Chapter 46
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Sunlight on his face awakened Ryan. For a brief second he panicked. It’s almost noon. I didn’t make Merrick’s breakfast. Then he moved and reality hit—hard. He remembered what had happened, the beating, the pain and humiliation when Merrick stripped him of his clothes before he took away all the clothing he owned then locked him in the bedroom. And the kiss, before he did. Ryan wiped his hand over his mouth in disgust. I’ll never beg for his forgiveness because there’s nothing to forgive.
He tried to sit up, fell back on the bed when his ribs protested violently, and then tried again. This time, he managed it, doing his best to ignore the pain as he eased his legs over the side of the bed. The next undertaking was getting to his feet, which he did by dint of using the headboard for balance.