“Your place gets terrific light.”
“Yeah, I guess. I got you something.” He rolled her chair toward the windows.
Sienna gasped upon spotting the easel, crisp white canvases in varying sizes that rested against the windowpane, oil and acrylic paints in every color imaginable, and several brush kits—practically an entire art studio worth of supplies.
“When you’re feeling better, I thought you might like to wet a brush or something. I didn’t know what to get, so I picked up a few things that I thought might be useful.”
She looked up at him in amazement, but much more than that was a feeling of deep appreciation welling up to tighten her throat. “You call this a few things? Gavin, you really didn’t need to do all of this.”
“Woman, you keep telling me what I didn’t need to do. Does seeing the art supplies make you happy?”
“Yes. Very much so.” Sienna smiled, wishing she had the strength to dive into all of it.
“Then I succeeded at what I aimed to do. Say thank you.” He grinned.
“Thank you.” She mirrored his grin, unable to help it.
He pivoted the chair and wheeled her out of the room. They passed several closed doors along a wide hallway and entered a bedroom through a set of dark oak double doors at the end of the hall. The same style of windows as in the living room offered the room a burst of natural light. Wheeling her to the middle of the space, he gestured a hand over at the doors to her right.
“That’s the bathroom. Next to it is the closet. Bailey dropped off some of your things. I cleared out a few drawers and put everything away. I didn’t have time to remove all my things. I’ll get around to it.”
Sienna’s breath caught as she stared up at the painting on the wall above the king-size bed. “Rustling Raining Night. That’s my painting.”
“I bought it.”
“You really like it?” She looked up over her shoulder in complete awe that he’d purchased her painting and hung it over his bed, no less. No guy had ever shown that genuine level of appreciation for her work. And to actually display it where he’d see it at the start of each day and before he closed his eyes each night . . . Overwhelmed by the sentiment, she didn’t know how to handle the sudden flood of emotions that rushed through her, so she pushed the feelings behind the safety of that comfortable wall of steel.
“I liked it, so I bought it. It’s as simple as that.”
“This is your room.”
“How’d you figure that out?”
There was a play of amusement in his eyes. “Gavin,” she took his hand in hers, “thank you. It means a lot.”
“This is your room now for however long you want it.”
“Where will you sleep?” Her attention moved back to the large bed, easily imagining them curled up together beneath that thick, black comforter . . . and the horse’s head. She shuddered at the last thought.
“I’ll crash in one of the bedrooms down the hall.”
“Gavin, you didn’t have—” She caught herself. “Thanks.” A heart-stopping smile was sent her way.
“Do you mind if I freshen up? The hospital shower didn’t give me a confident clean. I haven’t had a decent shower in three days.” He wheeled her into the bathroom. Seeing the oversize, jetted tub, she could already feel the soothing bubbles licking away the aches in her body. “On second thought, I think I’ll take a bath.”
“Whatever you want. Here, let me start it for you.” He stepped over to the tub. “I’ll set the jets on low.”
Perfect. Sienna eased out of the chair. Each step sent a shooting pain up her left side, and oddly, it kept on pulse with the throbbing in her head. He turned back just in time to catch her as she swayed on her feet, nearly falling face forward.
“Whoa, easy there. Maybe you should lie down for a while.”
Strong arms cradled her around the waist, their bodies lightly touching, their gazes locked. Her eyes dipped to his mouth, and her tongue slipped across her lower lip, still feeling the mark of his kiss, remembering his taste. She wanted to curl up in his comforting warmth and security, but knew she shouldn’t. The things she’d learned about him . . . his family . . . it scared her. And she didn’t scare easily. But her purpose of staying in his home was to learn all there was to know about him before casting judgment.
Feeling the light stroke of his hand up and down her spine, the gesture so thought-provokingly tender, a warm shiver streaked through her. “The dizziness seems to only happen when I stand,” she voiced softly, unable to pull her gaze away from him.
“Then we’ll do this a different way.” Taking a seat on the edge of the tub, he brought her to his lap, and began unbuttoning her blouse.
Sienna stiffened, tightly fisting her shirt. “What are you doing?”
“Well you can’t take a bath in your clothes, now can you?”
“No, but—”
His eyes rolled upward. “Come on now, I’ve seen plenty of naked women.”
A jolt of jealousy shot through her. Of course, he’d seen plenty of naked women. Look at him—tall—blond—blue-eyed—devilishly handsome.
“I can manage a bath on my own,” she said with bite. His comment bothered her; though it was stupid, irrational jealousy, she couldn’t help the sudden feeling of possessiveness that he was hers and no one else’s . . . ever.
“You just said you’re dizzy.”
“Only when I stand. I’ll be seated in the tub. I don’t need your help.” More bite. It wasn’t lost on him that time, given that his hand gently caressing her lower spine stilled.
Looking slightly wounded by her words, he sighed. “If you insist.” She eased off his lap, and he strode to the door. With his back to her, he said, “I’ll wait here until you’ve settled in.”
It took extreme effort to work loose the five buttons on her shirt, and was even harder to strip out of it.
She peeled the thick gauze bandage from the skin at her side, then slowly worked her jeans down her hips, but quickly realized that getting them past her knees would be a miracle. The excruciating pain wouldn’t allow too deep a bend at the waist.
“I don’t hear any water splashing,” Gavin called out from the threshold.
“I can’t do it.” Damn it.
“Do you want my help?”
“Yes,” she conceded weakly.
With eyes averted, he grabbed a bath towel from a folded stack on the shelf and handed it to her. She covered her front as he bent and pulled off her sneakers. He dragged her panties and jeans down her legs, then tried to help maneuver her into the tub amid her attempt to keep a hold on the towel. Frustration bloomed as he expelled a breath and sat back on his shins. “Sienna, this is ridiculous. We’re adults. I’m going to help you into the tub whether you want me to or not.”
She didn’t argue as the towel was tugged from her grasp. He brought both of her legs over the edge and helped ease her down into the heavenly soothing warm water, then grabbed the half-empty bottle of bath gel from the edge of the tub and pumped the citrus smelling soap into his palm. With clinical movements, his hands ran over her body and circled her breasts. Care was given near her wound. Several more pumps of the bath gel finished off her legs, then he got up from his knees.
“Holler when you’re ready to get out. Don’t attempt to do it on your own.” He quickly moved to the door while drying his hands on his jeans, and closed it behind him.
Seriously!
That was mechanical as shit. She didn’t consider herself a beauty queen, but goodness, she was completely naked, and he’d hardly batted an eye at her. Not even a slight flare of appreciation was given as he washed her breasts.
Men had hit on her at least once a week at the café where she’d once waitressed in the evenings. She was consistent with her workout and felt her body looked pretty good. Well, now she was sporting a nasty wound that would likely leave an ugly scar on her torso, not forgetting the one above her left eye.
What did she expect, that he’d
grope her? Of course not! Absolutely not!
Not to mention, she’d kept him at a distance to avoid the headache of dealing with the usual rollercoaster of emotional baggage that relationships often brought. And still, he’d rushed to her hospital bedside and opened his home to her. The man had stolen a way past her steel wall of defense, conquering her not by typical wit and charm, but with patience and a compassionate resolve.
What about the Kavanaghs?
Sienna rested her head back against the tub and closed her eyes to ease the throbbing.
Gavin Crane or Gavin Kavanagh? Are they one in the same?
• • •
Shit.
Braced at the kitchen island with an ice cube pressed to the back of his neck, eyes closed, Gavin tried not to think of the feel of Sienna’s soft skin and bare shaven pussy—not one single strand of hair anywhere.
It took herculean effort to remain dispassionate as he stroked the wet curves of her body, over her full breasts and budding nipples . . . nipples that I’d love to seal my lips around. He swung open the freezer and grabbed another ice cube, contemplating if he should drop it into his boxer briefs.
Dark eyes, forever long legs, pert breasts, silky smooth skin, damn, she was beautiful . . . and fragile right now. She’s ill, you horny pig, get a grip. And add to it what she now knows about your family, you’ll be lucky if she’s still here by morning.
“Gavin?”
He tossed what was left of the ice into the sink and rushed to her. She was attempting to climb out of the tub. “Hey, I told you not to do that.” Grabbing a bath towel, he took care in getting her out of the tub, covered her up, and carried her to the bed.
She pointed to the small, multi-colored pouch on the floor by the door. “Could you hand me that? It’s my toiletry bag. I need my moisturizer. I’m sure Bailey would’ve packed it. She knows I can’t live without it.”
Gavin retrieved the bag. The faint scent of strawberries filled his nostrils as the lotion was squeezed into her palm.
“Will you help? I can’t reach my legs. It hurts to bend.”
Dear lord.
Squeezing a liberal amount into his hands, he began working it over her legs, while doing his best to avoid watching the movement of her hands beneath the towel as they circled over her breasts and on down to the V of her mound. Yep, he would die with an excruciatingly raging hard-on.
Focusing on his task, he used the opportunity to massage her feet. His fingers worked her arches, her ankles, and slid upward, kneading her calves.
“Wow, that feels amazing.” She moaned, writhing with the arch of her body, and closed her eyes briefly, while resting back upon the propped-up pillows. “Mr. Crane, I must admit your hands really do work miracles.”
Gavin looked at her, and she smiled, a smile so captivatingly alluring, it stirred up a heavy dose of want within him. “Anything to help you relax,” he said as he tried to rein in his need and concentrated on soothing her tension, but her soft purring moans were nearly unbearable.
He slid his hands up her satiny-smooth inner thighs, his thumbs adding just enough pressure, and came within a scant of the apex. Their fingers brushed. He snatched his hand away and hastily stood up. A man could only take so much. “I’ll get you a fresh bandage and something to wear.” He headed off to the closet. A muumuu made of burlap would be ideal right now.
“Just a tank and panties will do,” she called out.
Taking several deep breaths, Gavin willed away the erection that threatened to crest as he pulled a pair of pale-blue satin panties and a matching tank top from the drawer.
“It’s time to take your meds,” he said on his return to her.
After applying an antiseptic to the half-inch wound above her left brow and the other at her side, he affixed the bandages and helped her dress, then retrieved her pills and a glass of water from the kitchen. Holding the medication out to her, he gave a quick look at his watch. “Dr. Burton said every four hours. It’s been nearly six.”
“I don’t like taking pills of any kind. Bad family vibes. My mother suffered . . . suffers from prescription substance abuse.”
Gavin nodded, recalling all of what Lucas had told him about Sienna’s mother, how the woman hadn’t protected her daughter from lecherous scum.
But he let go of the thought; it wasn’t his place to cast stones. “You need to take these, sweetness. They’ll also help you rest, so you can heal.”
Her brown eyes widened in obvious surprise at the endearment. Gavin wasn’t sure what had possessed him to say it. He couldn’t take it back.
Her gaze stayed fixed on his face as she popped the pills into her mouth and swallowed them down with the water. “Speaking of family, are we going to talk about that ginormous elephant in the room?” she asked as she handed over the glass.
He looked around. “I don’t see an elephant.” His grin was met with an eye roll. The buzz of his cell phone gave him a small reprieve. He pulled it from his front pocket and read the text from Mike:
Miser got that item you wanted.
No fucking way! Dale had been apprehended. He hadn’t expected it would be that fast. His cousin Miser was like a hound chasing a rabbit. It never ended well for the rabbit.
“Is everything okay?”
Gavin looked up from typing out his text. “Pardon?”
Her focus dipped to the phone clutched in his hand and then back up. “You look as though someone kicked your dog.”
Dale was about to get a foot in his ass, that much was certain. Relaxing his jaw, he sent off his text, and stuck his phone back into his pocket. “It’s nothing.”
“I said, we need to talk.”
“Yes, I know.” He settled the comforter over her, tucking it in at the shoulders. “We will. You need to rest. I’m going to step out to pick us up something to eat. What would you like?”
“Surprise me, but nothing heavy.” She reached out her hand, and he eagerly took hold. “Thank you for letting me stay here . . . for everything. I’ll try not to be too much of a burden.”
“You’re not a burden. I care about you, Sienna.” I want you to be mine.
“Gavin—”
“Try to sleep.” Not wishing to hear the many ways she wasn’t feeling him the way he was her, he kissed her palm, then gestured to the nightstand. “I brought in your cell just in case you need to reach me. I won’t be gone long.” He could feel her eyes on him on his way out of the room.
Stepping into the spare bedroom, he slipped out of the light blue button-down and pulled on a black T-shirt. Leaving on the dark-blue jeans, he retrieved his heavy-soled boots from the closet. After making a few calls, he went back to the master bedroom. Sienna lay asleep on her back, her features free of strain, breathing easy. That was good.
The late afternoon sunbeam cut across her cheek, bathing her lovely face in an ethereal glow. Breathtakingly beautiful. He could stand there for hours and simply watch her sleep, marvel over her loveliness, but he needed to use the time of her slumber wisely.
Padding quietly to the nightstand, he pressed the remote that lowered the blinds, darkening the room. She didn’t make a sound.
As he exited, he made a mental note to pick up food after he finished with that fuck-face. That way, his primary reason for going out wouldn’t be a complete lie.
Chapter Twelve
The building was dilapidated; chunks of mortar were missing between large sections of faded red brick. The windows were boarded up, and those that weren’t, were dusty and broken. The drive in to Baltimore’s industrial district had taken him over an hour. It took another half hour to maneuver his way during the crush of downtown gridlock along the southeast end of the harbor where grain factories to textile mills once thrived. Some parts of the area were on a slow trickle back to life. But not here. This vacant parcel of the city had yet to get a facelift.
Gavin exited his car and crossed the gravel parking lot to the steel-plated door. It was the only part of the structure that didn
’t show its age. He gave the handle a hard pull and stepped inside. Mike’s alert gaze met his just inside the door, apparently keeping watch.
“Mr. Crane,” Mike greeted.
“Gav.”
Gavin’s head turned to the call from his right and was surprised to see his younger brother entering from a side door. “Eddie, what are you doing here?”
“That’s all I get? It’s good to see you, too.”
They shook hands and pulled in to a hug.
“Pop wanted me here.”
Of course he did. Edwin was acting as the man’s eyes and ears. It was a position the young man thrived in and would follow through to the letter.
Gavin turned back to Mike. “Where to?”
“This way.”
Dust and granules scraped under their booted feet as they made their way across the abandoned sugar warehouse to a door that took them below ground. Along the hall, wooden doors were spaced wide apart. Some stood open to the interior. The rooms appeared to have once been windowless offices.
“Where did you all find him?” Gavin asked as they trudged down the narrow corridor.
“The guy was caught trying to sneak his way through the back alley to his apartment,” Mike said.
“Stupid fuck,” Edwin snorted from the rear.
“Miser had stopped by the hospital and managed to get an address from that lady, Faith . . . before the doctor sedated her, that is. Miser tapped into his network on the street and kept a look-out,” Mike explained and added, “He ran into some interference, though.”
Gavin side-eyed him. “What kind of interference?”
“Two heavies must have been following the dude. They wanted to take a piece out of him also, said the dude owed them money. No worries. Miser took care of it. He—”
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