Page 29 of Protecting Gina

“Would you join the military?” Gina asked.

Cass burst out laughing. “Heck no. I’ve heard enough stories from Aaron—Wave. Gosh, thinking of you as Wave is going to be hard.”

He laughed. “It’s okay. You can call me Aaron.”

“No, I’m going to try to think of you as Wave. And no, I don’t think the military would be good for me.”

“Will you take college courses in California?”

“Yes.”

Cass didn’t say more. Wave was curious about what she planned on doing. He didn’t want to push her in any one direction. She had to decide her future on her own.

“What are you going to study in school?” Gina asked.

Cass took a sip of her soda, then blew out a long breath. “There are so many options. I don’t know what to study.”

“Depending on how many classes you’re taking the first semester, you don’t have to declare a major.”

He was glad Gina was coming to live with them in California. She was good with Cass. He feared having to come up with all the answers for his sister. He believed the military was a great option, but without a doubt he knew it wasn’t for everyone.

“I liked science, and I think something like biology would be fun, but I also like photography.” Cass stood and stretched. “I’m tired and going to head to bed. We need to do a few things before the service for Mom. I’m not sure how many people will show up.”

He gave his sister a hug before she headed inside. After she went in, he moved his chair closer to Gina’s and took her hand.

He didn’t need to ask, but he wanted to give Gina an out. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel trapped. “If you don’t want to sleep in my bed, you don’t have to.”

Gina’s lips tipped up, and her gaze flicked to the door, then back to him. “I want to. How upset do you think Cass will be about me sleeping with you?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know that she will be upset. She’s not a kid. Hopefully she’ll understand.”

Gina nodded. “She isn’t a kid, but she is your sister. It might be weird for her.”

He didn’t doubt that she might have some feelings about them sleeping together. Ten years ago, he didn’t have the maturity to deal with talking to friends about sex. Now he was older and knew how to handle discussions without freaking out. He didn’t know about Cass. She was probably more mature than he’d been at eighteen. Still, him having sex with Gina might be enough to make her feel weird.

“I can talk to her tomorrow about it.”

Gina winced. “Are you sure you should? Maybe we should leave it until later.”

“Are you okay with that? It would be an awkward conversation, and she has been through a lot.”

Gina nodded. “She has.”

“Okay, we won’t say anything yet.” He stood and pulled her up and into his arms, brushing his lips over hers in a sweet kiss. He could feel her body shake as a shiver slid through her.

“I like the feel of your arms around me.”

“Good. Get used to it. I like holding you.”

He would keep his dick under control tonight. She didn’t need the pressure of having sex, not after her head injury. In a few weeks, once they were in California, they could get reacquainted with their clothes off.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Clearing out the house and getting it ready to sell wasn’t much fun. Cass helped immensely, which meant that they were ready to leave in seven days instead of two weeks.

The service for their mother was small, but nice. He talked to a few people who had remembered him, but he didn’t spend a lot of time chatting with his mother’s friends. Honestly, he’d been surprised that many people showed up and called her friend. He guessed it was true that some people just treated family differently.

Gina wasn’t able to go back to work before she turned in her notice. They’d talked one night, and she’d told him she wasn’t satisfied with her job. She loved nursing, but working here hadn’t been like other places. She’d never fit in, and it felt like some of the staff made it difficult on purpose.