Page 63 of Red My Lips

“This color is breathtaking, baby,” he murmurs, tilting my head back to bring my lips just inches from his. “It couldn’t be more perfect for you.”

“Just like the man it came from,” I say, resisting my own need to feel his lips against mine. I want to feel every inch of him as he worships every inch of me. The sparks flying between us burn so hot I’m sure I’d be swallowed whole until I was nothing but ash. “You look so good, I don’t know how I’ll be able to resist you tonight.”

And, damn, do I want to be laid to ruin.

“Mmmm.” The sound that rumbles through Gage’s chest is so deep and guttural that I can’t tell if it’s a growl or a moan, and it sends arousal pooling between my legs.

“I want you so badly right now I can’t think straight.” His eyes burn into mine as I watch his internal struggle. It takes a few minutes, but he slowly gets a hold of himself. “But I’m not going to get ahead of myself. The world deserves to see you in this dress, and I’m going to watch you bring them to their knees until I get to rip it off of you. I’m going to watch your perfect red lips as you talk, smile, and laugh—until I get to kiss the color off of them. And I’m going to appreciate the way those heels make your gorgeous legs, and that perfect ass of yours look until I have them dangling over my shoulders.”

The waves of devotion rolling off him beat against me until I’m breathless and practically clinging to him. If he keeps talking like this, we won’t be making it out of this apartment for the next several days. “You have such a way with words.”

“I can’t wait to have my way with you.” He lets his hands drop from my face like it’ll give him a contact high. “Jesus. Come on, Gorgeous, if we don’t leave now I might decide to chain you up and keep you locked away all for myself.”

The drive across town is filled with heated looks and deep conversation. Gage’s hand remains firmly on my thigh, his thumb tracing mindless shapes through the delicate fabric of my dress. When he pulls up to what looks like a nondescript utility building, I can’t help but be intrigued.

Gage parks and climbs out of the car before rounding to open my door for me. I accept his offered hand and allow him to help me out of the vehicle. When he just can’t help himself, he presses a hot kiss to my jaw, his arms wrapping around me. His hands slide from my waist to grab greedy handfuls of my ass.

“You are unreal,” he murmurs. “But don’t try to seduce me because I’m not bailing on our date.”

“God, you’re making me so wet right now.” There’s a breathiness to my voice that has his heated eyes flaring. “Maybe now isn’t the right time to mention I’m not wearing any panties.”

“You’re nothing but trouble,” Gage grates, his voice rough with desire. I smooth my hands down his dress shirt, appreciating the chiseled muscles of his chest.

“You’re going to make us late,” I remind him, making a growl of frustration resonate in his chest. “And don’t act like you don’t like it.”

Taking him by the hand, I let him lead me into the building.

“What’s with this place?” I look around the concrete room the size of a basketball court. Large paper targets line the far back wall, outlined by the silhouette of a person. Gage’s hand on my back leads me to one of the booths at the edge of the room opposite the targets.

“It’s a shooting range,” Gage states like it’s obvious because it is obvious.

“I know it’s a shooting range,” I deadpan. “Why did you bring me here?”

Reaching into the duffle bag that’s waiting in one of the booths, he pulls out a handgun. I stare at the weapon as he pulls back the slide to check if there’s a round in the chamber. “I’m teaching you how to handle a gun.” Walking closer, he places the gun in my hand. I look up at him, intrigued. It’s heavy in my hand, made of metal and deadly force.

“You want me to shoot a gun dressed like this?” I ask, cocking a hip to accentuate my figure.

“I’ve seen what you can do while wearing heels.” Gage bites his bottom lip and shakes his head slowly. “I didn’t think you could possibly look any better, but the sight of you holding a gun is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

The shower of praise coming from him tonight already has me soaked through, and I won’t make it another ten seconds if we don’t shift gears. I know he can see the change in my demeanor when my eyes narrow at him ever so slightly.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to hand me a loaded gun when you’re within shooting range? I thought your instincts were better than that,” I say, flashing Gage a flirty smile. The metal of the gun feels so heavy with power against my palm.

“We both know you’ll never pull that trigger on me,” he replies smugly, his smoldering eyes holding mine.

“You willing to bet your life on that?” I’m only half teasing, and his eyes cut to mine. He regards me for a moment, letting his gaze wander down my body like he has a million times already tonight.

“I don’t mind being shot if you’re the one pulling the trigger.”

“I’ll have to remember that.” This isn’t the first time I’ve held a gun, but so far, it’s my favorite. And I’ll admit, those other times, I was only talking a big game. I never actually intended to fire.

“When you shoot, shoot to kill,” he says, his large hands guiding my arms into position. “Always assume the gun is loaded. Aim for the head or the heart. A bullet through the brain is the only sure shot. But there are plenty of places to shoot if you want them to suffer.”

Strong fingers position my hands on the weapon’s grip, his inked hands closing over mine. My skin heats beneath his touch like tiny sparks of electricity. “Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. And always know if your safety is on or off.” Tilting the gun, I can see a small switch on the side just under the slide that’s labeled safety. The red dot is visible, showing that the weapon is ready to shoot.

“Is it hard to pull the trigger?”

I’ve never had to pull the trigger, I can’t help but wonder how it feels.

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