10. Player
Chapter ten
Player
After a long ass day of moving furniture, I head to the condo to clean up before Taylor gets off work.
Stripping my clothes off, I climb under the hot spray and let it sluice over my aching muscles. The only thing keeping me on my feet is knowing I’m going to see Taylor.
The sheets on the bed are clean because they’re brand new out of the package. I put them on this morning when I came over with Beck.
I’m not counting on anything happening with Taylor, but I’m sure I’ll bring her by to at least see the place. Whether I can get her to stay the night is another question.
I’d count myself a damn lucky man if she does, but I’m not about to pressure her into anything she’s not ready for. I don’t want to take the chance of fucking everything up between us and blowing my shot with her.
Stepping out of the shower, I towel dry, and get dressed.
When I pull up at The Rusty Pelican, she’s waiting outside.
She’s dressed in jeans and a tank top with my hoodie in her hand.
I grin. “Better put that on. It gets chilly on the bike.” Then I pass her a helmet from my saddlebag.
She stares at it, and her eyes flick to mine. It’s the one I used to have for her before we broke up.
“You kept it.”
“I did. Here, put it on.”
Once she’s settled on the seat behind me and her arms go around my waist, it’s like I’m transported to those days when nothing kept us apart. Out of habit, I reach back and rub her thigh, then give it a pat. I feel her lean forward, bringing her chest against my cut. There’s my girl.
I pull onto the highway and roar off down the street. We ride out to Slaughter Beach and pull in my father’s driveway. I told him earlier I might bring Taylor for a ride out here to see the place, so this is no surprise.
We walk in through the house and find him out on the deck.
I figured Drae would be with him—or one of the other guys—but he’s alone.
“Hey, Pops. How’s it feel to be moved in?”
He turns, and his eyes sweep over Taylor, and he stands to give her a hug. “Nice to see you, honey. Just like old times. So…” He sweeps the beach view with a swing of his arm. “What do you think? Nice, huh?”
“I love it. How did you find it?”
“Just got lucky, I guess.”
He asks about her mom, and we talk about the move today. My father played it up that he was ready to move, but I saw how hard it was for him to walk out of our childhood home for the very last time. He had to go stand off by himself for a few moments, and we all gave him that.
“This will be a new adventure for you, won’t it?” Taylor asks.
“I’m hoping so. I’ve been in a dark hole for the last four years. Figured it was time I climbed out of it.”
“Good. I’m glad. You’ll have to start jogging on the beach every morning. Maybe you’ll meet someone,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
Gage laughs. “Me? Jog? Hardly.”
“Well, promise me you’ll at least walk the beach every morning.”
“Possibly. We’ll see.”
“You moved out here. You need to enjoy it.”
“You’re right.”
“Did hell just freeze over?” I tease. “Did my father just admit someone else is right?”
“Shut up, Player. Why don’t you make yourself useful and get us all a drink. I’ve got a bottle of champagne in there that Jimmy Jacks gave me at the closing. We should toast the place, and him, too.”
I nod and move to get the bottle. I find a box on the kitchen counter that hasn’t been unpacked yet and find my mother’s wine glasses. Dad never touched the stuff, but Mom loved her Pinot.
Threading the stems through my fingers, I carry the champagne and three glasses out to the deck.
Once the bottle pops, I pour us each a glass, and we toast. “To your new place and a fresh start, Dad.”
“To you, Gage,” Taylor says.
We clink glasses and drink, and then my father makes another toast. “And to Jimmy Jacks. God rest his soul.”
We drink, and when we finish, I meet my father’s gaze. “Any news about that? Did the sheriff figure out who killed him?”
“Not that I’ve heard.”
“He was killed?” Taylor frowns.
“Somebody beat him to death the night after my father closed on this place.”
“The guy from the billboards, right?”
“Yep. Need a house, Call Jimmy Jacks. That’s the guy.”
“How horrible.”
We sit and drink the bottle dry, then I stand. “Well, I promised to show Taylor my place, so I guess we’ll be going.”
“Yeah, the new condo. I need to come see it sometime.”
“We’ll make a plan. I’ll call you tomorrow, Pops.”
“Okay, son. Ride safe.” He stands and kisses Taylor’s cheek. “Give your mother my best.”
“I will. Goodnight.”
I lace my fingers with hers and walk her out to the bike.
“You think he’ll be happy out here all alone?” she asks.
I shrug. “I hope it’s the solace he needs. Come on.”
We climb on my bike, and I ride us back to Dewey Beach. When I roll past The Rusty Pelican, it's almost ten p.m.
Finding my assigned spot in the parking under the units, I shut the bike down and we climb off. I tuck our helmets into the saddlebag, then lead her up the stairs and unlock the door to my unit.
“It’s not big. Just one bedroom, but it’s got a nice view of the bay.”
The kitchen is on the right with a bar overlooking the living and dining combination and a balcony beyond facing the water. A bathroom and bedroom are down a hallway to the right. The bedroom also faces the water with another set of sliders.
I give her the tour, and we end in the living room.
She glances at my meager possessions. “Four boxes… That’s all you brought?”
I shrug. “I don’t need much. The place was furnished, even the silverware and dishes are included.”
“That makes it easy, I suppose.”
“Yeah.”
She wanders to the sliders, and I open it for her.
Stepping outside, we can smell the salty air. There are some people talking on a boat parked at one of the piers. Their soft laughter carries to us. The red and green lights of another small craft returning to the marina shimmer across the still water.
“It’s pretty,” she remarks.
“I thought so.”
“Think you’ll be happy here?” she asks, catching and holding my gaze.
I brush a lock of hair from her brow, then trace my fingertips along the shape of her face.
Her eyes slide closed, and I dip my head and capture her mouth.
She softens and relaxes against me.
I cup her face and deepen the kiss.
Her hands settle on my waist, and she tilts her head, giving me better access. I take it as a sign she wants more, and the kiss grows hotter.
Soon I’m breaking free to breathe, both our lungs sucking in air.
Pressing my forehead to hers, I stare into the depths of her heavy-lidded gaze. “Stay tonight. Please.”
She nods, and we kiss again.
Before long, I’m claiming her hand and leading her through to the bedroom. We go at it, ripping each other’s clothes, frantic to get our hands and mouths on naked flesh.
A voice in my head warns me to slow down, to savor every second, but I can’t rein in my passion to have this woman.
I want her more than I’ve wanted anyone in a long time.
No, it’s more than wanting her. I need her. Desperately.
There’s been a hole in my soul, aching for something that’s been missing for so long. Taylor. She’s my missing piece. The one that fits perfectly to complete me.
Why the hell was I such a fool all those years ago?
Why the hell did I let her brother come between us?
As if to remind me, she shoves the cut off my shoulders, and I catch it before it hits the floor, hanging it on the back of a chair in the corner. My eyes land on my patch.
The club.
It’s the choice I made that drove us apart.
Now I want both. The club and Taylor.
And I’ll be damned if anything is going to keep me from having them.