by Kayt Miller
“Daisy.”
I pause, turning my head to look at him. My lord, he’s pretty in his blue jeans and blue Henley shirt. “What?” I’m not in the mood for this. “If you need to ask me more questions, it’ll have to wait.” Because now I need to find a new place to live faster than I’d anticipated.
“Where are you going?”
“Away.”
“Away? Why?”
“He changed the locks.” I nod at my door.
“Who did?”
“Daddy dearest.”
“How?”
Why does he need to know? “Not now, Gage. Not now.” I move fast, stomping down the steps and out the door on my way back to the bus stop. There’s a motel a few blocks away. I’ll stay there for a night or two until I can figure out my next step.
I hear his footsteps before he says, “Daisy. Wait.”
Stopping dead in my tracks, I rotate until I’m facing him. “What?”
“Where are you going?”
“To the bus stop.”
He steps closer and bends slightly. I feel his hand touch mine, and then the bags in my right hand are gone. “Come on, sweetheart. I’ve got my car. I’ll take you where you need to go.” His voice is so soft, gentle.
And that’s all it takes to put me over the edge. The tears start pouring out of my eyes, and I don’t even try to stop them.
“Daisy?” I hear the bags rustling, but my eyes are closed. Then I feel him—or his arms, rather. They’re wrapped around me in an embrace, and I honestly feel like it’s the first time in forever anyone has hugged me. Shit. It only makes me bawl harder.
“Honey,” he practically coos. I’m pressed against his hard chest, and all I want to do is snuggle against him for the rest of my life. “Shh, shh. It’s gonna be okay.”
I shake my head against him because I don’t think I can talk right now. It doesn’t feel like everything’s going to be okay. Not ever.
“Sweetheart.” He pulls away and I move with him, doing whatever I can to stay right where I am.
“Daisy.” I open my eyes and see we’re nose to nose. “Honey. It’s gonna be okay.”
Wiping at my eyes and nose, I sniffle and attempt to get my breathing under control. This time I nod.
“Let me take you. Where are you going?”
“Motel.”
“You’re going to a motel?”
I nod.
“Do you want to call your father?”
“No.” I cough out the word thanks to the goop in my throat from all the crying. Okay, it’s snot. Sorry. “I don’t want to speak to him.” Not now. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
With one hand, Gage holds mine. With the other, he picks up the shopping bags. “Let’s go.”
I have no fight left in me, so I go.
In his car, I buckle up and watch him do the same. “You hungry?” he asks.
“Not really.” I still have a sub in one of my bags, though that doesn’t even sound appealing anymore.
“How ’bout Blaze Pizza?”
I find a smile somewhere in all of my melancholy. “I could eat Blaze Pizza.”
“Good, because I’m starving.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gage
Driving to the restaurant, I spend half the time looking at the road and the other half checking on her. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I will be.”
At the pizza place, we line up to order. I watch and listen to Daisy order her pizza, and then it’s my turn. The line goes quickly. I pay for both of us, hand her a cup for her drink, and locate a table near the back. Luckily we missed the dinner rush, so the restaurant is pretty dead. Once we’ve got our pizza, which is as good as she promised, I ask, “What happened?”
“My relationship with my father is… complicated.”
I keep eating, not wanting to interrupt her.
“I got home last night to find my father had come in and taken my stuff.”
“What do you mean? What stuff?” I look at her and realize she’s still wearing the clothes from last night.
“Clothes, computer, toiletries, things like that.” She scoffs. “He even took my sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels.”
What the hell is that asshole doing? “Why?”
“He said it’s because he’s worried about me living across from a murder scene.”
“He’s right. It’s not the safest place to live until we catch our killer.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “He doesn’t care. My dad’s playing a game with me.”
“What kind of game?”
“He’s trying to control me. To get me to move back in with him so he can control who I see.” She looks at me pointedly. “I found a camera hidden in a bobblehead in my apartment.”
What the hell? He’s surveilling her? “You think he was watching you?”
“I do. Everything’s in his name: the apartment, my car, my cell phone—heck, my bank account. Because I refused to move home, he cut off the phone and my debit card, and my car’s gone.”
That doesn’t sound like something a concerned father would do. He’s basically cut off her ability to run away or even reach out for help.
“So, what are you going to do?”
She shrugs. “I’ve got some other things in the works. I’m not broke or anything. I was smart and put money away in another account.”
“Is it enough to—”
“It’s enough,” she says angrily.
Since we each ordered individual pizzas, I finish mine first, most likely due to the fact that she’s been doing most of the talking, plus she’s only picking at her pizza. “Well, until you figure things out, why don’t you stay with me?” I offer, wiping my mouth with a napkin.
“No.” she shakes her head. “That would be—”
“That would be perfect.” I smile at her. “I’ve got a nice spare bedroom all set up.”
She shakes her head again.
“You’d be doing me a solid, really.”
“Oh yeah?” Her eyes are red, and her pretty nose is a little puffy, but she still nails the smirk. “How so?”
“Well, I’ll be working late a lot, and you’d be, in essence, house sitting. You could keep Pepper company.” Unless she’s still afraid of my cat.
“Won’t you get into trouble?”
I shrug. “I’ll explain the situation to my boss. It’ll be fine.”
Hopefully.
I hold my breath, waiting for her answer. Then she says, “Okay. I can stay for a day or two.”
“Great.” I clap my hands together, then rub them. “So, you gonna eat that pizza?”
Pushing her plate into the middle, she smiles. “I just don’t have any appetite right now.”
I reach for a slice. “Good thing you didn’t get anything weird on here like green olives.” I shiver. Green olives on pizza is disgusting.
“Never.” She giggles, and the sound gives me hope that she’ll be okay.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Daisy
Gage showed me to the guest room, which happens to be right next to his bedroom. It’s a bit sparse with blue walls and a blue comforter on a full-sized bed. Even though there’s no other decoration, it’s still way better than sleeping at a Super 8 motel. Plus, the color blue is calming and cool. He placed my bags on the bed and left me alone, saying, “Feel free to shower. Bath is across the hall. Towels are under the sink.”
So that’s where I am. The warm water feels amazing as it runs over my head and down my body. I feel sore and like I’m hungover, but I haven’t had a drop to drink. No, this is an emotional hangover, one that’s left me exhausted.
Gage’s bathroom is very nice. I saw it last night when I was here, and I was surprised at its spa-like feel. The shower is large, probably big enough for two. Which gives me thoughts of showers with Gage. Thoughts I need to forget about because he’s not going to want anything to do with someone with as much b
aggage as I have. “Stop dreaming,” I grouse.
Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I continue to peruse his design choices. The tile in the shower is a mix of gray and white mosaic. There are even some metallic pieces throughout that make it rather glamorous. The clear glass doors help make the bath feel larger. But the best part? The two showerheads. They’re heavenly. Keeping in mind this isn’t my house or my water bill, I reluctantly make my shower quick even though I’d love nothing more than to stand under the warm spray for an hour.
When I step out, my feet sink into a plush rug in a dark gray. They match his towels. Wrapping myself up, I step up to the vanity, the top of which is the same stone as in the kitchen. I’d guess granite. It’s sleek and modern looking, and it matches the shower tile perfectly.
Reaching into one of my bags, I retrieve the toothbrush and toothpaste I purchased earlier today. I scrub my teeth, then run a brush through my hair. Tearing open the new package of underwear, I slip on the pink ones. I love pink. It’s cheerful, and that’s something I need right now. Since I forgot to buy pj’s, I opt for leggings and one of the tees I bought. It’ll have to do for now.
Before exiting the bathroom, I tidy up as best I can, leaving my toiletries out so I can use them tomorrow. “I hope you don’t mind, Gage,” I whisper to myself.
Opening the door, I take one step out and hit something solid. Gage’s chest. “Oh.” I laugh. “Sorry. I guess I wasn’t watching where I was going.” And now that I’m here, I’m in no hurry to move away from him.
“You feeling better, sweetheart?” He raises his hand like he wants to touch my face, but he drops it quickly.
Blinking, I look up into his eyes and smile. “Now that I’ve had a shower, yes. Definitely.”
Neither one of us is moving. I could ask him to step aside, but as I said, I’m in no hurry. “Are you sure this is okay?” I hope he knows I’m referring to staying here.
“I’ll talk to my captain tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
He’ll understand? That doesn’t really sound like a ringing endorsement. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” He smiles down at me. “I’m sure.”
What are we doing? We’re just inches apart in his narrow hallway, staring at each other. I feel like one of us should either make a move or ask the other one to back away. I’m for option A, by the way, but I’m not the kind of woman who makes first moves. Or second ones. But I’ve also never met someone like Gage Golden, nor have I ever stood as close to someone who looks and smells as good as him either. No, this is new. My life is a freaking disaster, so I’m hesitant to embarrass myself. On the other hand, my life’s already a freaking disaster, so why not take the risk?
With courage I didn’t know I had, I raise my hand and place it on the back of his neck. His blond hair tickles my fingertips, making this feel very real. I push myself up onto my tiptoes, my nipples pebbling as they brush over his chest. Sure, I’ve got on a tee, but there’s no bra under it. He must feel it too because I hear his breath catch the second we make contact.
“You sure about this?” Gage asks in a husky voice. A voice that makes my nipples harder and my panties wet. “Because there’s no going back.”
“I’m sure.”
And with that, his mouth is on mine. The kiss is best described as feverish. Passionate. I open for him the minute his tongue touches my lips. Mine moves past his until they’re tangling and twirling around each other.
Okay, full disclosure. I’m not a virgin. Well, I’m not a virgin in the traditional sense. My hymen is gone, yes, but not thanks to a man. No, I took care of that with one of my toys a few years ago. But I’m more than ready to experience sex, especially if that sex is with Gage.
I wrap my arms around his neck so I can get even closer. That’s when his palms find my ass. His touch is so good that I moan into his mouth. When I’m lifted off the ground, I hang on tight and then wrap my legs around his waist. I feel him then, right where I want him. Gage is hard and pressing against my center.
He pulls his mouth away from mine. I don’t like the loss, so I chase it. “Taking you to my bedroom.”
“Yes,” I hiss, then latch onto his lips again. How have I lived so long without this man’s mouth?
He’s carrying me down the short hallway into his bedroom. I haven’t been in there yet, so I have no idea what it looks like. It could be a war zone for all I care.
We fall onto the bed together, and his hand moves from my bottom to beneath my shirt. When his palm touches my stomach, I squeak. His hand is warm as it slides up to my breast.
“Touch me,” I hiss again. “Please.” God, I sound like a hussy, but like I said before, I. Don’t. Care.
“You sure?” Gage kisses my cheek, then down to my neck. He sweeps his tongue right below my left ear, which feels so good that I whimper.
“Positive.” Reaching down, I feel for his hand beneath my shirt and pull it up until it’s cupping my right boob. “Please.”
The growl that comes out of Gage’s mouth is hot and goddamn sexy. When he pushes up to his knees and reaches for the bottom of my shirt, I push up as well to help him get rid of my stupid clothing. As soon as I’m topless, I reach for his shirt, but his mouth is on my nipple so fast, there’s no time. And now I don’t care if he has clothes on or not.
Flopping back down onto the bed, I arch into him. I want him to take my entire breast into his mouth, but since my boobs are bigger than average, that’s not possible. I run my fingers through his hair as I watch him. Holy hell, he’s really into this. His eyes are squeezed shut like he’s concentrating hard on my nipple.
He moves over to the other breast, and I watch him work equally as hard on that one.
“Gage.” I don’t know why I speak his name. I think it’s because I want to remember this. I want to remember the night I was with Gage Golden, and saying his name makes it real.
Reaching down, I find the edge of his tee and begin to pull. Now I want him naked. I’m ready for this.
Taking the hint, Gage takes one last swipe at my left nipple and pushes up again. He reaches back behind his head and pulls at his shirt. As it rises, it reveals a solid stomach that looks hard and soft at the same time. My hand is on him without thinking. I was right. His stomach is hard, but his skin’s soft. The strip of blond hair that runs from his navel down into his sweatpants is my focus. Touching the hairs, one finger follows the trail down to the edge of his pants. I grasp the string and tug.
His erection is pressing against the fabric and only just below the band of his pants. As I prepare to reach inside, Gage takes hold of my hand, which confuses me. When I look up at him, he smiles.
Thank goodness.
His breathing is labored, as is mine. “Give me a minute,” he says, touching my face.
I nod because I’m not sure what to say.
His eyes move from my face to my neck and finally rest on my chest. “You’ve got beautiful breasts, Daisy.”
See? Did you hear him? He said breasts instead of tits. Not that I mind the other word, it’s just Gage Golden is… well, I’d say he’s a gentleman, but hopefully he’s a dirty one.
“Thank you,” I say, but what I’m actually thinking is Now pull them and pinch them.
He must read my mind because the next thing I know, two of his fingers are touching one of them. When he pinches, then pulls, I begin to wriggle.
“You like that, honey?”
“Yeah.” I sound all breathy now. “Do it again.”
With both hands, one on each, he does it again. And again. It’s making me crazy.
“Gage,” I whine. “Please.”
“What do you want, Daisy? Tell me.”
“Everything. Do everything to me.”
“Fuck.” With that, Gage has my leggings and underwear off in two seconds flat. I open my legs like the hussy I mentioned earlier. “Such a pretty pussy, Daisy.”
And there it is. My dirty gentleman.
“Yeah.”
<
br /> Okay, I don’t know what “Yeah” means right now since I’ve never really given my lady parts a good look before, but I like this Gage. I like him a lot.
“So fucking wet.” His finger slides through my center slowly like he’s savoring it. “Do I make you wet, honey?”
“Yes.” Now stop toying with me and fuck me or something.
But I don’t say it. I want him to take the lead—this time, at least. Instead, I scoot a little closer, encouraging him. When I feel something begin to slide inside of me, I push up onto my elbows so I can watch him. One of his fingers is pressing in, then out. When his thumb circles my clit, my hips move to his rhythm and my body begins to thrum. A tingle starts at my center and radiates out.
“Faster,” I pant.
Gage’s hand moves faster as his mouth latches onto my breast again. God. I’m so close. Lying back, I grasp his hair and pull on it hoping he understands my urgency. “So close.”
I feel a change. His finger feels larger. Two fingers? It’s then that the orgasm hits me.
“Yes!” I cry loudly. “Yes,” I repeat but softer. I look up to see Gage gazing down at me. I lift my head and kiss him softly.
“How did that feel?” he asks sweetly.
How does he think it felt? The question makes me laugh. “Terrible.”
“Oh. Wow. Sorry.” He smirks.
Now it’s his turn. Sliding my hand down, I reach into his sweatpants and moan again. The guy is bigger than any of my vibrators. Way bigger.
Gage’s breath catches at my touch. When I stroke up and down his shaft, he chokes out, “You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
When he stands, I push up again so I can watch. With his thumbs in his waistband, he slowly slides the pants down until his erection pops free.
“Whoa.”
Gage sends me a beaming smile. “Hang on.” Just then, he turns and walks over to a dresser near the door. The sight of his perfectly round ass makes me drool. When he returns, he has a condom in his hand. Placing the gold package in his mouth, he tears it open. I watch as he places it over the head and rolls it down.