Page 39 of Chasing I Do
“Thisthingbetween us,” he palmed her hips, tugging her closer, “has nothing to do with Kyle, or my family. It is betweenus.” He studied her. “Or does it have something to do with Kyle?”
The insecurity she heard in his voice had her resting her hand over his heart. “You and Kyle have never been confused in my mind.” And when he didn’t look wholly convinced, she said, “Ever.This thinghas nothing to do with you sharing the same DNA. Butthis thingaffects everybody in our lives, including Kylie. I don’t want to confuse her, Gage. I don’t want her to finally get you in her life, then lose you because we have chemistry.”
I don’t want to get you back and then lose you again.
Once his family caught wind that there was more here than Gage getting to know his niece, it would implode. Margo would send out the hounds—and in this town that meant five strong, sexy, alpha men with piercing blue eyes and a fierce loyalty to their family. And she didn’t want Kylie to become a casualty.
“Pink, this thingis a hell of a lot more than chemistry and we both know it.” Gage slid his hands around her waist and tugged her even closer. “But since I know how important it is for you to sample before you decide…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, didn’t need to. Gage lowered his head slowly, giving her time to pull back. But she didn’t, and it was the best stupid decision she’d ever made. Because the moment his lips touched hers, seven hundred volts of sexual energy combined with seven years of missed opportunity pumped through her body.
The punch so potent she felt her heart actually give a breathlessOh my.
“Holy Christ,” he whispered against her lips. “I knew it would be amazing, but this.”
She looked up into his eyes. “You can’t decide after only one tasting.”
“This is my kind of tasting.” Gage hauled her up against him, deepening the connection.
Darcy had to agree, this was the best tasting she’d ever had. Kissing Gage was like eating wedding cake with a layer of every one of her favorite flavors—and extra frosting. It was even better. For a girl who was adamant about sampling all of the options before settling on just one, with Gage all it took was a single taste and she knew. This wasn’t a case of simple chemistry.
Kissing Gage felt like coming home.
???
The transformation was breathtaking.
Belle Mont was not just a historic house in the hills above downtown, it looked like a festival of lights. Antique urns, overflowing with cream and white flowers, lined the brick patio and led to three long tables, which stretched beneath the canopy of giant crepe myrtles. Crystal chandeliers hung from the sky, it seemed, and hundreds of glass-housed candles were strung overhead, casting a soft golden glow over the party.
The vows had been given, the cake had been cut, and love permeated the air as couples slowly swayed to the live music, holding on to the song as if they never wanted it to end. But what had Gage’s heart thumping was the sexy orchestrator standing on the other side of the dancefloor.
Clipboard in hand, her finger on her earpiece, Darcy oozed control and competence.
Dressed in a classy little black number that started at her collarbone and fell right below the curve of her knees, she stood out like a diamond in a sea of gems. Her hair was in a soft twist at the back of her neck, her eyes glimmered with excitement, and her heels hinted at the passion that lie beneath the polish.
The woman was sexy, sophisticated, and damn gorgeous.
But what had him taking a seat on her front porch, content to enjoy the view for a while, was that zipper. A single zipper that started between her shoulder blades and went the entire length of the dress.
A zipper Gage wanted to remove. With his teeth.
He could have called her the moment he got off the phone with Rhett, even saved himself the drive and emailed her. But what was the fun of delivering this kind of news when he couldn’t see her reaction? Couldn’t watch that sweet smile of hers take flight? He’d been a part of so many bad memories in her life, he wanted to be with her when she created an amazing one.
Darcy put up a brave front for the world, using competence as a way to fight off the loneliness and worry about the future. And that slayed him. Because Gage knew all too well how empty big moments could feel when there was no one to share them with.
He’d finished up at the office, left Fancy with a sitter, and drove straight here to help her celebrate. More importantly, he came to make sureshewas celebrated. So when he saw that the wedding was still in full swing, he quietly made his way to the darkened cottage and got comfortable, content to wait all night if needed.
And that was how Gage found himself, two hours later, sitting in the rocking chair, waiting as the last of the employees headed home. And that was how he watched Darcy move to the center of the dancefloor and silently look up at Belle Mont House, as if to remind herself that it was all real.
And it was all hers.
Gage slowly made his way across the bridge, making sure his footsteps announced his presence.
She didn’t move, not even to look back when she said, “It was a beautiful night, don’t you think?” and he realized she’d been aware of him all along.
He walked up behind her so he could see the same view as Darcy. But the closer he got, he couldn’t take his eyes off of that zipper, or the way her hair highlighted the bare curve of her neck.
“Stunning.”
