Gavin didn’t open up easily to people. But for some reason he’d taken two terrified younger boys under his wing. He’d protected them from the bullies who would have had a field day with two white, middle-class boys who were used to the loving protection of their parents.
And Trace, who’d done his best to look after his younger brother, had been forever grateful. He’d been just as scared as Colin, but tried to hold it together for his brother’s sake.
When Clay had come for them, Trace knew he couldn’t leave without Gavin. The smart-mouthed fifteen year old had put on a brave face, but Trace knew that Gavin cared about them. Even loved them in a gruff, teenage boy, way. And so Trace had marched up to Clay, who’d been loading their stuff into his huge-ass black track, and with his voice cracking, he’d told Clay that he wasn’t leaving unless Gavin came with them.
Clay had turned slowly and looked at him, before glancing over his shoulder at where Gavin was saying good-bye to Colin.
“That so?” he’d drawled.
Trace had nodded, swallowing heavily to disguise his nerves. “Yes, sir. Please?” he’d added, losing his bravado as Clay had continued to stare at him. He had only met his godfather a handful of times and none of those times had been in the last four years.
Clay hadn’t said a thing, just walked past Trace up to Gavin who’d stared at the larger man, his shoulders back. Clay was taller than Gavin by a few inches and with far more muscle, but Trace knew the boy would take on the man if he had to.
“Are you, Gavin?” Clay asked, coming to a stop, staring at the boy.
“Yes,” Gavin replied. “You’re their godfather?”
Clay nodded.
“Took you long enough to get here,” Gavin told him. Trace sucked in a breath, certain Clay would hit back, but he just stood there calmly. “They don’t belong here. They’re easy pickings.”
“Really? They seem in okay shape.”
“Because Gavin looked after us,” Colin had told him bravely. Both Gavin and Trace had glared at him to keep him quiet, Gavin even tugging the smaller boy behind him.
Clay raised a brow. “That so? And you?” he’d asked Gavin. “Do you belong here?”
Gavin shrugged. “Not like anyone wants me,” he’d said matter-of-factly.
Clay had nodded and turned. Disappointment almost made Trace sick. Then the big man had called back over his shoulder, “Grab your stuff, Gavin.”
“What?” Gavin asked.
“You’re coming home with us. Hurry up, now while I call the social worker. Damn, I hate paperwork.”
“Why?” Gavin had asked.
Clay turned, looking at him. “Because I want you. Now get moving.”
Trace looked over at present-day Gavin. He’d always kept a part of himself separate from everyone but his family, he didn’t let others close. But Trace knew that Lila was the one person that could bring the big guy to his knees.
“Do you think she hit her head?” Gavin asked Trace, looking up at him.
Trace stared down at Lila. She was pale, too pale. “I don’t know. There’s no blood. She seemed to just faint.”
A low groan came from Lila as she tried to move. They held her still as she opened her eyes, peering up at them. Trace let out a low sigh.
“Trace? Gavin?” she asked groggily. “What are you guys doing in my room?”
Trace ran his hand over her head as Gavin took her pulse. He felt sick with relief. Damn, she’d scared him. She was so tiny, so delicate that at times it terrified him. Especially when she was ill or hurt.
He brushed back her dark, corkscrew curls, wishing her smooth skin held more color.
“You’re not in your room, honey,” he told her. “You’re by the lake, you fainted.”
Was she ill? Was there something seriously wrong with her? Worry made him almost light-headed as he continued to run his hand over her silken hair. First his parents had died, then Clay, he wasn’t about to let anything happen to the most important person in his life. Even if that meant wrapping her in cotton wool and locking her in her bedroom until she was eighty.
He smiled slightly at the thought. He could just imagine her reaction if he tried to do just that. Their kitten had claws when she was riled.
“I did?” she asked with surprise. “I’ve never fainted before.” She frowned. “I fell asleep. When I woke up I saw the time and realized I was running really late. I must have stood up too quickly or something.”
She moved, attempting to sit up. Trace and Gavin reached for her at the same time, holding her down.
“Just where do you think you’re going?” Gavin barked. The more worried he grew, the gruffer he got. Trace knew most people thought him bad-tempered and gave him a wide berth, something that didn’t bother Gavin in the slightest. But when someone he loved was at risk Gavin could be like a bear with a sore paw.
“Just lay still, honey,” Trace added soothingly. “We don’t want you fainting again.”
“Probably a combination of too much sun and too little food,” Gavin commented, frowning at her. “When we get you home, you’re going straight to bed, little girl.”
Lila heaved a big sigh. Trace’s gaze was drawn to her chest as her breasts rose and fell. She had a slim build, yet, she had curves in all the right places. He remembered the last time he saw her in a bathing suit, a tiny little bikini she’d worn around the summer she turned nineteen.
Oh yeah, he remembered that well. And his reaction, after that he’d learned to stay away when she was out by the pool.
“I’m fine, Gavin. I am sorry I worried you guys. You didn’t need to come looking for me, I know how busy you both are.”
Trace stared at her incredulously. Did she think they’d just eat their lunch then go back to work?
She took her full bottom lip between her teeth. “I’ve probably put you way behind in your work. I can make my own way home now.”
“Do you seriously think we’d just leave you here after you fainted and go off to work as though there was nothing wrong?” Trace asked. Gavin, it seemed, was too angry to speak.
“You’ve got that tick by your eye again,” Lila said, reaching up to smooth the frown lines on Gavin’s face. “Why didn’t you just call me? I’m sure that would have woken me up.”
“I did,” Gavin said in a low voice. “You left your phone by the stables.”
“Oh.” She chewed her lip again, her large, hazel eyes nervously glancing between them. God, she was the most beautiful being he’d ever seen with her wild hair, her large eyes and her little, up-turned nose. “Guess you’re both kind of mad about that, huh?”
“You could say that,” Gavin agreed.
Trace reached down and picked her up, hauling her against his chest.
“Trace! I can walk.”
“Last time you stood up, you fainted. I ain’t putting you on your feet, honey. So just hush up and rest. We’ll have you back home and in your bed as quick as we can.” Besides, he liked holding her in his arms. When he held her, he felt at peace, like he was home. He didn’t have the social skills that Colin did, or the sheer force of personality that Gavin had. Trace was a bit of a loner, he preferred the company of horses to most humans, but Lila and his brothers were his world. He didn’t want to imagine a life without them in it.
They rode home slowly. Trace held Lila before him on his horse, while Gavin led Sunshine. As the house came into view, they all gave a sigh of relief. Trace pulled his horse to a stop outside the stables. Ron came out quickly, peering up at them in concern as Gavin dismounted and reached for Lila.
“She okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine, Ron,” Lila told him warmly as Gavin held her against his chest like a child. “I just wish these two would believe me.”
“She fainted,” Trace explained as he dismounted. “Gavin, you take her inside and get her settled, I’ll take care of the horses.” He knew Gavin needed some time alone with Lila to reassure himself that she was fine. The thing about a relationshi
p like they wanted was that no one could be selfish. They always had to think about what was in Lila’s best interest first then each other second.
Trace would have his own time with Lila, but right now, Gavin needed to be with her more.
Gavin carried Lila up the stairs carefully, holding onto her tightly without smothering her against his chest. Terror had nearly stopped his heart when he’d seen her collapse. The idea of losing her… No, it wouldn’t happen. He couldn’t let her go. He wouldn’t.
She’d stay here, letting them protect and cuddle and love her.
“You know you’re in trouble for this, don’t you?” he told her quietly as he entered her bedroom and placed her on the bed. She immediately tried to sit up, but he pushed her gently back.
“Lie down, you’re not going anywhere.” He reached down and pulled off her boots, reaching for her pants next.
Lila slapped his hands away. “Gavin! What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m getting you undressed and into bed.”
“I don’t need to go to bed. I want some food and a swim.”
“You’re going to bed,” he growled. “I’ll get you some food once you’re lying down quietly. You just fainted dead away, there is no way in hell you’re going for a swim right now. So just lie still and let me take care of you.”
“But I’m all hot and sticky,” she complained.
“I’ll get you a washcloth in a moment.” He reached for her pants again, tugging them down despite her wiggling and protests. As soon as he had them off, displaying her lacy, purple underwear to his gaze, she scooted back, trying to dive off the opposite side of the bed.
But he was too quick for her and snatching her leg, he pulled her slowly, carefully back towards him.
“Damn it, Gavin,” she complained as he dragged her belly down over the bed. Her bottom was too much temptation to pass up, especially when he saw that those purple panties were actually a G-string, and Gavin gave her a few hard smacks before rubbing the sting in.
“Behave,” he growled, turning her over.
“What was that for?” she asked him, eyes wide with shock.
Gavin reached for her top, pulling it quickly over her head, ignoring her protests. He swallowed, all too aware of the heavy erection pressing against the zipper of his pants. But he couldn’t give in to his urge to take her. Not yet. She’d just fainted for God’s sake. He should be taking care of her, not imagining himself sinking deep inside her.
He walked over to her drawers, opening a few before he found a long t-shirt. Turning back, he was gratified to find her sitting where he’d left her. Hell, maybe he ought to spank her each morning, at least then she might stay where he put her.
He smiled at the thought.
“What’s so funny? You find hitting me funny?”
“I didn’t hit you, I gave you a few warning smacks on your butt to calm you down,” he told her. She blushed at his words and he watched her carefully, certain she was aroused. Her breath came faster, her nipples pebbling against her lacy bra which perfectly matched the G-string. Had those few spanks he’d given her turned her on? Hmm… Who knew their little tomboy liked pretty lingerie? Although the panties and bra she currently wore looked a bit worse for wear. The panties had a hole at the seam.
He made a mental note to do some shopping for her. His baby deserved the best he could buy her.
He helped her sit up. “Arms up,” he ordered.
“Gavin, I’m not five. I can put a t-shirt on,” she said with exasperation, her cheeks still red. Gavin just held on to the t-shirt and stood there, waiting. Finally, glaring at him, she did as ordered and he slipped it on.
“Do you need to go to the bathroom?” he asked. She shook her head and he frowned, wondering if she was dehydrated.
“Wait there,” he told her, waggling his finger. “I catch you out of that bed and you’ll be getting a second spanking on top of the one you’re already owed.”
Her jaw dropped open and she just stared after him as he walked into the attached bathroom and grabbed a face cloth, wetting it under the tap. When he returned to the bedroom he was gratified to find her sitting where he’d left her.
He was going to roast her butt for leaving her phone behind. Even if it had been an accident, she should have double-checked that she had it before she left.
“You have no reason to spank me,” she told him indignantly as he sat beside her and washed her face with the cool cloth, moving it down her neck.
“You agreed to our rules, baby girl. And you know you were supposed to take your phone with you. If Ron didn’t tell us where you had headed off to, we could still be out there, searching for you. That’s unacceptable, Lila.”
He blamed himself. He’d seen how exhausted she was this morning at breakfast. He should have been firmer with her and insisted she stay home and rest today. He wiped her hands.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t mean to leave it behind. I just wanted to have some time to myself, to think.”
And he could understand that. They’d hit her with a lot at a time when she was emotionally vulnerable. It wasn’t fair and their timing was terrible, but circumstances had forced them to move quicker than they would have liked.
“I know this is a lot to take in, baby, and I’m sorry we told you all this on the day of Clay’s funeral when you were overwrought. We should have held back, but we couldn’t let you leave.”
She nodded. “I want to stay here and explore what’s between the four of us. But it’s all so much to take in. Sorry.”
He tucked two fingers under her chin and raised her face, kissing her on the lips. “Don’t be sorry for how you feel. You can tell me anything. Believe me, baby, I want to make this work and I will do anything to ensure your happiness.”
“Really?” she said with a calculated look. “Anything? So you won’t be spanking me anymore?”
Gavin chuckled. “Good try, baby girl, but no cigar.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek. “Don’t you understand how precious you are to us? Trace and I were nearly out of our minds with worry, especially when you didn’t answer your phone. When we found it by the stables, I nearly threw up. I imagined every possible bad scenario.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. “I’ll be more careful next time.”
He patted her hand. “You stay there and rest, I’m going to go get us some lunch and something to drink.”
Stepping into the kitchen, Gavin took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Now that he had her back home and safe in her bed, he was starting to crash, his adrenaline rush draining away.
“How is she?” Trace asked coming through the kitchen door.
“Good, more color in her cheeks. She’s tucked into bed. I was just going to get us some lunch.”
“She scared me. When I think about something happening to her…” Trace trailed off. Gavin turned to him and clapped him on the back, the manly equivalent of a hug.
“She’ll be okay,” Gavin reassured her. “We’ll make sure of it.”
“My hands are itching to burn her butt for not taking her phone with her.”
Gavin snorted and piled a tray high with sandwiches, water and iced tea. “You and me both, bro, in fact, I already gave her a few warning swats. As soon as she’s feeling better that ass is mine.”
Trace nodded. “I think I’ll give the doctor a call, make an appointment. It was probably just exhaustion but I’d be happier if the doc looked her over.”
“Good thinking. I’ll take her in tomorrow morning.”
“I can stick around this afternoon if you have things to do, keep an eye on her.”
Gavin nodded, grateful his brother was here. That was a plus side of sharing a woman, one of them could usually be around to give her extra attention when she needed it.
Whether she thought she did or not.
Chapter Five
Colin shook off his fatigue as he pulled into his driveway. The first day he’d arrived here, in
Clay’s truck with Gavin and Trace beside him, Colin had been a fearful, scrawny eleven year old. He’d been terrified about where they were going, about the big man who was now his guardian.
When his parents died he’d been understandably devastated, suddenly his whole world was turned upside down as he found himself in a foster home with strangers who didn’t really care if he got enough to eat or went to bed on time or did his homework. If it hadn’t been for Trace and Gavin he knew things could have gone horribly wrong for him. He’d been scrawny for his age, easy pickings for older kids.
But one thing he was grateful for was that they’d kept him and Trace together. If they’d moved them to another home he knew they probably would have been separated. Clay had come for them before that happened.
He’d saved them.
Colin stopped his truck and looked at the house that had become his home.
“Miss you, Dad,” he whispered. “More than you will ever know. Thank you for my family.”
His family. Trace, Gavin and Lila.
A surge of energy raced through him at the thought of Lila inside. He was nervous that this couldn’t last, worried constantly that she’d change her mind, but he couldn’t help but be excited about coming home to her. He climbed out of his truck and walked into the house, washing his hands in the mudroom and taking off his boots before stepping into the kitchen.
Gavin was there, cooking something that smelled delicious. Roast beef. Trace and Lila were nowhere to be seen.
“Hey, man, where are Lila and Trace?” he asked.
Gavin turned to look at him, his face tired.
“What’s wrong?” Colin asked.
“Nothing,” Gavin sighed. “Sorry, just been a long day. Lila’s upstairs in bed. Trace is having a shower.”
“In bed?” Colin queried.
“Yeah. She fainted today.”
“What?” Fear surged through him. “Is she okay? What did the doctor say?”
“Got an appointment first thing in the morning. She’s okay, irritated at having to lie around in bed, but she’s slept most of the afternoon so I know she needs it.” Gavin told Colin what happened.
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