Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Relief filled Gina when she lowered to the couch in Wave’s place. She guessed it wasn’t Wave’s place, but that was how she thought of it.
Wave stood close, worry evident in his gaze. “I bought a pasta casserole earlier. I’ll put it in the oven.”
“Thank you,” Gina said.
“I’ll put sheets on the guest bed,” Cass said as she headed down the hall.
Wave glanced over his shoulder, eyebrows raised. Gina had to stifle a laugh. No question, Wave wanted her to sleep in his bed, but Cass had no clue. Gina wasn’t going to tell Cass about their relationship. If it continued once she moved to California, they would talk to Cass.
A shiver ran through her, and she was glad Cass had already left the room and Wave had turned the other way. She didn’t want to explain what she was thinking or feeling. Heck, she wasn’t sure what she felt.
The thought of living with Wave was exciting and scary. What if they didn’t work out? What if he wasn’t what she thought he was? Maybe he was just being nice for now, and once she was roped in, he would change.
She had a good feeling about Wave, but maybe she was wrong? She’d been wrong about previous boyfriends. She’d trusted some guys who’d ended up cheating on her. Luckily, she’d gotten out of those relationships fast.
It had been a long time since she’d been in a real relationship. Worry hit from time to time, but she was also excited about being with Wave. Maybe this time would be different.
Wave popped the food into the oven, then moved to the couch, placing a glass of water in front of her. “I got you some water.” Wave leaned in, lowering his voice. “If you don’t feel comfortable sleeping in the bed with me, I understand.”
Laughter bubbled up, and she checked down the hall to make sure Cass wasn’t watching them. She put her hand on Wave’s thigh. “I want to be in bed with you.”
“Good, because I want that, too. Of course, we won’t do anything other than cuddle.”
“But—”
“No way. You just got out of the hospital. I’m not going to put you at risk of injury. Concussions usually mean ten days of no sex.”
Gina gasped. “Ten days?”
“Yes. We need to treat your brain nice after you were knocked around. It’s okay, we’ll have time for sex after you feel better.”
A door down the hall opened, and Wave sat back. It was easier to just pretend that for now they weren’t in a relationship. Cass would figure it out soon enough.
Wave liked having Gina close. She was smart and funny, and she made him feel good. They ate dinner, and because of Gina’s concussion, they skipped TV and instead sat outside around the fire pit. This was probably the last time the pit would be used.
“Do you have a fire pit at your place?” Cass asked.
He shook his head. “No. My yard is small, and it doesn’t get that chilly in the evenings.”
Cass glanced over her shoulder toward the house. “I’m going to miss this place.”
“We don’t have to sell the house.” Wave could make it work. Maybe if Cass got a job, they could get by.
She shook her head, then pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. “No, I don’t want to live here. I want to be adventurous. I want to go places and enjoy life. Mom stayed here and cut herself off from having fun. I don’t want that.”
“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.