Concealed Affliction Read Online Free PDF Page B

a little in his sleep, then settles before the vibrating starts up again.
     
    “Ryder.”
     
    “Hmmmmm?”
     
    His arms tighten around me and he settles once again.
     
    “Ryder!” I say a little more forcefully this time before he finally comes to, eyes wide and worried.
     
    “What’s wrong?”
     
    I bury my head back in the pillow, keeping my eyes closed while I speak in my own whiskey rough morning voice. Not seductive or caused from smoking, but an after effect of being strangled half to death.
     
    “Nothing’s wrong if you bought me a new vibrator that just happened to turn on by itself. But if you didn’t then I think your phone is ringing.”
     
    He let’s go of my body and reaches over to the nightstand to pick up his phone. He doesn’t answer it, but sends it to voice mail and begins typing.
     
    I crack my eyes open, noticing he looks stressed, or maybe like he didn’t get enough sleep. I didn’t either but I’m definitely not complaining. Ryder really could put the energizer bunny to shame. We went to bed shortly after eleven, but didn’t go to sleep until two.
     
    Once again, not complaining.
     
    “Everything alright, handsome?” I ask as I snuggle back down into the bed.
     
    I realize I didn’t have any nightmares last night. Most likely my workout at the gym combined with my workout with Ryder kept me comatose for the better part of the evening. I’m looking forward to going back to sleep until Ryder speaks again.
     
    “I need to get on the road, Elle. Chicago can’t wait any longer.”
     
    I understand that he needs to go, and as much as I was hoping for time by myself I’m suddenly not looking forward to it. Even though he put down his phone he still hasn’t looked at me like he normally does when we wake up in the morning. Instead, he stares blankly at the ceiling.
     
    “I don’t ask much about your work, what kind of a job is it anyway?”
     
    Ryder scrubs his hands down over his face and takes in a deep breath.
     
    “Mayoral election bullshit.”
     
    I think for a moment. Not that I know much about elections, but I thought I was certain it was over.
     
    “Isn’t that finished by now?”
     
    Ryder stares at the ceiling for a few moments before answering.
     
    “Not quite, I still have a few more things to wrap up. I’ll be back by Tuesday if I leave now.”
     
    He finally faces me and his eyes are a little sad. I’m not sure why, and I don’t plan to ask him. Not that I don’t care, but if he needs to leave there’s no sense getting wrapped up in a conversation that we don’t have time to finish. I also hate pushing for information from him when I’m so reluctant to give it up myself.
     
    “No worries. I have a lot to do, and I think I’ll get more done without you here,” I joke. Not that it’s an absolute lie, the man sure is distracting.
     
    His hand reaches out to push the hair away from my face. He runs his fingers down my cheek. It’s an intimate moment, and by that I mean it’s harder for me to withstand his kind touches than it is to sleep with him. I’ve never been good with commitment, or full exposure. The thoughts of giving both of those things to him terrify me.
     
    “I want you to call me if you need anything. If I’m not around or you need help with anything, I can send one of my guys over. They’re in Jacksonville.”
     
    His serious eyes cause me to pause, but I give him a light smirk doing my best to lighten the moment.
     
    “I’m a big girl handsome, but if I need anything that I can’t look after myself, I’ll give you a ring.”
     
    He leans over and places his lips to my forehead, breathing in my hair.
     
    “I mean it Elle. The more I know, the more I worry about you. Don’t make me worry anymore please. And for fuck’s sake when I call, please pick up the damn phone.”
     
    I lean in and place a kiss just above his collarbone.
     
    “I’ll answer handsome. Now, get out of my bed and make me