And I froze when I saw it packed with almost all of our friends except the few that must be watching the kids.
Just like I’d thought earlier.
Family.
* * *
We were home.
Peyton and Piper had stayed the night at Braxton and Jurnee’s house so I could get Gemma settled in at my place. I was grateful that my kids wouldn’t see Gemma quite yet, even if it was only for a day. Deep down I knew that seeing her cuts and bruises was going to hit them hard.
Those that were at the hospital waited until she’d been released before all heading to their own places and seeing for themselves Gemma was okay.
“Do you want to lie down in the bed or want me to make you a comfy spot in the recliner out here until later?”
Her arm was looped through mine since the pain meds they’d given her were still alive and well in her system. She swayed a tad when she first stood as I got her in and out of the car, but I never let go of her. She’d also slept the whole way home so I wasn’t sure what was on her mind but she was quiet when we walked to my place.
But her silence now after asking her a question was worrying me. Turning into her but still hanging on, I tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes, which sparkled with unshed tears.
Gemma hadn’t cried once at the hospital that I had seen but she’d been through so much. It was only a matter of time before it all came rushing up and she broke. When she began to tremble in my arms and the tears spilled down her soft cheeks, my heart lurched and shattered.
I gathered her in my embrace and she rested her head on my chest as sobs racked her petite body. “I got you,” I told her just as I promised her at the hospital.
We stood there for a while until her tears slowed and she pulled back a tad to look up at me. “I just want to be wherever you will be,” she whispered.
Knowing it would be good for her to lie down and that I couldn’t be away from her, I led her to my room. While I needed to watch her, I also didn’t want her out of my sight. I’d have stayed in whatever room she’d wanted to be in but hearing her say she wanted to be with me too, stole my heart.
Just like she had.
We walked into my room and she paused, causing us both to stop since I had a hold of her arm still. “I don’t have any of my stuff with me.”
“You can use one of my shirts to sleep in and we’ll grab your things tomorrow.”
“Thank you. Will you help me get changed before I lie down?”
Shit, that may be torture and I couldn’t promise my cock wouldn’t take notice, but I was going to do my best to be the perfect gentleman because that was what the amazing woman in front of me deserved.
“You bet, sweetheart.”
Once we had her in my t-shirt, which she swam in since she was so tiny, I settled her in bed. Gemma in my shirt would forever be burned into my brain.
She immediately closed her eyes and I thought she’d fallen asleep, so I grabbed a pair of shorts and a new tee to throw on and as I stood there in my boxers, I heard a quick intake of breath.
After quickly turning, I saw Gemma staring at me lustfully and my skin burned with desire.
Down boy,I said in my head when I felt my erection begin.
“Baby, I need you to close your eyes so I can be a gentleman.”
Instead of closing her eyes, she giggled and I didn’t know if I wanted to kiss her or throttle her. But the sound was music to my ears.
Quickly throwing on my clothes, I stalked to the bed.
“That’s two spankings I owe you when you’re feeling better.” I climbed in behind her and gently pulled her back to my front, hoping my manhood would behave with her pressed up against me.
When she squirmed to get closer, I groaned and she giggled again.
“That’s three.”
