Chapter 6

After going over everything and reminding Jacob to make sure I got plenty of rest, I was tucked into a wheelchair and wheeled out of the hospital by the nurse as Jacob ran to get his car.

We made it outside right as Jacob pulled a black SUV into the loading zone. He jumped out of the car and ran around to where I waited, gently picking me up and getting me settled into the passenger seat.

“Wow, nice car,” I said looking at the fancy screens, and buttons on the dashboard.

“Thank you, but it's an SUV, not a car.” He smirked waiting to see if I would respond to his teasing.

“Smart ass,” I mumbled as I struggled with the seat belt.

“Here let me.” Jacob looked at me for permission before leaning over me and grabbing the shoulder strap. Pulling it out far enough so it wouldn't hit my broken arm, he clicked it into place, grazing his hand across my thigh as he did.

I swallowed hard as his fingers sent heat scorching right to my center. “Family, family, he's my stepbrother I shouldn't be turned on” I desperately chanted in my mind. My libido who had not made an appearance in months decided this was the perfect time to come out of hiding, to remind me that I was not related by blood to any of my new stepbrothers. “ Nope not listening,” I thought as my libido started settling in like she was going to stay a while.

“So how long does it take to get to the house?” I asked, hoping Jacob wouldn't notice how hard I was blushing.

He glanced at me as he drove away from the hospital. Are you feeling ok there Em, you're looking a little red”

“ Yep, yep, all fine, nothing to see here” I stammered and Jacob snorted

“And what's up with calling me Em?” I asked him

“ Well, Em is short for Emmy, and since you're short, I thought it was a good nickname” He was grinning again waiting to see how I would react.

“I'm not short,” I pouted, sticking my tongue out at him again.

“Be careful where you stick that tongue it could get you into trouble Em” He chuckled, as he turned on his blinker and merged onto the highway.

I slammed my mouth shut and whipped my head around focusing hard on the passing scenery. Jacob reached out for my good hand linking his fingers with mine, giving them a gentle squeeze.

“I promise Em, everything will be fine. We will make sure of it” he gently squeezed my fingers again before letting go of my hand. I smiled gently at him.

“Thank you, Jacob, that means a lot” I smoothed my hands down my borrowed scrubs.

“ Call me Jake. Dad insists on using our full names because it sounds more high class, but we don't care, and use nicknames.” Jake slowed down taking the exit toward the rich upper-class part of town.

“ Thanks, Jake I will, my father always hated my name, and had been calling me Emmy for as long as I can remember” I looked up as we approached a gated community. Jake slowed down so the sensor could read the sticker on his windshield. The gate opened, and as we drove through a security guard waved at us.

“Wow.” my mouth dropped open as we drove down a street. It seemed like there was a whole town behind the gates. We passed several small shops and a market. A school backed up to a large open field. There was also a country club, complete with a spa. Jake made a few more turned untill we were on a street with enormous houses all set back from the road, with fences and gates of their own. Jacob drove to the end of the street, and pulled up to a gate, punched in a code, and drove up the driveway.

“ Here we are little sis.” he pulled up by the front door and turned off the SUV. As I tried to unbuckle myself the front door opened, and a mirror image of Jake was standing on the front porch.

“ Jake’” I whispered, “you didn't tell me you two were identical, I'm never going to be able to tell you apart” Jake just laughed, jumped out of the SUV, and came around to lift me down.

“ Don’t worry Em, there are plenty of ways to tell us apart.” He said it with enough innuendo and heat, that my face turned bright red again, and when he scooped me into his arms, I buried my head in his neck.

Joshua met us at the steps leading up to the house. “Is she ok? Was the drive too much? Why didn't you tell me her injuries were this bad?” He shot off all three questions in one breath while glaring at Jacob.

“So Josh, this is Emmy. Em, this is Josh.” Josh's face went from a glaring frown to a gentle smile in the blink of an eye, as he walked up to me.

“Hey there Em.” Josh slowly reached out to squeeze my good hand.

“ Nice to meet you, Josh.” I smiled and lay my head back on Jake's shoulder. The day had completely exhausted me, and it was only a little after one.

“Come on, let's get her settled inside so she can rest.” Jake began walking up the stairs, with Josh hurrying ahead to open the door for us.