"You really are despicable," she lashed back at him. He laughed at her temper, all the more turned on by it. Her glare hardened. He released her suddenly and she almost crumbled to the floor. Only her shear will-power kept her standing straight.
"I may be despicable but you want me and this will be mutually pleasurable," he drawled.
"Or, I'm just one fine actress," she said, while smiling sweetly. She then made a very hasty exit when she saw the murderous expression enter his eyes. She locked herself into a bathroom, where she stayed until she had her breathing under control and her features blanked. She wouldn't let him know how much he affected her. He already had too much power; she couldn't give him her control too.
Ryan thought about chasing her down and proving to her there was no way in hell she'd been acting. He'd felt her coming apart in his arms from a simple kiss. When he finally took her to his bed and made her truly his, she would be screaming out his name.
He would've done just that if he was in control of himself. As it was, he could barely stand and was afraid the day ahead would be a painful one. She did things to his body no other woman had ever been able to accomplish. He wanted her and that night he would finally have her. He'd never wanted a day to end so badly.
When she finally returned to the den, they both looked at one another coolly. He would let her have some space, only because he needed it as well. She gathered her purse and they left for the hospital. He had all day to anticipate the night to come.
Chapter Three
"I missed you last night, Nik," Patsy said when the two of them stepped into the room.
"I'm so sorry Hun, I got caught up at work but I came as early as I could this morning," Nicole said to her sister. "You probably don't remember Ryan," she added.
"Ryan, is that you?" Patsy asked and a huge smile spread across her hollow features. Ryan couldn't believe how weak and small she looked. She'd been full of life as a young toddler and though she was beautiful, she looked so ill it nearly brought him to his knees. He sat on the edge of the bed and she eagerly took his hand.
"I'm sorry you've been in so much pain," Ryan told her with a suspicious tightness in his throat. He tried to clear it, uncomfortable with the feeling.
"I missed you," she told him, almost accusatory.
"I've missed you too, little one, and I'm sorry I haven't been there for you," Ryan told her.
"I'm glad you're here, now," she said, with a child's honesty.
"Me too," he said, surprised by how much he meant the words.
"Are you and Nicole together again?" she asked hopefully.
"We are," he simply stated.
"That's so cool. Nicole has always loved you," she said, with the innocence of youth. Ryan looked over at Nicole, who was blushing scarlet. She glared at him and shook her head before turning to her sister.
"You're going to get your operation, baby," Nicole told her as tears well up in her eyes.
"Really?" Patsy asked with disbelief as she looked from Ryan to Nicole.
"Really," Ryan told her. She held out her arms and he gently pulled her close to him. She was even tinier than he'd originally thought. His heart ached, as he felt her tiny frame through the thin hospital gown.
Ryan and Nicole sat in her room for hours visiting and keeping her spirits up; until she could no longer stay awake. She fought going to sleep but finally drifted off. Ryan quietly led Nicole from the room.
No words were spoken as they walked from the hospital. He led her to his car and they made their way back towards his home. She'd been able to dampen down the nerves, while she was visiting with her sister but now she was nervous. She knew he expected her to sleep with him and she didn't know how to respond to his request.
They pulled up to the house and there were a couple of cars in the driveway. Ryan blew out a breath of frustration when he spotted the vehicles, giving Nicole a look she didn't understand.
"Well now we are going to test your acting skills. Remember what you agreed to," he snapped at her, before leading her from the vehicle. She looked at him quizzically and followed him into the house.
"About time you got back Ryan, did you forget about the barbeque?" Derek said, as he stepped around the corner.
Nicole got a shock as she saw Derek and Drew, a couple of women and some kids. She stood there like a doe in headlights, not knowing what to say. She hadn't seen Ryan's cousins since they were all kids. She'd once loved them so much and although they'd tried speaking to her after her and Ryan broke up she'd found it too painful and cut all ties.
"Is that you, Nicole? I haven't seen you in forever. You look great," Drew said when he realized who was standing next to his cousin. Before she knew what was happening, Drew walked over and engulfed her in a huge bear hug. She felt the tears stinging her eyes at the easy acceptance he offered.