Ryder leaned over her, kissing her, with his hands immersed in her hair. She wished he would just finish up, but he took his time caressing the curve of her neck with his lips over and over again. For the last couple of weeks, she had been walking around on her tiptoes, trying not to set off the anger she had seen him display. Their conversations were forced and every part of her cringed when he held out his arms for her, despite how good they felt. She would go to him, trying to soothe him, gently loving him; hoping her love would reach him. At night, she would read...