Chapter 2

That night, the stress and the cold caught up with me. I got a bad fever.

At 102 degrees, I was dizzy and completely out of it.

In my daze, I felt a warm towel wiping my body.

"Avery. Be a good girl. Take your medicine." A deep, unbelievably gentle voice whispered in my ear.

I forced my eyes open. Ryder sat by the bed. His eyes were full of worry.

"Go away." I turned my head, my voice rough. "I don't need you."

"Still so stubborn when you're sick." He stroked my forehead. "The water is perfectly warm. Just drink a little."

His hand was so warm. I wanted to lean into it. But I forced myself to stay cold.

"I said I don't need you."

"But I need to take care of you." His voice held a tenderness that stunned me. "It's my duty."

Duty. Always duty.

I closed my eyes and ignored him. But he wouldn't leave. He stayed glued to the bedside.

I could feel his burning gaze pinned to my fever-flushed lips. His breathing was heavy.

When I woke up again, I was wrapped tightly in his arms.

His body was scorching hot. Hotter than my fever.

I could clearly feel his flexed thigh muscles through his thin clothes. And that aggressive, massive hardness pressed dangerously hot against me.

Shivers shot through me like electricity. Shamelessly, I felt my body react to him.

"Awake?" His hand stroked my back. His voice was incredibly raspy. "Feeling better?"

His eyes held a desperate, begging hunger. "Do you want to... try this with me?"

Once upon a time, I would have been thrilled. But after last night's humiliation, it just felt like pity. Like charity.

"I feel sick." I shoved him away with a cold face. "Get away from me."

All the color drained from his face. He looked like an abandoned stray dog.

"I'm sorry." He immediately let go. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have done that... not now. I'm sorry."

He scrambled out of bed in a panic. He smoothed down his wrinkled shirt. The tight white shirt hugged his perfect frame. Every line of his chest and abs was on full display.

My heart raced for no reason.

"But Avery." He looked back at me. His eyes were totally panicked. "If you go out again... don't get hurt, okay? If I smell another man on you, I'll go crazy."

Seeing him walk on eggshells around me made my resolve waver.

No. I couldn't do this anymore.

Three days later, my fever broke.

While cleaning my room, I noticed a pair of leather dog-training gloves missing from my closet. They were my favorite pair. They smelled exactly like me.

At dinner, I sat across the table. Ryder was elegantly cutting his steak.

"My training gloves are gone," I said casually. "Maybe they got stolen."

His knife and fork froze. The blade screeched harshly against the plate.

He pressed his lips together and looked up. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. Then he let out a low chuckle.

"Really?" His voice was low and deadly. "Maybe something just really liked their scent and took them."

I paused. Why would a CEO steal my gloves? Did he have some weird kink?

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." He went back to his steak. His movements were unnervingly fluid. "Maybe they'll come back on their own."

It was weird, but I didn't care enough to pry.

"Right." I put my fork down. "I have a gift for you tonight. Come home early."

His hands stopped again. His eyes instantly blazed.

"A gift?" His voice roughened. "What kind of gift?"

"You'll see."

I was going to give him the divorce papers. And the confirmation letter for my overseas job. It was time to say goodbye for real.

"Whenever you need me," his voice dropped, impossibly deep and suggestive. "I'll be there."

My face heated up. What did he mean? Why was he sounding so... seductive?

His phone rang. He picked it up, grabbed a folder, and rushed out.

"See you tonight, Avery." He looked back from the door. His fiery gaze could melt me on the spot.

I watched him leave. My heart kicked up a notch.

What he just said. That look in his eyes... Why did it feel so dirty?

I pressed a hand to my skipping heart. I touched my burning ears. I was embarrassed and a little annoyed.

Why did every word out of his mouth sound like a filthy promise?