Gemma
When they finally reached home, Gemma ran to the kitchen sink and tried to scrub the blood from her hands. She was scrubbing so much, she made her hands raw.
Theo came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Then, he turned off the water and gently dried them. She turned and buried her face in his chest.
“I’m so tired of fighting. I don’t want to have to fight anymore. One of those people I hurt was my cousin. He was just doing what he was told. You could have been hurt. I’m just one life. I’m not worth all the pain and chaos,” Gemma said, hating the weak sound of her voice.
“I don’t want to hear that kind of talk from you. You are allowed to fight for your own life and the life of others without feeling bad about it. Your cousins and the others made a choice to come after you. You defended yourself,” he told her.
“I hope it will all end after my birthday. The funny thing is I’ve been so used to running, hiding, and fighting, I don’t know what I’ll do with my life. It’s not like I could go back to my pack and tell them I forgive them for everything. Plus, if I ever do have children, and one of them is a white wolf, it would start all over again,” Gemma said.
“I’m here to protect you. Although I have to admit your wolf form is absolutely beautiful. And badass,” Theo said.
“Thanks,” Gemma said. She told herself she should pull away from him, but she found it very comforting to lay her head on his chest with his arms wrapped around her. It was as though he formed a barricade to protect her from the world.
“I let them all know you are my mate, and you belong to me. They will think twice before they come after you again. They do not want a war with the dragons,” he said.
“I hope you’re right. I think they are stupid enough to do just that. Or find some other way,” she said, sounding defeated.
“We’ll see. Right now, I think both of us need to get cleaned up and maybe into some clothes that aren’t completely destroyed. I’ll grab your packages, and you can actually hang stuff in a closet for a change,” Theo said.
Gemma half hoped Theo would suggest they shower together. However, he had been keeping to his word not to pressure her to do anything she didn’t want to do. She thought she might like some of that intimacy with him but didn’t know how to ask or tell him.
It was absolutely amazing how much one day had completely changed how she felt about him.
As she showered, she wondered what it would be like if they really were mates. He had shown her kindness and gentleness she never imagined existed. Even more, Theo had ignited a passion in her that she was afraid she would never discover or be allowed to enjoy.
He was a lot of fun to be around, easy to talk to, smart, had strong beliefs and values, and was pretty much perfect. It certainly didn’t hurt that he was damned gorgeous.
Gemma took a long time in the shower. She was so mixed up about everything. She didn’t know if she was coming or going. One thing she did know: she had to be very, very careful because she was already starting to fall in love with Theo.
She stepped out of the shower, dried off, and then studied her reflection in the mirror. As far as the female form, Gemma had to say she looked pretty damn good. Her breasts were large, but not so large they were pornographic or got in her way when she fought. She was happy to note they didn’t sag, and her nipples definitely pointed in the right direction.
Her stomach was flat. She didn’t know if that was because her eating schedule had been a bit crazy, she was always fighting, running, and didn’t have a lot of downtime, or if it was just good genes. Her ass was slightly rounded but not too big. Overall, she thought she had a decent body.
Who knew? Maybe Theo would notice her in a way that wasn’t just a charity case that diverted his attention for a couple months.
When she stepped into her bedroom, all of her new things were laid out on the bed. Theo had brought everything just like he promised. She couldn’t believe how much money he had spent on her. It was absurd. He assured her, though, that he could afford it, and she did get the feeling he enjoyed spending it on her.
She put all her things away and then hurried to the kitchen. Her stomach was making obscene sounds.
Theo was already there, dressed in a pair of sweats. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. His chest was just as she imagined. Perfectly sculpted as though the artist Michelangelo had come to carve Theo himself. The tiny smattering of hair was perfect and trailed between his pecs, down his stomach and into his pants.
Gemma stopped short, her mouth open in awe and shock. Theo stopped pulling the leftover Chinese food out of the fridge and smirked at her.
“Do you like what you see?” he asked.
That snapped Gemma out of her trance. She nodded and said, “I do. A man belongs barefoot in the kitchen, making me dinner.”
In spite of her humor, she wanted nothing more than to forget dinner and explore Theo. Life was going to be rough for the next couple of months in more than one way.
