‘It’s a business expense’ Gage replies, holding out a hand, palm up to stop me, ‘forget it.’
I nibble my lip indecisively, my pride wanting me to make a point that I don’t need anyone to pay for me. My head is telling me that owing a man like this could be dangerous to my heart, any man doing nice things usually involves something in return. My stomach growls loudly, trying to drown out everyone else as it yells loudly to let the man pay because it’s free candy.
‘Thank you’ I finally whisper, pushing aside all the negatives and deciding to just accept that someone is doing something nice for me and it won’t come with strings.
Walking out of the store, my fingers wrapped tightly around the plastic bag, containing my sweets and chips as Gage opens the door for me, his hand finding my back as he steers me back toward his truck.
Reaching in front of me, he pulls open the door before I can ask, helping me inside, before shutting the door firmly and jogging around to the driver’s side.
Once back inside, he gives me one of those grins that makes my stomach flip flop, ‘ready to get going?’ he asks me.
I nod mutely, hurriedly pulling on my seatbelt and placing the plastic bag between my feet on the floor in front of me.
Pulling back on the road, I quickly open one of the treats, desperately needing something to occupy my mind and my mouth so I don’t embarrass myself more than I already have.
Gage taps my knee, electricity sparking through me as I turn to him, giving him my attention reluctantly as he nods his head toward the candy in my hand.
‘Are you going to share?’ he teases me, ‘I am doing all the driving here.’
Flustered, I quickly nod, pulling out a sugared lace and holding it out to him.
The mischief is back in Gage’s eye as he slowly shakes his head and opens his mouth, ‘I’m driving’ he reminds me, ‘gotta keep my hands on the wheel.’
Slowly, I look down at the lace, before leaning over and placing the end between his lips, careful to keep my fingers away from those temptations. If he sucks on my digits again, I can’t honestly say what I might do.
Clamping his teeth onto the end, he raises an eyebrow before working his tongue and lips, agonisingly slowly, inching the long strand into his mouth.
‘Mmmm’ he moans quietly, licking his lips ‘tastes good.’
I open my mouth, before slamming it shut again, not sure how to answer him, the image of his tongue flicking out over his lips at the end to lick off the sugar burned forever into my brain.
Instead, I force my gaze forward, refusing to look over again, not saying another word until we turn down a narrow track that leads through woods and pull up in front of what is the most beautifully rustic house that I have ever seen.
‘Oh my God’ I breathe out in surprise, leaning as far forward as I can with my seatbelt still on so I can soak in the amazing property in front of me.
‘It’s gorgeous isn’t it’ Gage murmurs beside me, drawing my attention back to him where I find him staring wistfully up at the house.
‘It really is’ I agree, ‘why would you ever want to sell it?’ My eyes widen as I realise what I just blurted out, it’s none of my business why people want to sell up.
Gage doesn’t seem bothered by my inappropriate question, instead he turns to me, sadness swimming in his gaze as he gives me a small smile, one of someone who has made a painful choice.
‘It’s time’ is all he replies with a tiny shrug of his shoulders, ‘Caleb and I, we both know it.’
Opening his door, he grabs his coat from where he stashed it during the drive, shrugging it on before, picking up an overnight bag, and walking around to my side to help me out.
‘We don’t get any gritters or anything around here’ he warns me just as I take a step forward and my foot slides out from underneath me.
A hand grips my elbow, righting me as I struggle to straighten, ‘careful’ he murmurs, ‘you do not want to break an ankle here, we’re a long way from a hospital.’
Nodding, I grip my bag tighter, not arguing when Gage grabs the carrier bag of treats from me. Carefully, we pick our way across the parking area which has a thick layer of snow that covers treacherous ice patches. Making it to the building, we walk up the few steps, stamping our feet on the hard wooden deck before Gage pulls out a key and slides it into the lock.
Turning the handle, he pushes open the door before standing back, allowing me to go first. As I step over the threshold, my eyes widen as I raise my hand to my chest and press. I sweep my gaze over the open plan living area, trying to take in every inch that I can.
‘Pretty sweet right?’ Gage murmurs from behind me.
I nod, swallowing thickly, ‘it’s unbelievable’ I reply, awestruck, and it is, it’s stunning and I want to pinch myself over the fact I get to stay even one night here.
Caleb’s POV
‘F*ck me sideways, is the anally retentive, Caleb Hawthorne actually . . late to work?’ my best friend’s voice calls out in amusement from the depths of his office, as I stroll into the office just after eight o’clock.
I growl in annoyance as Gage sticks his head out of his own office just as Callan walks into the reception area, a s.hit eating grin plastered onto his face.
‘I don’t believe it, Mr stick up his ass, yes sir, no sir, can I lick your ass sir, decorated Marine is late’ the asshole continues as my brother sniggers.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.