Page 56 of Paradox
***Gage***
“Raven, pick up the fucking phone. Call me back.”
“Gage, calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to fucking calm down!” I shout. “This isn’t like her.”
“I just left her a few hours ago. You don’t know how women are. We take forever to get ready.”
“Not Raven.” I sit on the bed, tapping my foot until I can’t take it anymore. “Fuck this shit. I’m going over there.” My phone rings, stopping me in my tracks.Finally.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I demand.
“Don’t you growl at me, Mr. Grouchy. I’ve been getting ready.”
“On what planet that doesn’t get cell reception?”
“The one where growly men don’t get the sex they’ve been waiting three months for,” she replies, her voice devoid of humor.
Fuck.
“Are you ready?” I ask, not wanting to upset her. There’s no way I’m not getting inside hertonight. Ellen giggles behind me.
“Almost. I will be by the time you get here.”
“Fine. I’ll see you in a few.”
“’Kay.”
“You aresowhipped,” Ellen says through her laughter.
“Fuck off, sis.”
She laughs even harder. “I don’t even want to see what you’ll be like in the morning. She’ll be leading you around on a leash!” She grabs her stomach, leaning forward.
I glare at her and she tries to compose herself. After managing to calm down to short bursts of giggles, she begins fixing my tie. A leash. Fuck that.Ain’t no woman putting Gage Hunter on a fucking leash. After tonight, she’ll be the one following me around like a love-sick puppy. I smirk to myself, imagining the night ahead. It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for this day, and it’s finally here. Tonight, I really make her mine.
“There,” Ellen taps my chest. “Prince Charming in the flesh.”
“Thanks, sis… for everything.”
“My pleasure.” She slides her palm up to my cheek. “I just want you to be happy, and it’s obvious Raven makes you happy.”
I kiss her forehead and then we make our way downstairs.
“I’ll see you at the club,” Ellen calls over her shoulder as she leaves. “The flowers are on the table. And open her doors!”
Fuck me. I’m not a hopeless cause. Raven might think I’m a Neanderthal but I’m not. I’ve just never met anyone who was worth the effort. Not until her. With a deep breath, I grab the flowers and head out.
***Raven***
I practically run to the door when I hear the knock. I’ve been ready for a while… since I called him. I just didn’t want to seem too eager. Stopping at the door, I take a deep breath and compose myself. When I open it, my heart catapults itself into my throat.Ho-lyfuck!I thought he was hot before, but in a suit? Molten lava. Sex god, level infinity. Fuck. Me. As I take in every inch of the man before me, he does the same, staring at me in wide-eyed awe.
“Fuck,” he mumbles.
“I second that sentiment.”
“You look… absolutely beautiful.”
