Chapter 56

I woke up first and the weight of my actions settled on me like lead. Ryker’s arm was wound around my waist and he was tucked by my side. I slowly disentangled myself from his hold but it proved harder than I thought because he was not ready to let go. I couldn’t help but face palm myself as I managed to get out. He has another child back home and here I am rolling into bed with him like a hormonal teenager.

I ran my hands down my face as I saw Ryker begin to stare and I pulled a robe around my body to shield what little dignity I have left. I gathered our clothes from the floor and put mine in the laundry bag while I arranged Ryker’s neatly at the foot of the bed for him.

He finally woke up when he reached out into the bed and saw I wasn’t there. He sat up instantly and then he saw me standing there. He sat up slowly as if he was gauging my expression on my face and the situation in front of him.

“You’re awake,” he began and I hummed. “Camilla before you say anything-,”

“You should go,” I cut him off and I saw his face fall. “Audrey comes into my room every morning and I don’t want her to come in here and see something that we both can’t explain.”

“Why are you doing this?” he stood to his feet in all his naked glory and crossed the length of the room so he was standing directly in front of me.

“Put some clothes on,” I murmured trying not to look at him but his hand reached out and grabbed my chin then tilted my head back so I was staring right in his eyes.

“You want this, I know it and last night was more than enough proof. Why are you pushing me away? Why are you doing this?” I bit my tongue to stay silent. “Camilla, what is it that is refusing to allow you come to me?”

“Don’t act stu pid it is not an attractive look,” I spat hoping he would pull away at the insult but he didn’t. “You have a child Ryker, we cannot be doing this.”

“What does Audrey have to do with anything?”

“Not Audrey, Lauren’s child,” I all but yelled and he froze.

He opened his mouth to speak but I pushed him off me. He tried to step closer but I held out a hand to stop him and Ryker stood immobile. He stared down at me with wide eyes and he let out a sigh.

“I don’t have a child with Lauren,” he told me. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Is that why you ran, because Lauren told you we were having a child? You know better than I do that you should never listen to her.”

“She didn’t tell me.”

“Then what was so convincing that you believed them over me.”

“I heard it from Lucy. I heard Lucy tell her that she was pregnant and I heard her say that you both didn’t want me to know. I saw you with her.”

“Camilla, baby, you’re not making’ any sense.”

“I think you should leave Ryker,” I crossed my arms over my chest and Ryker let out a heavy exhale.

“Okay,” he nodded and started to put on his clothes.

The air was thick with tension and I watched as he glanced at me ever so slightly hoping and praying I would change my mind and ask him to stay so we could talk but I was firm in my decision. The last thing I want is Ryker lying to me and telling me that what I saw was some kind of apparition. I know what I saw, I never forgot it and seeing him right here in front of me denying everything is like a blow to the heart.

Ryker quietly exited my room and I slid to the floor with my head buried in my legs. I allowed myself the luxury of five minutes to mourn whatever had just happened before I forced myself to rise. I am the princess and I have work to do.copy right hot novel pub