Torn:Billionaire Bachelors Club #2(24)

"I'm glad you and my father got along so well," I say.

"Truthfully? I'm surprised," he admits.

Laughing, I shake my head. "So am I. I thought he might hate you . . . or love you."

"I know." Gage chuckles. "He's a good guy though. I like him."

"So are you. A good guy," I say softly, drinking Gage in, arousal  heating my blood. It doesn't take much for me to want him. And seeing  him behind the wheel of one of his powerful cars always makes me want to  jump his bones.

When it comes to Gage, I'm incredibly weak. But I don't mind, because when I'm with him, I feel strong. Like I can do anything.

"Archer called yesterday." He sends me a quick look. "He said the two of you met a few days ago."

"We did." I nod. "He wanted to hammer out the details."

"That's amazing. I'm happy for you. Why didn't you tell me about it?" He sounds a little incredulous.

Leave it to Gage to get right to the point. Not that I can blame him. He  deserves to know what's going on. "I was afraid I'd jinx it."

"Even to me?" He looks wounded. Silly man.

Leaning over the console, I press a kiss to his cheek, resting my hand  on his muscular thigh so I can give it a squeeze. "Especially to you.  You'll pump me up and get me so excited, I'll believe I can do no wrong.  What if it didn't work out?"

"I would never let it not work out." His expression goes tight and his  lips thin. "I'd kick Archer's ass before that would happen."

"That's exactly why I didn't tell you," I say, laughing. "This is not  about you kicking Archer's ass. This is about Archer and me coming to a  business decision. I can't have you glowering in the background, out to  tear anyone apart who dares defy me."

"Why not? I can't help it if I'm protective of you."

He is so sweet I almost want to cry. Or do him. I'd prefer the latter.

"I love how protective you are of me," I murmur, smoothing my hand up  and down his thigh. God, I love his body. He's so hard . . . everywhere.  "I've never had someone defend me before."

"Well, I'm all yours. Don't forget it." He flinches and yelps when I cup  his burgeoning erection. "Damn it, Marina. I'm driving."

"Yes, you are. And I'm touching you. Don't mind me." I undo the button  fly on his jeans and slip my hand within, encountering warm, thin cotton  stretched across his hard, thick cock. My panties dampen just touching  him, and I release a shuddering breath.

"Don't you dare do what I think you're doing," he admonishes but his voice is weak. He's such a sucker for my touch.

Almost as much as I'm a sucker for his.

"I could give you a hand job while you drive." I scooch closer to him,  my mouth at his ear, and I curl my fingers around his length. "Or a blow  job. Remember when I did that last week?"         

     



 

That had been fun. He'd been driving this powerful car, looking so sexy  and in command I hadn't been able to resist. Next thing I knew, I was  sprawled across the front seat of the Maserati with my head in his lap  and his erection in my mouth. He'd had to pull over so I could finish  him off without him wrecking.

Hot. He makes me so hot it's ridiculous. I'm with him, and I feel like a  giddy teenager just out for a good time. I think he feels the same way.

At least we're in this together.

"Baby, I love it when you put your mouth on me, but I'm trying to get us  home in one piece so I can have my mouth all over you." He stifles a  groan when I deliberately stroke him. "Fuck, I swear you like seeing me  in agony."

I do. I love torturing him. Only because I know he wants me so bad. It's  a heady feeling, wielding this much power over Gage. And he has power  over me as well, there's no denying it. I think we make a great team.

I can only hope my family feels the same. And eventually they can  forgive him-specifically my mother-when he buys up our properties in  downtown St. Helena and resells it. That's what his plan is. He doesn't  even have to tell me. I already know.

And I finally think I'm okay with his plan. If I have to give up the  bakery, then so be it. It chokes me up to think about it, but I need to  act like a grownup. Archer and I have discussed my possibly working with  him very casually, and I know he means his offer. He's mentioned me  taking on a management position within one of his restaurants. I don't  know if I would actually pursue it, but hey, it's an option. One I  appreciate Archer making for me.

"We'll be home soon, okay?" He settles his hand over mine, giving it a  squeeze. I, in turn, give his cock another squeeze. His ragged moan  sends a little thrill through me that urges me to keep going. "And then  you can do whatever you want to me."

"Really? Whatever I want?" I raise my brows. There are so many things we  haven't attempted yet that I'd love to try out. I'm so comfortable with  him, I know whatever I suggest, he'd be game for it.

"Definitely whatever you want. But you need to get your hand off my  dick. I feel like I'm gonna blow," he says through gritted teeth.

I burst out laughing. "I've barely touched you!"

"Yeah, but that's all it takes, Marina. Haven't you realized that by  now?" He turns to look at me, the heated glow in his eyes so intense, it  steals my breath.

And makes my heart expand. He's so far gone over me, I love it.

Especially since I feel the same exact way.





Chapter Twelve




Gage

I'VE WAITED FOR this moment for what feels like a lifetime. Hounded this  man until I'm sure he was sick and tired of hearing and seeing my name.  Now that the time has come, and I'm sitting across from him in my San  Francisco office, and despite being on my turf I'm so full of nerves I  swear I'm going to be sick.

I am also a complete wuss. My biggest fear? That I'll somehow fuck it all up and lose everything.

Including Marina.

"My daughter likes you," Scott Knight says, his gaze razor sharp as it  meets mine. I don't back down. Just keep my expression neutral and hope  like hell he can't tell I'm sweating beneath my suit. "But just because  she likes you doesn't mean I have to."

Jesus. Way to boost my confidence.

"I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt though. Marina doesn't make bad  choices. She's a smart girl. I like to think I had something to do with  that." Scott turns his head toward the window, seemingly lost in  thought. "So with that said, I think it's time we discuss you purchasing  the property downtown."

Fucking finally. I practically sag in my chair. The relief that's ready  to consume me is strong, but I'd also have to be an idiot to believe all  is well. This could be a trick.

I've been tricked before.

But no. Without hesitation, he launches into the specifics. Costs and  current leases and documents and the details regarding the preliminary  contract he had his lawyer draw up. Photos and the history of the  buildings and that one single question: I don't plan on tearing it all  down so I can rebuild, do I?

Hell no, I answer, knowing that I pleased him just by the look on his face.

I scan all the documents as he pushes them toward me, knowing I'm going  to have my lawyer review them anyway, so I don't read them over too  carefully beyond the asking price. Nod my head in all the right places  and ask the appropriate questions when prompted. But all the while I'm  wondering, why? Why now? Why me?         

     



 

It's to the point that I can't hold back. I've gotta know.

"Why do you want to sell to me now?" I ask after he hands over a thick  stack of papers. The contract his lawyer has drawn up. I'll be  countering with a contract my lawyer will have put together, but there's  no need to mention it at the moment. "After all this time, why me?"

Scott stares at me like I'm crazy. "Why not you? First, you barrage me  with calls and messages for months. Practically to the point of  harassment. My plan was to ignore you. I wasn't ready to sell yet."

Swallowing hard, I rest my forearms on the edge of my desk, remaining as neutral as possible.

"Then you start dating my daughter and I wonder." His all-seeing gaze  lands on me again, and I can tell he's trying to figure me out. "Are you  using her to get to me? Tell me the truth."

Damn. I can't confess that was my original intention. It's not anymore.  If I'm being truthful with myself, I can admit I'm halfway in love with  her. More than halfway. It's just hard to come to grips with that sort  of thing and admit it, especially to her father.

I haven't even told Marina how I feel. Yet.

"Would that change your price if I told you I was?" I ask, pretending to be the shrewd, ruthless businessman I used to be.

We glare at each other from across my desk, neither of us moving until he finally shakes his head.

"You're a bullshitter. It's written all over your face," he says.

"What are you talking about?"

"I can see that you're in love with Marina." I open my mouth to protest,  but he narrows his gaze, silencing me with a single look that reminds  me eerily of Marina. "Don't bother denying it. I know the two of you  have been spending most of your time together."