Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

“Wow, keeping me under house arrest and giving out insults.” She sneezed, her eyes welling up with flu tears. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

That was a question I could answer.

Truthfully.

With no bullshit of any kind.

I bent to her level, inhaling vanilla and other girly smells from her bath. “You care for so many creatures. You put them first and you’re selfless when it comes to their wellbeing over yours.”

She froze as I cupped her cheek. “You’re not like most people, Vesper Fairfax. And I’m not a liar. I like you a fuck ton, and the sooner you realise that, the better off we’ll both be.”

My fingers sparked where I touched her. It took all my willpower to drop my hand and step back. “Go and dress—before I undo that tiny towel and kiss you stupid. Dinner is ready and I want you to eat.”

CHAPTER NINE

———————

Vesper

I WAS SICK.

It sucked.

But what didn’t suck was Ryder Carson.

He fed me—delicious warming soup.

He entertained me—making jokes when Visa finally came out to say hi.

He kissed me—okay, just a quick peck on the forehead—after he’d cleaned the dishes and straightened out my lounge until I screamed at him to leave the mess alone.

But it was still a kiss.

He liked me.

He told me himself.

And, as I lay in bed, stuffed up, achy, feverish, cursing my nose and head, I smiled.

Because for the first time in forever.

I liked a boy.

I wanted a boy.

And he wanted me.

CHAPTER TEN

———————

Ryder

THE NEXT MORNING, I WOKE worried and happy.

Worried that I might come down with what Vesper had and bloody ecstatic that I’d been able to spend the evening with her regardless of germs.

However, my immune system didn’t believe in playing sick. I had no itchy throat or early symptoms, leaving me to focus entirely on Vesper Fairfax and just how intoxicated she made me.