Page 53 of Love in the Wild

“I’ll listen.”

Hadley’s phone dinged, and they both pulled out of the hug. Brett’s name was written across the screen.

Brett: Are you okay?

Gage cleared his throat. “You talk to Brett a lot?”

There was a hint of unease in Gage’s voice she didn’t like. Lying to him about Thea was hard enough. She wouldn’t lie to him about anything else. “Yeah. He was one of the first friends I made when I moved here.”

“But the two of you are not–”

“No, we’re not together. Never have been. But since I helped Thea out, he’s been checking in on me. I think he’s still spooked after what happened to Thea.”

That was at least partly true. Brett was checking in on her. He was still staying at her place, even though he and Thea hadn’t mended their fences yet.

Gage brushed the pad of his thumb over her chin. “Tell him I said thanks for looking out for you.”

“I’m thankful for both of you. I should probably go before he figures out I’m on an unmarked road with a criminal.”

That earned her a little chuckle out of Gage. His thumb brushed over her cheek, and he leaned in to press his lips to the soft skin. His beard raked against her as he pulled away.

Somehow all of the air in the cab had been sucked out all at once. Hadley turned her head a fraction of an inch, leaving their lips only a breath apart.

No one was around, and they weren’t putting on a show. Gage kissed her because he wanted to, and the mere thought had her heart leaping off a cliff into the unknown.

Gage’s deep breaths were close and warm, but he didn’t pull away. She could lean the slightest bit, and their lips would touch.

His thumb lazily slid across her cheek and back to her chin. Was he going to kiss her before her heart exploded?

“Will you let me know when you make it home?” he asked.

Hadley nodded, unsure if she could trust her voice right now.

“Good night,” Gage whispered before letting his hand fall away and opening the door.

Two seconds later, he was gone, and the car was eerily quiet until his truck roared to life.

Still shaky from her close encounter with Gage, she sent Brett a quick text letting him know she was on her way. She took her time and slowly drove back to the main road. Gage’s headlights followed her to the edge of town before veering off onto a side road.

She tiptoed into the cabin, waving a quick good night to Brett before closing herself in her room. Alone in the darkness again, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like if Gage had kissed her tonight.

16

GAGE

Travis bent at the waist, propping his gloved hands on his knees. Sweat dripped from his hair onto the mat. “Dude, it’s been hours. Don’t you have to get to work?”

“Not for another hour.” Their morning sparring had turned into a no-holds-barred match pretty quickly. Gage had taken the lead, and Travis was only starting to complain.

Travis straightened and pulled his gloves off. “I’m out.”

“One more round,” Gage panted. He was losing steam too, but there were still problems without solutions hanging around in his head. He did his best thinking when he was either laying on the hits or dodging fists.

“No. I’m not your punching bag. Save a guy’s face, man.”

Gage tore off his gloves and stalked over to the bench. He gulped down half a bottle of water and leaned over, propping his elbows on his thighs.

“Wanna talk about it?” Travis asked as he took the seat beside Gage.

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