Cuffs - Cara Lockwood Page 0,42

used to men wanting to own her in public. Even Clint wouldn’t dare hold her hand in public. He, like many she’d slept with, felt like public displays of affection made them look weak. Normally, she didn’t care. That was just one more tie she didn’t need. But something about Gael claiming her mouth in the middle of a busy hospital corridor sent a little thrill through her. A little swell of pride. When he released her, a giggle popped up through her throat. An actual damn giggle. Was she one of those girls now?

The elevator doors slid open, and Gael led her inside. The orderly with the dinner cart eyed them with suspicion, but Gael pulled her in and put his arm around her. Mags ignored the stare and put her head in the nook of his arm, and it felt like she belonged there. She tried not to analyze the feeling beyond that. The doors opened to Ava’s floor, and Gael led her to the nurses’ station. A tall, dark-haired woman in bright pink flamingo scrubs lit up when she saw him.

“Gael!” she said and bustled over to give him a hug.

“Maeve! Love the flamingos. You know those are my favorite.”

Gael quickly made the introductions. “Mags, this is my sister Maeve.” The words came out smoothly, and Gael seemed to feel no awkwardness at all. He didn’t even pause as if trying to figure out how to explain her presence. He just announced it as if she were always meant to be there. So this was one of his sisters. She lacked his green eyes, but they shared the exact same hair color and both had the dimple in their left cheek.

“Mags!” Maeve cried, instant recognition. “Ava’s told me about you. You’re the tattoo artist!”

“Uh, yes, that’s right.” Maeve’s enthusiasm was almost contagious. She wasn’t used to this kind of reception, especially not in a hospital.

“Oh my.” Maeve stood back and studied Mags from head to toe, dark eyes shining with approval. “You’re gorgeous, you know that? My Lord. No wonder Ava was—”

“Talking about how cool your Instagram was,” Gael cut in before his sister could finish.

Mags actually felt herself blush. Normally people didn’t tell her she was pretty. She hadn’t even realized that was a compliment she wanted until it came out of Maeve’s mouth, so authentic and real.

“No wonder Gael’s got a crush on you.”

Now it was Gael’s turn to shift uneasily. “Where did you hear that?”

“You know Ava. She’s not going to keep any secrets to herself.” Maeve laughed at that, and Gael joined in.

“Well, hurry up then and take your shake before it melts,” Gael prodded, offering her the tray.

She took a shake and laughed with delight. “Oh, you can bribe me any time, you know that!”

“And one of these bags of food is for the nurses’ station,” Gael handed her the biggest bag. “Make sure everybody gets some.”

“You know I will.” Maeve took the bag. “You’re a gift from God. Thank you.” She took the bag. “You’ve got a good one here, Mags,” Maeve said before she bustled off back to the nurses’ station. Gael took her hand once more and squeezed.

“So you have a crush on me?” Mags teased as Gael let out a sigh.

“Maeve and Ava will have us married off before you know it.”

Normally, the very word married would send Mags running for the door. But instead, Mags laughed at that, and Gael joined in. “You ready to meet Ava?”

“You bet.” Mags felt an unexpected jolt of nerves in her stomach—anxiety she couldn’t quite explain. Why was she nervous about meeting Gael’s sister? Gael seemed to sense the tension, because he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before he pulled her to his sister’s room. It was the one stuffed full of get-well balloons and flower arrangements—nearly every available surface was covered in cheer.

“Knock, knock.” Gael walked in, and Ava sprang up in bed, matching his smile. Mags instantly recognized the resemblance: same dark, gorgeous hair, same stark green eyes. Her eyes lit up with such pure joy at seeing her brother that Mags felt her heart constrict. Gael was a provider, a protector. She had a sudden flash of him as a father. He’d make a good one. Then she nearly kicked herself. Why was she so quick to imagine him with a little toddler on his shoulders? Next she’d be pretending they were all going to put up a Christmas tree together. Mags’s thoughts were getting entirely too