Page 59 of Red My Lips

Looking between the two brothers, I couldn’t disagree more. While Rio is attractive and carries a strong resemblance, he doesn’t hold a candle to my Gage.

“Thanks, but if I wanted the generic version, I would’ve stopped at Walmart,” I reply smoothly. Gage looks down at me and grins, his hand on my hip giving me a possessive squeeze.

“Damn, harsh,” Rio says, feigning a wounded expression. He turns to his brother and points at me with a laugh. “I like her.”

I’ve decided I like him too. Rio seems fun, if not a little cocky. But I can look past that—just look at his brother.

“Don’t just stand there. Get some drinks and start introducing your girl around. Connie’s got everyone very curious.”

After grabbing some beers from the bar, Gage walks me around to meet some of the members and their girlfriends. Most of them are welcoming, but a few of the women give me side-eye and fake smiles. Feeling me tense as I flash them my own cold look, Gage explains that they’re house mice who float around sleeping with bikers, trying to become a member’s old lady. Apparently, they get territorial and don’t like hot new girls coming in.

I roll my eyes at that. I’m not the least bit interested in sleeping with any of the MC members. I might be a girl’s girl, but I have no patience for women who put themselves in competition with other women over men.

“Finally came out of hiding, huh?” Connie says, taking a swig of beer as we walk up to her. Gage rolls his eyes.

“Hello to you too, Mom,” he says sarcastically. “With such a warm welcome, I can’t believe we didn’t come here sooner.”

“Hey, I’m allowed to give you shit, it’s my right as your mother.” Connie’s gaze moves to me. “Jill, I almost didn’t recognize you with pants on.”

“Mom—” Gage says her name as a warning, his eyes cutting to me.

I tilt my head back and laugh, not the least bit offended. Connie is definitely a character, and I love not knowing what’s coming out of her mouth next.

“What?” Connie says innocently. “It’s a nice change, that’s all I’m saying.” She turns to address me like it’s just us. “Listen, I heard you’ve decided to stick with my son. That’s great and all, but personally I would’ve held out and made him buy me a car or something. I’m sure he would’ve done just about anything to have you. Just saying.”

“For god’s sake,” Gage growls as I laugh again.

“I’ll have to remember that for next time.” I look up at him, feigning consideration. “Maybe we’ll have a big fight later.”

“I like the way you think,” Connie says with a nod of approval.

“Food’s ready!” Dwayne bellows from the grill. “Come grab it while it’s hot.”

“Finally,” Gage mutters, placing his hands on my shoulders to turn me towards the awaiting food. “Let’s go. Anything to separate you two, I don’t like you plotting against me.”

“He’s so sensitive. I don’t know where I went wrong,” Connie sighs with a shrug, flashing me a wink. Gage ushers me towards the food as I laugh, his expression disgruntled. Luckily, he seems to get over our teasing when it’s time to load up a massive plate of the most delicious looking barbecue dishes I’ve ever seen.

Finding a nice grassy spot along the back wall of the courtyard away from the chaos, Gage lets me get settled on the ground before lowering to the grass next to me.

“I should’ve worn different pants,” I mumble, tugging at the constricting waistband of my denim shorts. “These shorts are not meant for sitting.” If I were at home or with Lana, I’d just unbutton the damn things to let my belly hang out and call it a day. But I’m not doing that here.

“Come here, baby. Lay down.” Gage lifts up the plate and pats his lap. Pivoting my body, I lay on my back with my head resting in his lap. His fingers tenderly bush a tendril of hair away from my face as he gazes down at me. “Better?”

“Better,” I confirm. This position is actually very comfortable, and I really like the view.

“Good, now open up.” He lifts the fork and guides it to my opened mouth. The pulled pork melts in my mouth, and I suppress a moan as my eyes basically roll back in my head.

“That is so good, it should be illegal.”

“It is, technically.” Gage holds up another bite for me. “You can’t legally source some of the ingredients for the sauce my dad makes in the US.”

“So I’m eating contraband barbecue right now?” I savor the bite in my mouth with a sigh of appreciation. “Somehow that makes it taste better.”

“Remind me to learn how to grill,” Gage says, watching how my face lights up at the food I’m being fed.

What can I say? It’s really that good.

“No complaints from me, especially if your dad is the one teaching you. Learn as many of his secrets as you can.” I open my mouth for another bite, and Gage is already waiting with a forkful. He uses the pad of his thumb to swipe a drop of barbeque sauce from the corner of my mouth, before pressing it between my lips for me to suck off. Something that would usually be sexually charged feels surprisingly endearing as we lay here on a summer day enjoying each other’s company.

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