Page 68 of Shelter from the Storm

Mercifully, his brothers were good at reading social cues, so none of them stared at her or asked questions.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Levi replied.

“I’m sorry for being a bother,” she said, glancing around at them before focusing on Sam. “And for ruining your party.”

Sam stepped closer. “You threw me the best party ever. Nothing was ruined, Gretchen. We’re glad you’re okay.”

She smiled at his brother. “Thank you.”

“Gretchen’s going to stay here tonight. I offered her your old bedroom,” Theo said to Levi.

“Sounds good. I was just heading out. Need to grab Kasi from the brewery on the way back to Lucky Penny Farm. The girls wanted to put a dent in the party cleanup.”

“That was nice of them,” Theo said.

“We stayed here. Just in case…” Levi paused.

Just in case Theo needed them. He smiled, nodded in understanding. “Thanks.”

Levi gave Gretchen one last friendly smile, then said goodbye.

Theo added his own goodbyes, waving to his brothers before guiding Gretchen upstairs. “Let’s stop by my room first. I’ll grab one of my T-shirts for you to sleep in.”

She followed him without hesitation. He wanted to tell himself that was because she wasn’t afraid of him, but part of him suspected she was running on fumes, sapped of all energy.

Theo quickly grabbed a soft cotton shirt for her, then led her to Levi’s room. Opening the door, he handed her the shirt. “The bathroom is right across the hall and the sheets on the bed are clean.”

Gretchen stood next to him in the doorway, without entering.

“I can walk you over to the girls’ house if you’d prefer.” If she chose that, he was sleeping on their couch, because there was no way he was leaving Gretchen and his cousins unprotected if this asshole was on his way, as she feared.

“No. I’d rather stay here. It’s just…”

“What?”

She bit her lower lip, looking uneasy.

“You can ask me for anything, kitten.”

He noticed a slight flush rose to her cheeks whenever he used the term of endearment. Considering she’d been pale since he found her own the floor, he was glad to see some color on her face.

“Would you stay in here with me? Not to— I mean, just to?—”

Theo placed his hand on her back, pushing her into the room. He followed, then closed the door behind him. He turned off the overhead light, the moon bright enough through the open curtains to illuminate the room.

Taking her hand once more, he led her to the bed. Turning her to face him, he slowly unbuttoned her blouse, his eyes locked on her face. Tugging it off her shoulders, he drew his T-shirt over her head.

She remained perfectly still, allowing him to dress her for bed.

“Toe off your shoes,” he murmured.

She did as he asked, never once breaking the connection of their eyes. Not even when he reached beneath the hem of the shirt and unfastened her jeans. Together, they pulled them off.

Theo drew back the covers, gesturing for her to crawl in. Once she was snug beneath the duvet, Theo shed his own shoes and jeans, leaving on his boxers and shirt.

Joining her, he closed his eyes, thanking every god who ever existed when she shifted to her side, wrapped her arm around his stomach, and rested her head on his shoulder, curling into him like the spot was tailor-made for her shape.

That was when she came undone, her body trembling with the tears she tried to shed quietly. He didn’t want her trying to hide her pain from him.

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