She’d divulged way too much.Must be the pain meds. Stop talking!Clearing her throat, she asked, “How about you? Besides Tucker, do you have family?”
“My mom and Alexandra.”
She forced a smile to hide her pain. “That’s nice. You think of your girlfriend as family.”
Colton screwed up his face. “Alexandra isn’t my girlfriend. Where’d you get that idea?”
“You two are close.”
He grimaced. “Not that close! Alexandra Reed is my baby sister.”
46
GETTING CLOSER
Colton couldn’t wait anothersecond. Gently cupping her cheeks, he murmured, “I need to kiss you.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
He pressed his lips to hers and the bad disappeared. Everything felt fucking perfect. Hell, he’d missed her so damn much. She had no family to lean on and no one to help shoulder the pain and loss. He couldn’t imagine life without his family.
Brigit’s shoulders relaxed and a tiny whimper filled his ears with her sweet sound. And now he understood why she was private, walled-off and guarded with her feelings. She’d learned to be strong for herself and by herself. He kissed her again.
She smiled. Her beauty and strength shone through her pain. She’d get through this. He’d make sure of it. And this time she wouldn’t be alone. He’d be by her side every step of the way. Especially if she didn’t yet know she’d lost their child.
There was a knock on the door. “I’ll send whoever it is away,” he said.
“It’s probably Taylor. She’s been so good to me.”
“Enter,” Colton said.
Taylor looked from one to the other. A tiny smile flitted across her face. “According to the discharge instructions, Brigit needs to walk for leg circulation.”
“Thanks, Taylor,” Colton said.
“Like I said, she’s the best,” Brigit said.
Taylor beamed. The dog trotted to the door, stopped and turned. He wagged his tail and barked once.
“Taylor, how about I help Brigit, if you don’t mind running Mojo out back?” Colton asked.
“Of course not. Come on, boy.” Taylor and Mojo left.
Colton rose. Moving slowly, Brigit got out of bed and stood still for a few seconds. He extended his arm. “Hold onto me.”
“Alexandra Reed is yoursister?” She took a few small steps, then gripped his bicep. “I’m wobbly.”
Her tender touch sent energy and warmth coursing through his veins. “I’ve got you.”
She ambled out of the bedroom and they strolled in silence to the end of the hallway, turned and headed toward Colton’s bedroom. After one lap, he broke the silence. “Reed is our mom’s maiden name. Alexandra has a public career and likes to keep a low profile but she wanted to confide in you. The staff doesn’t know she’s my sister.”
Brigit stopped and looked at him. “She must think I’ve lost my mind.” She laughed, but immediately grabbed her side and made several small jerky motions. “Ow, that’s painful.”
“Go easy. Why would she think that?”
“I thought she was your girlfriend and interested in a threesome. No wonder she looked confused.”
Colton burst out laughing. When his belly laughs subsided, they started walking again. “If she brings it up, I’ll tell her it was your concussion talking.”
