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Chapter Thirteen
After taking off her elf coat—which left her in a white silk camisole that showed off what seemed like acres of creamy skin—Eric made quick work of examining Sable. Jethro was grateful he’d been at the club tonight.
“Well Miss Posey, I think we’re looking at a shoulder sprain. You don’t need to go to the hospital but you will need to take it easy for the next few weeks and wear a sling for about a week to help you rest and not move your shoulder too much. You should ice your shoulder three times a day for about fifteen minutes each time for the next week too to help keep the swelling down, and take some pain meds as well. If it gets worse, you call me. Think you can manage that, clever girl?”
Something crazy overtook Jethro’s brain, the same thing that had made him volunteer that he was Sable’s daddy when Eric had asked. It wasn’t rational but it was a feeling so strong he couldn’t deny it. And rather than bite his tongue, he let the urge take over his mouth once again.
“She’s coming home with me, I’ll make sure she complies.”
Sable stiffened on his lap for a second—had he gone too far? Compliance, obedience, submission: these were loaded words, especially to a woman like Sable. But she relaxed and then—shit, her hips shifted on his lap. Had his promise that she’d obey excited her?
In truth he’d been trying to deny how much it excited him.
He settled his hands on her hips and Eric made eye contact with him.
“You should get her home. I’ll swing by my office and pick up a few supplies and bring them by your place so you don’t have to stop.”
“Sounds good. Thank you so much for your help.”
Jethro had been patient while Eric looked Sable over but now he couldn’t stand not seeing her face. He shifted Sable on his lap so he could at least see her in profile. “Are you feeling steady enough to stand? Dr. Eric said I should get you home so if you’re up for it, you can walk, otherwise I’ll carry you out to the truck.”
Sable shook her head, rolled her lips between her teeth and flushed. “You don’t have to do that. Any of that. And besides, my car—”
“There’s no way you’re driving right now, little miss. Your hands are still unsteady and it could aggravate your shoulder. Not a chance.”
This was more domineering than he usually was with his partners, especially at first, and especially outside a scene. But honestly? The idea of Sable even near that car right now—no, absolutely not.
“But I can’t just leave it there. It could get towed. Or broken into.”
“I appreciate that you’re trying to be a responsible girl, but there are other ways to solve that problem. Hudson, could you come here?”
“What’s up?” asked the other man, ambling up to them.
“Could you and Ian make sure Posey’s car gets back to her place?”
“No problem.”
Jethro wasn’t sure how Hudson felt about this sudden development between him and Sable but if he was unhappy, he didn’t show it.
“Are your keys in your bag, baby?”
Sable nodded, and pointed to her purse. “They’re clipped right on the inside. And the card to get into my building’s parking garage is on the driver’s side visor.”
“See?” Jethro asked her, bouncing her a little on his knee. “All set. Let’s get you home so you can rest. You’ve had a really hard day.”
“Daddy?”
God, the way she looked at him, the way her plump lips formed that word he’d been longing to hear, and the way she wrapped her good arm around his neck… She was so perfect it was almost painful. If someone would’ve asked him just a few hours ago if he could imagine this picture, he would’ve laughed. And that’s what it felt like: one of the nicest dreams he’d ever had.
“Yes, baby?”
“May I have a moment with Hudson before we go, please?”
“Of course. And that was very nice asking. Your pretty manners make your daddy so proud.”
Sable beamed at the praise and it was like something cracked open his heart. No, cracked sounded too violent, and it wasn’t painful. It was more like watching a stubbornly sealed bud finally break open and the petals unfurl into a burst of glorious color. Sable even looked softer then he’d ever seen her.
He shifted Sable off his lap and onto the couch. “I’ll give you some space to talk.”
“Don’t leave,” she begged, grabbing his hand as he stood and looking terrified that this had all just been a game, a play, a figment. As though he didn’t actually intend to bring her back to his home, as if something inside him didn’t feel like it was thawing from a long winter frost and coming into season again. That same crazy voice that had been pushing him all evening suggested that perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if Sable came and never left.
Which was insane—they hardly knew each other—but it felt far more reasonable than it should.
“I’d never leave you, baby. Promise. I’m just going to gather up our things and wait by the door.”
