88 - Kennedy
Oh no, I actually said it. I was so focused on making sure Emily was okay that when I warned Ryker to keep his distance so the wolfsbane wouldn''t affect him, the words slipped out: "I love you." He didn''t react or say a thing, which made me wonder if maybe he didn''t feel the same or if I had just imagined saying it. Last night, Iy awake clutching Emily, anxiety swirling in my chest about what today might bring- until Rykerpletely caught me off guard. He kissed me goodnight and whispered softly in my ear, "I love you."
A small, knowing smile tugs at his lips as he watches me absorb everything that''s happened over the past couple of days. It''s hard to believe it was only yesterday that I threw Amy out of the packhouse and Ryker let me tear down a few more of his emotional barriers.
"How are you feeling now?" he asks gently, his hands rubbing soothing circles along my arms, sending shivers of goosebumps across my skin. He watches my every reaction closely while I study him in return.
"I''m okay," I say, taking a deep breath as a sudden chill runs through me. He just smiles again. "I spent a lot of time with the healers back in Silver Crescent. We found a treatment I take regrly. Doc Bradshaw''s been making it for me too. It keeps me from getting sick and helps me heal faster than a normal human. That''s what she gave mest night. I do have a few spots where the crushed nt juice irritated my skin, but other than that, I''m fine."
"And how was Emily this morning? Since you all let me sleep through your check- up," he says, finally meeting my eyes.
"What? You were so cute, sprawled out all over that cot," Iugh, picturing him again. It really was a sight-the cot barely big enough to hold him from head to butt, his legs hanging off the sides with feet touching the floor, one arm shielding his eyes, the other resting on his stomach. "The doc said you didn''t sleep much either, so I wanted to give you as much rest as possible. We''ve got some work to do today."
"What kind of work?" he asks, a yful glint in his eyes. “Because I was nning on following through with Alpha''s threat. That means spending the rest of the day alone with you." He wraps both arms around me, pulling me tight against his chest. I don''t resist; instead, I loop my arms around his neck, fingers threading through his hair, making him growl low in his throat.
"This isn''t exactly motivating me to work harder, just so you know," I tease. His green eyes are mesmerizing, and suddenly I can''t even remember what I was going to say. He closes his eyes, gripping my hips firmly, his thumb pressing into the crease at the top of my thigh while his fingers dig into my ass.
"I''m so scared," he admits quietly, voice rough. "You have no idea how terrified I am of hurting you." He takes a deep breath. "But I want you too much to hold back any longer. We need you—both Alpha and I." He grinds me closer to him, and I just hold on, unsure where this is leading.
He''s mentioned a few times now that he fears hurting me, but that he needs me. I''m not sure exactly what he means. If it''s sex, that''s easy—I''m not the virgin here. Maybe he''s worried he''ll lose control; I''ve heard of guys getting a little wild in the heat of the moment. I''ve never experienced that myself, so it''s something we''ll have to figure out together. Or maybe it''s about the marking-though I can''t imagine being marked isfortable for anyone.
"Whatever you''re nning, it needs to be quick," I gasp, my breath shallow and uneven. "Because this feels so good, I''m not going tost much longer." My voice breaks into a moan that doesn''t even sound like me. “Ryker, uh... please.”
“That wording from you? I really like it,” he murmurs, gradually quickening our pace. I can''t even remember thest time I dry-humped anyone, let alone reached an orgasm that way. But now, I''m definitely on my way.