Page 39 of Flirting With Forever
No, she told herself in no uncertain terms. The answer to every thought where Gage was concerned? NO.
She wouldn’t do that to him. Couldn’t. He’d been through enough already, and the only thing she had to offer him was pain.
Sloane lingered in the shower until her skin pruned, and then she forced herself out. She redressed her injuries, twisting like a pretzel to do them herself and ignoring the fact the act opened up the fresh wounds, all so she wouldn’t have to ask Gage for help. She didn’t do a great job, but it would suffice.
Once she finished, she dressed in loose-legged yoga pants to keep them protected. She tested her ankle next, realizing the slight swelling had gone down overnight, and other than a twinge when she moved it left or put too much of her weight on it, it didn’t hurt otherwise.
Hair up in a messy bun, she stared at her freckled face and told herself to get a grip. To remember why she’d drifted into town and why she’d soon be drifting out. She’d be gone. Very soon.
So why not indulge while you’re here? What’s the harm in a few kisses?
She groaned aloud and shook her head at her reflection. “No,” she whispered, heart breaking that this was her life. That she would miss out on such a great guy as Gage and what might be a potential future because of her past. Because of her family and the power they wielded.
She’d been smart enough to not leave home empty-handed, but she was terrified of standing up to her father. Her brothers. The ramifications of what that would mean. What it could mean.
Right now, they didn’t want to hurt her, only control her, but if they knew how much of a threat she actually was, that could change.
Desperately needing to keep herself busy, she started working on organizing her room once more. She’d finished the job of sorting everything into groups and containers, had labeled most, and just needed to finish making the reference list for Gage.
Realizing how close she was to completing the task left her moody and fighting back sadness. Only a few more days, and…then what? Where would she go next? How much damage had been done by the hurricane? Could she even travel inland, or did she need to go another direction? Were the roads flooded? Washed out?
She’d have to figure that out. Today if possible. Time enough to make a plan and decide on a route and?—
Her phone dinged, and she picked it up to see a message from Gage to come upstairs and eat before they headed out to assess the damage.
She reminded herself of all the reasons she needed to keep away from her gorgeous boss with every pain-tinged step up to his living area. The door was open, and he spotted her as though waiting for her arrival.
“Glad you decided to join me. I was hoping you would.”
She sucked in a breath and wet her lips. “Gage, we should talk.”
“Food first. I made you a sandwich. Sit down. I’ll take a look at your scrapes while you?—”
“They’re handled. I’m good. But thanks.” She slowly made her way toward the stools, pointedly keeping her gaze away from the couch and the secrets that had been shared there.
“No power means cold cuts,” he said. “Unless you’d rather have cereal or Pop-Tarts.”
“Pop-Tarts?” He didn’t seem the type.
A smile curled his handsome lips up, and she nearly tripped over her own feet. No, she reminded herself. Down, girl.
“Hudson loves them, so I try to keep some here for when he drops in.”
The sweetness of the gesture hit home, and she felt her heart squeeze even more in response. Gage was good. A good man. With a good heart. Caring and kind and not the type of man who could do battle with her father.
As of yesterday, she’d now met most of the brothers and their significant others during the work they’d done at the various locations. They were loud and teasing, protective and loving, everything she’d ever wanted her family to be. Without the threat of danger or bodily harm.
“Thanks for the sandwich,” she said softly, feeling him watching her as she settled in.
Gage sat beside her with a sandwich of his own, but with every bite, she grew more uncomfortable. He studied her, and when she’d finished, she took a drink from the water bottle he’d also supplied. She braced herself. “I’m sorry for last night. Cuddling up to you. I… The winds and the storm reminded me of when my mom— Anyway, I kind of forgot myself, and it was unprofessional. I hope I haven’t led you to think there could be anything more between us. If I have, I apologize for sending mixed signals.”
Gage didn’t respond, and she waited, barely breathing. When she couldn’t stand it a moment longer, she shifted her gaze and found his locked on her.
“That’s too bad, because I’m not sorry at all.”
Air whooshed from her lungs. “Gage.”
He leaned forward, catching his name on her lips and taking her mouth in a kiss that started off gentle and explorative but turned hot and heady in seconds because she couldn’t help but respond.
