Chapter 197 - Hundred And Ninety Seven
The gentle morning breeze carried the sweet smell of damp earth and blooming flowers through the open window. Birds outside were singing their cheerful morning songs. Suzy stirred in her sleep, breathing in the pleasant air. She turned in the large bed, reaching out for Ryan, but the space beside her was cool and empty.
Her eyes opened quickly. She sat up, pushing her tangled curls away from her face. A small knot of worry formed in her stomach for just a moment before she saw him. Ryan was sitting in the sturdy wooden chair near the window, already dressed in clean trousers and a soft t-shirt which was opened. He was carefully removing the cotton cloth wrapped around his waist.
It had only been two days since he had woken up properly after the assassination. Two days, and already he was acting like he could do anything, like that injury was just a small inconvenience on his way to taking over the world. A small smile touched Suzy’s lips. He was determined, she had to give him that.
Ryan must have heard the soft rustle of the bed sheets because he looked up from his task. A warm smile instantly lit up his face when he saw her, though his hands kept working carefully removing the cotton cloth and tape.
"Awake?" he asked, his voice a little rough from disuse but warm.
Suzy nodded, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice still soft with sleep.
His eyes travelled over her. He noticed the way her auburn curls fell around her face, extremely messy from sleep. His gaze moved down her neck to her shoulders, where one thin strap of her simple silk nightgown had slipped down, showing the smooth curve of her collarbone. His smile deepened slightly, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
"How long have you been awake?" Suzy asked, standing up. The cool floor felt smooth beneath her bare feet.
"For a while now," Ryan replied, carefully peeling away the old dressing. He winced just a tiny bit, a movement so small she might have missed it if she wasn’t watching closely. "I had to clean myself up a bit. And this thing," he gestured to the wound with his chin, "needed a fresh bandage."