Rescued By A Perfect Stranger: A Single Dad, Age Gap Romance (Bearberry Bay - Rescue Series Book 4)

Chapter 37

~~ Lorelai ~~

Emilie is sitting at the ”Castle Table” spooning small bites from the cup of double chocolate ice cream Trevor brought, and Becca is next to her with her cup of vanilla. They’re kicking their little legs and chatting between themselves like the house isn’t still filled with police.

I’d made coffee and Cami had dropped off a tray of croissants filled with prosciutto and muenster and glazed with hot honey. The men, and one very tough-looking lady, had smiled gratefully and helped themselves after a nod from Trevor.

My brother was seated on the couch with his head down, his hands still cuffed. I’d crossed my fingers and made arrangements with Briarbay Hideaway weeks ago when Bray first showed up. I’d only had to let them know we’d be on our way, and they had a room being prepped for him now. It was less than an hour away, so it would be easy to visit on Family Day.

James, Trevor, and Lucius are standing to the side talking, cradling their coffee cups. James hasn’t changed out of his wet gear even though he’d grabbed some dry sweats for Lucius. The blanket I’d draped over his shoulders is tucked under his arms, his wetsuit showing every indentation of his abs, and I don’t dare look lower right now.

But I can’t help myself. My gaze drops, and damn. I’m instantly wet. My breathing shallows. When I force my eyes to move back up, James is looking straight at me. I see the moment he recognizes the desire in my eyes. His mouth opens on an exhale, and his tongue flicks out to moisten his lips. I groan in my mind. It’s been so long since he moved inside of me.

He looks away, then excuses himself from his conversation and heads toward the stairs. I watch him move through the group of officers, shaking a hand, patting a shoulder, laughing at a joke. His tread on the steps is slower than usual, and I see the exhaustion in the way he carries himself.

When I look back Trevor is watching me. He ventures over to where I stand. “Tough night.”

“Yeah. Do you think you could entertain the masses while I give the girls a quick bath? I can take that off James’s plate, and two is as good as one. Becca has some nighties here. Then I can head out with your officer.” Trevor had already said he’d have someone drive us to the facility.

“I’m sure James will appreciate that, and if you can handle Becca, too, that’d be fantastic. Save me a little time later.”

“It isn”t a problem at all.” I look over at the girls who are both licking their bowls like cats, and I smile. “They are amazing together.”

He follows my glance, and I hear him chuckle. “Glad it’s you and not me with that sticky mess! I feel for James’s chairs!”

“I put heavy duty plastic wrap over the seats under their boosters. The chairs will be fine.”

“Oh, great idea! I’ll have to remember that trick!”

I shrug. “Works better than towels that can soak through.”

“I imagine. I’ll get them down and send them your way.”

With that, I climb the stairs. I start the water in the middle bathroom and grab some bed clothes for the girls. We make short work of washing up and combing wet hair. I’m hanging up the towels when Emilie asks, “Is the bad man going to jail, Mizzz Mills?”

”He isn’t really a bad man, Em. He’s a man who is angry and made bad choices. He’s going to a place where they can help him want to make better decisions.”

“Like time out.” Becca says.

“Just like time out.”

“Like when I punched Jonathan? It was a bad ”cision, but it didn’t mean I’m a bad girl.” Emilie scrunches her nose, and I can’t help but boop it with my finger.

“Just like that. You girls are so very smart to think about things that aren’t always obvious.”

They grin and wrap hugs around my legs at the same time.

James clears his throat from the doorway, making me jump.

“Trev is going to take both girls tonight,” he tells me, and I turn to him.

I just nod. I have no available words. The girls push past us and stomp down the stairs.

He’s changed into black sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt that stretches across his broad shoulders and over his abdomen, leaving me almost panting. He didn’t shave, and the stubble on his jawline just makes me remember the way it rubbed against my thighs while...

“I’ll clean up downstairs.” His voice comes out gruff and I wonder what he’s thinking. His eyes scrape over my face, then travel. They linger for a second too long on the front of my blouse, and I look down.

“Oh.”

Water had splashed while I was helping the girls wash, and the lace outline of the new bra I’d put on this morning is showing through the wet white silk as if I wasn”t even wearing a shirt. My nipples were standing proudly at attention.

“I’ll just change and be right down.” I step toward the door, but he doesn’t move out of my way.

“Lorelai.”

I look up at him.

“I’m s”glad you’kay.” Emotion clouds his voice, making the words a jumble, but I understand. His arms lift and he puts a hand around each of my shoulders. He clears his throat. “I was terrified when I got the panic room notification.” He pulls me into his chest, and my arms go around his back.

I close my eyes and try to memorize the way this feels. I note where his arms cross, his palms stretched out, thumbs rubbing back and forth. The curves of his chest under my cheek, his very hard erection pressing into my stomach. Fuck, this feels so good. I want to hold on and never let go.

But it can’t last forever. He releases me and moves back to give me room to pass him. I sigh and push my door closed, sliding on jeans and a long sleeve tee. I grab my old boots and tie the too-short laces. When I come out, he’s downstairs ushering everyone out.

I pick up my bag from where someone graciously picked it up from the floor and placed it on the entry table and follow them. I see Trev and the girls pulling out, then the marked cars.

One of the uniformed officers is holding the passenger door of his SUV open for me. My brother is slumped in the back seat behind the divider. I step toward them, but James catches my arm.

He reaches up and moves a stray strand of hair from my cheek. “Get Brayden settled and come back safely,” he says, cupping my face. When he pulls his hand away, his thumb brushes the corner of my mouth and I gasp at the heat of it. I search his eyes. He’s been steadfastly avoiding physical contact, so I’m not sure what to make of this.

“Miss Mills?” The officer calls, and I turn away. But I watch James watching us pull out into the street.