Page 23 of His to Keep

I was still mad. But as he leaned over me to put an arm around my waist, I couldn’t stop the relief from pouring through my body. Because no matter what I thought he was orwhoI thought he was…

Emerson Brooks had always taken care of me.

***

Emerson

She was leaving with me. Hell, she was even letting me put my arm around her. I wasn’t sure I deserved a single bit of this, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Especially not when she leaned into me, the small firm belly pressing briefly against my hip.

“Are you feeling okay? Is this too much?” I cursed Dr. Charter in my mind for putting us so far away from the exit.

“Just a little wobbly,” she answered, not looking at me.

I shortened my stride, slowing to take as small of steps as possible. Even so, it only took a quick look at her pale cheeks to make my decision final.

I turned to the nurse who was following us with most of Whitney’s things. Wordlessly, she reached forward and gently tugged Whitney’s purse from her fingers. In the same breath, I bent my knees and easily swept her up and into my arms.

Whitney remained quiet and stiff in my arms for a moment. I leaned in, silky strands of her hair brushing against my nose as I said, “Let me do this for you, please.”

Something in my chest released as she sagged into my grip. My thumb pressed a small stroke on the back of her knee as I carried her down the hall.

David Gates stepped out from a break room, falling in behind me. But not before offering me an enormous grin.

I narrowed my eyes in his direction but pretended I didn't see him. I’d deal with that guy later. Now I had Whitney, and she needed all of my attention.

Dr. Charter found me once more by the exit, her no-nonsense attitude making our exchange easy and professional.

“Directions are in the email. Text if you need anything or want us to come to you.”

I nodded and turned to the vehicle that appeared. Timothy was out in an instant.

I pressed my mouth back against Whitney’s hair. “May I set you down so you can step in?”

She nodded and let me gently place her feet back on the pavement. She immediately reached for the bags from the nurse, who mouthed something to her. Blushing, Whitney turned to Timothy, who helped her carefully into the back seat.

I stepped up to get in next but surprisingly ran straight into Timothy’s arm.

The man eyed me for a long moment. “Everything alright, sir?” he asked me.

Warmth and appreciation curled in my belly.

“Everything is fine. Let’s go home, Tim.”

The big driver’s frown lessened ever so slightly, and he moved back around to the driver’s seat.

I climbed in, struggling to keep my hands from her body as the car moved away.

It was only a few minutes and miles later, and he pulled into the long, twisting drive of my home just outside the city. I knew that Asher loved the city, but I was more like my other brother, Xavier, who preferred fewer people, less interference.

I gulped a little as I wondered what she would think of my home. I’d chosen it for one reason, and one only. To fill the rooms with my family. I’d thought that if I bought this home, somehow the other pieces would fall into place. But then, here I was, ten years later, and most of the other rooms were closed off and unused.

Only a few rooms were furnished at this point, which should embarrass me, but I didn't care about that now. I just wanted her there.

Whitney leaned forward to stare though the center console to look at the house’s front coming into view.

The look on her face, the awe and pleasure, nearly made me squirm in my seat like a kid.

“Oh my God, Emerson, it’s gorgeous.”

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