GAGE

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"I followed the trail of blood." Gage's body goes rigid and fiery blue flames ignite his eyes at the reminder of my injuries.

I grimace. "The maintenance staff will not be happy tomorrow morning."

"It's alright. It's been taken care of."

"What?" I manage to say astonished.

"My men have taken care of it. Don't worry." His tone and body language are dismissive.

Men? He has men at his disposal?

"Why are you here?" I decide to voice the more pressing issue.

"I was on a jog and thought of stopping by." He places me on the edge of the bed and I watch entranced as his eyes glaze over, turning a blackish blue for a few heartbeats before returning to their normal dark blue, making me wonder for the umpteenth time if it was a figment of my imagination or the dim lighting in the room.

As his words catch on in my sluggish brain, my eyes wander down to his bare feet. "Without shoes?" My tone denotes my perplexity.

He scratches the nape of his neck before dazzling me with a lopsided grin, "I lost them in the woods. One got stuck in the overgrowth so I decided to just take 'em off. Now, where do you keep the bags?"

"Did you get hurt?" I move my gaze over his feet, searching for signs of bruises. Frowning at his spotless feet I pull my eyes back to his.

"No, love. I'm fine." His sweet voice and tender look makes my heart skip a beat.

God, he's dangerous to my heart.

I quickly shake myself out of my reverie and ask, "You were jogging in the woods? Why?"

"It's very peaceful running in the woods. It sets you free." His eyes are intent on mine, seemingly gauging my reaction.

"Yeah, I understand. It brings a sense of serenity." My lips tug in a genuine smile as I flick my gaze towards the greenery across my open windows before focusing back on him.

He blinks, apparently taken aback by my response. "You do?"

"Yeah, it feels like home." I chuckle, "If that makes sense."

Squatting down in front of me, he cups my face and looks deep in my eyes, "It does, Kiera. More than you'll ever know."

"Then tell me," I whisper, wanting to know the truth behind the secrets.

"You're not ready yet, love." He tucks an errand strand of hair behind my ear before whispering, "I'll tell you everything you want to know when I know for certain that you're ready."

What is he talking about? What do I need to be ready for? My pulse beats erratically and my mind clogs with worries about the future.

"I could never lie to you, Kiera." His words from the classroom come to my mind and this time as I gaze back at his dark hues, I peer into his soul. Behind the cloud of concern and anger rests the truth, a truth that is eager to come out, but will only be revealed when he has me exactly where he wants.

Where that place is? Something tells me that that's the point of no return, once I'm drawn inside, retreating would be impossible. And if I even attempted to, it would be catastrophic to both of us.

"Gage..." My mind tells me to prod more, but my heart tells me to wait, to believe in him, to trust his judgement, to give him time.

Listening to my heart entwined my life with this incredible man and I can only hope this decision of its that I'm about to follow through with will only bring me closer to him and continues to lead me down the path of belonging that I'm now treading with Gage.

Deciding to believe in my heart yet again, I quit my quest of unravelling Gage and all his secrecy. For now.

"Can I have my shirt back," I hold out my hand needing to have a clear mind and not distracting thoughts of having his fingers on me again.

"Not yet, I want to enjoy the view while I pack." He trails a knuckle over my pebbled n****e, making it harden further.

My body sings in euphoria and my back arches, drawing me closer to his touch, to his heat, like a moth drawn to a flame, Gage is my kryptonite.

With a pleased smile on his face he mumbles softly, "Bags, love."

Thoughts of staying with him, with my professor comes crashing down like a tidal wave, high, fast and destructive. My heart squeezes painfully, as my mind battles with my heart about right and wrong. My mind screams at me to not go with my professor while my heart whispers at me to go with Gage, the man.

"Gage, we shouldn't do this," Though my words are whispered, it is not the whispered words of my heart. It is the words of dejection spoken from my mind.

"Why, Kiera?" Using his thumb and forefinger he draws my chin up, forcing me to lock my moist eyes on his worried ones.

"You're my professor, this isn't right. You should go." My voice cracks revealing the utter devastation behind my words.

I don't want him to go. I don't want him to leave me. Not tonight...Not ever.

"I'm not leaving," Gage growls, the sound trembling down my neck and body through his fingers on my chin. Inching closer on his knees, he smooths his thumb up my chin and over my lower lip, stroking the plump flush as he says, "I'm not going anywhere without you, love. I'm not a professor, I'm a businessman. You can stop tearing yourself apart about the teacher-student relationship illegality. I don't teach there. Like I said earlier today, I only enrolled there to keep an eye on you. I know you didn't believe me then but I'm telling you the truth, you got to learn to trust me, Kiera. Yo-"

I cut him off. "I do trust you, Gage."

There's no other greater truth. I trust him with a force beyond me.

Somehow the events of the night changed me, changed us. And after seeing the honesty in his eyes at his declaration, the final chain on my feelings snap and my hearts soars with abandon.

His lips immediately crash down on mine in a demanding kiss. His fingers curl in my hair, holding me in place as he delves deeper. Somehow every kiss we share is different than the last and this one is no different. This time it's not merely a passionate smooch, it's a claiming kiss. As our lips mould together in urgency, our tongues entwine in an intimate dance. His taste explodes over my taste buds and I ravenously rejoice in his cool minty flavour while the heat from his mouth warms every single cell in my body.

A moan works its way past my lips and he consumes it. His arm curls around my waist, crashing my soft curves against his hard one. I lock my arms around his neck and legs around his waist wanting him closer, wanting to feel every inch of him- needing all of him.

I get lost in the kiss, the soreness from my injuries the last of my thoughts as he takes as much as I give and then demands some more.

With a toe curling bite to my lower lip, he tears his mouth away from mine. While my rapid breaths fill the room, Gage is relaxed and composed, not even a little out of breath as he gazes at me with hooded eyes.

"You've no idea how happy you have made me, how happy you make me." His voice drops an octave, making his words more intimate.

My heart skips another beat and I melt against him, giving him all of my weight. "I want to pursue this with you." I peer at him through my lashes as I whisper the words.

His hand on my waist tightens and he nods in response. "As soon the threa- situation is under control, the real teacher, Mr. Philip will take over. It's only for a short time, love, I promise. Just don't hold back on me."

I don't entirely understand the meaning behind his words but I understand one crucial element- I can have a relationship with Gage.

"Okay," I mumble softly, relishing the pleasant tingles running through my skin.

After a peck on the tip of my nose, he pulls his hands away and asks for the overnight bag for the umpteenth time.

Giggling, I unlock my arms and legs from around him before pointing to the closet, "I'll go pack it."

"Not happening, you're not putting weight on your feet till they're healed."

"Gage, it's not going to take more than five minutes." I huff at the domineering alpha male.

"Tell me where you keep the bags, love." He says impatiently.

"No." I squint my eyes at him and cross my arms over my chest, unwilling to back down.

Heat crawls to my cheeks at the thought of Gage packing my undergarments. No way am I letting him go through my lingerie drawer.

My actions draws his eyes to my breasts and my cheeks ignite in flames, feeling ten times hotter than before. He gives me a lazy smile, reading my unspoken thoughts with expertise. "Common love, we got to get your wounds checked out by the Doc. Tell me where they are."

"I'm not telling you Gage. I can and I will do it myself." I push off the bed but his hands immediately grasp my hip and I find myself seated again. "Gage!"

"I don't want to see you in pain. Ever again. Even if it's for the few minutes it'll take to pack a bag." His voice is hard and unrelenting but I keep my mouth shut, unwilling to give forth what he's seeking.

We then engage in a staring contest, both of us opposing to back down.

Suddenly, his eyes take on a wicked glint and my heart flutters knowing he's up to something, something bad, but still eagerly waiting for it.

"I could search the entire closet and find it, but as you're insisting on not telling me, I can only assume one thing." Dipping his face, he whispers in my ear, "You want to be naked for me."

My sharp intake of breath echos in the silent room. I open my mouth to protest but he beats me to it.

"I won't ever deny you what you want. If you want to be naked all the time, day and night, I have absolutely no problem staying in bed naked with you either. As a matter of fact, I'd love it."

"It's...It's in the, uh, cupboard behind the door." I sputter as my heart beats overtime and my body heats from head to toe from the images of Gage and I rolling around naked on his sheets.

Sweet mother of God! How will a naked Gage look?

Images of Gage's bare torso from the night in the club plays on repeat in my head. His hard pectorals, washboard abs and the dark trail of hair leading to...

The sound of laughter brings me out of my southward thoughts. My eyes focus on Gage and find him shaking with laughter. Even though he's laughing at my expense, the melodic sound pulls on my heart strings and I memorise his eyes crinkling with joy, and the dimples forming on his whiskered cheeks before locking it away for storage in my 'Gage treasure trove.' His rugged appearance takes on a youthful charm as deep belly laughs rumbles up his chest and something tells me he doesn't get to do this often- laughing and being carefree. And instantly my heart, no, my entire being makes it its mission to always see him like this.

A smile tugs on my lips but I contain it and fake frown at him.

"Don't worry, love, you'll find out soon." His face turns serious and his eyes turn dark as he promises, "Soon, Kiera."

I gulp and try not to ponder on his last words. Instead, I focus on his other words and feel warmth snaking up my chest as his words finally hits me and mortification sets in.

I said that out loud?!

My eyes widen in disbelief as I gaze at him questioningly and silently beg him to deny that I didn't say my naughty thoughts aloud; to be talking about something else. But he merely nods his head, confirming my horror.

I said that out loud! Dear Lord, how much of that did I say aloud?

I avert my eyes to the floor embarrassed and let my long hair act as a cover for my bright red face.

A deep sigh penetrates the quiet room. "No need to be embarrassed, love. It gives me immense pleasure that I'm on your mind like how you constantly are on mine. I'm yours, Kiera. You can have how much ever unholy, dirty thoughts as you like. I would love to hear about them and fulfil each and every single one of them."

My head snaps up at his erotic words and my ears ring with the rapid thumping of my heart. He pushes my hair off my shoulder and trails his palm down my arm almost as if he just can't help himself from touching me. Getting to his feet, he turns on his heel, an amused smile still gracing his lips.

I ogle his firm ass framed spectacularly in his low hanging jeans as he confidently gaits to my closet before disappearing behind the door. Soon, the sound of cupboards opening and closing, and rummaging reaches across the room.

I groan and bury my face in my hands thinking about my colour coordinated lingerie drawers.

Tingles erupt on my hands as the warmth from his fingers prying my hands away from my face seeps into my pores. I spot my overnight bag sitting by his feet and find it completely filled out, making me wonder just how much he packed.

"Isn't that too much for a day?"

He doesn't reply to my question, instead he asks one of his own. "Ready to go?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" I c**k an eyebrow. When he doesn't respond I grumble glaring at him. "Like the fact that I'm still half naked?"

His eyes run over every inch of my exposed skin, taking in every curve and feature. His eyes linger on my birthmarks as though memorising them. And the cool room suddenly feels brazenly hot from his detailed perusal. With one last slow glance, he carefully drapes the shirt over my head, arms and body, effectively covering me up and hiding me from his sensual visual caressing.

After tossing the bag over his shoulder, in one quick motion he's cradling me in his arms again but this time I don't protest, I circle my arms around his neck and welcome the closeness. He glides across the hallway like I'm weightless and asks for the keys. I mutely point to key holder and he takes it, locking the door with the hand behind my back while holding onto me just as firmly as before, never sifting me an inch.

I stare at him in awe as we ride down the lift. Catching me gawking, he nuzzles his nose against mine before exiting the lift and building.

Spotting his sleek black SUV, I frown at him, "You said you were jogging, why is your car here?"

"I asked one of my men to get it for me when I spotted the blood. I thought it would be quicker if someone needed to go to the hospital."

"It's not wired in me to ever utter a lie to you." His strong words from before echo in my mind and my mind, heart and soul all agree with absolute conviction that Gage is a man of his words. No matter how hard I try to conjure the idea of him lying to me, my mind instantly shuts it down, completely against the thought of thinking of him as the type of man who goes back on his words.

So if he's not lying, what is he hiding?

Something tells me that it'll only be answered with time, when I know this man thoroughly and unravel his mysteries. Only then, I will be bestowed with the knowledge of the information he's masking.

Opening the passenger door he gently places me on the seat before dragging the seat belt below my arm and over my stomach, explaining that it's so as to not hurt my shoulder. I swoon at his thoughtful consideration and watch him through my lashes as he clicks the belt into place. Slowly he pulls away, stroking his long fingers across my stomach and making them flutter.

After closing the passenger door he places the overnight bag on the back seat and gets in beside me before quickly starting the engine. As he drives by the city boundaries an odd sense of nervousness takes root in the pit of my stomach. I try to focus on the road ahead and not on the trees passing by but I find myself warily watching the woods every few minutes from the passenger side window.

A loud howl pierces through the quiet night and my paranoia raises off the charts. My pulse spikes and I break out in a cold sweat as I fidget in my seat, anxious to get away from the dark, lonely woods.

"Kiera!" Gage's commanding voice cuts through the fog of anxiousness and I concentrate on him. His eyes are steady on me and I am suddenly struck with a lightning bolt of truth. While he's the kryptonite of my heart, he's the armour of my mind. With this new realisation, I focus entirely on him and rely on him to centre me.

Satisfied that I'm mentally back, he unsnaps my seat belt and loops his free hand around my waist and hauls me over the centre console, all the while steering the wheel with his other hand. A sense of déjà vu hits me reminiscing the day I straddled his lap and kissed him goodbye. But this time I don't straddle him, I sit crossways with his hand holding me firmly to him, acting as my personalised seat belt. As his power and familiar scent envelope me, I curl up on his lap and rest my cheek on his chest for the reminder of the ride, content with the soothing sound of his strong, steady heartbeat.