GAGE

CHAPTER FIVE

I pull the sheet off of me and get up from bed, searching for my clothes from last night. Finding them strewn on the floor at the corner of the bed, I grab them quickly and make a beeline to the bathroom, not wanting to be seen naked in front of Gage again.

Locking the door behind me, I take in the dark themed spacious bathroom. Black marble floors and tiles, two dark green sinks with a huge rectangular mirror, a dark green rectangular bathtub in one corner that could easily fit more than two people and a state of the art shower in another corner.

Placing my clothes next to sink, I take in my reflection. My long black hair is messy and tangled, my brown eyes are brighter than usual, my lips are red and a bit swollen from all the kisses and my face looks flushed, but what stands out the most is the love bite on the side of my neck, it's shades of red and pink and clearly recognisable.

I groan thinking about all the interrogation I'll have to face from Ava, before going through the cabinets below the sink for a spare toothbrush. Spotting it, I quickly brush my teeth and take a shower in record time, the hot water soothing my body. Wiping my body dry with one of the towels in the cabinet, I get dressed in yesterday's clothes. I put on my bra, top and jeans, leaving my panties and going commando. Another first in the span of two days.

I run my fingers through my hair, untangling the knots and trying to tame it, before placing it on the side of the neck, in an attempt to hide the hickey.

Taking a deep breath, I muster up the courage to face Gage again and walk out of the bathroom.

Entering the room I see Gage sitting on the side of the bed with a tray of toast, bacon and fruits beside him. He also appears to have showered from the looks of his slightly wet hair and different clothes, a dark green button down shirt and black jeans. The top two buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing his tanned, chiselled chest. I thought Gage's bed hair was sexy, but his damp hair is on a whole new level. This man is mesmerizing from the bottom to the top.

His gaze is intense as he runs his eyes on me from head to toe, making my body ignite and come alive from just a look. After his assessment his dark blues lock on the hair on the side of my neck and narrow slightly, understanding the intention behind it but doesn't call out on it.

I tear my eyes away from his and focus on the food as I take a seat on the bed next to the tray, so that it is in between us.

"Are these of your liking?" Gage questions, his voice a deep timbre.

"Yes, thank you," I reply, managing to lock eyes with him while talking without getting lost in them.

Looking down at the tray, I go for my favourite, the fruits. There's an assortment of five different fruits- kiwi, strawberry, grapes, watermelon and chikoo. Taking the plate, I dig in hungrily.

Feeling his gaze on me, I turn my head to look at him and notice that he's not eating, simply staring at my lips. Lips, that suddenly feel dry from his entire focus. Licking my lips to moisten them, I ask, "Aren't you going to eat?"

His eyes look dark with hunger now, but not for the food, his hungry gaze is locked on my lips.

"I ate while you were in the shower," he mumbles, still looking at my lips.

"Are you sure? The watermelon's really sweet."

"Really? Let me have a taste," Gage mutters with a wicked glint in his eyes.

I look at the plate to hand him a piece of the watermelon when his hand is suddenly cupping the back of my neck, bringing my startled gaze back on him before he leans over the tray and captures my mouth in a passionate kiss. Pleasant tingles take over my body, making my toes curl and my breath catch in my throat. He sucks on my bottom lip and delves his tongue inside the warm heat of my mouth, coaxing my tongue to tangle with his and explore the inside of his mouth, while he devours mine. His mouth tastes like mint and I wonder if mine tastes like watermelon. The roughness of his stubble against my soft skin, only adding to my awareness of the strong, dominant male before me. His tongue caresses every inch of my mouth before nipping on my bottom lip and drawing back.

"You're right, it's incredibly sweet, love." Gage says, causing my eyes to fly open, I didn't even realise when I closed them. He has a crooked smile on his face, making him appear boyish and young. I swoon at the dimple forming on his cheek; can he get anymore good looking than he already is?

Apparently he can, as he dazzles me with a flown blown smile, showing off his pearly whites. Realising the cause of his amusement is my dazed gaze on him, I snap out of it, blinking to clear the Gage induced fog in my head.

"I meant actually eating a watermelon," I mutter, trying to appear like I'm sulking while in reality I enjoyed every minute of the kiss.

"Oh, my bad, can I have a grape?" Gage asks, still looking amused.

I narrow my eyes, trying to figure out the wheels turning in his head, before taking a grape reluctantly and holding it out to him.

He doesn't take it like I expect him to, oh no, he locks his fingers around my wrist, erupting tingles with his touch and drags my hand towards his mouth, then proceeds to take the grape from between my fingers with his lips. His dark blue eyes lock on mine as he chews slowly, savouring the taste. After swallowing, he closes his mouth around the tip of my forefinger before suckling on it and swirling it with his tongue. My heart thunders in my chest and insides turn to mush, turned on by the sensual act. He let's go of my forefinger after what feels like a lifetime but was merely minutes and focuses on my thumb. Sucking on the flesh, tracing and licking it with his tongue. Satisfied, he slowly drags his mouth away from my thumb before letting go of my hand. I hastily pull it back and mumble, "I'm ready to leave now," looking at the floor, not wanting him to notice the blush staining my cheeks.

"Okay, let's go, love." Gage sighs, sounding disappointed and reluctant.

I frown and look at his profile to decipher his sudden mood swing. His eyes appear almost black again and before I can question him about it, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before opening them to reveal his dark blues.

Huh, weird. Maybe I should see an osteopathic doctor.

"I don't mind catching a cab," I mumble, not wanting to burden him.

"No, I'm taking you and that's final." Gage replies sternly, in his dominant voice, leaving no room for argument.

He gets to his feet and offers his hand, I stare at it for a minute, remembering the sensual touches and caresses. Knowing this is the last time I will be coming in contact with his hand, I imprint it to memory. His fingers are long and strong while his palm is wide and much bigger than mine. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up till his elbows revealing his muscular forearms. I stare at the nerves running through his arm, something always fascinated me about them, their appeal on a man much too formidable.

I place my hand in his, noticing how his big hand completely engulfs my much smaller one and relish the blaze. He pulls me to him so that we're standing face to face, before using his other hand to push the hair off my shoulder, bearing the love bite to his scrutiny.

"Never cover it up, Kiera." Gage's eyes are serious and intimidating as he speaks, daring me to go against him.

Knowing that he would go all macho man on me, I don't deny him and merely nod.

Content, he leads me out of the room and down the hallway. Looking around, I notice all the doors closed and nobody around. When we reach the stairs he tightens his grip on my hand, before climbing down the spiraling stairs.

My heart melts, understanding the action, it was his way of telling me without words that he was there to catch me if I fall.

As we descend I spot a bulky guy with a shaved head cleaning the bar. When he sees us approaching he grins at Gage and smiles warmly at me.

"Congrats brother," says the guy behind the bar with utmost happiness radiating from him.

I look at Gage, wondering what he's congratulating Gage for, only to find him already looking down at me tenderly.

"Thanks, Reid. Kiera, this is Reid, Reid, meet Kiera." Gage introduces us.

Looking back at Reid, I take in his light brown eyes, eyebrow and lip piercings, thick beard, tattoos on both his arms and black t-shirt. He has a sexy biker dude look going on and he's absolutely killing it. I wonder if he has on leather pants and boots, but can't find out because of the bar top obstructing my view.

"Nice to meet you," I mumble shyly at him.

"Pleasure is all mine, princess." He says, giving me a slight nod of his head.

"I'll be back soon, Reid." Gage tells him, before walking out the back door and tugging me behind him.

We enter a private parking area filled with vehicles of all sizes- cars, SUVs and motorcycles. I gawk at them, feeling like a kid in a candy store. I may be a self proclaimed good girl but I do love them automobiles.

Gage leads me to a sleek black SUV at the back of the parking lot and opens the passenger door for me.

Ah, such a gentleman outside the bedroom.

He closes the door softly after I'm seated and rounds the front to the driver's seat. The inside of the car screams luxury, the seats, dashboard and steering wheel are all done in cream. The seats are leather, explaining the source of the leather smell inside the car but there's also another exotic, distinctive scent, Gage's pinewood and earthy essence.

I put on the seat belt as Gage gets behind the wheel, before backing out of the lot, onto the main road.

Gage asks the address to my house. I give him the directions to the apartment Ava and I share in the heart of Phoenix city.

The half an hour drive back to the apartment is silent, with the exception of the radio playing the latest in music. Gage is concentrating on the road and driving with ease while I am lost in my thoughts.

This is it, my last few moments with this incredible man. God, I'm going to miss him. If I had completed my education maybe then I would have asked him out, okay, maybe not, but at least his number or full name so that I could find him on social media. I wonder what he does for a living, seeing his car, I assume that he's loaded.

In just one night, he left his mark on me, not only on the outside but also on the inside. Physically, he taught me new experiences and pleasures; emotionally, he woke my sleeping heart and made it swoon, hammer and skip many beats.

I'm going to miss this dominant, sexy, confident alpha male with all my heart. I can only hope for our paths to cross again someday in the future and maybe then rekindle this attraction and see where the passion goes