Page 40 of Red My Lips

Walking arm in arm, we make our way through the crowds towards the door. Bouncer Jax holds the door open for us, flashing his dimpled smile and offering to give us a ride—and not in his car. Lana flirts back, but we both walk away with no intention of taking up his offer—tonight, at least.

“Tonight was boring. There were no hot guys to dance with.”

“Well, duh,” Lana laughs. “That’s what happens when the Grim Reaper himself is standing a few feet away looking like he’s about to break the neck of any guy who gets too close to you.”

“What?”

“You seriously didn’t notice Gage following you all night, marking his territory?”

Honestly, no, I didn’t. I spent most of the night forcing myself not to think about him or let my eyes look for him. I didn’t even notice he spent the night only a few feet away.

“I must’ve missed that.” I bite the tip of my fingernail in an attempt to hide my smile, but it’s no use. “What a freak.”

“You like it.”

“It’s pretty hot,” I admit with a nod.

“You’re the freak,” Lana laughs as our car pulls up. We both climb in the back, and the driver pulls away from the curb. Lana’s apartment is only a block away from mine, so sharing a ride is usually our go-to when she’s not staying at a hotel with one of her boy toys.

The car pulls up to my apartment building to drop me off first, and I lean in to kiss my best friend on the cheek. “Text me when you get home so I know I don’t have to go on a murder spree,” I say, shooting a pointed look at the middle-aged man behind the wheel.

Well, another one. But Lana doesn’t know that.

“I will.” Despite her obliviousness to my lethal urges, Lana smiles like she knows exactly what I’m capable of.

“Bye, Lovie,” I sing as I climb out of the car. I blow her a kiss and give her another little wave before walking up the steps to my building. The car idles at the curb while I pull out my keys and use the fob to unlock the front door. It’s not until I’ve walked into the entryway and closed the door behind me that the car pulls away to take Lana home.

I should hear from her in the next ten minutes that she’s home safe. If not, I’m going on the hunt.

The first thing that comes off when I enter my apartment is my bra—right through the neckline of my dress. Shuffling into my bedroom, I kick off my shoes on my way to the bathroom and start taking my makeup off. A text from Lana lights up my phone before I’ve finished moisturizing.

Laying in my bed, the lust pulsing through me has me shuffling into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I reach into the crisper drawer and pull out my vibrator. Once back in my room, I let my panties fall down my legs before getting into my bed.

The silicone is cold, fresh from the fridge, and it burns deliciously against my heated flesh. Laying back against my pillows with a loud sigh, I swear I can feel a pair of dark eyes on me. The owner of those eyes is the one touching me, filling me with lust until I’m delirious. His name escapes my lips on a moan as I’m wrecked with pleasure.

“Gage.”

Chapter Seventeen

Jill

Another day, another shift at work. It’s been four days since I’ve worked—four days since I’ve seen Gage. That night at the club was a blur. I’m not sure I remember everything that happened. I mostly remember shots, dancing with Lana, and more shots. The one thing I remember vividly is flirting with Gage and how good he tastes when I’m tipsy.

I’m sure Gage has had his eyes on me on my days off, but watching me run errands and relax on the couch isn’t enough for him. He summoned me to pull a double shift tonight, making Miranda call me in early to set up the bar. The club is empty, and there won’t be anyone here for several hours.

Except Gage. I know he’s around here somewhere, watching.

It’s just him and me.

My handbag slips as I’m putting it in the locker, causing the contents to spill out onto the floor. I mutter a curse as I bend down to pick them up. Reaching for my lip balm and keys, my eyes snag on the keyring. An extra key has me doing a double take—it’s gold, the rest of my keys are silver. Where the hell did this come from? What does it open? Who put it here—

There’s only one person who could’ve done this.

I snap a picture with my phone and send it to Gage.

Me: What the fuck is this?

My phone dings almost immediately with a response, making me roll my eyes.

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