Gemma
Gemma headed off to bed, thinking about Theo. She could detect a bit of his scent on her.
She brushed her teeth and then hopped into bed.
“He would be an easy man to fall in love with,” Gemma said to herself. Then, she cautioned herself not to fall for him. He made it very clear he was still in love with his dead wife, and he wasn’t going to take another mate.
Her eyelids were heavy, and she fell into a deep sleep. She was surprised when she woke six hours later, and the sun was shining through the window.
She couldn’t remember when the last time she had been able to sleep six hours, especially with no fear and no nightmares. For the first time, probably in her entire life, she felt safe. She didn’t know why she was able to feel so completely at peace here with Theo, but she did.
There was a knock on the door, and then Theo peeked his handsome face in the room.
“Are you awake? I thought we could stop by and grab us a couple of breakfast sandwiches and some orange juice or coffee before we go shopping,” Theo said. “I was going to make you an omelet, but I don’t have any eggs. Or milk. Or cheese. Or anything else for that matter.”
“It’s the thought that counts,” she said, scrambling out of bed. As usual, she was fully dressed because she had to be ready to run instantly. Theo noticed but didn’t comment.
It took less than a minute for her to brush out her long hair and throw it into a ponytail.
She met Theo by the same couch where he had first tackled her. He took her breath away. He wore jeans that fit him perfectly. His white button-down shirt, which was partially open, accented his muscular chest and thick arms. Once again, she wanted more than anything to walk over and touch him.
He read the look on her face and asked, “Do you like what you see?”
Gemma was amazed she didn’t blush. “Maybe. I can’t tell you because you would get a big head,” she said.
Theo wrapped an arm around her suddenly and pulled her close to him. He pressed his lips against hers and devoured her mouth in a passionate kiss. Gemma’s entire body exploded with electricity. A wanting between her legs grew hot, and her nipples hardened.
She didn’t even realize she was responding to his kiss.
When he released her, he smiled down at her and said, “I must say, you are a very quick study. Now, let’s go shopping before I decide to take your lessons even further.”
It had been a very long time since Gemma had been to a mall. She hadn’t dared to go anyplace where someone could be following her. She mostly hid out in hotel rooms or cheap apartments and ordered what she needed through the mail or online.
After he parked the car and opened the car door for her, Theo laced his fingers through hers.
The first store had high-end formal gowns. He picked out a deep blue dress, thinking it would go perfectly with her silvery eyes. She tried it on, and Gemma had to admit he had a good eye. The dress formed to her body, accenting her curves perfectly. She hadn’t even really noticed she had developed the body of a woman; nothing could be hidden in this dress.
He paid for the outfit, over her protests that she had money and he was doing enough for her.
“Hush,” he whispered in her ear. “I have enough money to buy everything in this mall and still not notice a dent in my bank account.” She let him, knowing it would be useless to continue to protest. Then they headed to the shoe department, where a pair of high-heeled strappy shoes cost more than three months’ rent at an expensive apartment.
He held them up. “I like these,” he said.
She picked out shoes that cost a lot less. “These are good,” she said, putting the expensive ones back on the shelf. While she did that, he put the shoes she had chosen on the shelf and told the clerk to wrap up the shoes for him.
“What makes you think I can even walk in those?” she asked.
“I picture you kicking butt the same way that Ronda Rousey did in that movie with Sylvester Stallone. Kick all kinds of ass in a tight dress and high-heeled shoes,” he told her.
“That’s just a fantasy all men have, isn’t it?” she asked him.
The male sales clerk nodded. “Yes, ma’am, it sure is.”
Then he and Theo bumped fists.
“Oh, heavens. The testosterone levels are way too high in here for me,” she said.
She told him she could use a couple new pairs of jeans and shirts, as well as a couple bras and some panties. He nodded and led the way.
Gemma put two pairs of pants in the cart. Then, when she grabbed a couple tops, he added a few more. When she saw them, he stood there with an innocent look on his face, looking around as though he didn’t know anything about the extras. She sighed heavily and put her shirts in the cart.
She headed to the lingerie department and chose sensible bras. He added a couple sexy lacy bras to the pile. Gemma laughed. She put in cotton panties, and he added lacy ones that matched her bras.
Then, he surveyed the nighties. “While you’re with me, you can relax. You don’t have to dress ready for battle every night,” he said when he saw her questioning look.
She nodded. “Although I’m more of a long T-shirt and panties type of woman,” she said. So, those got thrown into the cart too.
Gemma almost fainted when she saw the bill. She tried to protest and told the clerk she needed to put some things back. He growled at her. While she rolled her eyes, the clerk turned a bit white.
They finally headed out to the car. As they pulled onto the road, Theo said, “Make sure your seatbelt is on tight. There are some cars following us, and I’m pretty sure they’re your welcoming committee.”
