Page 35 of Stuck On Them

Was I still angry he’d thrown my family’s money in my face? Not really. I couldn’t deny that my life had been a whole hell of a lot easier than his because of said money. I wasn’t so far up my own ass that I didn’t recognize the extreme privilege I had.

I raised my hand to knock and thought better of it. If he wasn’t answering his phone, it was doubtful he’d answer his door.

I keyed in the code to enter, and the door beeped, granting me access. The first thing I noticed was the pair of pink Crocs in the entryway.

Ryker did not bring chicks back to his place and the type usually up for a tryst didn’t wear Crocs to meet a hookup.

The living room and kitchen side of the condo were quiet, but the unmistakable sound of a moan was coming from Ryker’s bedroom down the hall.

My heart raced with a mixture of adrenaline and jealousy. Was he really with someone when he should have been at work? Maybe he’d been seeing someone on the sly.

I kicked my shoes off so I could move stealthily down the hall to his slightly open bedroom door.

“Uh.” That was definitely Ryker moaning, but he sounded... pained?

“Just a little bit farther,” a woman directed in a strained voice. “That’s it. Now open your mouth.”

“I can’t,” Ryker croaked. What the fuck was she doing to him?

“Yes, you can,” she cooed. “Now, drink.”

I tried to see what was happening, but the angle of the door didn’t let me see anything. I didn’t want to just barge in there and interrupt. If anything, I wanted to stand and listen.

Adjusting myself in my slacks, I put my ear to the crack, trying to take in every sound. There should be the sound of skin smacking or bodily fluids, but I was met with silence.

“Is that good enough?” Ryker coughed. “Fuck, that burned.”

My brows furrowed. I really needed to see what was going on in the room. Maybe if I just pushed the door a little farther...

The door flew open, and I stumbled back as the woman screamed. But it wasn’t just any woman, it was Paige.

“What the hell, Luca?” Ryker was right behind Paige now, dressed only in his boxers.

I put one hand on the wall and another on my chest. “I think my heart just shifted positions.”

“Were you spying on us?” Paige was holding a coffee mug with enough white-knuckle force she was going to break the handle off.

“I... well...” I looked to Ryker for help.

“He thought we were having sex.” Ryker coughed and turned back to his bed. “Even though heknowsI don’t bring women back here.”

“Well, obviously you do.” I looked Paige up and down. She was wearing an oversized shirt and her legs were bare. “Did yousleephere?”

“In the guest room.” She stood taller, making the shirt rise on her thighs a fraction of an inch. “Do you make it a habit of listening to people having sex?”

“Not on purpose. If they’re loud enough... wouldn’t you listen?” I backed up as she walked out of the room, softly shutting the door behind her. “Is he okay?”

“He has a fever and a sore throat.” She brushed past me, and I followed.

“And he called you to come take care of him and you came of your own free will?” That didn’t make any sense considering what an asshole he’d been and the fact he’d fired her. Or did she quit first?

“He came to my apartment last night with the paperwork and a check, there was a rat, he brought me here, and I woke up to his groaning.” She walked into the kitchen and rinsed out the coffee mug. “Is he always a big baby when he’s sick?”

“He doesn’t get sick.” I propped my hip against the island, staring at her legs.

Paige looked at me with a raised eyebrow and smirked. “But when he does, he really milks it, doesn’t he?”

I nodded, still stuck on the image of her bare skin and wondering if she had on anything besides the shirt. “Yeah, he does.”

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