Free Jolted (Conflicted Encounters #1) by Alyne Roberts Page A

I can take the couch. You would be closer to a bathroom."
    "No, I'm fine. Thank you," I said and leaned my heavy head back against the couch. "I will be just fine."
    "Okay, if you say so. Yell if you need anything," he said, patting my knee again before heading to his room.  
    That man was a walking contradiction. At least with the buzz I had, my mind was quiet. I wouldn’t think about how the concerned look on Ryder's face reminded me of the way Carter would look at me. I used to get so stressed out over finals that I would pace the room constantly. Carter would watch me with that same look, then finally grab my shoulders and tell me I was going to do great. I would instantly believe him.  
    I would need to talk myself down from the ledge on my own now. That thought terrified me, but I had no other choice. Having no choice is a familiar feeling for me, I should be used to it. Maybe being down here, alone and away from everyone I know, would allow me to get better. I could get better for myself and not because everyone was looking at me, expecting me, to carry on.  

    Tickling on my upper thigh made me stir. I heard shuffling and felt movement on the couch that made my eyes pop open. Light streamed in the windows behind me and burned my eyes, making me groan loudly.
    "Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you," Ryder said in a raspy voice, looking down at my thighs. "But your dress was getting dangerously high." I followed his stare and he was right. My already short dress was riding up my legs and another shift would have had me flashing him my panties.
    "Sorry," I muttered, pulling the thin fabric down a little lower. Ryder's eyes grew dark as he watched my hands. I stared at his throat as he swallowed hard. Heat bubbled deep in my stomach and my skin tingled where his eyes were roaming. I felt naked and exposed laying on the couch next to him like this.  
    He coughed and got up to go to the kitchen. I let myself catch my breath and waited for my pounding heart to slow down before sitting up. I pulled the blanket over myself, trying to gain some composure. I hated how my body reacted to him. My body must have good memories from our sleepover a few nights ago that my mind didn't.  
    "How are you feeling?" Ryder called from the kitchen while pouring coffee.
    "Not great, but okay enough," I answered. My head was aching and my feet were sore. My hands were shaking, but I wasn't sure if it was from the alcohol or waking up to Ryder and the way he made me feel. He strolled into the room easily and handed me a mug. I gratefully took a huge gulp of the hot liquid. "Thank you. How is Scarlett?"
    "She's fine. Already off to work. You going to be okay here by yourself today?" he asked, taking a seat on the other end of the couch.  
    "Yeah. I will be fine," I nodded. What other option did I have?
    We drank our coffee in silence and finally Ryder retreated to his room. I heard his shower kick on and I decided to go back to bed. I was never one to sleep in late, but I had been nothing like myself, so why go back now? I woke up hours later, well into the afternoon. I dragged myself into the shower and scrubbed the night away. I dressed and decided I needed stronger coffee to shake this hangover.
    I walked down to the main street and looked both ways. Deciding which direction I thought the coffee house was, I started walking. The day was warmer than it normally was in early June. People bustled around the old fashioned town, walking and riding bikes on the sidewalks. The main street was lined with benches with flower pots in full bloom on each side. Cars slowly cruised by, and I enjoyed the slow and quiet pace.  
    I grew up in the suburbs and was not entirely thrilled at the thought of moving to D.C. It was Carter's dream, so I had always agreed when he talked about moving to the big city. The idea of big buildings, congested traffic, and the lack of a big yard bothered me, but I just wanted to be with him.  
    Being a politician's wife never