by Rita Sawyer
He was thrilled. We got so into it we didn’t realize the glasses guy had come in early to ask some questions. He loved what he saw and cancelled his shoot, choosing to go with my photos. Six months later, they had such good results from the local ads the company decided to use them nationally. So they had to rework my original contract. I got a tiny bit of stock in the company as a bonus, but best of all, as long as the company is in business I receive a box of sunglasses every couple of months.” Her explanation made sense in a quirky way.
“That was a nice story, but I think there’s more to it than that.”
“Like what?”
“I think you use the glasses as a kind of shield to hide behind.”
“I don’t hide, but I do use them to my advantage at times. Every smart woman uses whatever she has at her disposal. Back in the Victorian days, women used fans. If they were smart, they never left home without one.”
“When was the last time you left the house without your glasses?”
“I can’t remember.” She laughed.
They seemed to fall back into the comfortable rapport they’d developed over the past week. Not wanting to lose it, Gage stopped pushing. He switched the subject to her family, which was only fair, since she’d just met his. She told him about her grandmother, sister, and her sister’s four kids. By the time they reached his place, she had told him about a dozen stories about her grandmother and sister from when she was growing up.
He noticed she didn’t tell him stories about herself. She may have let him in to a point, but she was still keeping him at a distance. Hopefully by morning he’d fix that.
“Are you hungry?” he asked as they got out of the car.
“Lord no. Your sisters kept feeding me all day.”
“They liked you.” He put his hand on her lower back as they climbed the stairs.
“Lainey said the same thing. She also said Toni asked her if we’re dating.”
“Not surprising, since I don’t bring many women home.” He opened the door and flicked on the light. “What did she tell them?”
“That we’re friends.” She walked over and leaned against the back of the couch. “Can I ask you something?”
He closed the door and looked at her. “Anything.”
In a smooth, fluid movement she pushed off the couch and walked over to where he was standing. She put her hands on his chest, sliding them slowly toward his shoulders. He hoped she didn’t notice the way his heartbeat sped up at her touch. He let her push him against the door with a little shove. She leaned in so close their bodies touched from knees to waist.
Dianne had to be able to feel the unmistakable proof of his arousal. Gage put his hands on her hips, wanting to pull her closer so he could feel her breasts pressed against his chest. He started to lower his head, intent on kissing her.
“Are we done talking?” Their faces were so close he felt her whisper brush across his lips.
A man could only handle so much temptation before he reacted. His mouth came down on hers harder than he meant for it to, but she didn’t seem to mind. She wrapped her arms around his neck and finally pressed her body to his. His cell phone rang and vibrated in his pocket. She giggled as she wiggled her hip against his.
“That kinda felt nice.” As Dianne eased away from him, she slid her hand down into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
She held the phone up, and a quick glance at the phone had him groaning. “I really should take this.”
Dianne handed him the phone with a smile. He watched her turn and walk away, enjoying the sway of her hips. Gage had to turn away from Dianne so he could focus.
“Hello,” he said, the rough timber of desire evident in his voice.
“Hey I just wanted to remind you to bring my projections to Jace’s tomorrow.” Slade’s normal clipped tone sounded harsher than usual.
“I’ll have them. Is everything okay?” Not much flustered Slade except his sister.
“It’s all good. I just want to get this project underway as so as possible.” Slade often had a one-track mind.
“Once you approve the final changes, we’ll be ready to go within a week.” Gage turned around in time to see Dianne bend over and put her sneakers on the mat by the door.
As if she could feel him looking she glanced over her shoulder, and winked at him with a smile on her lips. It wasn’t just a smile, either. Hell no! Her eyes twinkled and her cheeks got pink. Gage loved when she looked at him like that. He’d gladly spend the rest of his days trying to earn those smiles. First, he needed to make her want to keep him around.
Slade’s call gave him a few minutes to clear his head and come up with a plan. He listened to his friend talk about his project while keeping his gaze on her. She wandered around the room, flashing him come-hither looks. Gage couldn’t take it anymore. His desire to touch her couldn’t be ignored. He crooked his finger, beckoning for her to come closer. She smiled and walked in his direction, but stopped a few feet away. He took a step toward her, but she took a step back. He cocked his head to the side and took another step forward, which she countered with a step away. Gage reached out to grab her, but she leapt out of his reach and gave him a taunting smile.
“I’m sure you’re going to like what I have in store for you,” he said to Slade.
“Well, I hope so,” Dianne whispered.
“You’re sure you included everything I need?” Slade asked.
“Have I let you down yet? Unless you have something you haven’t shown me, I’m positive I’ve got it handled,” he replied to both of them.
“I know you haven’t seen this yet.” Dianne smiled as she grasped the hem of her T-shirt and slowly started to raise it.
Slade went on about surprises that might come up later, but Gage barely heard him. Dianne tugged the shirt over her head and tossed it onto the couch. Her white bra was trimmed with hot-pink lace, and though it looked amazing, he wished she’d take it off, too.
“Are you listening to me?” Slade grouched in his ear loudly.
“Yeah,” Gage replied, taking a step in Dianne’s direction, stopping when she held up her hand.
She reached for the button of her jeans, and Gage sucked in a deep breath. He watched as she undid the zipper and shimmied the denim material down over her hips to her knees. She let go, and the jeans fell to the floor.
“Slade, I need to go. I’ll see you in the morning.” Gage hung up and tossed the phone onto the couch, where it landed on her shirt.
“You didn’t have to end the call because of me,” Dianne practically cooed.
“Woman, I barely heard a word Slade said,” he admitted as he stalked her around the room.
“From your tone, I’m assuming you feel I had something to do with that.” She popped her hands onto her hips, which only emphasized that she was standing there in just her bra and panties.
“Gee, if I stripped off my clothes while you were on the phone with one of your friends, wouldn’t you find it distracting?”
“No, but if I did, I’d just give them a play-by-play.”
“Really. Should I call Slade back? I’m sure he’d love a color commentary about this.” He moved toward the couch.
“You wouldn’t,” she squealed as she grabbed his arm to stop him.
“I’m pretty tempted, unless you can think of a way to distract me.”
* * * *
Dianne wanted to call his bluff just to see if he would really do it. She didn’t, though. Her friends all claimed she was a little out there, but she wasn’t that crazy.
“If you take me upstairs, I’ll try to distract you all night long.” She walked backward toward the stairs that lead up to his bedroom, tugging him with her.
Thankfully, he didn’t put up much of a fight. Halfway up the stairs, she helped him get his shirt off. When they reached the top, he kicked off his shoes. By the time they reached the bedroom they were both completely naked. Dianne couldn’t keep her hands off him. Gage had his casted hand wrapped in
her hair. His other hand was on her hip, holding her tightly against him.
They dropped onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. Dianne rolled over and reached for the light. Gage quickly moved up behind her. He angled himself so that his cock slid easily along her moist folds. Gage used his knee to open her legs just enough to give him the access he wanted. The tip of his erection pushed inside her, and she pushed back against him, wanting more contact. Gage filled her to the hilt and stilled. They both moaned.
Dianne couldn’t stay still. She pushed herself back against him and rocked herself back and forth in quick, short movements. Gage managed to fist his hand in her hair again. He pulled her head back as he groaned.
“Go. Take what you want.” He grunted, urging her on.
“Oh my God!” She froze as the waves of pleasure radiated through her whole body.
Gage took over. Each push of his hips sent him deeper inside her. She didn’t know how much more she could take, but she wanted it all. The pressure started to build again, and she found herself pushing back to meet his thrust. Over and over, he drove into her until she was screaming his name.
When he found his release, it was her name she heard on his lips. He pulled her back, wrapping his arm around her. There wasn’t an inch of space between their bodies, and she was totally fine with that. She closed her eyes, trying to slow her ragged breathing. It gave her a sense of satisfaction that Gage was breathing just as heavily. He nuzzled his face along her neck.
“Give me a few minutes and we can go take a shower.” His moist, husky whisper fanned her cheek.
“I hope you plan on carrying me.” She sighed, and he laughed, making his body rub hers in the most delicious places.
Chapter Nine
It’s over, she thought, doing her damndest not to wake him as she eased out of his bed. He’d gotten his week, and she was free to go back to her normal life. Using a stealthiness she hadn’t known she possessed, she tiptoed into the hall and got dressed. She called for a cab and told them to instruct the driver not to beep. In the end, she couldn’t leave without saying good-bye, so she scribbled a note and left it on the railing where he would find it when he came downstairs.
She spent the taxi ride trying to come up with an excuse not to go to the barbecue at Lainey’s. Her grandmother would say, “what a fine mess you’ve managed to get yourself into.” Hell, if her grandmother found out about Gage, she’d set to welcome him into the family. Dianne wasn’t about to let things get that far. All she had to do was get through the party. Then she could hide away until she found a way to get him out of her heart.
The cab pulled up in front of her building and she leaned forward to pay the driver. She reached for the door handle, but the door swung open before she got her hand on it. Dianne looked up half expecting to see Gage standing there. Instead, it was Jace, who held his hand out to her. She let him help her out of the car. Dianne had never been more thankful for her sunglasses. She didn’t want him to see the surprise she felt at seeing him. Jace wouldn’t be there unless he wanted something.
“I’d say good morning, but it would probably be a lie.” He walked with her toward her door.
She nodded. “I’ve definitely had better.”
“Want to talk about him?”
“Jace, Gage is your best friend. I don’t think it would be a good idea.” She shook her head.
He pulled her to a stop. “Let’s sit down.”
She practically collapsed in a wrinkle heap on the stoop. He sat down beside her.
“I was going to talk to you yesterday, but I couldn’t get you alone long enough. There’s a few things you should know about Gage before you end this thing between you two.”
She figured she should let him sing Gage’s praises a little. Then he could leave knowing he’d done his best for his buddy. He didn’t have to know she already made up her mind.
“Like what?” she asked.
Jace just sat there for a few minutes. Then he laughed. Not a soft chuckle or a light chortle. No, this was a full hearty laugh. So loud she actually jumped.
“I’m sorry.” He gave his head a shake. “I just realized no matter what I say, or how I say it I’m not going to get it right. Gage is a great guy, and most women love him. I guess the only thing I can say is I’ve never, in all the time I’ve known him, seen him fall for a girl the way he’s fallen for you.”
Now it was her turn to laugh. “Does he know you were going to talk to me?”
“Fuck no. He asked me what he should do to get you to see that he was serious about you. I told him to tell you, but from the look he gave me I didn’t think he would.”
“You’re right. He didn’t.”
“Would you have believed him, if he had?”
“Probably not. Gage doesn’t really talk like that. He’s always trying to impress me, unless we’re in bed.” His cheeks turned red and she realized she embarrassed him.
He cleared his throat and got to his feet. “Um…I don’t need to know about that stuff. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. And ask you to think about giving him a chance to show you the normal Gage I know and have grown to love.”
She could have told him that time wasn’t go to help. “I’ll consider it.”
“That’s all I ask.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“I’ll be there.” She nodded and started to get up.
Jace, ever the gentleman, helped her to her feet and waited until she was inside before he left. This might not be as easy to end like she originally thought.
* * * *
Gage knew he should just give up and move on with his life. She didn’t need to tell him they were over. Her letter this morning thanking him for a pleasant week said it all. A pleasant week? That one line told him their feelings weren’t even close to being mutual. His strong attachment was obviously one-sided. In her mind they’d each fulfilled their part of their bargain, bringing it to a close.
He could find someone else if he really put his mind to it. They wouldn’t be like her. He was damn sure of that. Gage doubted he’d find another woman that could turn him on with just one look, but that might be a good thing. He didn’t want to risk his heart again so soon. Maybe he’d go back to playing the field. After all, everyone already assumed he did. Nobody seemed to notice that he hadn’t dated more than a few women since the day Dianne walked into his life. He’d wanted her to know he was free for the taking.
She hadn’t gotten the hint, which is why he’d gone to such extremes to get her to give him a chance. It hadn’t worked, though, and there was nothing he could do but let her go. He pulled up to Jace and Lainey’s place, adding his car to the dozen or so lining the road. He pulled the keys from the ignition and climbed out of the car before he could change his mind. He popped the trunk and grabbed the bags from inside.
He might be making a huge mistake, but Jace was his best friend, and Gage wasn’t going to avoid an invitation just because Dianne might be there. Besides, he needed to show himself and everyone else he could handle her not wanting an association with him. He walked around the house into the backyard. Not because he figured the women were probably in the house chatting, but because he was carrying two bags of ice for the coolers of soda.
“Hey,” a few friends shouted as he came into view.
“The ice man has cometh.” Jace’s pitiful joke made him smile.
He held the bags, wishing his heart was as cold as his hands. “Where do you want them?”
Jace’s smile fell. “Um…wait here.”
Gage watched him head for the house. Obviously, his best friend in the world didn’t think he could handle seeing Dianne. Or maybe he thought Dianne wouldn’t want to see him. A couple of Gage and Jace’s other friends weren’t worried. Hell, they probably had no idea what was even going on. He dropped the ice to take the soda one of the guys held out to him.
By the time Jace got back, Gage had been wrangled into a game of Frisbee with the guy
s and some of their kids. The sound of Dianne’s laughter distracted him, and he missed a perfect toss. He glanced over to where she stood by the house with her friends. She was in full pin-up mode today. From the black pants that hugged her curves to the leopard print shirt that showed off much more of her breasts than he liked, her outfit was intended to turn heads.
Damn if her bright red sunglasses didn’t match her shoes. She looked amazing. For a brief second he toyed with the idea she dressed that way just to torture him. Most likely not, but he wouldn’t rule it out. Just seeing her standing there laughing tore something inside him.
At that moment, he realized whatever was between them wasn’t going to end as quietly and simply as she’d like. Keeping a watchful but nonchalant gaze on her, he waited for a moment where he could talk to her alone. He had no idea what he was going to say, but he needed to say something. Even if it was just good-bye.
Finally, her friends drifted over to the food table leaving Dianne standing alone by the gate to the garden. Gage hadn’t had a better opportunity all day and he wasn’t waiting any longer to make his move. A man driven to extremes, he marched over, grabbed her hand, and tugged her into the garden, out of sight of the rest of the people at the party.
“Gage. Let go.” She yanked her hand from his. “You know you could have asked me to come with you.”
“Yeah and you could have said no. That wasn’t an option.” He wished she wasn’t wearing those fucking sunglasses.
She walked over to the little fountain, and with her back to him she said, “I wouldn’t have.”
We’ll never know for sure, he thought. “I wanted to talk to you about your note. It was a little curt and vague.”
“I don’t think so. It was straight to the point.” She bent over and picked up a yellow fuzzy tennis ball from the ground.
He had a really hard time keeping his gaze off her ass. There was a real strong possibility that was what she wanted. After all, she hadn’t minded using her body to distract him during the past week.
