Page 24 of Shattered Dreams

“What did Zane say after I ran upstairs? I’m sorry I left you to deal with it.” I shouldn’t have let Gage face my brother’s temper alone. Hopefully, Stella reined him in before things got too bad. I know how my brother can be if he feels something is his fault, and when he’s like that, the only person he’ll listen to is Stella.

“He asked me about Sierra, and I told him the truth. ThatTruth or Darecaught me giving her a ride. She asked me out, and at first I said yes, but I couldn’t go through with it. I couldn’t use her that way, even as a distraction because we’re friends. Her car had a flat tire, and I was giving her a lift to a friend’s place. They were going to walk to a club from there.”

“Oh.” I pause. “I saw the picture, too. How did you get here so fast?”

“I was at the Sweet Apple, sitting at the bar, alone.” He tangles his fingers in my hair. “You don’t get it, how much Ilove you. When you broke up with me,Imissed you. I was there because it reminded me of our first date.”

“Gage,” I murmur, touched he would do something like that, just because it reminded him of me.

“I’m not going to apologize for being a sentimental sap, and it might have saved your life. I had to call Zane—I had no idea where you were. I heard you scream and I wasn’t there to protect you... fuck.” He closes his eyes. “I should have let Baby go after him, but if I would have, there wouldn’t have been anything left. I have questions for that son of a bitch. He said Black sent him to fuck with you. I wonder how true that is, or if he was just saying bullshit to sound cool.”

“It seems like something Ash would do to torment me, but I can’t figure out why he cares.”

“Max thought he loved you, in some sick, twisted way. Maybe he’s right. But not love. You’re an obsession. A possession. Maybe even from prison he’ll never leave you alone.”

“I don’t know. How would we find out?”

“I’ve been thinking about that, and I have an idea. It’s something we can talk about, but not right now.” He hugs me to him. “I’m too worn out to think about anything else tonight. My adrenaline’s crashing.”

“I need to wash my hair.” I lean back and dip my head into the water. I thought I’d be more self-conscious naked in front of him, but maybe we’ve been through enough together I’m starting to lose some of my inhibitions. I start to lather in the shampoo, but Gage says, “Let me.”

I turn around, and he massages my scalp, the bubbles padding the circular motion. My head hurts where that asshole yanked at my hair, but the pain disappears under Gage’s tender touch. He rinses the shampoo out, and while I’m slicking conditioner through my hair, he washes his.

We’ve been in the tub for over an hour, but we still have so much to talk about and it drags me down. Gage can see the exhaustion on my face, and it’s mirrored on his. “Let’s get out,” he says.

I quickly rinse my hair and stand, letting the water run down my body. I love the way Gage stares, like he wants to eat me up. I want him to, but we’re treading on delicate territory and it’s my fault. Stella said I’d need to repair the damage I caused, and I’ll do whatever I have to do, work as hard as I have to. I want to be where we were before. When he’ll touch me without asking for permission first. To grab me, in play, laughing, without worrying if he’ll scare me. I ruined that.

The towels are huge and fluffy, and in my room, I dry off and rub the water out of my hair. I dress in a nightgown and panties, and I feel so much better now that I’m clean. I feel almost normal, and that’s a big deal for me.

Gage dries off, too, and tosses his towel into the hamper in the bathroom. He scoops his boxer briefs and jeans off the floor.

My heart sinks. I assumed he’d spend the night. “Are you leaving?”

His brief’s waistband snaps against his skin. “Do you want me to stay?”

“If you want to.” Trying to steady my hands, I brush my hair. I don’t want him to see how nervous and disheartened I am.

“I’d like to, but Baby needs to go out once more and she’ll need something to eat and a bowl of water.”

“I can order her some kibble, but it’s up to you, if you think it’s easier to go home.” I turn away and concentrate on my hair. “You don’t have to worry about leaving me here alone. I can handle it, and security will have this place locked up. You said Zane made sure of it before he left.” I’m babbling, scared he’s going to leave when I really want him to stay.

“Zarah.”

“Yeah?”

He puts on his jeans and t-shirt, his hair damp. He looks so good.

“If you want me to stay, I will, but you have to tell me what you want or I won’t know.”

He’s reminding me to use my words and I ask, “Will you spend the night with me? Please?”

“I would love to.” He kisses me, long and deep, and I need all of my willpower not to collapse in his arms. “I’ll be right back. Can you call security and tell them to let me back up, tell them you want me to stay with you tonight?”

“I’ll do that and order Baby some food and a grass potty mat. It’s a long way downstairs and it will be easier on her if she has somewhere to go up here. What brand of dog food does she like to eat?”

“You can do all that?”

I laugh, enjoying the frown on his face. I’ve spent more time in his world than he has in mine. “Money can buy more than just big bathtubs. Leave it to me.”

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