Gradydidn’twanttomove. That had been… mind-blowing. The storm had passed for the most part. The rain had gentled and the thunder was now barely a rumble in the distance but the temperature had noticeably dropped. As he held Lark close to his side and rubbed her arm, he could feel the chill of her skin and the goosebumps under his palm. Kissing her forehead, he encouraged her to sit up.
“We need to get inside and get dry.”
She groaned, but the disgruntled sound was ruined by her teeth beginning to chatter.
“Okay,” he said, rising to his feet. “Let’s go before you become a Larkscicle.”
Their clothes were drenched and a bitch to drag on but they struggled into them. His shirt was a lost cause, so he slung the sopping wet fabric around his neck. He’d throw it away later.
“Hopefully someone’s around who can give us a ride.”
Lark nodded, but the way she was shivering, her shoulders scrunched in as she hugged her arms around her waist had his protective instincts kicking in hard. Dammit, the sex had been amazing, but at what cost?
“Jump on,” he told her, presenting his back. “I’ll give you a ride.” Pressed against him, she’d also be able to share his body heat and hopefully, that would negate some of the chill.
With a grin, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and with a tiny boost from him, wrapped her long legs around his waist.
Extending her arm, she pointed ahead. “Tally-ho!”
Grady chuckled and set off at a run.
He’d barely gotten his blood pumping when he spotted a familiar face emerging from a Jeep in front of the infirmary. It looked like Jace was picking up Paige from work. The next moment, his sister ran out the door, her head ducked and her arms over her head as she tried to avoid the rain.
Grinning and unable to resist, Grady called out, “You’re not made of sugar!”
Her head whipped in his direction as she stumbled to a stop and lowered her arms. Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened. “What are you two doing?” she screeched.
Having reached her, he stopped, but he didn’t release the hold he had on Lark’s legs. He was in no hurry to put her down.
Paige’s eyes narrowed and she plunked her fists on her hips. “You,” she said, looking at Lark, “just woke up from a coma, and you,” she turned that glare on Grady, “just had brain surgery. Why the hell are you out playing in the rain? And without a shirt! Are you trying to catch your death?”
Before either he or Lark could respond, she pointed a stiff finger at Jace and the waiting Jeep. “Get in. Now. You both should be in bed.”
He had to bite back his grin. “Yes, ma’am.” God, his sister was adorable and she reminded him so much of their mother at that moment that it sent a pang of nostalgia straight to his heart.
Reluctantly releasing Lark, she slid off his back and they climbed into the vehicle. Jace began driving them toward the residential area but Grady wasn’t paying much attention, his thoughts were on his parents. They didn’t know he was alive. They’d been told he was killed in action, that he’d died a hero, and while Paige had discovered the truth of what had really happened, his sister had honored his wishes not to tell them yet. At the time it had made sense. He hadn’t remembered them, nor had he been the Grady they remembered. Now, though… Things had changed. It was time. They deserved to know.
He still needed to run some tests on his automated weapons system – make sure it was truly and fully under his control – and he had to deal with this AI issue, but after that, he’d talk with Paige and figure out the best way to approach his parents without giving both of them a heart attack.
When Jace pulled the Jeep in front of Lark’s building, Paige turned in her seat and shot them both that adorable, stern, Mom face. “Get inside, dry off, and warm up. Do you need us to get you some food?”
Lark, who looked like she was trying hard not to laugh as well, shook her head. “We ate before we played in the rain.”
“Fine. You two need to beresting.” With a little harrumph, she opened the door to let them out.
Jace, who had been suspiciously quiet up until now, shot them a knowing grin, but his remark, when it came, was for Paige. “I’m sure they’ll have no problem finding a bed.”
“Well, good. They need to.”
Jace rolled his lips between his teeth, but Lark grabbed Grady’s hand and tugged him along. “We’ll do that right now, Paige. Don’t you worry. After playing so long in the rain we might even have to spend all day tomorrow in bed.”
Grady was game, his cock springing immediately to attention at the suggestion, but his sister was still oblivious. Nodding, she remarked, “That’s probably the best thing for both of you.”
Hell, yeah it was. Waving goodbye, they entered the building and Lark pulled him into her apartment, locking the door behind them. “I need a shower.” She shot him a suggestive look. “Want to wash my back?”
He nearly groaned just thinking about it. “Back, front, I’m at your beck and call to get all those hard-to-reach places.”
Stripping her sodden shirt over her head, she dropped it to the floor and sauntered to the bathroom, her hips swaying seductively with every step she took. Grady, her more than willing slave, followed.
