She gives me a real smile, then I take her through the rest of the downstairs, showing her how to work the TV and how the security system works. She glances out the patio doors, glancing at the pool and James’ greenhouse.
“You can use the pool at any time, but I would prefer if someone was out there with you.”
Her brows furrow, and she tilts her head. “I can swim. I’m actually a great swimmer.”
“I don’t doubt it. I would just worry,” I say shyly, and she smiles and nods her head.
“The greenhouse?” She points, and I nod my head.
“That’s James’. I’m sure when he’s ready, he will give you the grand tour.”
She clears her throat, and I look down at her. She’s such a tiny little thing. “You’re sure that he wants me here?”
“James is a hard one to get to know. But I promise you, having you here is something we talked about as a pack, and you are wanted. By all of us.” She blushes and nods her head as I put her hand back in mine and take her upstairs. From left to right, I point to each door down the hall. “James’, mine, Ian’s, and your room is the last on the left.” I didn’t take her into the basement because I figured that would be a little bit much for now. We’ll save that surprise for another time. I think she’s had to take in enough as it is.
Her hand slightly shakes as she turns the knob to her bedroom, and the light gasp that catches in her throat makes me smile. “How… When?” she says, shaking her head.
“We wanted you to be comfortable, is it okay?”
“It’s more than okay,” she says, touching the light purple comforter and taking in all the feminine touches in the room. When she opens her closet, she gasps again. “Ian wasn’t lying, you really did pack up all my stuff from home.”
“Everything’s put away, I hope that’s okay.”
She nods her head and smiles. “Thank you, Ezra.” Her voice is soft and hearing her say my name sends a tingle down my spine. I don’t want to rush things; it’s clear she’s been overloaded. No matter how badly I want to scoop her up and put her on my lap.
“Do you need anything, love? Do you want to be alone, or we could watch a movie?”
Her smile is radiant as she nods her head. “Let me get changed first?”
“Sure thing, I’ll be in the living room.” She nods as I turn and give her some space. Even though I want to be all up in her space.
Fucking play it cool.
When I get downstairs, Ian is already in the living room, having changed from his suit, and wearing sweatpants and a white T-shirt.
“So, wild night?” I ask, and he scoffs and rubs his beard.
“I just couldn’t leave there without taking her with me.”
“Mate, I get it. We’re happy she’s here. She seems happy to be here, just upset that her mom’s a fucking cunt.”
Ian groans, and his head hits the back of the couch.
“What is she doing?”
“Getting changed and coming down to watch a movie.”
“We need to make this work,” he says, and I hold my hands up in surrender.
“You don’t see me complaining.”
“I know, it’s just that I promised her that this would work, and she seems to not believe me.”
“Yeah, well, when your stepbrother kind of lowkey kidnaps you, it can be confusing.”
“I didn’t kidnap her,” he says.
“Well, you did pack up all her shit and tell her mom she was coming to live with us before you even asked Luna if she wanted to be here. By the way, how did that all go down at the club?”
