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“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.
