“You couldn’t even wash your own hair.” He tilted his head to the side and kissed her shin. “It’s okay. I like you needing me.”

“I could have gotten someone else to help me.”

He made a noise. “Who? Your father? That’s not awkward.”

She chuckled. “No. Not my father. I have friends, believe it or not.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “I don’t get why you’re helping me even though you’re getting absolutely nothing from it.”

“Who says I’m getting nothing from it?”

Ella snorted. “I’m not having sex with you.”

He almost looked offended. “Is that all you think about?”

“Around you? Yes.”

Ryker clutched her ankles in each hand and pulled her closer. The towel slid up to reveal her ass to him and he smacked it.

“You’re supposed to be sick.” He squeezed the fleshy mound before he smacked it again. “You’re hardly capable of having sex right now.”

She yelped and tried to tug the towel down, but he got the upper hand, yanking it away. He pulled Ella back against him so her ass was firmly resting against his crotch. Stroking her side, he let his fingers drift along her soft skin.

“I am sick.” She closed her eyes, enjoying his touch too much. “I need some clothes.”

“In a minute.”

Ryker leaned down so that he could take her breast into his mouth. Ella turned slightly, giving him better access. Eyes drifting shut, she ran her fingers through his hair, loving how the scrape of his stubble scratched her skin. His hand drifted along her stomach, trailing lower until he brushed his fingers along her thigh.

“Ryker, I really am sick.” She swallowed, her throat still feeling raw. “I can’t do this.”

He let her breast go and blew on her wet nipple. “Do what?”

Lifting her leg so that it rested on his, he smoothed his fingers along the inside of her thigh. She sucked in a breath, anticipating his touch, but he didn’t give her what she wanted. Her eyes popped open and she stared up into his.

“What can’t you do?” His fingers slipped along her slit and brushed against her clit.

She chewed on her lower lip. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to give you an orgasm.” He pushed up slightly so he could suck her other nipple into his mouth. “And when I’m through, you’re going to sleep.”

Her eyes drifted closed as he stroked her pussy. He had her temperature rising as he teased. Two fingers slipped inside her while his thumb worked her clit, rubbing in soft circles that were damn near going to kill her. He let her breast go with a pop and pressed his face against her chest, kissing the valley between her breasts.

She tried to push him away and found herself clutching at his hair, keeping him in place. Dragging his tongue along the soft swell of her breast, he kissed the underside. A shudder raked over her as her legs fell open. She gave herself to him, desperately needing his touch and loving every second of it.

When he made her come, her back arched up as she ground her pussy against his hand, forcing his fingers deeper into her. Her labored breaths filled the silent room. Ryker kissed her flat stomach and pushed off her.

“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He pulled her comforter back and lifted her so she could tuck her legs beneath it. “That’s what I get out of this. That’s why I can’t seem to leave. I know I’m not good for you, but dammit, baby, you’re good for me. I want you.” He kissed her forehead. “I swear I’m going to find a way to make it work.”

Ella curled up on her side, staring at him. Ryker smoothed his hand along her back. He couldn’t stop touching her. He couldn’t move away.

“You’re probably not tired, but you can lay here with me? We’ve spent most of the morning in bed. It’d be nice to spend the rest of the day like this.”

He smiled. “I really need to go.” He grabbed a pen and wrote a number on her arm. “Call me if you need anything.”

She stared at the scribbled number. “Really?”

“Yep.” He smoothed her wet hair from her cheek. “I’ll be riding around most of the day. I can stop by anytime or go out and get you something if you need it.”

“What if I just need you?”

He smiled and pulled away. “You’re too sick for sex. Plus, you’re conserving your energy, not spending it.”

She watched as he went to the bathroom and pulled his pants on. His shirt was ripped, but apparently when his friends had delivered breakfast they’d brought him another. He pulled it on and collected his stuff from her coffee table before sitting down to put his black boots on.

“Here.” He handed her the phone. “Call your mom and tell her you’re okay. I saw the soup and cake. I know she made that for you. She used to send it with you every time you came back to school from being sick.”

She took the phone. “You remember that?”

“Yeah.” He hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “Get some rest.”

A million emotions stirred inside her as she stared at the door long after he’d gone. Remembering the smallest details about her hit her right in the feelings and she wasn’t sure what to think about that.