Page 83 of Red My Lips

The Chicago skyline is a beautiful sight through the plane window. The last time I was on a private plane, I was flying in the opposite direction and couldn’t get away fast enough. But I’ve missed my city.

“Welcome home, baby.” My eyes leave the window to find Gage watching me. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me once since I woke up to his face buried between my legs.

Gage had eaten my pussy this morning like he’d never get the chance again. Once he’d had his fill, and I’d come on his tongue three times, he fucked me so roughly and thoroughly—talking so dirty it made me blush—that my body still aches deliciously from the power of it. Then he made love to me, soft, sweet, and slow, as he took me to heights of pleasure I’d never experienced before. And while he was worshiping every inch of the body he’d just completely destroyed, he’d showered me with praise and words of adoration that I’ll never forget.

Gage Lawless is madly in love with me. And as much as I’d still like to fight it—and fight him—I’m just as devoted.

Exhilaration washes over me at the thought of it all. I’m home with the man that I love. Everything is as it should be. Well, almost. It’s going to take more than a morning of sex and five orgasms to make things up to me. Gage still has a lot of groveling to do.

I don’t forgive so easily.

He didn’t tell me what he did with Tommy’s body, and I didn’t ask. Honestly, I don’t give a shit. My brother wouldn’t care what happened to me, so why should I worry about his eternal resting place?

Gage’s car is waiting for us on the tarmac when we arrive. I allow him to help me down the plane’s stairs, but I refuse to let him hold my hand as we walk in silence to the car. I wait in the passenger seat as Gage and the flight crew load my luggage into the trunk.

When Gage climbs behind the wheel, I don’t offer my hand to hold as I look out the window. But when his large hand reaches over to rest on my thigh as he drives us away from the small airport, I make no move to remove it.

I’m still not happy with this man, but damn did I miss him. I missed his touch, his voice, the smell of his cologne. I missed the weight of his eyes on me and the way my body responds to his presence. I even missed that damn smirk of his.

Half of me—the angry, vindictive half—refuses to let my guard down with him after the deceit. I know what type of man he is, and I’m still bitter that he used it against me. He was a weapon I thought I had a handle on, but it blew up in my face. So, while he might currently be allowed in my presence, I’m not gifting him my attention.

“What are you doing?” I ask as we turn in the opposite direction we should be going.

“I’m taking you home.”

“This isn’t the way to my apartment. Where the hell are we even going?” I look around as we make our way through an unfamiliar part of the city.

“Do you trust me?” Gage’s question has me cutting him a look that says he must think I’m an idiot. So, he clarifies. “Do you trust me to keep you safe?”

Yes.

The answer echoes through my mind clearly and without hesitation. I don’t have to say it out loud for Gage to see it on my face. He flashes me a knowing smirk, and I barely refrain from rolling my eyes like a petulant child. That has me settling back against my seat with an annoyed exhale. “I’m already starting to regret coming back with you.”

“It’s too late now, baby. There’s no going back.”

We weave our way further and further away from downtown, towards the suburbs. The distance between properties grows wider as the houses grow bigger. My brows knit in confusion when we pull up to a fancy gated community. With the click of a fob on his keys, the detailed metal gate swings open to allow us entry.

Winding through the ritzy neighborhood, Gage finally turns into a greenery-lined driveway that leads to a house tucked away from the street. Although house isn’t the right word to use for what’s waiting at the end of a circular drive. Manor is more like it.

The massive white colonial mansion stands in the center of immaculately manicured grounds, with detailed white pillars reaching the full two stories on either side of the front door. Gage pulls up to the front door and cuts the engine. I can feel his heavy gaze on me as I stare out the window, taking in every detail of the gorgeous home. When I pull my eyes away from the house to look at him in confusion, I find him staring at me with such passion it makes the breath hitch in my chest.

“Come inside, I need to show you something.”

I open my mouth, but before I can ask him any of the questions racing through my mind, he’s climbing out of the car. I watch him round the car, my eyes narrowing as he pulls my door open and offers me his hand. I stare at the offered palm for a second, trying to decide if I’m willing to play his little game.

Finally, curiosity wins out and I place my hand in his. He helps me out of the car and refuses to let go of my hand as we talk towards the front door. I expect Gage to knock or ring the bell, but instead, he walks right in, taking me with him.

The grand foyer opens up with an imperial staircase leading up to the second floor, with two-story vaulted ceilings and original detailed woodwork. From this standpoint, I can see a parlor on the left, a dining room to my right, and a large kitchen past the staircase. The walls are painted in rich, moody colors, with panels of ornate wallpaper decorating the spacious entryway. My heels click on the checkered flooring made up of black and white marble tiles.

“What do you think?”

“Of what? How you just broke into someone’s house?”

“The house. What do you think of the house?”

“Why? Are you thinking of buying it or something?” I look over at him to find him staring at me expectantly, so I relent. “It’s a beautiful house. Absolutely gorgeous.”

“Good. I think so too.” He grins from ear to ear as he uses our connected hands to pull me through the entryway towards the kitchen, passing a library full of gorgeous built-in bookshelves on the way.

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