Page 16 of Tempted
He pushes away from me and removes a T-shirtand sweat pants from his chest of drawers.
“Put these on. I’d rather not have to killany of my brothers.”
Aah…nowIgetit. “For what?Looking at me?”
He doesn’t answer, but I know that’s theproblem. He’s jealous…to the thousandth degree, but it’s kind ofcute. I take his hand, pull him to the bed, and push down on hisshoulders. Sitting on his lap, I wrap my arms around his neck.
“They’ve been really cool. A couple of themeven pulled me aside and told me I was a total badass for what Idid last night.”
“You were…are.”
He slides his arm around my waist and takes adeep, calming breath. I turn his face to mine and stare into hiseyes. The rage is gone. I don’t want to rekindle it, but shootingthat guy last night has been on my mind all day. Technically, Ididn’t kill him, but it still weighs heavily on my conscience.
“About last night –”
“I told you to leave it alone.”
“Gage, I’ve never shot anyone before.”
“And you haven’t killed anyone, either. It’sall on me.”
“Not all. I shot himfourtimes.”
“It was them or us. I’m proud of you for howyou handled yourself.”
He’s proud of me for shooting someone. Notexactly what one strives for in life but hey, I guess this is mylife now. “I have Reaper’s approval?”
“You always did.”
How does he do that? How does he make meforget why I’m concerned, hurt, or angry? How does he replace allmy thoughts with only ones of him? I trail my finger down hisstubbled jaw, the tiny hairs prickling me. “You’ve been gone allday. I missed you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
I place a few soft kisses on his lips beforehe finally gives in and takes over. He slowly works his lips overmine, teasing them with his tongue. I moan into his mouth, slippingmy tongue in. The taste of peppermint hits me. Goosebumps pop upall over my body as he trails his fingers down my spine. I slide myfingers through his hair, leaning into him, needing to get as closeas possible. He grabs my hair and pulls my head back, his gazeroaming my face.
“Change.”
“God! I hope you never have daughters,” Isay, rolling my eyes.
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
“How can you be so sure? Even you can’tcommand sons to be born.”
He slides me off his lap and heads for thedoor. With his hand on the knob, he turns to me, his expressionstern.
“Because I’m not having children. Ever.”
That’s what he leaves me with. I stare at thedoor wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. Christ, he’s bossy.And that thing about kids? I would have never expected that. He’sso good with Mikey. Despite what I said, I do believe he’d be agood father. A very strict one, but a good one nonetheless.
Oh, well, it’s his choice. I definitely wantkids someday. Someday far, far away, though.
I change into the sweatpants, drop it on myhips, and tie the strings to keep it in place. The T-shirt, I throwon over my bandeau and tie a knot in the back. I just hope hedoesn’t get mad over me showing my belly button. I head back out,holding up the too-long legs of the pants. Chrissy’s in a cornercuddled up with Ron and smoking a joint, so I seek out Gage. Heturns to me as I approach the bar where he’s sitting and drinking abeer.
“Better?” I ask, with a bit of attitude.
“Better.”
