his eyes darkened.
It dawned on me then. “You really were going to beat the shit out of him weren’t you?”
“Hell yes I was. Look, I’m not a good guy. I’m not a knight in shining armor going around saving damsels in distress. Frankly, I hate most people.”
I smothered a smile. “I’m not sure how to tell you this, Ryker, but you’re not very good at selling your positive attributes.”
He shot me a wolfish grin. “If you’d listen, you’d hear I have no positive attributes. What I’m saying is that even on my darkest days, I’m not a fan of dosing anyone with anything. Be that sleeping medication or illicit drugs. People get to decide what to put in their own bodies. No one else.”
“What if my life was in danger? Would you stab me with an adrenaline pen?” I asked.
“Yes. But that’s assuming you have the pen for such uses. Helping save someone’s life who wants to be saved is the right choice. Stabbing someone with an adrenaline pen when they don’t need it to save them?” He shook his head. “Nope. Just not going to do it.”
I tipped my head to the side. “What if I didn’t need the adrenaline, but wanted it. Would you still stab me with it then?”
He shook his head.
I smiled. “Why not?”
“Because I’m not in the habit of helping people damage themselves. You want some pain? I’ll give it to you all day long. You want damage? You need to go looking for someone else.”
My body began talking to me. Making certain needs known. “I have to pee.”
He laughed, his big chuckles echoed in the glass enclosed room. “I think that’s the first time I’ve held a woman’s hand and had her say something like that. To the bathroom, cupcake.” He took a step back and turned so I could use his arm for balance.
My cheeks heated. “Sorry. I’m used to saying anything and everything that comes through my mind. I never knew how much of a luxury that really was until it was taken from me.”
He chuckled softly. “How did someone take away your brain/mouth filter?”
Shit. I shrugged. “Not quite the filter.” I dropped his arm and hobbled into the bathroom. The wall was my support system. I closed the door in his face before he could ask me anything else.
Easing down to the toilet was a particular brand of hell that I was all too ready to be done with. I felt like I had run a marathon by the time I was finished and able to wash my hands.
Ryker knocked on the glass door. “You good? Still awake and aware?”
I snorted. “Yeah, all good.” I bit my lip to keep the rest of my thoughts to myself.
“Can I open the door?”
“Sure.”
He opened the door and leaned on the jamb. “So, you were saying about your brain/mouth filter?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Not happening. I’ll let you feed me though.” I hobbled in his direction.
He didn’t move. “What if I tell you I can help your legs feel better? Then will you tell me?”
I bit my lip. Damn it. The man didn’t play fair. I tried to cross my arms. Almost fell over. Holding onto the wall, I asked, “Are you at least going to feed me first?”
“That depends. Do we have a deal on the other?” His dark blonde eyebrows rose in question.
I sighed. Right now, I’d give anything to make my legs feel better. And I’m pretty sure the jerk knew it. Besides, he didn’t say anything about sharing all of my story.
I looked up at him. Nodded.
He smiled. I don’t know that I’d been the recipient of his full smile before. His eyes crinkled in the corners, he had the cutest little dimple thingy near the angle of his chin. He should probably be registered as a weapon against women.
The sudden urge to make cupcakes had my fingers itching. Bastard.
He held out his hand for me to take.
I looked between it and his eyes. “What are you wanting from me, Ryker?”
“Right now, I’m wanting to feed you and help your legs feel better.”
“And later?”
“I’ve already told you what I want from you. That hasn’t changed.” He kept his hand up, his gaze locked to mine.
“And if I told you I wouldn’t be sleeping with you? Ever.”
He smiled. “I’d do my best to get you to change your mind. But I’d still feed you and help your legs feel better right now.”
“As long as we’re on the same page, then