“I’ll get it for you.”He moved past her and into the small kitchen, sucking up the space and what was left of Casey’s breath.
Moments later, he thrust a glass into her hands.Ice clinked against the sides as she lifted it to her lips and drank.
“Better?”he asked, as she handed it back.
She nodded and turned away.Ryder set the glass down and followed her awkward movements through the room with a thoughtful gaze.This was about more than a restless night.The tension in her posture and on her face was impossible to miss.
“You’re afraid, aren’t you?”
Startled by his perception, Casey turned and then couldn’t hold the intensity of his gaze.
“It’s okay,” Ryder said.“Anyone would feel the same.”
“How do you know so much about what I feel?”she asked.
“Let’s just say.I’ve been there.”
“You mean you’ve been in a—”
He interrupted, and Casey got the impression that it was because he didn’t want to talk about it.
“Want me to sit with you for a while?”When she hesitated, he felt obligated to add, “No strings attached.Just one friend to another, okay?”
Her legs ached, her head was throbbing, and her eyelids were burning from lack of sleep.Maybe some company would help her to relax.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”she asked.
His eyes darkened and his mouth quirked, just enough to make her wonder what he was really thinking.
“No, ma’am, I don’t mind a bit.”
“Then, yes, I would like some company.But just for a while, okay?”
He nodded.“Okay.”He followed her into the bedroom, leaving the door wide open between the two rooms.
A muscle pulled at the side of her neck and she winced as she started to crawl into bed.
“Easy,” he said, as he helped her slide into a more comfortable position.“Want me to rub something on those stiff muscles?It might help you relax.”
“Yes, please,” Casey answered.
He disappeared into the bathroom and came out moments later with a tube of ointment.Casey’s eyes widened as the bed gave beneath his weight and she rolled over on her side, her heart racing as she bared her shoulder at his request.
She was stiff and nervous and he felt her resistance to his touch as if he’d invaded her space.
“Easy…just take it easy,” he coaxed, and laid his palm on the curve of her arm.
Casey flinched, and then when he began to move, she closed her eyes and let herself go.Gentle.His touch was so gentle.The ointment was a lubricant between his skin and hers, smoothing the way for the pressure of his fingers as he began to knead at the offending muscle.
“Oooh, that feels good,” she said with a sigh, settling into the rhythm of his touch.
Ryder clinched his jaw and tried not to think of what else could be good between them.
The room became quiet and there was nothing to hear but the slide of skin against skin and the uneven breathing of strangers who just happened to be husband and wife.Several minutes passed and Casey had been lulled into letting down her guard when Ryder spoke.
“Casey.”
Her pulse jerked, a little startled by the sound of his voice.
