Page 77 of Forbidden Secrets
Gage drove deeper, pushing her higher, then higher still.Her heart swelled as she reached the crest.“That’s it, baby.Come for me.”He drove her harder, pummeling into her until finally,finally,she came apart with a keening cry.
Gage slowed, letting her ride out her orgasm.When she thought she might slide off the bed in a languid puddle, he gripped her hips, stoking her pleasure once more.“Again, Mel.Give it to me again.”
“I don’t think I can.”
Steady, strong, determined, he worked her, mouth on her breasts, fingers moving between their bodies, forceful thrusts filling and stretching, building her desire, and once again she was on the edge of oblivion.
“It’s too much—”
Gage’s jaw clenched.“You can, baby.Give it to me.”He thrust powerfully, holding her body tight against his, and when she shattered, he followed, burying his face in her neck, his hot breath on her skin.
They lay tangled together in the quiet.He moved a strand of hair from her eyes.
She ducked her head to rest on his chest, suddenly feeling exposed.
He brushed back her bangs.“You don’t have to hide from me, Mel.”
“This is scary.”
Being like this with Gage could be a big mistake and leave her vulnerable to heartache on a level she’d never experienced.
“What’s scary?”
“You.Us.My feelings.”
Infinitely gentle, he said, “If it helps, I’m scared too.I’m falling for you, Melanie.Hard.My reasons for not getting into relationships don’t seem to apply to you and Addy, because I want both of you.I want to give this a try.”
Fear clutched around her heart.She propped herself on his chest so she could look in his eyes.“I’m a bad bet, Gage.I’m not ready to commit to a relationship.”But even as she said the words, she realized she’d changed and what used to be true, no longer was.
“Melanie.”He smiled.“Hasn’t it occurred to you we’re already in a relationship?”
“Maybe.I think Pancake planned this.”
“Smart dog.”
The temptation to say yes to all of it, to let her heart be free of the restraints of the past, nearly overwhelmed her sense of self-preservation.“Seriously, what would a relationship even look like?Becoming involved with you includes Addy.My girl has a huge heart, and I don’t want to see it broken if this ends badly.”
“I’d take a bullet before hurting Addy, you’ve got to know that.And I believe she’s more resilient than you give her credit for.”His gaze remained steadfast, not allowing her to look away.“Give us a chance, Mel.Give me a chance.”
She sobered.“I’m still learning how to trust, Gage.”
“Then let’s take the leap together.Be honest.No games.Just us.And we’ll see where it goes.”
He brought her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her palm.
Her heart ached with fear, yes, but also something beautiful.She’d fallen in love with him, loved him in a way she never thought she could.
And it terrified her.
Maybe trust wasn’t the absence of fear.Maybe it was deciding to love in spite of it.
“Okay.”Her breath shuddered out.“We’ll see where this goes.”
His arms tightened around her and he sealed their commitment with a kiss that consumed her.
***
Melanie called Esme as she walked back from the bus stop after waving Addy off.Her best friend picked up on the second ring.
