Chapter 37: Ryker

The room was pitch black when Nikki crawled under the covers. Not even the moon crept through the slats in the closed blinds. There was a storm coming, and the wind howled around the perimeter of the building. I'd always loved the sounds of violent rain and the forces of nature reminding the world that they controlled us, not the other way around. Nikki, however, did not appear to find the same comfort in the deluge that I did.

At first, I thought she might be cold after just getting out of the shower. She hadn't dried her hair, and I didn't keep my apartment all that warm-more like a meat locker-but even after a few minutes under the blankets, she still trembled like a leaf.

Closing the distance between us, I brushed my fingers against hers. She nearly came undone when she flinched. I quickly retreated and propped myself up. Without any light, it was difficult to make out her facial features much less her expression, but I didn't miss the way she jerked with hiccupping sobs.