GAGE

CHAPTER SIX

When we're a few blocks away from the apartment I share with Ava, I turn to study Gage's profile. Thick hair the colour of dark chocolate, straight eyebrows, mesmerising indigo eyes framed by long lashes, high cheekbones, perfect stubble and enchanting pink lips.

Feeling my eyes on him, he turns to look at me and graces me with a smile. The sweet curve of his lips drawing my attention.

"When did you move to Fate City, love?" Gage questions, sounding curious.

I feel my brows draw together, "How do you know that I haven't lived here before?"

"It's very rare to have new people coming into town. I haven't seen you here before and trust me I'd remember if I did." Gage replies, raking his eyes leisurely on my frame, taking in my jet-black hair, soft brown eyes, small button nose, stopping on my plump lips for a few seconds before descending and continuing their pursuit on my neck, hickey- which he looks at with immense satisfaction, collarbones, breasts-which he studies for several moments as his eyes get darker with each passing second, before trailing sensually over my stomach, hips, thighs and legs. His thorough scrutiny leaves me breathless.

"You should concentrate on the road." I cringe when my voice comes out breathy.

He chuckles and the sound is music to my ears, causing my heart to flutter. It's deep, smooth and manly.

He winks at me, before turning back to the road. I thank God that he finally glanced away, because the devastation the wink caused my insides is catastrophic. My heart skips a beat and melts at the same time. This astonishing man is wrecking glorious havoc one after another on me and neither my mind nor my heart can keep up. Just the power of his wink, this up close is enough to knock me out!

So, he's talented in kissing a girl senseless, taking control in the bedroom and giving her numerous earth shattering orgasms, taking care of her afterward and lastly, winking at her and capturing her in a tornado called Gage.

Just wonderful!

"Kiera?" Gage prompts, bringing me out of my musings and back to his original question.

"Oh, I moved here a few weeks back to join Phoenix college."

I think back to the first day Ava and I moved here to get our college admission finalised and pay mortgage on the apartment we sought out online. That was our first step at being independent and the first time we were away from Moonrock, our hometown. When we finally saw the apartment for ourselves we were more than happy to call that cute little place our humble abode. The following weeks were spent on checking out the city, familiarising ourselves around town, stocking our kitchen and decorating our dwelling to make it lively, appealing and inviting.

It's safe to say we love our cosy sanctuary and are proud to call it our own.

"Hmm. Do you frequent night clubs, Kiera?" Gage's voice is cold and his jaw is ticking.

My mouth suddenly feels dry and I swallow hard before responding in a small voice, "No."

Rethinking entering the club, I come to the realisation that while I had dreaded going inside, I'm thankful that I did for it lead me to Gage.

"But you stepped foot in one yesterday," Gage scowls.

"It's a long story," I sigh, thinking about Ava being homesick and wanting to see Ethan.

We decided to drive back home the day before and meet everyone before we got busy with the semester.

Upon our arrival, we visited Ava's parents first, then mine and went to see Ethan later that evening. However, the scene we stumbled upon in Ethan's house, more specifically, in his room was shocking and not one that neither Ava nor I had ever expected. Ethan was naked from the waist up, standing in the centre of the room with his arms around a semi nude Lucy, and shoving his tongue down her throat.

What we witnessed came as a huge blow to both Ava and I because, while Ethan was Ava's high school sweetheart, he was also my only male friend.

We were so stunned by the betrayal that when they both noticed us in the room, we just stood there, incredulous.

When Ethan had made a move to reach out to Ava and called her cherry- the term of endearment he used to address her ever since they started dating in the first year of high school, we finally snapped out of our unbelieving trance. Ava had whimpered before running out of the room.

While I had wanted to follow her, I'd glared at Ethan instead.

Consumed by rage, I'd demanded an explanation.

He hadn't looked even slightly guilty, he had merely shrugged in response and that was when I lost it. I had closed the five feet distance between us and smacked him on the cheek, while Lucy gasped beside us.

My hand had stung but the ugly red mark on his cheek was worth it.

Calling both Ethan and Lucy a few choice words, I had exited the room and walked out of the house fuming. But, when I'd found Ava crying in her car, the anguish and hatred had quickly dissipated and was replaced by tears of agony.

What really hurt the most for us was him cheating on Ava with Lucy. Ava and I shared a mutual hate for Lucy since middle school, as she had always tried to make our school life miserable and at times had succeeded. So, for Ava, the thought of her boyfriend and for me, thought of my only guy friend, hooking up with her was a low blow.

The twisted part was that Lucy would have done it just to take a dig at Ava and I and Ethan had fallen into the clutches of her games this time.

I had driven us back to Fate City, while Ava wept and then fumed in the passenger seat.

Subsequently, we hit a few clubs until they began shutting down after midnight and had finally ended up in the Wicked Wolf Club as it was only place that was open.

Gage takes a few deep breaths, bringing my attention back on him, probably trying to calm himself as his clenched jaw and tight grip on the steering wheel relaxes.

"I would ask you to elaborate but unfortunately, we're here." Gage mutters, the harshness from before leaving his voice, only to be replaced by gloom.

I wonder if he's going to miss me as well.

Oh, who am I kidding! I'd probably be forgotten by tomorrow.

"Promise me you'll be more careful next time, Kiera." Gage says sternly, his eyes demanding me to agree and not defy him regarding my safety.

"Promise, Gage," I whisper, touched by his concern before breaking eye contact and twisting my head to look outside the window, seeing that we're indeed parked in front of my apartment building.

I stare at the moderate sized building for a few seconds as I try to compose myself and put a leash on my galloping emotions.

What is wrong with me? I have known him for a night, okay, and half of a day now, but it still shouldn't matter as he's a complete stranger, older than me and a Dom for crying out loud!

Yet, I feel a strange constriction in my chest, as my heart knows and acknowledges the reality- my time with Gage has come to an end.

"Kiera?" The sound of my name from his deep, rich baritone sends a thrill down my spine.

Blinking, I try to shake off the melancholy and take a deep breath before turning around to face him, steeling myself for the goodbye.

His dark blue eyes soften as he takes in my face before leaning forward and unbuckling my seat belt.

"What are you doing?" I squeak.

"Showing you that you have nothing to worry about, love." Gage replies, his voice strong with determination.

He places his hands on my waist and hauls me over the centre console, settling me on his lap so that I'm straddling him.

I gasp in surprise at our intimate position. My hips rests against his, while my bent legs are nestled on the outer side of his strong thighs. His hands are locked around my waist while mine lie on his shoulders.

"Love," he breathes, understanding in his eyes and that's when my strong facade crumbles. I move my hands around his neck and hug him tightly, expressing all my feelings in the hug. I bury my face in the crook between his neck and shoulder and breathe him in. My nostrils fill with his familiar scent of pinewood, Earth and something exotic that is just Gage.

His arms tighten around me, bringing me more flush against his rock hard body. His warmth seeps into my body, heating me to very tips of my toes. He mimics my actions and buries his face in the crook of neck, inhaling deeply before biting down softly on the love bite and suckling. Placing a tender kiss over it, he tugs on my hair gently, drawing me back so that we're face to face again.

His eyes, a clear dark blue, the darkest shade I've ever seen, gaze at me with fondness.

"Your bourbon eyes are beautiful. I'm bewitched by them," he whispers huskily.

Another pang shoots through my heart. Why did I have to bid adieu to the only man who has ever admired me, seen me for what I am and wanted me, even though it was just for a night.

"I'll miss you, Kiera," Gage says against my lips before claiming them in a scorching kiss. I kiss him firmly, hoping to convey the desperation riding every cell in my body. He traces his tongue on my lips, asking for entrance and I open my mouth immediately, welcoming the warm heat of his tongue. Our tongues tangle with one another battling for dominance, while one of his hands move up my spine to the base of my neck, his fingers tangling in the hair at my nape before tugging and directing my head to the side to deepen the kiss. The erotic sting on my scalp from his slight tug has me moaning out his name and losing the battle between our tongues as he delves deeper inside my mouth and caresses every inch of it with his tongue.

I squirm in his lap, his mouth awakening every cell in my body and igniting my core. My mound comes in contact with his hardness as I tremble against him. He groans deep in his throat before banding his muscular hand tighter around me, effectively holding me in place.

I plunge my tongue inside the snugness of his mouth, trailing it over every nook and corner, knowing in my heart and mind that this is my last kiss with Gage.

Even though I'm almost out of breath I continue to devour his mouth, but Gage pulls back an inch after a few seconds, recognising my need for air and takes my bottom lip into his mouth, sucking on it before letting go.

My rugged breathing causes my soft breasts to brush against his hard chest, making me feel feminine and acknowledge his raw masculinity. My gaze drops to his chiselled chest, revealed from the buttons undone on his dark green shirt and once again take note that he is breathing normally while I'm gasping to get air into my lungs like a fish out of water.

I frown, wondering just how fit he must be. Judging by his ripped muscles, he must work out a lot.

Gage opens the car door and manages to get both of us out of the car without letting me go. He keeps his arm locked around me, my upper body still level with his while my legs dangle in the air, a feet away from the ground. After closing the car door with his free hand he gazes down at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Put me down," I huff at his mockery of my height but that's just a front I'm putting up to hide my despair. My mind, body, heart and soul will miss everything about him- his exotic odour, his warmth, the comfort of being in his arms, his passionate kisses and his beautiful dark blue eyes.

He nuzzles his nose in my neck, breathing in deeply before letting me slide down his body agonising slowly.

Once I'm on my feet, he trails his knuckles down my cheek affectionately before leaning down and placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Have a fun first day at college, love." With those parting words he gets inside his car and accelerates away.

I stand there, watching him with longing as he speeds down the street, taking a piece of my heart and soul with him.