Chapter 9
The day dragged by, but the clock finally struck five and for once, I left on time. After saying a quick goodbye to my boss and the receptionist, both of which who gave me odd looks, I rushed out of the door.
I quickly stopped at my apartment and stripped out of my clothes and heels to change into something more comfortable. Jeans and an off-the-shoulder top and a pair of matching Chucks. I pulled my driver’s license and some lip gloss out of my bag and tossed them both into a clutch. I didn’t feel like having to carry the big ass purse I was accustomed to having over to Gage’s place. With a quick fluff of my hair in the mirror, I walked out of the door.
On the drive over, I nervously tapped my fingers on the steering wheel of my SUV. I pondered over what the night would bring. But for once in the past two days, I didn’t question how I’d get myself out of the marriage. I was going to breathe in and breathe out and go with the flow for once in my life and not have a set in motion plan. My anxiety tried to kick in, but I pushed that bitch aside and thought of the evening ahead.
All too quickly I pulled into the apartment complex of the address he’d sent me earlier in the day.
“It’s now or never,” I spoke aloud after I parked the car and opened the door to get out.
Ever so slowly, I walked to the elevator and pushed the button.
Images of the last time Gage and I were in an elevator popped into my head, causing my cheeks to heat and turn what I was sure was a bright shade of red.
I used the ride in the elevator to calm my thoughts and hopefully the color on my face. Gage was on the top floor of the building in one of the penthouse suites.
The door appeared right in front of me as soon as the doors opened to the elevator. I almost turned around and walked back into the cart, but I refrained and knocked on his door instead.
Gage appeared moments later and opened the door. He leaned on the metal as he smiled at me from inside. He wore nothing but a pair of basketball shorts that hung low on his hips. Damn this man for looking sexy.
“I’m glad you’re finally here,” he spoke as he waited for me to cross the threshold.
Surprisingly, so was I.
On unsteady legs, I walked inside to be met with the aroma of garlic and basil. My stomach let out a rumble, and my mouth watered from the smell alone.
“I made spaghetti and garlic bread. Hope you brought your appetite with you. There’s plenty. It’s almost done. Make yourself at home,” he joked as I took in his space, while he set off into the kitchen to finish dinner.
The penthouse had an open concept, which was perfect for having guests, and a toddler on the move. It was warm and inviting filled with earthy tones, a stark contrast to the masculine appearance I suspected.
Pictures of his family decorated his walls along with beautiful sayings written on wood. I thought I’d see a bunch of leather and pristine white, but instead I was met with plush couches and chairs that were a warm tan color with white blankets draped across the back. The mantel of the fireplace was even decorated to match the spring season with bright flowers and white vases.
I could tell by the number of pictures that he loved his family and was proud to show them off. What caught my eye the most was the huge picture in the center of him smiling brightly with the most precious little girl on his shoulders leaning down to look lovingly at her father. She had the bounciest blonde curls and big beautiful blue eyes.
I stopped and admired the picture of them, with a deep, longing feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. I longed to have what he did. Only fate didn’t see it that way. Most likely I would never experience parenthood and carrying a child of my own. My siblings reminded me of my circumstances whenever I was around, which was why I didn’t go near them very often.
“She’s beautiful,” I said as I walked over and sat on a barstool while I watched Gage strain the noodles.
“Thank you. She’s a handful, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” he replied with a loving look on his face.
I could tell by that smile alone that she was the apple of her daddy’s eye. Which was how it should be. It made me wonder even more why her mother wasn’t in the picture, but now wasn’t the time to pry. I didn’t see any pictures of a woman that would resemble being her mother on his walls. So, the reason behind her departure couldn’t have been a good one.
Gage plated the food and carried the plates over to the table. I waited to stand until he came back and carried our glasses of wine to where we would be sitting. My stomach growled loudly again when I stood, causing me to laugh and Gage to take notice.
“Someone needs to eat,” he said as we sat at the table across from one another.
“Yeah. I kinda skipped lunch today,” I admitted as I took the first bite.
“You shouldn’t skip meals,” he warned as he took a bite of his own.
This sauce didn’t come from a jar. It was way too good to have been anything but homemade. Damn, the man was sexy as hell and could cook. I could’ve done way worse.
“This is so good,” I spoke as I took another bite.
“My mother’s recipe. I cook a big pot of the sauce and then freeze the remainder in jars so it’s ready when I need it.”
That was a smart idea. Too bad I didn’t cook. It was pointless when I was only feeding one. Takeout was my go-to food on a daily basis. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal. Especially one cooked by a man.
“Compliments to the chef. How was the rest of your day?”
“Busy with meetings. My mind needs a break from the chaos of today. I’m glad you’re here to assist with that. Yours?”
“Busy as well. I drafted some contracts and set some meetings. Nothing too insane.”
We ate in relative silence for the remainder of the meal. I placed my fork down when I couldn’t stomach another bite. I’d eaten way too much, but I wouldn’t regret it.
“Thank you for dinner. It was delicious,” I complimented Gage as I took a sip of the fruity white wine.
“You’re welcome for dinner. You wanna head over to the couch and chat?” he asked as he stood and cleared the table.
I walked over to the couch and kicked off my Chucks before I sat down with my feet tucked under me as I waited for Gage to load the dishwasher. He cooks and cleans. Could he be any more perfect?
Moments later, he walked over to the couch and sat down beside me with a topped off glass of wine in each of his hands.
He handed over my glass, and I graciously took the much-needed sip. You know, liquid courage and all, considering I didn’t know where this conversation would lead.
He picked up the remote from the side table and turned on the stereo system. Music played softly in the background as we stared at each other.
“I like this look better on you. That skirt you wore was sexy as hell today. But this look. Damn woman. There aren’t any words for how beautiful you are right now.”
I could get used to hearing compliments about myself every day. Since meeting Gage, I’d gotten more from him in forty-eight hours than I had since I turned eighteen.
“Thank you,” I whispered as my cheeks blushed, and I took another sip of wine.
“You’re not used to hearing that, are you?”
“Not really,” I confessed.
“That’s too bad. You should hear it all the time.”
I did hear it a lot, from my friends. Just not from men.
Thunder roared loudly over the sound of the music, causing me to flinch from the sudden sound.
“Don’t like storms?” he asked as he moved closer to me on the couch. So close that our knees touched, and the electric current I was used to feeling when our skin touched seeped through me. Now that, I’d never get used to that feeling.
“I love the rain. Just not the angriness behind the thunder and lightning.”
“I’d hope you love rain. Considering you do live in Seattle after all.”
“Rain calms me. I
love reading while listening to it come down.”
“Come here,” he insisted as he grabbed my glass of wine and sat both down on the coffee table.
I Wanna Know by Joe was playing in the background as he reached for my hand and helped me stand.
Without letting go of my hand, he walked us over to an open space in the living room. Pulling me against him, he released my hand and settled his on the small of my back. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he swayed us to the beat of the song.
“I just wanted to get you in my arms. Plus, I love this song. It’s fitting, don’t you think?”
“How’s that?” I whispered as I laid my head on his chest, listening to the thumping of his heart.
He pulled back slightly and used the tip of his pointer finger to make me look up at him. His gaze bore into mine as he confessed the meaning behind his words.
“Because you do take my breath away. Because I only want to do things to make you smile. Because I want to turn you on in every way possible. Because until I met you, I didn’t know this feeling was possible. I never believed in love at first sight. But after meeting you, I could see how people could claim they do. I’m not admitting love here, but I’m admitting our strong connection. One I know you can’t deny.”
Damn.
What did I say in return?
The song changed to Kenny Chesney’s You Had Me At Hello, and I could’ve sworn he chose these songs on purpose.
“You have a random love song playlist?”
“It’s set on random. I don’t have a clue what’ll play next. But this could be said too.”
I looked at him questioningly and waited for him to further explain.
“You did have me at hello,” he laughed as he pulled me in for another dance.
This was too cliché to be real.
This couldn’t be my life right now.
Could I really have the perfect job, the greatest friends, an apartment I loved, and a man who was looking to be the greatest man I’d ever met? These things didn’t really happen to me. Meeting a great man, I mean I’ve met men, but they all turned out to be douchebags in disguise of being a great man. Gage seemed to be a great guy all the way around.
“You can’t be real.”
“Why’s that?” he asked as he led us hand and hand back to the couch.
“You’re too good to be true.”
“I’m not perfect, but I was raised to treat a woman right. To be a great family man. To own up to my mistakes, which I’ve had many. But in no way will I ever do anything to purposefully hurt you.”
I’d heard all of that before, but hearing it from him made me want to believe that he was telling the truth.
“Who hurt you?” he asked as he pulled me closer and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“It’s not something I talk about. I was the stupid one for believing them.”
“Them?”
“Two boys claiming to be men who told me everything I wanted to hear. I should’ve learned from the first mistake, but no. I was fooled twice. I don’t wanna be fooled a third.” The song ended and he led me over to the couch where we both got comfortable sitting next to each other again.
“So, you’re weary of me. I get that. When was the last time you put yourself out there?”
“It’s too embarrassing to admit.”
“I’m not here to judge. We’re learning about one another.”
“And things like this aren’t usually discussed on a first date.”
“This is technically our third.”
“How do you come up with that number?”
“Well, the first night we had drinks and ended up married. The next morning, we had breakfast and a conversation. Now, we’re having dinner. That makes three on my calculations.”
“And I’m the whore who gave it up on the first night.”
“Hey, you’re not a whore. I would never think that of you. Not ever. Who put that in your head?”
“My parents. They’re very conservative. The second they hear about us, a whole lot of judgement will be thrown our way. It’s not something I’m looking forward to.”
“Your parents don’t scare me. And I can handle their judgements as long as we’re in this together and are a team. Nothing else matters here but you and me.”
“And Cheyanne.”
“You just made my heart very happy. You have no clue how much.”
I turned around to look at him, laying my head in his lap. He had unshed tears in his eyes as he looked down at me with so much awe that I felt what he felt in that moment.
Our connection just strengthened over the mere mention of including his daughter. A little girl I’d never met, but knew that she was part of this just as much as we were.
I leaned up on my elbow and put one hand behind his head, pulling him down until his lips met mine.
The kiss was gentle as we explored each other’s mouths with a few chaste kisses.
He pulled back and looked down at me with a smile.
“I’m going to enjoy dating my wife. Showing you how you deserve to be treated. And erasing every bad thing those two idiots made you believe before they hurt you.”
And I believed him.
“When can I meet her? Should we wait until this is more serious so she doesn’t get confused? I don’t know what the protocol is here.”
“Let’s give us a little more time and then we can introduce her. I can’t wait for you to meet the most important person in my life.”
In all honesty, if we were truly giving us a go, which it looked like we were, I couldn’t wait either. I was just scared of so many things when I thought about that little girl, but I tried to keep my composure in front of Gage. Only time would tell if I was cut out to be a wife and a mother.
“Stay the night with me,” he whispered as he started to play with my hair.
“I don’t have anything here with me.”
The thought of leaving didn’t sound appealing as he continued to run his fingers through my long locks and massaged my scalp. My eyes closed as I relished the soothing feeling.
“We’ll get you up in enough time. I promise. And you can sleep in one of my shirts. Problem solved. I’m just not ready for you to walk out that door just yet.”
Well, when he put it that way, how could I refuse?
Chapter 10
The past week flew by in a blur. My days were filled with contracts and setting appointments. The nights were my favorite part. They were spent at either my place or Gage’s, eating dinner and learning about each other, then falling asleep in each other’s arms. We hadn’t had sex again, but I felt like he was waiting for that perfect time, which I was thankful. I think he sensed that I needed the bonding more than I needed to relieve my sexual frustrations. Lying beside him every night, feeling his arms around me when I woke, made me want him more and more with each passing day.
This Monday morning, however, after Gage left my place to get ready for work, I didn’t feel well at all. My stomach and hips felt like there was a hot fire poker toying around inside of me. I muddled through my goodbye with Gage, careful to not show him how much pain I was in. I knew this was coming. I just hoped it’d hold off until after the Lizzie’s wedding. I also hoped I didn’t have to reveal this part of me to Gage so soon in our relationship. This could be a deal breaker for him. I knew it the moment I met him and learned of his beautiful little girl. But, selfishly, once I wrapped my head around staying married to this amazing, loving, caring man, I didn’t want to reveal that fact just yet.
There was no way I could work through this pain today. Thankfully, my boss was very aware of my health problems and understood when I needed a personal day. He hated seeing me suffer in pain and insisted I work from home on the days I knew would be hard to get out of bed.
I messaged him, letting him know I wouldn’t be in today. I didn’t even have to tell him the reason why. He understood because his wife suffered my same pain, and he knew how hard it was to handle. He
messaged back almost right away, telling me to take the time and work as much as I could and to take tomorrow off as well. This was why I loved working for that company. Most employers wouldn’t be understanding at all, let alone on a monthly basis. I was lucky to have found them right out of college.
The smell of coffee came from the kitchen as I carried myself in there to grab what I needed. Thank goodness for automatic start. After I made the cup, I grabbed the much-needed heating pad and my computer before I got back into bed.
With my fluffy pillow behind me and my heating pad turned on the highest setting and resting against my lower abdomen, I went through my emails and started drafting the next round of contracts for new clients.
A few hours passed before I could no longer take the pain. I put the away message on my emails and sat my computer on the other side of the bed. Hopefully after taking a nap I would feel up to continuing.
I laid down on my side and put a firm pillow between my legs to alleviate some of the pressure in my hips before I shut my eyes.
Sleep was fitful at best. I’d hoped the pain would lessen, but it only became worse by the time my eyes opened again.
I checked the clock on my nightstand and only an hour had passed. Tears formed in my eyes as I curled in a ball on the bed, wishing the pain away. I turned the heating pad back on and prayed for the best.
“Avery,” Gage’s voice screamed out in my apartment causing me to jump.
I groaned without getting up. He’d find me soon enough. I hadn’t answered his texts because I just wanted to sleep. Plus, I didn’t know what a good enough excuse would be to cancel our plans.
My bedroom door pushed opened and hit the wall when he entered the room.
Very slowly, I turned to face him.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he rushed to the side of the bed.
“Honestly, no I’m not.”
“You didn’t answer any of my messages, and I grew worried when I went to a meeting at your office and your boss told me you weren’t coming in today. He looked at me like I was crazy for not knowing. After the meeting, I rushed right over here.”
The Right Mistake Page 6
