“All I want to do is hold you and crash.”
“I’ll meet you in bed.”
“I’d like to hear that every day for the rest of my life, please.”
“Done,” she mimicked him, and gave him a sexy grin as she slipped out of his light embrace and went to Emmy’s room.
Her heart fluttered with anticipation after hearing Jon so easily talk about them being together forever. She couldn’t wait to see his face when she carried out her plan to make that happen.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jon woke up with Trinity plastered to his side, one leg thrown over his, her long hair draped over his arm. Heaven. Pure and sweet and perfect.
He stretched to look at the clock and she snuggled in closer. He hadn’t slept that well in a long time.
He’d like to make love to her. Slow and easy, taking his time. But she was in no condition for that with her ribs, head still in a fog, and the dizzy spells that came over her. So he settled for turning on his side and gently pulling her close.
She wrapped herself around him and kissed his neck. “Feeling better?”
Of course she’d ask him that, when she was the one seriously injured. “I woke up with you. I can’t possibly be any better.”
She leaned back and smiled at him. “You’re sweet in the morning.”
“I’m sweet to you all the time.”
“True.” She dipped her head back under his chin and hugged him closer.
He slipped his fingers into her silky hair, avoiding the long line of stitches. “How is your head this morning?”
“Slow. Like yesterday, but once I’m awake a little longer, it gets better. There are things floating in my eyes.”
“Do you still have a headache?”
“It’s not so bad this morning.”
He gently rolled her to her back and slipped his hand up under the T-shirt he found her in last night. His shirt. And God, it looked good on her.
He checked out the bruising on her side. “Did you ice this yesterday?”
“On and off every couple of hours.” She put her hand over his. “Jon. I’m okay.”
“I know. It’s just . . .” He lightly traced his fingers over the bruises. “I think of what could have happened.”
“It didn’t. I’m fine. And we are moving on with our life together with Emmy, and for now, Steph is out of the picture.”
He wished for good. Except for Emmy’s sake. He’d endure Steph’s presence in their lives when necessary. “I think I’ll go deal with her apartment today.”
“You don’t have to do that. I rented a storage locker and hired a cleaning crew and movers to go there and empty the apartment a week from Monday. All of Emmy’s things will be delivered here that evening.”
He stared down at her, even though she still had her eyes closed. “You were supposed to rest yesterday and not stress about anything.”
“You took care of my business. I took care of yours. Well, your personal business.”
“Sweetheart—”
“We both know you didn’t want to deal with it. Unfortunately, you have the unpleasant task of going to see Steph. If I were you, I wouldn’t put it off. Her lawyer left you three messages at the house. I can’t imagine how many times he called your cell.”
“I ignored all six calls. She wants me to pay her bail so she can be out while she fights the charges. For the first time, her family, especially her father, has refused to clean up her mess. So far anyway.” He couldn’t believe her dad refused to get her out of jail.
Trinity’s eyes opened. “Are you going to pay her bail?”
“No fucking way.” He reined in his temper, and Trinity relaxed beside him because he wasn’t going to come to Steph’s rescue again. “I’ve given her every chance to be a good mother. She can’t even manage being a decent person.”
“Then let the court handle it and let it go.”
“If she’s smart, she’ll make a deal and serve her time.”
Trinity gave him a look that clearly said she didn’t think Steph was ever smart about anything.
Fair enough. He just wanted to drop the subject, but conceded, “I should go see her just so she knows where I stand on Emmy.”
“You need the closure.” Right again.
She read him so well.
“Tate is going to be here in an hour with the horses. I’m going to get some coffee and make Emmy breakfast so she’s ready for her big surprise. Are you coming? Or do you need more time to relax and let your eyes adjust to the light?” He’d kept the drapes closed in here and where he could in the rest of the house so she wasn’t bombarded by bright lights.
“I’m coming. I think I’ll sit up for a few minutes and get my balance before I try standing.”
“I’ll come check on you in a few and help you up, so you don’t fall.”
“I think I’ll be okay. I’m going to do what the doctor said and take it slow.”
“No horseback riding for you today,” he teased, knowing full well she wasn’t allowed up on a horse in her condition.
“I can’t wait to see Emmy’s face.”
He kissed her softly. “I love looking at yours and having you here with me.”
“So sweet in the morning. Remind me to stay in bed with you as long as possible.”
“My pleasure.” He kissed her again, then made himself get out of bed before things got too hot between them and he possibly set back her recovery.
He pulled on a T-shirt and sweats to cover the boxer briefs he’d slept in and headed down the hall. He stopped in Emmy’s doorway and found her in nearly the identical position he’d seen her in last night when he kissed her good-night, even though she’d already fallen asleep. Razzle lay by Emmy’s side, her arm draped over the cat.
Razzle spotted him, slipped free, ran off the bed, past him, and into the bathroom across the hall and straight into the litter box. “Good girl.”
He liked the cat. She looked like a masked superhero kitty with the orange fur around her eyes and spreading over her ears and the back of her head, like a cap. The rest of her was pure white.
He left Razzle to do her business, went to the kitchen, thanked God someone had made the coffee and set the timer, found two mugs in the cupboard, and poured for himself and Trinity.
Razzle raced in and immediately found the dry food feeding container and water bowl. She chowed down.
Emmy came in rubbing her eyes. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, sleepyhead.”
Razzle ran over to Emmy, brushed her body against Emmy’s legs, then ran back to her bowl.
Emmy giggled. “She’s happy here.”
And so was his little girl.
“Let’s have some breakfast.”
“Peanut butter toast.” Emmy loved melted peanut butter.
“Take a seat.” He got out two pieces of bread and popped them in the toaster.
Emmy climbed onto the stool at the breakfast bar.
Trinity walked in wearing his shirt and a pair of black leggings and squinted at the bright light coming in the front window.
“Sorry, sweetheart, no window covering in here.”