Page 29 of His Paradise

“I’m sorry,” the words are a whisper from her and I cup her face, tilting her head to look up at me. “Do not apologize for the kindness in your heart.” I kiss her forehead. Nina nods as she takes my hand and starts to lead us towards the door but I wrench her arm, pulling her back to me.

“Bend over, Nina.” My voice is low and she whips her head up to give me a look of doubt.

“Absolutely not. You aren’t going to spank me here like a damn child.” The shock in her voice doesn’t make me budge as I drag her towards our car. “Aden, you better not!” She shouts. I guide her in front of me, making her face the car as she yanks and curses me under her breath. Splaying her palms on the car, I look around to make sure we are still alone as I pull her pants down.

Nina sucks a breath through her teeth, dropping her forehead to the hood of the car. Seeing her perky ass makes me want to fuck her right here and now, but I’m a man of my word. My palm strikes the soft skin, making her hands curl into fists, but she doesn’t stand when I brush my knuckles over the skin as it reddens.

“One for every step you took away from me should suffice.” I say aloud, and she jerks her head to stare at me over her shoulder and I grin down, striking her ass again. This time she whimpers a moan, hiding her face against the crook of her arm.

Jared greets us in the doorway of Luna’s room, and the dark circles under his eyes are worse today. Luna is still laying in the bed, to some it would appear she was just sleeping. I sure as Hell convinced myself of it nearly every day I came to see her.

Jared drops back to his chair next to Luna and cradles her hand in his. “Go get something to eat and then shower. If she wakes up and sees you like this, Luna might just faint or swing on you.” I try to reason with him. He just grunts, finally caving as Nina tries to push him towards the door. He motions to the chair, “Take my seat.”

Nina’s face reddens and I can’t stop the smirk from curling my lips.

“I’d rather stand, but thank you.” She shifts, a slight cringe on her face as she tries to look away. Jared gives us an odd look, before realization dawns.

“Fucking perverts.” He mutters.

“Luna told me about your mask and the woods. Don’t kink shame.” Nina points her finger at Jared and he shoves past me with an eye roll. But he doesn’t make it out the door when I grab his arm and jerk him back.

“First you tell me to leave, then you won’t let me out? I’m in no mood for your fucking games.” Jared snaps, pulling away from my grip.

“You should know better than to poke that bear.” Her voice is strained, and the scratchy cough makes me wince as I stare in shock. Jared doesn't move. I can see him pleading with me that he wasn’t hearing things, his eyes wide. I nod once and he spins, nearly crashing to the hospital bed as Nina scrambles out of his way.

Luna grins as he clutches her face, tears in his eyes. “Hey there, grumpy. You must be tired of being stuck in hospitals with me.” She tries again to clear her throat, and Jared grabs up a glass of water so quickly that it sloshes to the floor. Nina buries her face in my shirt as I run my fingers through her hair.

“My entire body is so stiff. How long was I out?” She asks, finally noticing us in the background. Her hand flies to her head as she scrunches her brow. Her face changes as a flood of memories hit her, and her hand drops to her stomach. The fear in her eyes as she stares at Jared nearly breaks me but he covers her hands with his and smiles. “Our baby is okay, you’re both okay.” He says, leaning his forehead against her.

“You saved my life, Luna. I can never tell you enough what you mean to me.” Nina sniffles and squeezes in to hug Luna. Jared doesn’t budge and I can’t blame him. “I owe you my life, Luna. But if you ever do some stupid shit like that again, I’m going to throttle you.” I warn her and she lifts her shaking hand, sticking her middle finger up at me.

Chapter twenty-five

Nina

My mind is still accepting the relief and happiness from knowing that Luna is okay. She is going to come home as soon as the doctors clear her the next day. Jared warned all of us to stay far away for the next few days and I understand. I wasn’t sure Isabelle gave a shit what the big grump demands, considering the glob of jello she flung at his head when he dropped that news.

“You’re a million miles away.” Aden whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as we step through the front door. Before I can open my mouth to say a word, a large hand wraps around my shoulder and yanks me away.

“Percy told me you want your poor husband to show mercy for that cock sucker you’ve got locked in the shed. What the fuck are you thinking, you bull headed woman?” Grayson rumbles, rubbing his knuckles against my head until the friction hurts. I slap at him, catching his cheek as he releases me to cross his arms and stare me down. Aden is stunned, watching the interaction. Just as I expect him to go for Graysons throat, he cracks a small smile.

“We finally have somebody else with some damn sense under our roof.” He reaches out to shake Graysons hand, but when they make contact, Grayson winces. “Don’t even think about hurting my wife ever again, or you’ll be down there next to your old boss. Understand me?” Grayson gives a sharp nod, not breaking eye contact until Aden releases him.

Olivia walks into the room with a little girl in her arms, her round face lighting up when she sees Grayson.

“Papa!” She yells, wriggling free and racing for him. Grayson scoops her up, grinning as he throws her into the air.

“Gabby, these are daddy's friends that I told you about. They’re letting us stay here for a little while.” Gabby looks at us with wide brown eyes, and Grayson brushes her long dark hair out of her face. I hold my hand out, smiling softly when I get close.

“Well it is an honor to meet you, Miss Gabby. I’m Nina.” I say. She looks at her father, uncertain of the strangers she’s facing. Grayson smiles and takes my hand first, then motions for her. She places her little hand in mine and a bright smile breaks across her face as she dives into me.

“Aunt Olivia is your favorite, don’t forget who does the funny voices.” Olivia pouts and Percy rolls his eyes, rocking Leo. I raise a brow and he shrugs, “Nanny had to take off.” He explains. Olivia gives him a pointed frown.

“He hasn’t sat him down since we got back from the airport four hours ago.” She says “Snitch.” Percy sneers, rocking Leo when he yawns and grunts. Grayson smiles at Olivia, and I notice the way his eyes linger on her. The blush that crawls up her neck tells me she notices it, too. That will be a problem one day, but I’m too tired to put much thought into it as Gabby lays her head on my shoulder with a big yawn.

“Did the two of you get settled in?” Aden asks Grayson. He rubs the back of his neck and looks uncomfortable as he glances between us.

“I don’t know how I’ll be able to repay you for all of this. You gave me back the one thing in this world I had prayed for. Inviting us to stay in your home, the clothes, and the bed is just so much.” He shakes his head. Aden rolls his eyes and waves a hand.

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