Page 66 of Wicked Player

“On all the wrong things.” He kissed me hard and fast, slid his hand to the back of my neck and before I knew it, I was on my back and he was hovering over me. When he pulled back, I was just as distracted as I’d been before. “Where’s your car?”

“Out back.”

“Okay. We’ll get to mine and I’ll drive you to it.”

He was full of plans. Had been planning on coming back to my place since I first entered the room. “Why my place?”

He kissed me again, nibbled on my lips. I’d almost forgotten my question when he stopped and slipped his tongue over my bottom lip. “Because I have to get up early tomorrow to go watch film and workout and you go to work later. This way you can sleep in. I have a feeling you’ll need it.”

Well. When he put it like that. “Then let’s go.”

We dressed slowly and with his hand clamped around mine, he led me through Velvet. It wasn’t until we were outside and the fresh, chilly air smacked me in the face I could make out the tightness in his expression.

It took a lot out of him to walk through the club with me. What he said earlier made sense. It made complete sense even if I’d been shocked and angry when he first mentioned what it could do to his reputation if someone found out.

It’s why I joined Velvet in the first place. Yet he had status on a whole different level than a reporter in Raleigh. His platform garnered national attention. So while he’d been rude, I could let that go.

As long as he didn’t let it happen again.

We reached his car and he opened the door to his large white SUV. “You’re nervous,” I said as I climbed into my seat, the plush leather immediately hugging me.

He looked to the doors of the club and back to me. “It’s not you.”

And the worry in his eyes. God, I understood him maybe more than he gave me credit for. “I get it, Gage. Really. Thank you for trusting me with this part of you.”

“I can tell you one part specifically that wants your trust.” He leaned into the doorway and kissed me.

“Later. Soon.”

“Damn straight, little one.” He closed the door, and I shivered from that nickname.

It was so sweet. So perfect.

I buckled up even though we were in the parking lot. Habit and all that, and when we drove around and reached my Explorer, I was planning on hopping out when Gage stopped me.

“Hold up.” He hopped out of his side and met me at the door. “You have your keys?”

I held them up in my hand. “A smart woman always does in a dark parking lot.”

“Good.” He walked me to my car and right as I went to beep the locks, he turned me. I was up against the side of my own vehicle, his body against mine, his hands at my cheeks. His mouth pressed against mine and I opened for him. He kissed me like he’d never taste me again, like he’d gotten a hint of his favorite new treat and needed to order a dozen more.

I kissed him back with equal fervor. My hands at his chest. His arms. I inspected his upper body with in-depth precision. Eventually, my hand landed on his stomach and I pushed him back.

“Wait until we get to my place.”

His grin went wicked, oh so beautifully wicked and sexy and so beautiful I memorized it, tucked it into my memory bank so I’d always have it with me.

“I’ll follow you.”

He opened my door and waited until I had the car on and seat belt fastened before he shut the door and returned to his SUV.

* * *

My apartment wasa fifteen-minute drive from Velvet. A newer complex with three stories of apartments. The buildings had walkways in between each individual one but were U-shaped and the shared space in the middle of the courtyard had a large pool, hot tub and a massive outdoor kitchen area. It even had an on-site event planner where there were weekly activities like yoga in the fitness center, Wednesday wine nights, and football game Sundays on the large outdoor screen television.

So far, I’d partaken of few events except for the occasional wine night, but it was a great way to meet neighbors.

It was a great place. Not exactly ritzy but definitely not low-end. It catered to single professionals, and I’d just moved in a year ago.

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