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Chapter Thirty-Three: In Hot Water

The tempting smell of food woke North, and she rolled out of bed before realizing she was alone. That caused a mild surge of disappointment, but the pleasant ache between her thighs went a long way toward assuaging the feeling of abandonment. No doubt, Ryland had been practicing discretion, or perhaps he’d left to help the others with something.

She stretched and yawned, feeling calm and refreshed after her nap. Her head felt stuffy from all the crying, and there was a slight pain in her chest, but the grief had faded again to a more manageable level. It was the first time she’d really had a chance to process and cope with it, so she doubted she would’ve been so composed if Ryland hadn’t fed from her negative emotions and then found another way to soothe her with their lovemaking.

Her clothes remained in the closet where she’d left them, so she quickly slipped on a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt, not bothering with anything else as she left the roo