CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mel stood outside Gage’s mudroom, worrying her bottom lip. It was a little past noon. Lunch time, right? She raised a hand to knock, then hesitated. What if he was busy? What if she’d misread everything?
Her plan had seemed less fraught when she’d decided on it while driving back from Sisters.
Maybe she should text him first, see if this was a good time. Or she—
The door swung open and her thoughts derailed. Gage filled the open doorway, expression inscrutable and every inch the gorgeous distraction she couldn’t stop thinking about. Dark jeans. Gunmetal gray shirt. Sleeves rolled to the elbows.
Would there ever be a time when the sight of him wouldn’t feel like a hit to the solar plexus?
Pancake poked her head around him, tongue lolling in greeting.
“You must be psychic,” she muttered. “I was just talking myself out of bothering you.”
“Saw you on my security monitor,” he said, then looked her over. “Nice sweater. Nervous energy. You were definitely going to knock.”
“I was. Maybe.” She tried to smile. “I like your shirt. You probably have Zoom calls or something. I should go.”
“You could.” His lips twitched. He caught her hand and tugged her inside. “Or you could tell me why you’re so nervous you’re nearly vibrating with it.”
“I’m not vibrating.”
“You so are.”
The door closed behind her with a click. “Addy okay?”
“At school.”
“Any emergencies?”
“No.”
“Interesting.”
He backed her up against the door and her heart slammed in her chest. The heat from his gaze traveling over her body held such intensity it burned.
“Why is that interesting?” She had trouble forming simple words.
He bent his head, his mouth a hair’s breadth from hers. “Because it opens up possibilities.”
“I like possibilities.”
The air pulsed between them while he seemed to be waiting. Clearly, this was her decision.
She reached for him, fisting the front of his shirt. Their mouths collided, hunger surging to the surface.
The kiss hit like a shot of tequila—it burned, made her dizzy, and left her craving more.
His hands rested on her waist then skimmed beneath her sweater, exploring the skin at her ribs before cupping her breasts. His thumb slipped under the shell of her bra and gently traced over her nipple, making her shudder.
They broke apart, panting. Pancake slumped to the floor with a groan.
Freeing his hands, Gage brought them to her face, his voice gravelly. “Do you want this, Mel? Do you want me?”
“Absolutely. Yes,” she croaked, emotion tightening her throat.
He lifted her into his arms with easy strength. “Thank god.”
“You’re so romantic.”
“You bring it out in me.”
She burrowed into his chest as he carried her through the house, her fingers fumbling with his buttons. She wanted to touch him everywhere. Nose buried in his neck, she inhaled his fresh scent.
In his bedroom, he peeled back the quilt and laid her on the bed, then joined her. The sheets felt soft against her skin.
“Flannel. Comfy,” she murmured.
“I like comfy.” His lips brushed her throat. “But you’re overdressed.”
“You should fix that.”
“I intend to.” He did by removing her sweater, her bra, reverence evident in every motion.
He buried his face between her breasts, inhaling deeply.
“You’re beautiful, Mel. Everything about you is beautiful.
” His words were muffled against her skin.
“I want to savor every inch of you.” He lifted one breast and ran his tongue over its pink tip.
Her breath hitched when he took it into his mouth to suck deeply.
The pulse of desire evident whenever they were together swelled to a deep ache throbbing with need.
She tugged his shirt from his shoulders. “I want more skin, more you.”
“I’m yours, Melanie. Take what you want.”
She worshipped his body, kissing, tasting, teasing, drowning in sensuality, until he quaked with need. Breath ragged, he gripped her hands.
“My turn.” He eased down her leggings and underwear, baring her with tenderness and hunger. Lips, tongue, fingers—he used them all to optimum effect to pleasure her, and when she was panting on the verge of orgasm, he kissed her thighs, then straightened to reach into his nightstand.
Rising over her, condom in place, he paused, watching her, waiting.
“I want this,” she murmured, “with you.”
He entered her slowly, both groaning with the pleasure. She clung to him, overwhelmed, aching for more.
Gage drove deeper, pushing her higher, then higher still. Her heart swelled as she reached the crest. “That’s it, baby. Come for me.” He drove her harder, pummeling into her until finally, finally, she came apart with a keening cry.
Gage slowed, letting her ride out her orgasm. When she thought she might slide off the bed in a languid puddle, he gripped her hips, stoking her pleasure once more. “Again, Mel. Give it to me again.”
“I don’t think I can.”
Steady, strong, determined, he worked her, mouth on her breasts, fingers moving between their bodies, forceful thrusts filling and stretching, building her desire, and once again she was on the edge of oblivion.
“It’s too much—”
Gage’s jaw clenched. “You can, baby. Give it to me.” He thrust powerfully, holding her body tight against his, and when she shattered, he followed, burying his face in her neck, his hot breath on her skin.
They lay tangled together in the quiet. He moved a strand of hair from her eyes.
She ducked her head to rest on his chest, suddenly feeling exposed.
He brushed back her bangs. “You don’t have to hide from me, Mel.”
“This is scary.”
Being like this with Gage could be a big mistake and leave her vulnerable to heartache on a level she’d never experienced.
“What’s scary?”
“You. Us. My feelings.”
Infinitely gentle, he said, “If it helps, I’m scared too. I’m falling for you, Melanie. Hard. My reasons for not getting into relationships don’t seem to apply to you and Addy, because I want both of you. I want to give this a try.”
Fear clutched around her heart. She propped herself on his chest so she could look in his eyes. “I’m a bad bet, Gage. I’m not ready to commit to a relationship.” But even as she said the words, she realized she’d changed and what used to be true, no longer was.
“Melanie.” He smiled. “Hasn’t it occurred to you we’re already in a relationship?”
“Maybe. I think Pancake planned this.”
“Smart dog.”
The temptation to say yes to all of it, to let her heart be free of the restraints of the past, nearly overwhelmed her sense of self-preservation.
“Seriously, what would a relationship even look like? Becoming involved with you includes Addy. My girl has a huge heart, and I don’t want to see it broken if this ends badly. ”
“I’d take a bullet before hurting Addy, you’ve got to know that. And I believe she’s more resilient than you give her credit for.” His gaze remained steadfast, not allowing her to look away. “Give us a chance, Mel. Give me a chance.”
She sobered. “I’m still learning how to trust, Gage.”
“Then let’s take the leap together. Be honest. No games. Just us. And we’ll see where it goes.”
He brought her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her palm.
Her heart ached with fear, yes, but also something beautiful. She’d fallen in love with him, loved him in a way she never thought she could.
And it terrified her.
Maybe trust wasn’t the absence of fear. Maybe it was deciding to love in spite of it.
“Okay.” Her breath shuddered out. “We’ll see where this goes.”
His arms tightened around her and he sealed their commitment with a kiss that consumed her.
***
Melanie called Esme as she walked back from the bus stop after waving Addy off. Her best friend picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, girl.”
The sound of Esme’s voice was like pulling on a blanket straight from the dryer – warm and comforting.
“Gage and I are together.” The words tumbled out of her mouth.
Esme’s predictable shriek had Melanie grinning. “How? What happened? I need details. All of them.”
Melanie rattled off the events of the last couple days. When she stopped, there was a beat of silence.
“Esme? Did I lose you? Dammit.” She entered her house and moved into her office, which sometimes had better reception.
“I’m still here,” came the reply, softer this time. “I’m in awe, Mel. You’re incredible. You wanted him and went for it. I’m so happy for you.” She paused a beat. “Maybe I should try being more direct with Andres.”
“How’s that going?”
“Slow, but good slow. We’re both recovering from not-so-great relationships. I don’t want a fling, I want something that sticks.” Her voice echoed with determination. “He’s hot and sweet and makes me dizzy, but I want more than a hookup, so I’m holding out.”
“You’re being smart. Sounds like he’s worth the wait.”
“I hope so.” Esme’s voice brightened. “But back to you. Gage sounds like Captain America. Protective and impossibly sexy.”
Melanie sighed. “He’s got me all twisted up.
I can’t stop thinking about yesterday. I’m trying to figure out boundaries.
I was thinking about inviting him to the school carnival tomorrow.
I want him to meet you and Isla. But I don’t want to be clingy, you know, that girlfriend who can’t get her nails done without dragging her boyfriend along. ”
“Ask him. If a hundred sugar-fueled kids isn’t his scene, he’ll say so.”
“You’re right. I don’t want him to think it’s some kind of test he fails if he’d rather spend the afternoon watching a football game on TV. I need to stop overthinking before I ruin it for myself.”
She paused. “Are you and Isla ready for the weekend? Addy’s already planning to set her alarm to wake up early tomorrow morning. You know, in case you decide to arrive at six.”
“We’ll be there,” Esme laughed. “But I can guarantee it won’t be at six. Isla is so excited she probably won’t sleep worth a damn tonight.”
“Addy wants to introduce Pancake to Isla. Oh, real quick. If the call drops, it’s because I lost service. Cell service has been inconsistent the past few days.”