Touch Me: A Stark International Novella (Stark International Security Book 4) by J. Kenner & Julie Kenner

Author:J. Kenner & Julie Kenner [Kenner, J. & Kenner, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Stark International, J. Kenner, contemporary romance
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Published: 2024-04-22T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

I’m in some half-asleep state with Humphrey Bogart murmuring into one ear, and Ryan into the other. It’s a lovely dream, especially since I know that even though Bogie is going to get on that plane with Louie, Ryan’s still going to be beside me.

Jamie…

I clutch the pillow and turn my face into it, trying to slide back into the bliss of sleep.

Jamie!

A warm hand against my forehead. Ryan’s hand.

My eyes flutter open, but it’s hard to keep them open. I’m tired. So, so tired. But as my eyelids droop, I catch a glimpse of Ryan’s face. A face I know even better than my own. I see the worry in his eyes. But I also see the tightness in his jaw and the tension around his mouth.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, though I doubt he understands. It came out more like waz long. This is going to be the hard part. This bone-deep exhaustion. Thankfully, the doc said it would pass quickly.

I just need more sleep. I force my eyes open to look at Ryan, then murmur seep, as if that will explain everything. Then I let them flutter closed, only to smile when I feel the press of his palm against my forehead.

“Shit.”

The word is harsh, and as I listen to his departing footsteps followed by the slam of our bedroom door, I know that something’s wrong. I push myself up to lean against the pillows, mentally slapping myself back into consciousness.

So, so tired.

And while I wish I could stay in bed longer, I can’t. I have to get up. I have to talk to Ryan.

I stretch, then reach for my phone, only to discover it’s not on the bedside table. I frown, then remember that it had died on my drive to the clinic that morning—my bad for forgetting to charge it. And for having removed the charging cable from my car last week when I couldn’t find the one in my home office.

I look around, intending to plug it in now, then realize it’s in my purse, and my purse is in the entryway.

Sometimes, technology sucks.

I go the old-fashioned route and glance at the clock, frowning when I see it’s almost three. I pull on a ratty pair of shorts and grab a tee from the pile on my dressing table chair. I’m already in my bra. I usually sleep naked, but my achy girls aren’t enjoying that experience lately.

Dressed, I yawn and stretch in an attempt to clear my groggy head. It’s not really working, but I ignore the lure of the bed calling me back, and head out into the wilds of the house to find Ryan.

It’s not tricky. The huge sliding doors are open, and I can see him pacing the back patio, which will be my next stop after grabbing a sparkling water from the fridge, guzzling it, and surprising myself with a huge burp.

Apparently, I have a lot of things to get used to.

I’m trying to organize my thoughts as I cross the den, but when Ryan turns to face me, my mind and body go entirely numb.

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