Page 88 of Forbidden Secrets
“Addy wants us to get married,” he murmured, brushing his lips along her jaw.“She brought it up when I tucked her in.Said she and Pancake want us to be a family.”
“She loves you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”He rested his forehead on hers, his voice rough.“I love you so damn much.I want the life we can have together.”
Melanie marveled at how much had changed in a few short weeks.
“I love you, Gage.And I’m all in.”
***
Gage woke early, the sky outside the windows lightening to gray.He tightened his hold on the woman curled into his side.They’d needed each other during the night, needed the physical release of their love after the nightmare of the day.
Melanie stirred, rubbing her cheek against his chest.“Good morning.”She pressed warm lips to the ridge of his pectorals, then his neck.
He let his fingers roam over her bare back as desire stirred.“How early does Addy wake up?”
“Not this early.Why do you ask?”she purred, even as her hand drifted along his ribs, then lower.“How about that?Someone is happy to see me this morning.”
“I’m always happy to see you.”
He rolled her under him, pushing up her top to take her nipple in his mouth.Her hands threaded through his hair.He gave the same attention to the other breast before he lifted his head and smiled.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hello, handsome.”She stretched languorously beneath his touch.
They made loved slowly, quietly, desire building until both were breathless.He explored with his lips—her chin, the hollow of her throat, the soft skin below her ear, groaning when she wrapped her hand around him, stroking lightly, then with more urgency.
When he slipped inside her, she was wet and ready for him.Her eyes grew heavy as she took him into her body, then they were moving together, slow at first, then more forcefully as control strained against its limits.She broke first, coming with a long, languid moan.He followed, his orgasm making him feel he’d been shot from a bow in a heady rush, arcing free through the air.
He rolled again, this time bringing her on top of him.She laid her head on his chest and Gage held her close to his heart.Over the past weeks, the restlessness and loneliness that had dogged him had evaporated, a contentment like he’d never felt taking their place.
***
With Pancake on a leash, Gage wandered the school carnival.Kids darted by in costume, chasing prizes and sugar highs.Melanie had her eye on a Kalua chocolate cake and dragged Esme to the cake walk.Kids and adults walked away from Antonia’s face painting booth with flowers and peace symbols on their cheeks.
When Esme arrived that morning, Melanie had grabbed his arm and said, “This is Gage, my fiancé.”Esme whooped, tackled Gage in a hug, then pulled back to wag a finger at him.“Mel’s the best person I know.Break her heart and you answer to me.”
In the crowd, he heard snippets of conversation about “something big” happening out at the Lockwood mill and news of Rhonda’s death and Chase’s arrest being passed around.The events of the day before would be big news anywhere, but in a little town like Sisters it reverberated through the community.Rhonda’s deceit was over.Chase wouldn’t be hurting anyone else.
Gage’s relief was bone-deep.Donna had come out of it with a torn meniscus but a good prognosis.Melanie, somehow, was smiling again.And Addy?That little girl was sunshine wrapped in sparkles and grit.
That morning, they’d stopped by Donna and Paul’s house to give their engagement news in person.His future mother-in-law had been thrilled, while Paul’s reaction was more measured.Gage figured, like Esme, Paul would take him out if he hurt Melanie.
Addy and Isla ran to him, hands clasped.They both shone with princess costumes and glittery cheeks.
“Gage, can we play the ping-pong ball game over there?”
“Sure.”They looked at him expectantly.Catching on, he asked, “Do you have tickets?”
“No, but you can get us more.”Addy gave him her dimpled smile and Isla clasped her hands under her chin and batted her eyelashes.Gage blinked.Where did girls learn to do that?
“You’re dangerous,” he muttered, handing them a ten-dollar bill.He was so screwed but in the best way possible.
The girls shouted their thanks and raced off.
“Rookie mistake.”Melanie joined him, grinning, her dimples flashing.
