When It's Right(67)

Blake took her through the front door, avoiding going through the kitchen, where Grandma Dee was probably distracting Justin with an after-­school snack. He set her on the sofa and stared down at her. “Okay?”

“Can you get me some ice for my knee?”

“Anything you need. Wait there. I’ll be right back.”

Grandma Dee walked into the room, meeting Blake on his way to the kitchen. Blake leaned in close and whispered, telling her what happened without letting Justin overhear in the other room. Grandma Dee’s eyes went wide, but her gaze settled softly on Gillian.

“I’m okay. It’s no big deal,” she assured her grandmother.

Grandma Dee glanced at Blake for confirmation.

“She’s fine. She wrenched her knee and hurt her hands. I’ll fix her up, and she can get some rest.”

Blake walked into the kitchen, greeted Justin, and struck up a conversation about how Justin did at school today.

Grandma Dee came over and stared down at her. “Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine. Please don’t make a big deal about it. I just want to forget it ever happened.”

“Maybe working out in the stables and with the horses is too much for you.”

“I need to do it. I can’t hide away inside the house. I got scared. If I give in to the fear and close myself off, then what? How much of my life will I miss because I’m afraid to face it?”

“Maybe you need more time to settle in here.”

“Trust me, Blake isn’t going to leave me alone again until he’s sure I’m comfortable.” Funny how she knew that about him and counted on him to do it. “Gabe startled me, and I overreacted. It’s happened a few times in the stables with the guys coming in and out.” She thought of Ken. He tended to seek her out and show up unexpectedly when she thought she was alone with Boots. “I didn’t sleep well last night. Well, most nights. I’m tired. It caught up with me today.”

Blake walked in carrying a glass of water, several wet paper towels, and a bag of crushed ice. He handed her the glass, set the other items on the coffee table, and pulled her pill bottle from his pocket. He uncapped the childproof lid and poured out a single pill. She gave him a look, which he held, not wanting to give her more than she needed. Reading in her that she needed two pain pills, he shook out another and handed them over. She downed them with the water and set the glass on the table. Blake sat on the sofa beside her, grabbed her foot, and pulled off her shoe. He did the same with her other foot, then stood and made her swing her legs onto the couch. He propped her knee on a pillow, undid the knee brace, and dragged it down her leg. He set the bag of ice over her aching knee. Satisfied he’d settled her on the couch, he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.

“I’ll help Justin with his homework, and we’ll watch a movie together while you rest. Those pills should knock you out soon.” Blake kneeled beside her, took one of the wet towels, and dabbed at the scrapes on her hands, which rested on her stomach. “There, that’s better.”

Touched by the care and attention he showed her, she crooked her finger for him to lean in closer. She reached up, took his face in her hands, and pulled him down for a kiss. His lips met hers. With soft touches, he kissed her again and again, finally settling his lips against hers when she sighed. He took the kiss deeper, his tongue sliding over hers. She held him close with her hand on his shoulder. He ended the kiss far too soon and pressed his forehead to hers, his eyes closed. When they opened, she gazed into his tawny eyes, so filled with need and longing.

“You’re killing me, sweetheart.”

She smiled, her eyes drooping, the meds kicking in. “I don’t know what to do with you when you’re sweet.”

“Kiss me all you want,” he suggested.

“Kiss me now.”

“My pleasure.”

He kept the kiss soft, sweet, lingering, like he had all the time in the world. She wished things could be like this all the time, but had a feeling her relaxed, mellow mood had more to do with the pain meds smoothing out her rough edges than the fact that she’d truly settled into this new relationship with Blake. This was a good start though. She could definitely get used to kissing him and the warm feeling seeping into every cell of her body.

“Get some rest. I’ll get Justin and be right back.”

“Blake?”

“Yeah, sweetheart.”

“Thanks for not making a big deal about what happened.”

His warm palm settled on her cheek. “You’re going to be okay.”

She knew that, but hearing him say it helped.