Page 38 of Protecting Gina

“That was very nice,” she whispered as she snuggled up next to him.

“Yes. Very nice. I’m glad you are okay sleeping in my room.”

“What are we going to do when Cass figures out that we are together?”

Wave didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Hopefully she’ll take it in stride and just be okay with it. I don’t want you to be stressed about her finding out.”

She snuggled closer to Wave. “I don’t think I am now. I mean, obviously, before, when we hadn’t even known each other a week, that was a little fast.”

His chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “Yeah, that was fast. And we didn’t know if we would stay together.”

She leaned up on one elbow and stared down at him, studying his face. “Do you think we’ll stay together?”

He pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and then smoothed his hand over her cheek. “I do. I have feelings for you that aren’t small. I don’t want to scare you away.”

“You aren’t going to frighten me away.”

“I like you a lot. Moving is stressful, and being abducted by a madman is very stressful. I don’t want this to be stressful for you. I do feel like we’ve grown closer.”

She liked what he was saying and how he said it. They had grown closer. He hadn’t declared his love because that would be unrealistic. She had deep feelings for him but didn’t think love was a real possibility yet. It took time to fall in love, or maybe it took time to realize she was in love.

What she felt for Wave was strong and deep. It felt like they were meant to be together. Maybe she was delusional for thinking they could have something after such a short time together.

Desire may be clouding her thoughts. It was hard to think rationally when Wave was naked beside her, his amazing body at her fingertips. She would be lying to say she wasn’t impressed by how fit he was. His strength made her feel giddy, too. He could easily pick her up and carry her.

“We have grown closer. I have feelings for you.”

He pulled her to him. “I have big feelings for you.”

“Maybe we should just tell Cass tomorrow or let her figure it out by not hiding it.”

He nuzzled his nose against her neck. “Sounds like a plan. I don’t want to hide anymore.”

“Good.”

“Now then, we should get some sleep. You’re on the way to healing fully, and for that, you need rest.”

She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being understanding about Cass. For wanting to be with me. For showing me your sweet and soft side.” She met his gaze, holding it for a long moment before speaking. “I care about you. I know we still have a lot to learn about each other, but I don’t want to be anywhere else other than with you.”

His lips found hers. The kiss was so full of passion and caring that tears filled her eyes. After the kiss ended, she rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.

Being with Wave was one of the best decisions she’d ever made. Perhaps they wouldn’t last, but she had a feeling that what they had was different and that they would make it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The next morning, Wave woke early and headed out to work out. He was almost done with his run when he saw Bang and T coming toward him. They all stopped in the middle of the running path.

“Good to see you, man,” Bang said.

“Good to see you two. How’s it going?”

“Can’t complain,” T said.

“How is Cass settling in?” Bang asked.