18 Chapter 18: Nikki

"I know my apartment isn't much, but it's the only place I know I can keep you safe. Until I work shit out with Jesse, I don't want you leaving." In Ryker's mind, that decision had been made-not so much in my own.

"At all?"

He slid his phone across the counter. "Not even to smell the flowers."

"This place has flowers?" I shouldn't be a smartass. Not now.

"The lady next door has a couple pots by her front door." He placed his hands behind him on the countertop, and every muscle from his shoulders to his abdomen flexed. "I know it's not fancy, but the place is clean, and the bed is comfortable."

Bed. That was singular. Taking in the space, I hoped I'd missed some of the apartment and that there was a hidden door that led to another room...with another bed. There wasn't even a couch. And as cozy as this chair was, I doubted sleeping on it would provide any actual rest.

Ryker must have sensed my discomfort. "I'm not going to try to get in your pants."