by Elle Kennedy
“Where’s AJ?” Gage glanced around Reed’s office, confused by AJ Walsh’s absence. Their third partner never missed a Friday night briefing.
“He took the night off,” Reed answered. “He’s got plans with the girlfriend.”
Gage rolled his eyes. “You can say her name, man. She’s not Voldemort, you know.”
“Christ. Your boy-wizard references freak me out, bro. Cage fighters aren’t allowed to read Harry Potter.”
“I’m a bouncer, not a cage fighter.” He couldn’t mask his frustration, but rerouted the subject before his friend dived into another lecture about how he was the one who’d willingly put himself in his current predicament. “Anyway, her name is Darcy, and one of these days you’re gonna have to suck it up and be nice to her.”
Reed looked hurt. “I am nice to her.” His dark blue eyes flickered with worry. “Why, did she say I wasn’t?”
“No, but I’m sure she’s noticed you never string together more than a sentence or two when she’s around.”
Reed’s body language revealed discomfort, and Gage glimpsed something in his friend’s eyes that he couldn’t quite decipher. Before he could say anything more, Reed promptly shifted gears.
“Let’s get the business shit out of the way—do you have a lead on who’s pushing E in the club?”
“Nope. You?”
Reed rounded the desk and flopped down in his leather chair, raking both hands through his messy black hair. “No clue. Are the guys keeping their eyes open?”
Gage nodded. “Nobody’s seen a thing.”
“And yet we’ve talked to dozens of people who claim they bought the stuff right here in the club.” Reed ground out an expletive. “We need to find this asshole.”
Gage shared his partner’s anger. With the number of people who packed the club on a nightly basis, it was impossible to stop customers from coming in with a few lines of coke or some tablets of E, not unless they thoroughly searched everyone at the door. Which meant they had no choice but to tolerate some drugs floating around Sin. But someone selling the stuff directly from the club was a big fat no-no. The cops would shut them down in a heartbeat, and Gage wasn’t about to lose the hefty profits the club brought in.
“I’ll tell the guys to be extra alert tonight,” he said, sinking into the armchair across from the desk. “Once we figure out who the dealer is, it’ll be easy to put him out of commission.”
“Good.” Reed grabbed a pack of Camels from the desk and lit a cigarette, then proceeded to blow a cloud of smoke in Gage’s direction.
He winced, trying not to inhale. “You just have to flaunt it in my face, don’t you? I’m trying to quit, asshole.”
“You’ve been trying to quit for two years.”
“This time it’ll stick.”
“Ha. Sure.” His friend suddenly broke out in a grin. “Hey, so when can I expect the deets about your lady friend? You know, the one you almost boned in the alley yesterday?”
He stifled a sigh. It had been too much to hope that Reed wouldn’t bring it up. “It was nothing,” he mumbled.
Reed smirked. “Didn’t look like nothing.”
“Well, it was.”
Liar.
All right, so maybe it had been the furthest thing from nothing. Maybe he’d stayed awake half the night thinking about Skyler. Maybe he’d jerked off three times before the arousal had finally dissipated, and even then, it still lingered under the surface, waiting for any opportunity to rear up again.
But he didn’t regret sending her away. If she didn’t have the word “relationship” written on her forehead in huge block letters, he might’ve given in and taken her to bed, but he got the feeling she was the kind of girl who wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than a commitment. Well, Gage didn’t do commitments. He wasn’t cut out for relationships—past experience had proved that—and he wasn’t about to risk breaking another heart.
Women like Skyler deserved better than a breathless, hurried screw outside a nightclub, and besides, she was only twenty-four, which made her way too young for him. Not that he was an old man at the ripe age of thirty, but Lord, he felt that way sometimes. Felt like he’d lived ten lifetimes already.
“Fine, I’ll drop it,” Reed said. “Just know that I wholeheartedly approve of last night or any future nights you might spend with your mystery girl. It was kinda hard to tell from a security feed, but she looked hot.”
Gage rolled his eyes again. Of course Reed approved. Hot was the only requirement the guy had for hooking up, with temporary coming in at a close second. Reed was a player to the core, and had been from the moment Gage met him, back when they were two punk-ass teenagers growing up in South Boston. They’d both dreamed of becoming professional MMA fighters, though Gage’s style leaned toward boxing while Reed was an out-and-out brawler, not above fighting dirty. And they’d both retired at the same time, taking the cash they’d earned over the years to open the club.
“Are you fighting tomorrow?”
The abrupt demand summoned an inward groan. “Yeah.” He kept his tone vague.
“Only one more after that, right?” Reed asked carefully.
“Two more.”
“And then you and Mitch are square?”
“Yep.”
“You sure about that?”
He met Reed’s uneasy expression head-on. “Damn sure.”
After a beat of silence, his friend heaved out a breath. “I sincerely hope Denny appreciates what you do for him, bro.”
“He does.”
“Yeah? ’Cause I don’t see a lot of gratitude coming your way.” Reed took a quick drag, this time polite enough to exhale in the opposite direction. “Look, you and I go way back. Which means Denny and I go way back too. And in all these years, not once have I heard a thank you leave that little bastard’s mouth.”
Gage stiffened. “Watch it, man. He’s my brother.”
“Doesn’t make him any less of a bastard.” Reed leaned forward and snuffed out his cigarette in the ashtray. “The way I see it, a real man cleans up his own messes.”
He didn’t answer. Couldn’t answer. Because Reed was right. Denny always took the easy way out, and for Denny, the easy way meant handing his problems over to his big brother to fix.
Gage wasn’t stupid, though. He knew he was fully to blame for Denny’s dependence on him. His fault for cutting his kid brother too much slack. But Denny wasn’t as strong as him. He wouldn’t have survived their childhood if Gage hadn’t been around to protect him.
It hadn’t come as much of a surprise when Denny grew up to be an addict. Gage’s little brother was too weak to deal with real-life problems. He preferred to hide behind the high and let Gage bail him out whenever he messed up.
But Reed was right about another thing—Gage couldn’t keep rescuing his brother. He might’ve signed up for three months’ worth of bruises, cuts, and broken ribs to keep Denny out of danger, but after he paid off his brother’s debt, he was done. Cutting him loose for good this time.
Un-fucking-likely. You’ll never stop protecting him.
He ignored the internal accusation. Mostly because it was too depressing to dwell on.
“Anyway, I’d wish you luck for tomorrow, but we both know you don’t need it.” Reed looked ready to say more, but the loud buzzing of his phone interrupted the conversation. He swiped the handset off the desk and answered with a quick, “Yeah?” Then he paused, and the shit-eating grin that stretched across his face raised Gage’s hackles—especially since it was directed at him.
“Take her up to Gage’s office. He’s on his way.” Reed hung up, the smile widening. “Guess what, bro? You’ve got a visitor.”
His pulse sped up at the same time an exasperated breath flew out of his mouth.
Goddamn her. He’d told her not to come back.
“So…it was nothing, huh?” Reed’s expression conveyed sheer and total enjoyment.
Gage bit back a curse, then left the office without another word.
Skyler paced the small office, already second-guessing her decision to show up tonight…until the door swung open and her nerves evaporated like a puff of steam.
The man who appeared in the doorway was even sexier than she remembered. Decked out in all black, he lingered for a beat before stepping inside and shutting the door behind him.
The closer he got, the faster her heart raced. She devoured the sight of him, the form-fitting pants hugging his long, muscular legs, the snug T-shirt molded to his sculpted chest. Her mouth ran dry when she spotted the tattoos curling out from his sleeves. No color, just black flames and curved designs inked into his tanned flesh, making him look dangerous and badass and really, really hot.
“Why did you come back?” A deep rasp, his eyes glimmering with equal doses of irritation and desire.
“You know why.”
Skyler had never felt more brazen as she met him halfway. She didn’t touch him or lean in to kiss him, but you’d think she had with the way his gaze flooded with heat.
“I meant what I said last night, Skyler—you don’t need or want a man like me in your life.”
So resigned, which only heightened her curiosity, her need to get to know this man. “You act like I’m here to propose marriage.” She smiled faintly. “But we both know I came for something else. Gage.”
His eyes narrowed. “You asked around about me.”
“Actually, I Googled you.”
“Yeah, and what’d you find out?” He didn’t look angry, just intrigued.
“That you really do own this club. That you used to be a professional fighter. And as far as I can tell, you’ve never been arrested for a crime.”
“I see.” He slanted his head. “And that’s good enough for you, huh? You’re still prepared to let a total stranger fuck you? To spread your legs and let me shove my cock inside you?”
Her breath caught. “Are you always so blunt?”
“Yes.”
“I…like it.”
He sighed. “Figures.”
Skyler had to grin. “Oh, I get it, you’re trying to turn me off. You think graphic dirty talk will send me running in the other direction. Well, guess what, big guy, I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re a stubborn little thing, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
A muscle on his face twitched in evident frustration, much to her amusement. And God, now that her gaze was focused on his strong jaw, she wanted nothing more than to reach up and touch it.
So she did.
He jerked when her fingers swept over the dark stubble on his chin, but he didn’t push her hand away. That was a start, at least. He stood there, eyes shuttered, shoulders rigid, as she stroked his jaw, but she knew her touch affected him because his breathing had gone labored.
The bristly hair on his face scratched her fingertips. A shiver skipped through her as she imagined it scratching other parts of her body. Her neck, breasts, inner thighs. Holy hell, she couldn’t wait.
“You were right,” she murmured.
He blinked. “About what?”
“I’m not impulsive or free-spirited and I don’t go around sleeping with men I’ve just met. I’m a good girl, okay? I’m doing my master’s in psychology. I wait tables at a steakhouse on Charles Street to make rent and put myself through school. I pay my bills on time. I don’t jaywalk. My grand total of past lovers is a whopping two. I’d rather stay home and watch Top Chef than go out.” She offered a sheepish shrug. “So yes, good girl is my middle name. But…” Skyler rubbed her index finger over his bottom lip, and was rewarded by his sharp intake of breath. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t be bad.”
“Is that really what you want?” he said roughly. “To be bad with me?”
God, yes. There was no doubt in her mind that Gage was exactly what she needed right now. He was her chance to break free of this annoying rut and let loose for a change.
“Yes, that’s what I want,” she answered, her tone firm. “So stop worrying about taking advantage of me, or that I’ll wake up tomorrow with regrets. I want this.”
She saw the resistance in his eyes chipping away, but wasn’t surprised when he voiced one final protest. “I’m too old for you.”
She mock gasped. “Oh my God. You’re fifty years old. I knew it.”
“Thirty,” he said tersely.
“Holy shit. You’re six years older than me?” Now she pretended to gag. “Gross. I feel violated.”
“Very funny.”
“Any more objections, or will you just kiss me already?”
Gage stared at her for what seemed like an eternity.
And then his mouth came crashing down on hers.
She gasped in delight, grabbing the front of his shirt and holding on for dear life. He was as dominating as she remembered, slipping his tongue between her parted lips with such skill and confidence she couldn’t help but be impressed. As his tongue teased hers in a hungry circle, he shoved one hand in her hair, and suddenly she was incredibly glad she’d worn it loose. She liked the way his long fingers threaded through it, the rough pull on her scalp as he grasped the back of her head to control the kiss. His other hand traveled down her body, curling over her hip and yanking her closer to him.
It was impossible not to moan at the feel of his massive erection. She wiggled her pelvis over it, drawing a strangled groan from his lips. He tore his mouth away, breathing hard as he met her eyes. “You are goddamn addictive.” His fingers dug into her hip. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Well, I am, and you’re not going to send me away, are you, Gage?” The taunt slipped out before she could stop it. Maybe it was the wild gleam in his eyes fueling her boldness. The desperation, the hunger. No man had ever looked at her like that before, and it made her realize just how much power she had. She had put that look on his face. She had caused that bulge in his pants.
“I would if I was smart, but I’m not,” he muttered. “I’m stupid and horny and I want you too damn much.” His mouth found her neck, hot and insistent as he sucked hard enough to make her gasp.
Her hands were shaking like branches in a windstorm, so she flattened them against his chest and was floored by the rock-hard mass beneath her palms. His muscles were carved out of stone, his chest so broad she felt tiny in comparison.
He kissed his way back to her mouth, capturing it in a blistering kiss that made her see stars. She registered the sensation of motion; her legs were moving somehow—no, Gage was moving her, backing her into the desk. She squeaked when her butt connected with something solid, and suddenly she wasn’t on her feet anymore. He’d lifted her up on the desk, sinking to his knees before she could blink.
“You want to be bad?” His tone was low, dangerous, thrilling. “Well, you came to the right place.”
She’d worn a dress again, filmy green material that hung to her knees, but now it was caught between his fingers. He slowly dragged the fabric up her legs, nostrils flaring when her bikini panties were revealed.
“Pink panties,” he mumbled.
She could barely speak past the arousal tightening her throat. “Is there something wrong with that?”
He laughed harshly. “Makes perfect sense. Good-girl panties. Because you’re a good girl, aren’t you, Skyler?”
She swallowed. “Not tonight.”
“No. Not tonight.”
Callused fingers glided up her legs, leaving shivers in their wake. He swept his thumbs over her thighs, then parted her legs in one fluid, deliberate motion.
Skyler peered down at him, mesmerized. She couldn’t believe she had a big, commanding man kneeling in front of her, his features taut with hunger and passion and…something else. Wonder, she realized. His gray eyes shone with wonder, like he’d discovered an unimaginable treasure he’d never expected to find.
He went motionless, palms flat on her thighs, his chest rising as he drew a breath.
“Do something,” she whispered.
&
nbsp; Slowly, his gaze met hers. “What do you want me to do?”
“Anything. Everything.”
His hand moved over her thigh in an infinitesimal caress.
She trembled. “Please.”
He stroked his way between her legs. Circled his thumb over her clit before cupping her sex over her panties.
Her core clenched, aching so hard it hurt. She knew he’d felt how damp her panties were, because he chuckled softly. “So wet,” he remarked. “Is it all for me?”
“You know it is.”
Still chuckling, he pushed aside the crotch of her underwear and dipped one finger in the moisture pooling at her entrance. “Hell. You’re wetter than I thought.” She watched with wide eyes as he brought that wicked finger to his lips and sucked it, licking off her juices with a groan of approval. “And you taste as sweet as I knew you would.” He popped his finger out of his mouth. “Do you want me to make you come, Skyler?”
“God. Why are you even asking?” She couldn’t believe the infuriating man. She was sprawled on his desk, panting, shaking, legs wide open. Couldn’t he see she was starving for him?
“I need to hear you say it.” A command, low and seductive.
She swallowed again. “I want you to make me come.”
His lips curved as he hooked his fingers under her waistband and peeled her panties off. She should have felt vulnerable with his gaze fixed on her most intimate place. But she didn’t. The anticipation was too distracting, the ache too strong. She held her breath, waiting, needing, but he didn’t move. Didn’t touch her. She was seconds away from begging when he slid closer and pressed his mouth directly on her clit.
“Oh.”
The jolt of pleasure nearly knocked her off the desk, and she grabbed on to the edge to steady herself. Gage’s mouth was hot against her sensitive flesh, the pressure of his lips almost unbearable, but then his tongue darted out and licked her so gently her eyes blinked open in surprise. She hadn’t expected the tenderness. The slow, sweet glide of his tongue.
And then he did it again. And again. One leisurely, torturous lick after another, until she was squirming uncontrollably, every inch of skin tight and hot and prickling with frustration.