by D. Kelly
Out of the corner of my eye, I’ve been watching Max through a crack in the wall. He’s a stealthy son of a bitch. The gun poking out of his waistband is the first thing I noticed; it’s practically all I can focus on. Max isn’t going to let this crazy asshole take down his friend—not without a fight. The next thing I notice is Max is now burning something on the stove. He’s been crouched low the whole time, but he moves with intent, and it’s obvious he has a plan.
I’m so glad I asked Aurora for her or Max to come and relieve us early. I’m especially happy it wasn’t her.
When the black smoke begins flowing out of the kitchen, the stench of burning oil fills the diner.
“Who’s in the kitchen?” the gunman demands.
“No one. I left the grill on when I was in the bathroom,” Gabe answers in a bored tone.
The sheriff looks up from his coffee. “Better get on it before the fire department is dispatched. The restaurant fire alarms are monitored for safety.”
Paul shoves the gun in Gabe’s back. “You’re going to go turn off that grill. No funny business or I’ll shoot you. And you,” he says, nodding his head in my direction, “stay there. If you move, I’ll shoot your friend.”
I nod my understanding because I’m going to cuss him out if I speak, and it won’t do either of us any good. Through the crack in the wall, I see Max in position. They won’t be able to see him when they walk in the kitchen, and hopefully, he’ll be able to save Gabe.
He will be able to save Gabe.
The instant they round the corner into the kitchen, the sheriff pulls me up and over the counter. “Stay down,” he hisses as he pulls his weapon from his holster.
“Gabe, get down!” Max yells a warning before a gunshot echoes through the restaurant. Someone screams as pans clatter to the floor. I curl up against the wall with my eyes closed and pray they’re all okay. Tears streak down my cheeks as I wrap my arms around my knees.
“Sage, look at me, baby. Please.”
My eyes fly open as Gabe pulls me into his arms. “Thank God, you’re okay!” I sob on his shoulder, letting all the fear escape from my body.
“Shh, it’s okay. I’m okay.”
“I can’t believe you shot me!” The gunman screams from the kitchen. “I want to press charges, Sheriff.”
The sheriff laughs. “Sorry, Paul. The way I see it, the owner of this restaurant saved his employees from a hostage situation.”
“You stupid fuck, I’m trained to kill. You should be thanking me for only shooting you in the foot,” Max retorts.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Gabe murmurs, hugging me tighter.
“You saved me tonight.”
“No, all I’ve done is hurt you again and again. After tonight you won’t have to see me anymore. I promise.”
I cup his cheeks in my hands and press my forehead against his. “Stop being ridiculous and take me to my room.”
“We can’t just leave, Sage,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Actually,” the sheriff clears his throat to get our attention, “as long as you’ll be around in the morning I can get your statements after you get a few hours of rest. Go ahead and go on back to your rooms. I know it’s been a long night. Max and I can handle Paul until the ambulance comes.”
We thank the sheriff, and Gabe helps me to my feet. The walk to our rooms is a silent one, each of us lost in thought. Once I have my door open, he remains at the threshold. “I guess I’ll see you later,” he says, shoving his hands into his pants. “Try to get some sleep.”
He’s not getting off that easily.
“Gabe, could you stay?”
“Sage—”
“Please? I don’t want to be alone right now.”
Gabe steps inside and locks the door behind him before removing his shoes and emptying his pockets.
“I’m going to put on my pajamas, you can get comfortable. I don’t expect you to sleep in jeans.”
I’m so tired it’s hard to focus long enough to change my clothes. When I come back from the bathroom, he’s already under the blanket and holds his arms open for me. I’ve never been happier to fall into someone’s arms. After switching off the light, that’s exactly what I do.
With the curtains drawn and the lights off, it’s easy to feel safe and connected to him. “I know I sound like a stupid girl, but I was so scared tonight.”
“If you’re stupid, so am I. If he would have hurt you, I’m not sure what I would’ve done.”
“You would have been fine. I’m just a girl you used to know once upon a time.”
Gabe presses his lips against my head and inhales deeply. “I think we both know that’s not true,” he confesses.
“What do you mean?” I’m tired of playing games with him. If he wants to say something, he needs to lay it all out so there’s no confusion this time.
“I don’t know what this is between us, what we are or could be, but tonight was eye-opening in a lot of ways. I like you, Sage. More than I’ve ever liked anyone else. Thinking you could be just like any other one-night stand was stupid. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.”
“In a good way?”
He brushes his lips against mine, and my pulse races. “In all the best ways. I’m sorry we argued earlier.”
“No, I’m sorry. I was being childish, and you were right. Whatever we could have been back then doesn’t matter because it’s who we are now that’s important. I let myself fall back into a fantasy of teenage love, and that was wrong.”
He combs his fingers through my hair, and I relax further into his embrace. “That’s the thing, Sage, whatever this is between us is bigger than a one-night stand. Those feelings from before are still there, and I don’t know about you, but for me, they feel stronger than ever. I’m not saying I’m in love with you because it’s only been three days. But I could see myself easily falling for you in the not-too-distant future.”
Gabe’s words take me by surprise. After our argument earlier, I just assumed he wanted to keep the past in the past. Hell, I didn’t start this weekend off looking for some kind of love connection either.
“Is that something you’d be interested in? Falling for me?” It’s not often I allow myself to be vulnerable, especially in my line of work. Keeping my feelings close to the vest is part of the job I always let carry over into my personal life.
“That all depends, I suppose.” He caresses my cheek before his lips graze over mine.
“On what?” I whisper, pulling his bottom lip into my mouth. As we kiss, his hardness presses against me, and I hitch my leg over his hip, needed to feel more of him.
We pull apart, breathing heavier than before, and his lips ghost over my ear. “Only if you could see yourself falling for me too.”
“Well, you are pretty sexy. You’ve got a nice ass and an amazing cock. Better yet, you know how to use it.” He presses against me again, so I’m reminded even further of his talents. “Not to mention you can cook. I mean, that’s pretty impressive because my best dish is cereal. If you can handle a woman who doesn’t cook …”
“Sage, please be serious.”
“If I’m serious, you might leave.”
“Not gonna happen. I was terrified of losing you tonight. I don’t think there’s anything you could say that would make me leave.”
He’s got no clue what he’s asking for, but if he really wants me, he’ll get all of me. “Gabe, the truth is I never stopped falling for you. I knew when we were kids that you were the only guy I’d ever met who got me, all of me. Baxter not included.”
“Of course,” he agrees.
“I guess I always thought you’d come back one day since you were Baxter’s family. And before you go getting a big head, I wasn’t waiting for you. Quite the opposite, in fact. I was hoping one day you’d show up, I’d realize you really weren’t all that, and I could finally let go of the man I’d built up in my head and in my heart. Kick myself a bit for dwelling on someone who obviously wasn’t worthy of the
pedestal I had him on, drink myself under the table, and move on for good. After crushing your heart, of course, because in my mind you’d always realized I was the one.”
“Nothing you just said sounds promising for me in the slightest.”
He’s caressing my body, and it’s hard to focus when all I want to do is ride his cock.
“What I wasn’t expecting was for those old feelings to bubble back to the surface as soon as our eyes met. I couldn’t have imagined the connection we used to have sparking up again. But it did. The way we talk, the ease of our banter, it’s like nothing has changed between us. Sort of like someone hit the pause button and both of us were just waiting for them to hit play again. We’re both older, smarter, and by far sexier, but we’re still us.”
He rolls me on top of him so our bodies are flush together. He reaches up, weaving his fingers through the back of my hair, and our mouths are a breath apart. “Are you ready for the unpause, Sage?”
“I don’t think I’ve been more ready for anything in my life.”
As our lips meet, I feel the anger of the past slipping away. This time it’s not a hate fuck or me hoping to knock Gabe out of my system once and for all. This time I’m letting him in and cracking the door to the possibility of a future for the two of us I never actually expected might happen.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
GABE
SAGE AND I HAD SEX twice this morning, and each time I felt my feelings for her intensifying. Almost losing her last night put so many things into perspective. Things I’d long thought were impossible to have. I’m not sure what the future will bring for us, but I’m looking forward to figuring it out together.
“Aren’t you ready yet?” she asks with a twinkle in her eye.
“Almost. Just need to check under the bed and make sure nothing got knocked under there,” I reply. She looks around the room with a smile. “What are you grinning about?”
“Just thinking room 13 didn’t turn out to be so bad after all. In a way, it’s almost fitting that we confronted our past in a room that looks like a time capsule.”
I pull her close for another kiss. Now that I’ve had her again, I can’t get enough. “Sounds like someone is getting nostalgic already and we haven’t even left yet.”
“Speaking of, we need to get going. My boss wasn’t happy to hear I’m not going to make it in tomorrow either.”
We ended up sleeping until noon and then spent an hour giving the sheriff our official statements. It was sexy to witness Sage in work mode; she was all business while we were being questioned. Which is probably what led to us fucking again when we came up here to get our things.
“Your boss sounds like an asshole. You were almost killed last night, and the sheriff vouched for you.”
“My boss loves billable hours, and when I’m not there, I’m not billing any hours. Besides, it’s going to be about three in the morning by the time we get back to Woodland Hills. Guess that means you’ll have to stay with me tonight. I’d hate to wake Baxter so late.”
“A sleepover already, Counselor? Are you sure we’re ready?”
She shoves her bag into my arms, and I toss it over my shoulder before picking up my own. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me now. Unless you’d rather stay here and get familiar with your hand again.”
“Not on your life,” I growl, and she giggles. I should have never told her it had been a few months since the last time I’d had sex.
We make our way down to the car where Max and Aurora are waiting for us with a cooler. Aurora pulls Sage into a hug. “I’m going to miss you so much! You promise you’re going to come back and visit soon?”
“Promise, as soon as I can get some time away from work.”
Max and I do the whole quick-guy-hug thing and shake hands. “Thanks for your help, Gabe. We appreciate everything you did for us.”
“Thanks for saving my ass last night. I’m pretty sure that makes us even.”
“Not even close, but we’ll save it for another time. Are you really going to open shop in L.A.?”
I glance over at Sage, who is having an animated conversation with Aurora.
“Yeah, I think so. I’ve seen the world and run from life’s unpleasantness; it’s time to go home and spend some time with my family where I belong.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Let me know when you finally get up and running we’ll come down for your grand opening. I’m trying to get Aurora comfortable with leaving the motel for short trips. Maggie and Fletcher can handle most things around here, and we’ll get them up to speed on the rest soon enough. Eventually, I want to show her the world, but for now, L.A. for a weekend would be a good start.”
“Let’s make it happen then. We’ll talk soon.”
Sage hugs Max and Aurora one last time. “Hey, guys, do me a favor, please. As you’re renovating the rooms, hold off on number 13 until the end, okay? I’d like to recreate some memories in there one more time before you change it up.” Sage blushes after she makes her request.
“Did you hear that, Max? They made memories.” Aurora sighs, and Max puts his arm around her waist.
“I think you just made her year, Sage.”
“You did,” Aurora confirms. “It’s exactly what I want this motel to be. A place where people make memories and find love.”
“And eat good food,” I add for her.
“That too,” Aurora agrees. “Okay, you guys, go now or I’m never going to let you leave. I’ll keep your room till the very end, I promise. Drive carefully and text when you get home safely. Love you both!”
We climb into the car, and Max and Aurora wave as Sage pulls out of the parking spot.
“So now you have a soft spot for the sixth circle of hell, huh?”
“It’s not so bad since I no longer consider you the devil incarnate.”
Sage’s phone rings, and Baxter’s name pops up on the display.
“Hey, Bax!” she greets him happily. “You’re on speaker, just FYI.”
“Good, does that mean the two of you are finally on your way back? I’m home now, and I’m alone.”
“What happened to the movie star?” she asks sympathetically.
“Eh, you know, movie stuff. He says he’ll call later, but we’ll see. I’m not holding my breath.”
“Didn’t go well, cuz?”
He blows out a breath at my question. “It was amazing. Best date of my life. Best weekend ever.”
Sage looks at me with a concerned glance. “You think it’s too good to be true?”
“Well duh, look at him. I mean, I’m no slouch, but he’s literally everyone’s wet dream. It’s all a bit much, I suppose. We’ll see what happens, but in the meantime, what about the two of you? Are you keeping the peace?”
I slide my hand into Sage’s and lace our fingers together. “Baxter, we’re …” Sage pauses, not knowing how to describe us.
I take the lead, knowing exactly what to say. “We’re dating, Bax. Is that going to be an issue?”
Sage bites her lip, and I squeeze her hand in mine. There’s no time for second-guessing anything; we’re going to see where this goes.
“It’s about damn time. I swear to God, I thought you were never going to come back home, Gabe. I know I have commitment issues, but hot damn, you’re worse. I mean, it’s only been obvious since the night the two of you met that the universe had bigger things in store for the two of you.”
“Okay, Baxter, we get it, but I’m about to lose you because we’re in the middle of the desert. Gabe is staying with me tonight since we’re going to get home so late. We’ll see you tomorrow. Love you!”
Sage turns off the call before he can even reply.
“That was harsh.”
She shrugs. “Baxter would have gone on for hours, trust me. I don’t doubt he would have talked to us the whole way home. Besides, he’s used to it, and he does it to me too. You and I have more important things to discuss.”
“Such as?” I’m teasing, but seeing he
r blush again is worth a little fun at her expense.
“We’re dating now? Is that an official thing? And if so, is it also an exclusive thing? Because I have this sort of booty call rotation and …”
“No, you don’t. The booty call rotation ends now. The two of us are always exclusive, so if you want to get with this, you need to ditch all of that.”
“Okay.”
Her chipper reply takes me by surprise.
“That’s it? No argument?”
“Are you going to keep making me scream your name?”
“Fuck yeah.”
“Then yeah, no argument.”
EPILOGUE
SAGE
Six Months Later
“WELL, WELL, WELL, LOOK WHAT the cat dragged in. If it isn’t my hottie and his hottie. Come give an old lady a proper hello,” Agnes calls out from the counter. Once she sees Baxter, though, her eyes rake him over thoroughly. “Introduce your friend too.”
Agnes stands, and there are hugs all around, even for Baxter. “I’m Baxter.”
“Darn it. You didn’t happen to develop a thing for old ladies instead of dick since the last time we spoke, did you?”
Baxter laces his arm through hers, and I swear Agnes looks as if she might faint. “Sorry, sweetie, but we can scope out the hotties together. What do you say? I’ve got great gaydar, we’ll find you a straight one.”
“That’ll work, unless you brought your man? I’m happy to watch, and I’ll even bring the lube.”
Baxter laughs, and he and Agnes take up residence in a booth near the window. If there is any action to be had, they’ll be first to see it.
“Do good looks run rampant through your family tree or what?” Aurora asks Gabe as she hugs him hello.
“Nah, Bax and I just lucked out is all. He sucked up the preppy blond DNA, and I absorbed all the tall, dark, and handsome.”
“Humility skipped right on past you though,” Max quips before hugging me hello. “I’m glad to see you’re still keeping him on his toes, Sage. We’ve got your room all ready for you, and it’s just the way you left it.”
