Hard Bastard(15)

Wave after wave of music poured overtop of us. I lost track of the world around me, of time and space. The only thing in my life was me and Gage dancing to the music, moving fast, sweating together. I could see just what he meant when he said that the place was dirty and filled with sex.

The way we were dancing was practically fucking. Really, if we had less clothing on, we would be fucking. We were grinding together, dirty dancing and loving it. The DJ built up the suspense and then dropped the beat, bringing everyone into a frenzy.

I was worked into a frenzy. I was mindless, lost in the intensity of freewheeling desire. I turned back around, grinding my hips up along his thigh, loving the pleasure that rolled around me. He bent me forward, his hands on my hips, his lips at my neck. I felt so damn free as he brought me up.

And he kissed me. I threw myself into the kiss, returning it with passion and desire. I’d never felt tingles run all along my spine from just a kiss before, but Gage made me feel that way. He made me feel so much with just one single kiss as all of our history came crashing back in that moment.

I pulled back and he smirked at me. He said something, but I shook my head. I shouldn’t hear him over the music. He pressed his lips to my ear.

“I know you’ve been thinking about that since we saw each other again.”

I bit my lip. “No,” I called into his ear, though we both knew I was lying. My body was telling him the truth.

Suddenly, I felt something vibrating. For a second, I thought it was my whole body vibrating for Gage’s touch, but I quickly realized that it was just my clutch. I opened it and checked my phone.

It was a text from my boss. “Sent a courier over to your place with case files. Big stuff is happening.”

I took a sharp breath, and reality came crashing back.

I looked at Gage. “I have to go.”

“What?”

“I have to go.” I quickly turned and walked back toward the entrance.

I shouldn’t have kissed him. I shouldn’t have even come out with him. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing getting involved with my ex-boyfriend like this when I knew I was about to be the busiest I would ever be in my life. I was about to take on a mafia case, and that would be dangerous. I couldn’t involve Gage in something like that.

He quickly followed me toward the door. We went outside, out into the cool night air. I could feel a little ringing in my ears from the deep booming bass of the music.

“What’s wrong?” Gage asked me.

“Nothing, it was just my boss. I need to get home.”

“It’s only midnight.”

I sighed. “I know. I can grab a cab, you should stay.”

He laughed. “Come on, princess. I’ll take you home.”

“No, really. Stay and have fun.”

He smirked at me and shook his head before going up to the valet. He gave the guy a ticket and soon the car was pulled around. We got in and shut the doors before Gage pulled out, heading back toward my hotel.

“How long are you staying at that dump?” he asked me.

“I don’t know. I guess until I can find an apartment.”

“Where are you looking?”

“I don’t even know.”

He laughed. “This move wasn’t very well planned.”

“No, it really wasn’t,” I admitted.

“Well, listen, I know some people. Why don’t I make a few calls and see what I can do for you?”

I gave him a look. “You’re joking, right? You know some people?”

He shrugged. “Sure. I know lots of people. Some of them happen to own apartment buildings.”

I raised an eyebrow, but for some reason I didn’t question it. In retrospect, I should have wondered what Gage actually did for a living, but instead I didn’t push it.

“Okay,” I said. “That’d be great. Thanks so much.”

“Of course. Can’t have you living in some shitty fucking hotel room.”

We pulled into the front drive of the hotel room and he pulled over. He went to put the car in park but I shook my head.

“It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll say goodnight here.”

“Whatever you want.” He looked at me and I knew what he wanted. I wanted it too. I wanted to feel the way I felt when he kissed me again, but the moment had passed.

“Well, goodnight,” I said, and went to open the door.

He reached forward and took my wrist, gently pulling me back. His lips were inches away from mine. “You don’t have to kiss me,” he said, and pressed them against my cheek. “Although we both know you want to.”

I was dripping wet as I pulled away and climbed out of the car. I caught one more glimpse of his handsome, grinning face as I closed the door. He waited until I was inside before he pulled away.