A heat that could only be described as joy.
“He’s making himself right at home, I see.” Gem laughed as Fang dragged his new bed to the window and promptly curled up in it, his gray and white coat almost vanishing into the silver plushness.
The heat in my chest expanded until I burned with it. Until my fingertips throbbed and my body hardened with so, so much fucking gratitude. Grabbing Gem by the waist as she bent to grab the bag of dog food, I nuzzled her neck, feeling the satin of her ball gown catching on the roughness of my fingers. “Thank you, Gem. For all of it.”
“I enjoyed today just as much as you.” She spun in my hold, looping her arms around my neck. “I can’t tell you how much pleasure it gave me to go shopping with you. To eat out in public with you—even if we are dressed like maniacs and haven’t slept. I didn’t think that would happen for a very long time.”
“I’m sorry it took the time it did.”
“I’m not.” Gemma yawned, shaking her head. “It made today all the sweeter.” Her eyes unfocused a little as I kissed her, exhaustion evident on her face.
“You’re almost asleep standing.”
She yawned again. “Sorry. I must admit, being back home again, after such a busy twenty-four hours...it’s just hit me out of nowhere.”
I glanced outside, guessing with the sun’s angle that it was close to four p.m. Not bedtime but after the stressful evening and the entertaining day, she could be forgiven for crashing early. I needed to sleep too, even though I was still flying on joy—that joy strong enough to cancel out the tiredness of my lingering concussion.
“Come. Let’s get you into bed.” I kissed the tip of her nose, taking her hand and guiding her down the corridor to her room.
Fang’s claws sounded immediately behind us, never letting us out of his sight.
Gemma swayed on her feet as we entered her bedroom. She shivered as I removed my shirt that she still wore then pushed the straps of her dress off her shoulders.
I bit my bottom lip as it pooled to the floor.
Christ, I’d forgotten she wore nothing beneath it.
Her curves, her muscles...she was so strong yet so feminine.
I wanted her.
So fucking much.
Kissing her, I cupped her breasts and ran my thumbs over her nipples.
Her back arched, pressing more of her body into my hands. “Kas...”
“Shower.” I hoisted her from the floor and carried her into the bathroom. Fang once again followed us, sitting on the bathmat as I turned on the shower, stripped off my ruined clothes, and pulled Gemma into the water with me.
Hot spray hit my head and rained down my back.
I shuddered at the wonderfulness of it. I’d never take hot water for granted. Never get used to the bliss of a shower instead of icy pain, thanks to the wintery water at Fables.
Gem moaned as I brought her under the spray, drenching both of us before rubbing sweet-smelling soap all over her delicious body. As much as I wanted her, I kept it purely platonic. Not from lack of needing her but purely because I loved her.
I loved her enough to wait. Because right now, she was asleep standing.
Once we were both clean, I bundled her in a towel, guided her from the bathroom with Fang on our heels, and pulled back her bedding.
She slipped out of the towel and dived straight into the covers.
Snuggling into her pillow, she patted the empty bed behind her. “Join me...please?”
I stiffened.
I hadn’t slept in a long time.
I’d dealt with a bunch of shit today that would no doubt cause a nightmare or two to rear their ugly heads.
“I’m not safe, Gem.”
She groaned in defeat, her tiredness removing some of her understanding. “Can’t you try...just for one night? I miss you.”
Christ.
I raked my fingers through my short hair, every instinct telling me to climb into bed with my girl and cuddle her close.
But I don’t want to hurt her.
Fang snuffled at my leg, his fur tickling me as he suddenly pushed past me and leaped into the space that Gem had just patted.
With a glint in his dark eyes, he walked in a circle, once, twice, three times, before plopping into a ball with his back along Gemma’s.
“Traitor.” I bared my teeth.
Fang just sighed and closed his eyes.
Gem sighed too, sounding perfectly content and at peace. Jealousy tugged my heart. I was fucking jealous of the damn dog taking my spot.
It hurt to physically remove myself and slink off to spend another uncomfortable, lonely night on the couch, but I would do it to keep Gem safe. I would do it for however long it took to be better.
With a heavy sigh, I bent over, ready to give Gem a kiss goodnight.
A low-pitched growl sounded, wrenching my head up, coming face-to-face with Fang. He’d leaped to his feet, his sharp teeth visible as his gums pulled back in warning.