Page 144 of Play of Love
Chapter 2
Gage
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She never failed to amaze me. I had known Evie my whole life, and she still managed to surprise the hell out of me.
She was probably the only woman to do that, and I was very interested to see just how we were going to pull this off ... whatever it was we were supposed to be doing.
Evie couldn't be serious about Italy. She just couldn't. The idea was bad, everything about it was bad, and Grams was setting herself up for heartbreak. Heartbreak was the last thing she needed now. Not now when her health was at stake.
It was up to me to take a stand and be firm despite her desire to go, but I just couldn't. Her words got to me.
It was true. She believed in me when no one else had, and she invested her life into trying to give me everything I wanted. She'd do anything for me without question, anything at all.
Her words got to Evie too. I watched that firm exterior Evie liked to show the world melt away and turn into the woman that fascinated me. The woman she released when she played her violin. It was as if she had to break down the walls she'd placed around her emotions, and what would come out was this thing of beauty that had to be felt to be described.
I was glad she'd come with me, and helped get Grams home. I knew I wouldn't have been able to get her back home by myself and right now I wasn't exactly sure what my next move was going to be.
I'd been sitting in the living room contemplating since we got back. I thought I'd give Evie some time with her because she seemed to offer a comfort I couldn't.
"I made her some chamomile tea." Evie's voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked away from the oriental patterned vase I'd been staring at and turned to face her as she walked in. "She may want another cup later." She added, folding her arms under her breasts, drawing my attention to the slight hint of cleavage her peach colored camisole top revealed. The color enhanced the golden sun-kissed undertones of her skin. I had always thought Evie had a wild, interesting sort of beauty that had continuously fascinated me.
"Thanks."
"Well, I'd better go pack." She sighed widening her large green eyes.
"You're serious about going?" I had to ask because it all seemed unreal, and still like a very bad idea.
"Of course I'm going." Her face wrinkled with annoyance.
I rose from the sofa and walked up to her. "This is a really terrible idea. You know that right?"
"It doesn't matter how good an idea it is." Her brows knitted and a firm line etched between them.
"And, what will we do if it goes to hell?"
She tilted her head to the side and regarded me with keen eyes. "We?"
I smiled at her. "Yes,we. I'm not having you running around Italy with my grandmother. Anything could happen."
I didn't mean for that to come out the way it did, but it was too late. The words were said, and I'd dealt my cards. Anger lit up her beautiful green eyes, and she straightened up with her hands on her hips.
"I'm certain anything could happen with, or without you there. Besides, who do you think you are, our bodyguard or something? Do I look like I need a bodyguard?"
I wished she wouldn't say things like that. It was an invitation to look. Looking may never get most people in trouble, but it certainly would put me right in trouble's path if I continued, and she wasn't making it any easier by pouting at me with those full, glossy pink lips.
I couldn't help myself around a beautiful woman. I never could, even if the said beauty hated me to no end, and got annoyed just from the sheer fact that I lived and breathed.
Women tended to gravitate towards me and flirt shamelessly. It was a privilege that came with being the quarterback for the Gladiators, and just being popular.
Evie however was the exception. There would be no gravitating and definitely no shameless flirting from her.
"I just meant I'm coming too, safety in groups and all that."
"Gage, you'd better not piss me off." She stepped closer, into my personal space. Not even my teammates would dare do that. But yet, Miss Evelyn Matthews, looked at me as if she could take me down with no effort at all. When a stern expression filled her face, I couldn't help but laugh.
Her brows snapped together, and she pouted even more. "It's not funny. I'm in no mood for you and your foolishness."
