Chapter 124

Mia

The next day, I was finally discharged from the hospital, and James, with Andy tagging along, came to pick me up that afternoon. Of course, both men watched over me like mother hens as I slipped out of bed and began to get myself ready.

I was just reaching out for the luggage to start packing when Andy said, “I’ll do that for you. You go and get changed.”

I nodded and headed into the bathroom, a dress in my hand.

While Andy packed my stuff into the bag Savannah had brought for me, James was in the bathroom, aiding me with getting dressed since my movement was slow. Of course, I didn’t mind the fact that I was half naked in front of him, in just undies and bra and my bare skin marked with dark bruises everywhere. After all, he had seen me naked last night when he was making love to me, albeit under the dimness of the wall light.

“Raise your arms,” he instructed as if I were his daughter. I thought he was being very parental toward me.

I smiled as I obeyed him, raising my arms high above me. He was grinning, too, as he slipped the dress over my head. Once the soft material lay lovingly against my skin, I said, “You could have slipped it on from the bottom. It would have been easier.”

“You’re right,” he said as he gently nudged me around so my back was to him. Once he finished zipping me up, he bent down and seductively kissed me on my nape.

Warm heat aroused within me, and I grinned. I was about to turn around and give him a hot kiss on the lips when Andy’s voice came through the door from the other side.

“Are you guys done yet? We’d better get going.”

I sighed. That kiss would have to wait, I guess. Andy sounded eager to get me home, after all.

James said, “Let’s take you home,” and I nodded in agreement.

After saying goodbye to the wonderful nurses who had looked after me, I gleefully left the ward I had been cooped up in for the past week.

The moment we arrived at James’ million-dollar mansion about half an hour later and I got out of the car, Aria ran up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Yay! Mia, you’re home. You’re finally home. I missed you so much,” the little girl said, a big smile on her adorable face.

I carefully went down to my knees, since my body was still inflamed, and hugged her tightly. “I’ve missed you, too,” I said.

When I let her go, Aria moved back and shrieked excitedly, “We’re going to have a girls-only slumber party tonight. Yay! I can’t wait. I can’t wait.”

Aria’s eagerness was certainly infectious, and I found myself chuckling along with her, quite enthusiastic about the prospect as well. Especially since I had been in the hospital for a week, which had been quite lonely to say the least.

When I managed to stand again, because my legs were still a little sore, I noted Savannah watching us not too far away. I moved forward, and we hugged tightly.

“How are you feeling?” Savannah asked.

“Better,” I said, chuckling. “Let’s go inside.”

She nodded, and as we headed into the house, James lifted Aria into his arms and followed us. Andy, on the other hand, was busy taking out my suitcase.

The moment I stepped into the foyer, Scott came toward me, a handsome smile on his gorgeous face in greeting.

“Hello, Mia, darling,” he said, pulling me enthusiastically into his arms. “You look better than when I last saw you.” He moved back and carefully inspected me as if I were an expensive jewel. “Hmm… Your bruises are getting a lot lighter.”

I said, “That’s good, isn’t it?”

He nodded as he led me farther into the house. “Yes, of course.”

Once we were in the living room, I saw Eric, Matt, and William drinking what I assumed was beer and chatting away. Obviously, they were socializing. The moment they saw me, they came over and asked how I was feeling, to which I replied that I was much better. Savannah, to my surprise, was acting very maternal and fussing over me. She even shooed away the men to give me some space and suggested I retire to my room since it looked as though I needed a good rest before the party this evening.

I turned to her. “Party? What party?”

She smiled. “Just a welcome home party,” she said. “Aria suggested we do one for you.”

“I see,” I said, turning my eyes to Aria, who was still in her father’s arms, grinning at me cheekily.

“It’s gonna be fun.” Aria turned to her dad. “Right, Daddy?”

James nodded as he winked at me. I blushed profusely since he looked so hot when he did that. Once again, I wanted to kiss him, but of course I couldn’t. Not here when there were people around.

“Yes, that does sound fun.” I turned to Savannah. “Right, I’m going to go up and take a little nap. I’m feeling rather tired.”

It must have been the painkillers.

After excusing myself, I headed up the stairs to my room, Savannah coming along with me.

It wasn’t long before I found myself cozily snuggling in my own bed, which was a blessing.

Once Savannah had finished tucking me in and said, “Have a good sleep,” I nodded and closed my eyes, falling deep into slumber straight away.

When I woke, I felt refreshed and alert. That sleep had been indeed wonderful.

I stretched before getting out of bed. I was just raiding my closet for a change of clothes before heading into the shower when a few knocks came at the door.

“Mia?” Andy’s voice came through.

“You can come in, Andy.”

The door opened, and my brother walked in. “Hey, feeling better?”

I nodded. “That sleep was good. By the way, what time is it now?”

“It’s nearly six in the evening.”

I blinked in surprise. Shit! Had I been sleeping that long? I must have been quite tired, then.

I asked, “Am I late for my own homecoming party?”

Andy chuckled. “Nope. Take your time. I just wanted to see if you’re fine… I mean I’m leaving tomorrow morning and…”

I turned my gaze to him and smiled. I knew he was worried about me and worked to alleviate his concern. “I’m fine, Andy. James is taking very good care of me. He was with me almost every night when I was in the hospital, which was very nice of him.”

He nodded. “I know that. I just can’t believe…”

“What?” I asked curiously.

He raked his fingers through his dark hair. “That somebody like him…would… Shit! I don’t know how to put it into words, Mia, but you know what I mean. Anyway, I’m just happy that he loves you and takes good care of you, and…”

I went to him and gave him a hug. “And I’m so happy that Matt loves you and takes very good care of you, too. I’m relieved that there’s someone there for you other than me.”

He snorted. “Yeah, in his own weird way, he does care about me, doesn’t he?”

I thought there was a hint of doubt in Andy’s voice. Maybe my brother needed time to really trust Matt, which was fine, considering what he had been through.

When I moved back, he said, “I’ll leave you to get yourself ready. See you downstairs, then.”

I nodded, and he kissed me on the forehead. Then he was gone, leaving me alone to wonder why he was unconvinced of Matt’s feeling for him. I mean, I might not have that much experience when it came to the subject of romance, but I felt it in my gut that Matt truly loved Andy and really cared about him. The way the man showed that sentiment was different from most people. His tenderness was perhaps a bit rough around the edges, and he tended toward the controlling and possessive type. Matt was the type to bully the one he liked, after all.