Page 64 of Unexpected Love

“And it will only take them two nights to pack all her stuff?”

“Oh, yeah.” I chuckle quietly, realizing he wasn’t commenting on how fast their relationship seems to be moving.

Everyone is different, and I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t put things off, especially if you know what you want. You don’t know what the future holds so you’ve got to do what makes you happy.

“Quinn wasn’t planning on staying forever, so she never really put her own touch on the place. It’s mostly just clothes and camera equipment.”

“And you? You only need two nights to pack your things?”

“I only unpacked that first suitcase I brought with me.” I look out at the dark sky, studying the stars. “I knew I was staying when I got back on Christmas, but I also knew I wanted to find my own place, so I didn’t unpack everything I brought back with me. It’s all still in suitcases and boxes. Most of it in Declan’s garage.”

“I’m off this weekend if you need any help.” I hear the smirk in his voice.

“Hmm,” I hum. “I might not need help moving, but a good soak in that bath of yours would be nice when I’m done unpacking.” Now it’s my voice that turns husky.

“That can definitely be arranged.”

I'm reluctant to get off the phone with Gage, a thought I'm pretty sure I should be more worried about than I am, but I like talking to him. There’s a comfort in hearing his voice, knowing he’s there if—and when—I need him.

It’s the needing him that worries me. Because I’m pretty sure I do need him. And I’m not sure I’ve ever needed anyone the way I need Gage.

Needing Gage means something more serious than I thought I was looking for—than I thought I was ready for. Needing him means trusting him to be there for me—not that I have any reason to believe I can’t trust him. Gage has shown up for me every time I’ve asked him—and plenty of times I haven’t.

But it doesn’t feel right bringing someone into my mess of life. I know that Gage knows about all of it—and is still here. But my parents and Brian haven’t stopped calling since Christmas, and something in my gut says it’ll only get worse.

It’s better for both of us if things stay as they are. Moving into the cottage means it will be easier to keep things simple and just between us. And that’s exactly what I need right now.

twenty-six

AVA

I don’t hear him—hecan be very quiet when he wants to be—but I feel him enter the room as I stand at the counter waiting for the coffee to brew. He’s silent as he moves behind me. His hands come to my hips, and I feel his nose hit the back of my head before I hear his deep breath.

“There’s something about finding you in my home first thing in the morning…” His voice trails off, and I don’t know if it’s that he doesn’tknowhow to finish the sentence or if it’s because he knows I might spook if he finishes that statement the way I think he wants to finish it.

This morning has already been intense. If I’m being honest, I’m already on edge and I have no doubt Gage feels it—he’s too observant not to. He knows me better than most.

He turns me in his arms, lifting me to sit on the counter and stepping between my legs before I can do or say anything.

“I liked waking up to you in my bed this morning.” He says it so softly, like he knows I’m not ready to hear those words, but he’s not willing to keep them buried inside either.

The thing is,Iliked waking up in his bed this morning.

I might have been teasing Thursday night when I made a comment about using Gage’s bath, but after spending all day Saturday moving and most of Sunday unpacking, I was sore. The idea of a bath was too good to pass up.

After dinner with the Marks family last night I came to Gage’s, where he already had the bath waiting for me. And not just a hot bath with salts. No, he made it a whole experience with bubbles and candles to create a cozy atmosphere.

He planned on leaving me to my bath while he went and did his own thing, but I wasn’t having it. Setting all that up might have been the sweetest thing anyone had done for me. He was taking care of me in a way no one else has before, which was hot. But also terrifying. I liked it and I didn’twantto like it.

Leaving me to relax in his bath like I belonged there wasn’t an option. I made him climb into the tub with me—sitting across from me exactly like he did the first time. Only this time, we relaxed in the bath for about five minutes before things got heated—and not just because of the hot water.

I couldn’t keep my hands off him. And even though it was hard for him—what with me practically throwing myself at him—he took the time to make sure I was truly okay before he laid a hand on me.

Yes, Gage has touched me since everything happened on Christmas Eve, but it wasn’t sexual. He’s only been concerned with taking care of me and making sure I’ve been okay since my return. And it’s meant the world to me, but once I made it very clear I wanted nothing more than for him to touch me, things escalated quickly.

He was gentle with me but also demanding. He was exactly what I wanted, giving me everything he knewIneededwithout me having to put it into words.

Sex with Gage Flynn is out of this world, and I’m not sure how I’ll ever get over it—if I even want to get over it.

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