10. Gage
Gage
I struggle to understand how a woman who was a stranger a few hours ago managed to unravel my world in the blink of an eye.
I shouldn’t have grabbed her in my arms.
Fuck you, Cadoc Cork Phallusburg.
I blame the dirty old man for my predicament.
Had I not entered a pissing contest, I would still be blissfully ignorant.
Now that I know what it’s like to have Lily in my arms, I’m hooked.
Like a lock and key, she fits in my arms so perfectly.
The warmth of her body felt like salvation.
I still can’t shake off the jolt that sizzled through me.
A lady in pink swept into town and turned me inside out.
Her eyes, her laugh— No. Everything about her is irresistible.
Her enchanting voice is a seductive melody. Shutting her out during the ride back to the hotel was self-preservation. It was the only way to avoid getting trapped in her web .
Thank God, my punishment is over. We’re back at her hotel.
As much as I’d like to bid her goodnight and let her make her way up to her room, the gentleman in me, protests. I refuse to cower to bad manners. I’m willing to suffer for a few more minutes in her presence.
What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger, an’ all.
After asking my chauffeur to wait, I slide out of the car and circle it. I compose myself before opening the door.
Keep it together.
When I open it, I extend a hand to help Lily out. When her feet are firmly on the ground, I let go of her hand. She’s a bit surprised by the brusque movement, but she doesn’t comment.
Good.
I’d only be capable of answering with a grunt.
Chaos greets us when we enter the Pompadour Hotel.
Crowds of tourists huddle around groupings of luggage.
Based on the conversations taking place around us, it’s safe to say, these people are Italian. From the unmistakable flair in their fashion selection, I’m guessing they’re from the motherland.
I follow Lily across the busy lobby to the elevators. At this time of the night, there are no chances of me bumping into Mr. and Mrs. Konig or any of the Konig brothers.
We turn the corner.
There’s a long line at the elevator area.
Neither Lily or I speak as we wait our turn.
Not that we have to.
Between haphazard conversations, bellboys rushing up and down the hallway, and hotel staff fussing about, it’s enough commotion to fill our silence.
I let out a sigh of relief when a vacant car arrives at the lobby. I invite Lily to enter first.
With a polite thank you , she steps inside.
I follow behind her.
She punches the button to her floor.
As the doors are about to close, a hand slams against the rubber padding, forcing the doors to open.
“ Buona serata. Good evening,” a man says in a heavy accent.
“Good evening,” Lily says.
I nod.
The man lifts a finger. Then, he waves to someone outside of the elevator.
Footsteps echo against the floor before a group of travelers appear. It’s a flurry of commotion as they crowd the car.
Between the people and the luggage, it’s a tight fit.
Shit.
It’s an excruciating ascension to Lily’s floor, which happens to be one of the top floors.
“ Mi scusi ,” a man says, and a bunch of people shift around, forcing Lily to shuffle back. Her body presses against mine. My cock is on alert.
Fuck.
Apologetic blue eyes meet mine. “Sorry.”
Damn those kissable lips.
“It’s okay.” Lies.
The elevator stops at a floor. A bunch of people file out, but another group enters. An animated conversation in Italian ensues. I can only assume they got off on the wrong floor. The problem is, the elevator is so packed, Lily’s body is still brushing against my unruly cock.
Heaven help me.
God must’ve heard my prayer, because the Italians exit on the next floor. Lily takes a long step forwards and hangs out close to the dashboard. The distance is a blessing and a curse. I now have an unobstructed view of her fine ass.
Why are you putting me through this, God? Why?
We reach her floor.
I let her step out first. Readjusting myself, I follow her down the corridor.
She stops in front of a door. “This is me.”
Mission accomplished.
I should be sprinting towards the elevator, but I remain rooted in place.
An awkward moment passes between us.
She pulls the straps of her bag over her shoulder, and dances from one foot to the other. “Thank you again for accompanying me tonight.”
Her lips are now absent of the nude lipstick with a hint of pink she was wearing earlier in the evening, making her mouth even more tempting now. The need to claim that pretty mouth nearly topples me over.
“I’m glad I was there,” I say. “Cadoc is a handful.”
Her stunning purple-blue eyes stare up at me. Several beats go by before she blinks. “Is that the only reason you’re happy you accompanied me?” Her voice trembles.
No, your beguiling self was a joy to be with.
I let out a sigh, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand.
“If this CEO gig doesn’t work out for you,” she says, “bodyguard is an option.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
She bites her lower lip. “I enjoyed hanging out with you tonight, Gage.”
“Unlike your other chaperones?”
Her lips part in a huge smile. “Yes. You’re still okay with me coming out tomorrow night to Rhys’s birthday party?”
I arch a brow. “We already talked about that. ”
“I can’t read your moods. Are you pissed off at me?”
I’m pissed off at you because you weren’t supposed to be this beautiful.
I’m pissed off at you because you’re eliciting emotions in me I don’t even understand.
I’m pissed off at you because you flare foreign desires in me.
Goddammit.
“You got it all wrong, princess.”
She studies me.
“This princess should say goodnight to her knight in shining armor.” She gazes up at me, glassy eyes wide and wanting, lips parted and waiting.
Those damn bewitching eyes.
I suppress a groan.
The message registers in my brain to get away from the temptation, but my feet won’t move.
Behind a curtain of black lashes, she fixes her gaze onto me. There’s no mistaking the lust I read there.
I breathe deep through my nose, controlling the mounting need to do dirty things to her.
“I missed earlier because you’re so tall.” She places a hand on my arm, and gets on her toes. “I was aiming for your cheek, not your chin.” Her voice is husky and low.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
My heart is beating so hard, and so is my cock.
The burning urge to claim that mouth is overwhelming.
I’m dying to kiss my way along her neck, lick her alabaster skin, and sink my teeth into her gorgeous, slender neck.
An assault of illicit thoughts flicker through my brain at the sight of this woman.
My cock—that’s been nonchalant about women for years—throbs for release, aching for it.
Her breath hitches, and that’s my demise.
I need to feast on this angel.
I’m about to say dammit to hell, when Fisher’s face flashes in front of my eyes, sloshing a bucket of ice-cold water over my head.
I blink to pull myself out from under her spell.
Mayday! Mayday!
Abort mission.
Do not engage.
Move away from the temptation.
I repeat, abort mission.
I swallow, my throat working.
Cock blocked by the client. Her father.
I straighten. “I have to go.” My voice is gruff.
The lust that was coloring her pretty eyes a moment ago, dissipates.
I curse myself, but stay the course. “Have a good day tomorrow. I’ll text you late afternoon so we can make plans for tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up.”
A resigned smile plays on her luscious lips. “Okay.”
I ignore the disappointment in her eyes and voice.
It’s in her best interests and mine.
“Good night, Lily.”
With an audible inhale, she squares her shoulders, as though gathering herself. “Good night, Gage.”
I get the hell out of there before I hoist her over my shoulder––fireman style––kick open the door to her hotel suite, fling her sinful body on the bed, and have my way with her all night long.
I hustle toward the elevator and press the button in rapid succession .
In an effort to breathe again, I loosen my tie. It doesn’t help. I’m still struggling for air.
How the fuck did I end up here?