Chapter 59: A Rhetorical Question

My sleep was a black void of nothingness, no dreams, no pain, no worries or troubles. Just blackness. It was peaceful.

Movement roused me though, and as consciousness poured back into me, I became aware of Ryder's voice talking softly into my ear.

"Kate... I need to get up. Can you sit up for a sec?" he asked, gently lifting me off of his lap and placing my back down gently on the couch.

I groaned, missing his presence, but I didn't stir, still in a state of semi-consciousness.

There was some shuffling in the background, an exchange of muffled voices, but nothing that concerned me, so I ignored it and tried to find my way back to the deep sleep I'd just been enjoying.

Moments later, Ryder's footsteps returned and he gently lifted me again, placing me back on his lap as he rested his arm on my shoulder. His fingers absentmindedly traced over my skin in gentle, swirling patterns, snaking their way up, under the sleeve of my top.

Suddenly, a delicious smell hit my nose, waking me