Page 30 of Gypsy's Lady
“I-I could go with you.” Gypsy turned and found Kelsey sitting on the edge of the bed, feet dangling over the side. He watched as her feet flexed, toes curling underneath nervously. Thighs pressed togetherandelbows tucked tight to hersides, her posture was stiff and rigid, eyes angled off to the sidesoshe didn’t have to look at his face. “I could, Gypsy.” Just those few words spoken in her lilting accent made his belly get warm.
He took a moment to remember how she’d reacted to the crowds in the Melbourne airport. Shaking and mute, she’d hidden her face against his side, shutting out the world. It took a fucking lifetime,butfinally,they’d been on the plane,andhe’dbeendamned thankful for the meds the Hawks medic had provided. Gypsy had zero qualms about doping her up the wholeflight,because her having a freak-out at forty-thousand feet was a whole lot less than desirable. She’d been terrified but still groggy when they got to Chicago, which helped get them through customs and onto the next leg of theirflight, joking with a silent Kelsey about already being jetlagged. Finally in Fort Wayne, he’d hustled her out of the airport and into the rented van the boys had left for him in parking. One of the RWMC prospects had collected their baggage, dropping it at the apartment.
They’d been home for nearly two weeks, and up to this point, she’d only been as far as the apartment building’s lobby.Isshe ready for even the limited crowds on the streets of the Fort?
Gypsy knew her absolute worst fear was he would leave and not come back. She had confessed as much in their limping conversations, but from within her dreams, the words were shouted, pulling him from a sound sleep to hear her calling his name, voicebrokenas she’d beg, “Gypsy, please don’t leave me.” She also fearedto bea burden.Had feared that all the way back in Australia, because she knew as well as he did that Nary,sweet,damaged Nary, wouldn’t move on unless Kelsey did, too.Somehow, she found the strength to come here and start the process, he reminded himself.She’s stronger than she knows.
The need to help her be whole again consumed him. Sointhis moment, without asking her if she were certain, without underminingher confidence, without giving her any indication he’d wrestled with the idea for a second, and without doing anything other than giving her a nod and a smile, he spoke to Jase. “I’ll get the inventory done in an hour, send it to you. Want anything else while I’m out, boss? A latte, maybe? Want me to bring you a salad?” He put on a fake Aussie accent. “Need some cream for your tea?” Kelseytipped her head to stare at the floor and damned if her mouth didn’t curveintoa tiny grin.Fuck yeah.
“Screw you and that rabbit food, Gypsy. Me he-man. Bring me asteak. Big fucking steak.” Jase was laughing again. “Talk soon.” The call disconnected.
Gypsy tucked the phone into his pocket, gaze still on Kelsey. “Want me to stay in here while you get ready?” She was relearning shyness whenit came to nudity, and while he loved every chance to feast his eyes on her form, he would give her whatever space she needed. When her head moved back and forth without looking up, he responded quickly, giving her a concrete frame to hold him in her head until she finished in here. “I’ll be in the kitchen.” Grabbing a shirt off the dresser, he walked out and pulled the door shut behind him.
***
Kelsey
I bloody hate this. This fragility that’s like a freaking disease in my head. The part of me that wants nothing more than to go to sleep and never wake up. I want to be strong, like Nary. Like Gypsy.
Kelsey slid off the edge of the mattress, standing on her bare feet, crinkling her toes down into the plush carpet in Gypsy’s bedroom. She glanced at the clock near the bed and markedthe time, giving herself three minutes to get ready. She’d make herself wait the full three minutes before bursting through the doortoplaster herself against Gypsy’s side.
The only time she felt safe was with him. The touch of his skin helped slow her racing heart, and just hearing his growly voice gave her room to breathe. Even surrounded by all his things, as she was right now, still lefther off-balance. Scared to be without him, and terrified as to what that fear said about her.
I might never be the same.
She remembered the Kelsey she’d been before. The carefree woman who thought like a child, never seeing the badness in anyone. The girl who’d adored her older brother. The teen learning that family wasn’t to betrusted,and neither were the fosters paid to care for you. Theyoung woman who thoughthavingtea with friends was the ultimate in happiness, who believed going to the cinema to see a movie the most fun in the world. The foolish woman who believed the lies spun by a brilliant man, that lure enough to get her into an alleyway. The woman she’d been was killed in her first week of captivity. Hope died fast whenenough badhappened, covered and drowned in thedark waters of rape and cruelty.
Then had come Nary. Even when things were darkest, young Nary was a bright light. Kelsey had feared forher,because the light inside her had shone so brightly. Baxter had tried to crush her. He had plotted and schemed to do the things his clients would allow. Kelsey tried to warn her, tried to tell her. Remembered looking over her shoulder into the room as themen took her away, seeing Nary left behind and sitting on the filthy mattress, tears streaming down her face. Tears not for herself, but for Kelsey.
Shaking herself out of the doldrums of her mind, Kelsey looked at the clock again and then scrambled for clothing. She’d been lost inside her head for too long, and her self-imposed limit of three minutes had already slipped past. Jeans and a singlet,then a jumper on over the top of that. Kelsey realized she didn’t even know what the weather was today. Indiana was a long way from Australia, and the seasons were all topsy-turvyfromhome. With a single glance at theclock,she decided it didn’t matter, because she couldn’t make Gypsy wait.What if he left? What if he’s already tired of waiting and he’s gone?
Runners in hand, she flung thedoor open and then stopped in her tracks. One hip propped against the countertop, Gypsy stood with a mug lifted to his lips. He didn’t even have his boots on yet.I’m not late.
“Want some coffee or tea?” He tilted the mug, sipping his drink. “Want me to make you a sandwich?”
Swallowing hard, Kelsey shook her head.I want to be beside you. Clamping her lips tight against the words, she took atentative step in his direction, pulling in a deep breath when he lifted one arm in clear invitation. In aheartbeat,she was tucked against his side, held tight there by the curve of his arm around her shoulders. She sighed, and he squeezed her tighter. “I-I—” Closing her mouth, she swallowed, then tried again. “I tho-thought I was late.”
“I’m here, darlin’.” He didn’t remind her he’d alreadypromised he would be. Just reaffirmed what she knew. He washereand wanted her with him. She felt herself believe a tiny bit more.
