Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
LILY
Exhaustion weighs heavy on my shoulders as I park at home.
Tom Wilson finally signed an offer for a ten-million-dollar property, but geez, the man can negotiate.
Three hours of back and forth over inspection clauses and closing dates.
My brain is totally fried, but it’s nice to know that once things close I’ll be able to pay down my debt.
I grab my purse from the passenger seat and climb out. I’m more than ready for a relaxing night with the guys. As I round the car, I notice soft flickering lights line the walkway to the front door. I blink twice to make sure I’m not hallucinating.
Candles. Actual honest-to-god candles create a pathway to the front door.
My heart flutters as I follow the trail, each step making the stress of the day melt away a little more. These guys. I swear they’re better than I deserve, though I’m in no hurry for them to realize that.
The front door opens before I can reach for the handle.
Gage is waiting with an easy smile. He’s in a nicer version of his usual flannel.
The blue and black checkered design brings out the brown in his eyes and his sleeves are rolled up to his forearms. People talk a lot about forearm porn with men in suits, but unless they’ve seen the arms of a working man, they’re seriously missing out.
“Welcome home, beautiful.” He steps aside, revealing more candles scattered throughout the entryway. The flickering lights cast dancing shadows on the walls.
My mouth falls open. “Did you do all this?”
He takes my bag from my shoulder, fingers brushing mine. “I figured you deserved a proper date, but rather than dragging you into town where everyone will stare and gossip about our business, I thought I’d bring the restaurant to you.”
“Where are the guys?”
“Busy,” he says with a smile. “It’s just you and me tonight.”
“I can get behind that,” I say with an answering grin. It’s nice to spend time one on one as well as in a group.
The scent of something incredible wafts from the kitchen. I glance past him, surprise rippling over me. The dining table has been transformed into something straight out of a five-star restaurant, complete with crisp white linens and a small vase of roses that are in my favorite color.
“You brought me yellow roses.” I search his face. Was that a happy accident?
“Of course I did. You mentioned they were your favorite that night Matt gave you red ones to apologize for forgetting your birthday.” He swallows nervously. “Not that I was eavesdropping.”
“Uh-huh, definitely not,” I say with a teasing smile.
“Well, either way, my girl gets what she likes.”
My girl. The phrase sends warmth spiraling through my chest. I wrench my gaze away before I melt into a puddle on the floor.
An older woman with graying blonde hair tied back in a neat bun is moving around the stove with professional precision. She glances up and waves with a wooden spoon.
“That’s Chef Elena,” Gage explains. “A private chef who specializes in dairy-free cuisine.”
I walk over to introduce myself, still in complete awe of everything Gage has put together. “Hi, Chef! Everything smells absolutely divine. Thank you so much for coming out here.”
She beams at me. “My pleasure, dear. Gage told me all about your dietary restrictions. I’ve prepared a lemon herb salmon with roasted vegetables and quinoa pilaf. All dairy-free.”
“You’re an angel.” I turn back to Gage, who’s watching me with a smug smile he’s definitely earned. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Come here.” He takes my hand and leads me to the couch. “Sit.”
“Yes, sir,” I tease as I settle into the cushions.
“You’re such a good listener,” he fires back, joining me and lifting my feet into his lap. He slips off my heels, hands warm and strong as they begin working the tension from my arches.
“Tell me about your day.” His thumbs dig into a particularly sore spot.
“Oh god, that feels amazing.” I close my eyes for a moment, letting him work his magic.
“I closed that deal with a couple this morning. They’re retired and looking for a mountain retreat.
They were so sweet, especially happy when they saw the primary bedroom.
” I make a note to send Addison a thank you text later tonight.
“The one I saw the other night while you were browsing? The walk-in closet?”
I’m honestly surprised that he paid attention. Eventually, I’ll get used to the fact that these guys are ideal boyfriends. Recovering from my momentary silence, I quickly pick up the story. “That’s the one. They signed the paperwork without any back and forth.”
His fingers move to my calves, kneading the tight muscles from a day in heels.
“They were so pleased with how I handled everything while they were out of town, taking the video walk-through of the house and getting the inspection scheduled, they gave me a five-hundred-dollar gift card to that fancy spa in town.” The one that most locals don’t dare to step foot in because it’s crawling with tourists.
Gage looks genuinely impressed. “You’re really something else, you know that?”
Heat creeps up my neck. “It’s my job.”
“Bullshit.” He digs his fingers deeper into my calf, earning a groan of approval. He chuckles to himself. “You did all that work for Addison. You go above and beyond for everyone. Those people are lucky to have you.”
I’m not great at accepting compliments, never have been, so I simply smile and let him continue his impromptu massage. The stress of the day evaporates under his touch.
Is it too soon to be thinking about doing this when we’re old and gray? Definitely too soon in the evening to overthink everything, LILY!
“What about that guy Tom?” Gage asks. “The rich dude.”
So he really has been listening to me talk about work and he actually remembers my client’s name? Okay, so the bar is on the floor after Matt, but even still, that simple attentiveness wraps around me in a warm hug.
“Oi, Tom,” I say with a shake of my head.
“It was three hours of negotiations, but we got there. He signed the paperwork, so now all that’s left is the inspections and closing.
” And then that commission goes straight to my overdue bills.
“He’s a little demanding, but he’s already talking about more properties and how he wants to work with me. ”
“Of course he does. You’re amazing.”
Before I can respond, Chef Elena calls out from the kitchen. “Dinner is ready.”
Gage helps me up, his hand lingering on mine as we walk to the table. He pulls out my chair like a proper gentleman, and I have to bite back a grin as he sits across from me.
We both look down at our plates with five-star restaurant-quality presentation then back up at each other. He looks as impressed and excited as I am.
“This looks amazing,” we say at the same time before laughing together.
He picks up his fork, extending it toward mine, growing serious. “To closing deals and beautiful women who know their worth.”
I clink my fork against his, heat spreading up my neck. He’s made me feel cherished. Light. Appreciated, and more than a little pampered. Contentment settles around me, but there’s still that nasty vile voice that tells me this is all temporary.
Tonight though? I shove that bitch down.
“Thank you so much again,” I tell the chef, walking her to the door while Gage gets us both a new glass of wine. As soon as she’s out the door, I shut it a little too quickly and turn, watching Gage. The chef was amazing, her food was delicious, but I’m ready to have my man alone.
He catches me watching and a crooked smirk works across his face. “Thirsty?”
“Something like that,” I murmur, pressing my back against the door.
Gage strides over, both wine glasses in hand, and as he gets closer, I tip my head, holding his darkening gaze. He stops a foot away, offering me a drink. I take it and bring the glass to my lips, holding his stare and taking a sip. I lick the droplets off my lips as I swallow.
I hum. “Delicious.”
“Can I taste?”
“Maybe.” I take another drink, purposefully getting wine on my lips before lowering the glass.
Gage holds my chin between his thumb and forefinger, closing the distance between us. My heart tumbles over itself as his tongue swipes along the seam of my mouth. “Hmm, that doesn’t taste quite right,” he murmurs, as he sets his wine glass on the table by the door and then does the same with mine.
“You should probably try again.”
“I think I will,” he rasps, resting one palm on the door and using the other to guide my lips to his.
I sigh into his kiss, and grasp the front of his shirt. Gage starts slow, chaste, even, but with each caress of his tongue on mine, he deepens it, demands more, kissing me until my head spins and I’m lost in the rhythm he’s set for us. Need spreads through my core, an ache only he can fill.
We break apart. Gage pulls back, eyes hooded. “Something still isn’t quite right.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Oh?”
“I think I know what’s wrong.” Both of his hands find the hem of my dress, knuckles brushing over my thighs.
I bite my lip as he sinks to his knees, pushing up the dress at the same time until the only thing that’s covering me is my lacey black thong. He grabs the band between his teeth, gazing at me through his eyelashes before he lets it snap back against my skin. I hiss at the sting.
He grabs it again with his teeth and drags it down my legs.
He smooths his palms over my calves, helping me step out of the flimsy garment, before he draws them up the inside of my thighs.
“This is exactly what I need.” The deep roughness in his voice sends a shiver of excitement down my spine. He pats his shoulder. “One leg.”
Suddenly I’ve become the world’s greatest listener. I drape my right leg over his shoulder right as his calloused hands find my ass. He pulls me closer, breath fanning my pussy, and looks at me through those thick lashes again.