by Kira Blakely
He stood and stared at her like she was the one who’d lost her mind. “Packing. Do you have a bathing suit in here?”
Finally, her brain started working again and she hip bumped him. “I am perfectly capable of packing my own bags, thank you very much. And why would I need a bathing suit when all I do is work and go to class?” She snatched a green thong that hung from his fingers. “Pervert.” She suppressed a smile because really, the man didn’t need any encouragement.
“Aw, honey, you say the sweetest things.” He batted his long, thick nearly-white eyelashes in her direction, which she refused to respond to. He was so damn potent she couldn’t ignore him if she wanted to, which she didn’t. But she needed to, dammit. If I bottled him up and sold it, I’d be a billionaire, too. He moved too close. Smelled too damn good. “Pack this,” he barked before he handed over several dresses.
“Stop telling me what to do!” Shawna knew she sounded like a brat, but the man had a knack for just taking over, whether his help was wanted or not.
“You’re extra hot when you’re feisty, Shawna.” Those blue eyes took a slow trip down her body before crawling back up, his look so heavy she felt it like an erotic caress.
She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out except a long low growl.
He laughed with that smirk that said he knew exactly what she was thinking. “Hurry up,” he told her, smacking her ass as he walked by.
Shawna squeaked at the feel of his big hand on her ass, telling herself it was an unwelcome touch. It didn’t feel good, and she definitely wasn’t turned on. Much. I won’t need a year shacked up with him, because I’m pretty sure I’ll kill him long before then.
In no time at all, they had three bags packed and Gage was ready to go, at least if his anxious pacing was any indication. “You can go, Gage, if you have someplace else to be. I can—”
“Take care of yourself, I know,” he growled, sending her a dark look she couldn’t decipher. “I’ll hire movers to come in and pack everything up and take everything to my house. Except the furniture,” he added casually.
“Too ugly for your place?” She was being a snot for no reason, but this was hard for her. Relying on someone else when she’d spent her entire life making sure she didn’t need to rely on anyone. When that person was a billionaire playboy, it was damn near impossible.
“No,” he sighed, seeming annoyed by her question. “I figured you’d want to keep it for later, so they’ll take it to my storage facility.”
“Oh.” Yeah, I’m an ass. “Thanks, that’s really nice of you, Gage.”
“Yeah, that’s me, a real fucking peach.”
She tossed her head back and laughed at his grumpy demeanor. “There are worse things to be, Peaches.” She laughed again when his scowl darkened. “Come on, nice guy. Your secret is safe with me.” She pulled him outside and locked the door. “He still there?”
“Yep. Come here.” Gage’s voice was low, deep and thick with something that sounded a lot like desire. She opened her mouth to question him, again, but he cut her off with a hungry kiss that stole her breath. His tongue slicked against her lips, first the bottom and then the top before sliding inside.
This shouldn’t be happening. At least according to her mind, but her hands held on to his large firm biceps, her hips pressed against his denim-clad ones. Her mouth acted like a hussy, opening and letting him inside to explore, torture, and tease until she moaned in response. One hand settled in her hair while the other slid over her shoulder and down her back until it cupped her ass and pulled her against where he was hard—and very large—against her. Shawna pulled back, because self-preservation demanded she do so. Sucking in a deep breath, her heated gaze met his midnight-blue eyes. “Wow.”
“Yeah,” he agreed and stomped off, wearing a dark scowl.
Chapter Four
It didn’t take long to make the drive from her crappy old apartment to Gage’s house in Henderson, but by Vegas standards, it was a trek. Though when she caught sight of the sprawling ranch house—not a mansion—Shawna’s breath caught in her throat. The beautiful home was so unlike what she’d expected a man like Gage Steele to own. She figured he was more the tall, white modern mansion filled with black and white furniture and stainless steel appliances. She thought it would be cold and sterile, much like the man himself.
But again, he’d surprised her. The house on the winding road before her looked like… well, like a log cabin built by a billionaire. She laughed at the thought. As they slowly drove up the circular drive, she could see the magnificence in the details, which strangely did remind her of Gage. The cedar was warm and welcoming, projecting immense wealth, while the stone details spoke of his playful and strong sides. She stepped from the car and took in a breath, the cool early evening air mixed with the cedar wood for an intoxicating aroma that she found soothing. “What a great house, Gage.”
He laughed. “Glad you approve.”
She frowned at his tone. “It’s not for me to approve or disapprove. I was merely pointing out that it’s beautiful. Did you design it yourself?”
Now it was his turn to look confused. “Why would you ask that?”
Shawna shrugged, refusing to get sucked into the sudden awkwardness between them. Probably caused by that damn kiss. “None of the houses we passed look like this, and it’s set so far away from neighbors, I figured it had to be built to order.”
His shoulders relaxed, just a little, but enough for her to notice. “Yes. When I was a kid I always dreamed of living in a log cabin. I don’t know why, but I thought they were so rugged and manly, everything I wanted to be.”
His words stretched a smile across her face as she thought of a young Gage, all arms and legs. “Playing cops and robbers, complete with fake pistols and sheriff vests?”
The power of his smile made her knees go wobbly and she used the car to settle her, walking to the trunk to grab her bags. “Yes, actually. Me, Ryker and Rafe used to play cops, robbers and cowboys.”
“Rafe? I didn’t realize you had another brother.” Not that she knew a ton about Gage, only what casino floor gossip had let slip in the locker rooms and girl talk.
“He’s not actually a brother, but we all grew up together, dirt poor. He’s a brother in every way that’s important.” His face was so serious, his handsome Nordic features sharpened with the intensity of his stare.
Shawna envied that. “That sounds great. I always wished I had siblings, but in the end, I’m happy I didn’t have any.” She grabbed her small suitcase and the large duffle bag, slung her purse across her chest and looked up at Gage. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” he answered gruffly, unwilling to dig deeper into that statement. His scowl was still firmly in place as he climbed the stone steps. At the door, he finally realized she hadn’t followed. “What now?”
Suppressing her frustration at his hot and cold behavior, Shawna counted backward from ten and let her gaze settle on him. “If you’ve changed your mind, just say the word. I’m not in the habit of staying where I’m not wanted.” She’d had enough of that growing up, since her mom seemed to always find men who didn’t want a kid around. She’d left when she was fifteen, after the last guy had stared a little too long and had a steady, well-paying job. She set her bags down and waited for an answer.
Gage’s blue gaze seared through her. Even with at least ten feet separating them, it felt like a hand pressing down on her. But his expression was inscrutable, as it always was when he wasn’t flirting, which she guessed was why he’d been so successful in business. “I haven’t changed my mind.”
“Then what just happened?” She was many things, but an idiot was not among them. He’d done a complete 180, and she needed to know why.
“What are you talking about?”
With a groan of frustration, she dug in her purse for her keys. “I’ll take my chances with Pearce if this is how you’ll be for a year, or as long as it takes.” She pitched her voice low to mimic his. “I didn
’t ask for your help, and if you don’t want me here, then be a man and say the words.” When he didn’t answer, she popped her trunk open and hoisted the bags inside, slamming the door closed.
“I still have your bag.” He lifted the small red duffel that held her toiletries, amusement ringing in his voice.
“Keep it,” she grumbled and rounded the car before shoving the key into the lock of her twenty-year-old Ford.
“Wait.” His long legs ate up the distance between them before his hand circled her arm, turning her to face him. “Sorry, okay? It’s weird having you here.”
“There no need for any of this. You know that, right? I can take care of myself and you can find another way to keep the fortune hunters off your tail.” It would suck to find a place to stay so late in the day but Vegas never went to sleep so the task wasn’t impossible and she had no plans on going back to her old place. “No harm, no foul. All right?”
“No, not all right.” He released her arm and, in a move even the city’s best magicians would appreciate, Gage grabbed her keys and loaded her bags in his arms before another protest could form on her lips.
“You have to be the most frustrating man alive! How on earth you have women falling all over themselves to get to you is a mystery to me,” she complained as she marched up the stone steps behind him.
“I’m rich as hell and some might say I’m handsome.” He turned and fluttered those long blond lashes at her.
“Yeah, well, I get to look at you for free without putting up with you up close and personal.” Until now, the snarky voice inside her head added.
Gage pressed in a six-digit code and placed his thumb on a black screen, which unlocked the front door. “You like to look at me?”
Pushing past him, she ignored his question and gaped at the beautiful woodwork of the foyer and beyond. “The craftsmanship of this place is incredible.” Above her was an insane chandelier, hand-carved to look like antlers but somehow more beautiful. The lights looked like actual flames, providing dim light that only spotlighted the beauty and artistry of the place. “Now I see the appeal of having that kind of money.”
He laughed. “You didn’t see it before?”
Shawna shrugged. “Having money is nice, I’m sure, but I always wondered what one person needed with that much money. Seeing this place, I now get it.”
“So, I’m extremely handsome and I have a gorgeous home, now you see the appeal?”
She laughed. “The house is yours, so that has nothing to do with me, and I can still look at you at work. But I guess your women are hoping you spread some of your wealth around.”
“And you’re not?”
“Nope. As soon as I finish my MBA, I’ll make enough money to live a good life without anyone’s help.” She realized how ungrateful that sounded. “Not that I’m not grateful for your help with Pearce. I’m surprised but very grateful.”
He frowned, and she followed him deeper in the house, noting the large stone fireplace that was the centerpiece of the great room and a long hall with closed doors to her left. “Why are you surprised? Do I seem like the kind of guy to let a woman get hurt if I can help it?”
She thought about that as she followed him through the great room and down another long hall with five doors. “No, but the only time you’ve ever spoken to me was to ask me out, so other than what the other waitresses say about you, I don’t know you.”
Gage stopped in front of a set of double doors with black wrought-iron handles and pushed them open. “You didn’t Google me?”
“Should I? Is there some dark secret the whole world knows about you except me?” She gasped at the sight of the room when he stepped aside. A four-poster king-sized bed—hand-carved head and footboards, of course—and handmade furniture all around. The bedding and curtains were feminine yet rustic in shades of pink, burgundy and white. “This room is beautiful, but it’s…” She was at a loss for words.
“Not enough?” he asked.
At the same time, she said, “Too much.”
“Never heard a woman say that about a room before.”
She smiled. “It’s lovely, thank you. I just meant it’s too much for me. If your mom or someone needed a room, this would be more suitable for them.”
He frowned, but his tone was soft when he said, “My mom died when Ryker and I were three years old.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I bet she’d be so proud of you.”
“Yeah, maybe. Anyway, this is your room and it has its own bathroom through there. Feel free to use anything you find and let me or my housekeeper Esme know if you need anything else.”
“Stop, Gage. I don’t expect you to pay for my living expenses while I’m here. I am happy to clean and cook when I can, and I’ll buy what I can to help out. All right?”
His frown told her he wasn’t happy, but she couldn’t figure out why. “My room is right across the hall if you need anything. Get settled and I’ll show you the rest of the place.” With that, he stalked off in a cloud of grumpiness.
Shawna shrugged to herself and looked around the room again with a small smile. May as well make the most of it. She stepped closer to the bathroom with the free-standing shower and ginormous bathtub. With jets!
Living with Gage Steele would be a test of strength and will, but that bathtub just might be worth it.
***
“I like big butts and I cannot lie!”
Gage groaned as Shawna rapped along to every single lyric of the song that touted the benefits of loving girls with big butts. She, apparently, was a big fan of nineties rap music because she listened to it while she did her laundry, cleaned or cooked. All much to his housekeeper Esme’s chagrin and his great amusement. Yep, he knew if he left his home office right now and went into the kitchen, he would find her shaking that round ass erotically and gyrating so all her parts swayed, jiggled and bounced to the beat. How did he know? Because it had happened at least once a day since she moved in.
He loved it.
He fucking hated it.
Having a woman in his house was strange, because he’d never had any woman other than Esme and Rafe’s little sister Frankie inside his home. The last time he’d shared living space with a woman—for only six months and nearly a decade ago—it had ended disastrously. She’d left him feeling broken and like less of a man, a sin more unforgivable that her initial sin, and Gage vowed he’d never do that shit again. But this is fake, he reminded himself. As comfortable as he was becoming with having Shawna around, he needed to remember that it wasn’t real. This was all for show. Not for me.
The problem was absence might be what made the heart grow fonder, but seeing her curves encased in yoga pants and tank tops, clothes she called old and ratty, were certainly making his cock harder. He wanted her more now than after she’d turned him down the first time. She was sexy as hell, never more so than when a small sliver of skin was exposed at her slender waist. She also had a smart mouth that frequently shot out witty comments, and she didn’t let his wealth intimidate her. If he was honest, she seemed to count his money against him. Definitely a first. He grinned. Yeah, he wanted her, wanted to spend a few nights between those thighs. He knew she’d be hot, wet and pulsing. He wanted to see how many times he could make her scream his name, beg for his cock.
But he would never let on just how much he wanted her, because he wasn’t a stupid little boy anymore who was led around by his dick. He was a man of experience, and he knew one important fact. Women couldn’t be trusted. Once they knew how badly a man wanted them, especially a rich man, they wielded that power with the precision of a scalpel.
So, he’d been keeping his distance as much as possible, considering they worked and now lived together. Unfortunately, no, luckily, for him, Shawna seemed content to keep her distance from as well. He found that fact both comforting and unsettling. She was in his house and working in his casino, and she hadn’t asked for anything. Yet. It was just a matter of time, he knew.
A kn
ock sounded, interrupting his thoughts. “Come in,” he barked.
The door pushed open, and he looked up from the contracts he was reviewing and nearly swallowed his tongue at the sight of Shawna wearing a sexy little white sundress that hugged her mouthwatering tits before flaring out sweetly just above her knees. But to make things dangerous and sinful, the sun shot straight through the dress, giving him a glimpse at all the curves she tried to hide. “Hey, you hungry?”
Hell, yes. “I could eat.”
That heart-stopping smile flashed again before she stepped inside. “Good, because I made enough for two.” She blushed and set the wooden tray on the edge of his table. “It’s nothing fancy, just a sandwich and my attempt at sweet potato chips.”
Gage looked the sandwich over, seeing tons of vegetables before he caught a whiff of vinegar. Damn, that was a perfect deli sandwich. His stomach chose that moment to sound out its hunger and she giggled, a sound that shot lust straight through him before settling between his legs. Happy for the barrier of the desk between them, he scowled at her. “What?”
She fidgeted with her dress, an unconscious move she probably didn’t even realize she was doing. “I need to ask you something, but I don’t want you to feel obligated, okay?”
Here we go. “How much do you need?”
“What?” Her green eyes widened in confusion, but she crossed her arms and Gage knew his words had sunk in.
He sat up straighter, both hands palms down on the desk he had carved from leftover cedar used to build the house. “I asked how much you needed. How much money, Shawna?”
She sucked in a breath. “How much… you bastard. Never mind, I’ll just go to the library on campus. Enjoy your lunch, Gage. Hope you don’t choke on it!”
He could have gone after her, but he didn’t. This was exactly what he needed to keep things straight in his head. If she knew he wouldn’t get used by anyone, then she wouldn’t try again. Too bad his stomach suddenly rejected that delicious sandwich she’d made. To butter me up, he bitterly added in his mind.