Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Since he’s being patently honest, I give him some of the same. “When you said that can’t happen again, you were giving the impression like you thought I was that crazy girl you had to break up with.” I point to my chest. “I’m a grown woman. I do understand why we set lines and rules. Tonight was a classic example of why we need them. There was a lot happening in the store, but if we’re all weird and tense with each other we will make mistakes.” I pause to drive the point home. “And we can’t afford to.”
He laughs, but it’s devoid of humor. “Are you saying Felix was right? That new couples are trouble?”
I shrug in admission. “Kind of? I mean, look at us. We were sort of…prickly. We almost let it get in the way of business.”
“We did. You’re right.”
Seconds later, Zoe arrives with the food. “Here you go. I should let you know it’s last call, but the kitchen said they’ll stay open for you, boss.”
“They don’t need to, but thank you,” he says.
When she leaves, he picks up a fry, but before he eats, he meets my gaze once more and asks point blank, “What’s up with that guy Sebastian? Why do I get an ex-boyfriend vibe from him?”
My stomach curls. I knew this was coming. It would be hard to avoid the truth. But it’s better if Gage knows anyway. “He asked me out once. I turned him down. I said I didn’t feel the chemistry. I feel like that bothered him more than he ever let on. And when he was trying to buy my shop, he sent me gifts like chocolate bath bombs.”
He puts two and two together. “That was what you meant by your chocolate soap comment earlier.”
I tap my nose, a sign he’s got it right. “Yes.”
“That guy,” he mutters, his tone bordering on caveman.
And I can’t resist that tone. “I noticed when he’s around you get a little possessive. A little my woman.”
“Yeah, well, that’s how I—”
But the conversation ends when our phones buzz in unison.
It’s a text from Felix. He wants to know if I’ll be available for the Dessert Devotee to shoot a video with me tomorrow and he’s letting Gage know about the video too, even though she only needs me. “This is big time,” I shriek.
“You earned it, baby,” he says, and that word from him threatens to melt me like it has before.
“We earned it,” I correct.
He waves a hand dismissively. “She didn’t even want my cocktails. She’s after you, and I’m not surprised. You’re a star.”
His genuine enthusiasm melts me as much as his nickname. I really need to be careful around him.
As we eat, we read the rest of the text from Felix. He’s lining up interviews with local food sites, and we schedule times with him as we dine. He also says he wants to add Special Edition merch to the shop—T-shirts and mugs with the cute little logo. It’s all so wild and wonderful.
When the meal ends, Gage nods toward the door. “I should take you back to my place, so you and Amanda can go home. But I need to grab something in my office. Come with me?”
I say yes, and once we’re there, he closes the door, then locks it with a definitive click. That sound sends a thrill up my spine. Anticipation weaves through me as the mood shifts.
“I didn’t want to say this in front of everyone,” he says, gesturing to the bar beyond the door.
“What is it?” I ask, my pulse galloping. He’s looking at me with fire in his eyes.
“I feel a little my woman with you. That’s the problem. That guy gets under my skin, and I barely knew why till tonight. Now I get it. He’s fucking jealous, and I hate that he looks at you like he wants you. It drives me insane.”
I shudder. Why do I like his possession so much? It’s raw and dangerous. “The way you look right now drives me a little crazy.”
Gage breathes out hard through his nostrils. “Everything about you, Elodie, every single thing, makes you so damn hard to resist.”
My skin runs hot. My whole body tingles. “This is a challenge,” I tease.
In no time, he closes the distance between us, holding my face. “Maybe we should just agree beforehand that it won’t happen again. Not after. What if we do that?” The man sounds so desperate for a loophole.
“Is this the one more time challenge?”
“Yes. Want to take it with me?”
I shake my head. “Actually I have another challenge for you.”
I get down on my knees.
23
PAINTING A PICTURE
Gage
I’m a patient man. I’d never take before I gave.
But ever since she sent that first dirty text saying I was on my knees, I’ve pictured her just like this. Looking up at me with those lush red lips parted. With those wide blue eyes gleaming. With my dick on her mind and soon in her mouth.