Chapter 8
Kim
GETTING MYSELF UNDER control, I pull my face from Sage’s chest and lean back. I knew Sage wasn’t the kind of guy you could easily forget, but I had no idea he felt that same thing for me. It didn’t seem possible that he could, but I heard the truth in his words when he told me that he hasn’t been with anyone since we were together.
“You okay?” he questions, running his fingers along my jaw, and I nod. “You sure?”
“Yeah, I just feel like an idiot,” I confess, and his eyes soften.
“You’re not an idiot.”
“Tell that to the woman who’s had a pretend boyfriend for months because she was too afraid to face the fact she had fallen for a guy she barely knew,” I grumble, and he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.
“You were protecting yourself. I get it.”
“You weren’t mad?”
“Mad about what?” he asks, and I stare at him in disbelief.
“That I pretended to have a boyfriend,” I supply, and his eyes change in a way that makes my skin tingle.
“You pretending to have a boyfriend didn’t only protect you. It protected me. You were off the market. Anytime anyone asked you out, you told them the same thing—you had a man—so they would back off. I’m not mad, because in the end, your lie also helped me out.”
“You’re serious?” I breathe, studying him, and his hand moves to wrap around my jaw.
“You could have taken a chance on someone else, fallen in love, and moved on. So yeah, I’m serious.”
Swallowing at the sudden intensity in his eyes, I look over his shoulder. That could have happened, but he also could have met someone else and fallen in love. I would’ve had to witness the whole thing while knowing I messed up my shot with him because I was too afraid to face my fears. Feeling his thumb move over my bottom lip draws my attention back to him.
“None of that matters now. Right now, we just focus on getting to know each other.”
I don’t agree with him verbally or by nodding. Instead, I lean up and touch my mouth to his—because I can, because I want to, and because as much as this whole thing scares me, I know I want it more than my next breath. If I end up heartbroken, I will have the memories of my time with Sage to look back on. And if this by some chance works out, I will have something amazing for the rest of my life.
“I’m hungry,” I say when the kiss starts to go from a soft touch of my lips on his to him rocking his hard length into me, with me moaning against his mouth.
“Me, too,” he agrees, and I can’t help but to laugh. Resting my forehead against his, I move my fingers along his strong jaw.
“Please feed me.”
His eyes close and his chest presses against mine as he pulls in a breath. Standing us both up, he kisses my forehead before leaving me standing in the living room. Watching him go, I wonder what I should do, and then he’s back a minute later with my bag in his hand. I follow him down the hall to his room, where he flips on the light and carries my bag to his bed, dropping it there.
“We’ll go out to get something to eat, since I don’t have anything here and need to do some shopping.”
“Sounds good,” I agree.
“I’ll stay in the guest room tonight, so you can get ready in here.”
“No,” I deny, shaking my head and trying to move around him to grab my bag.
“Yes.”
“No.” I plant my hands on my hips. “You should be sleeping in your bed,” I say, and he mutters something before walking toward the closet. Knowing he’s doing his whole ignore me thing to get his way, I start to get annoyed. “I’m not staying in here, Sage Mayson,” I state, picking up my bag and heading for the door, only to let out a squeal when I’m picked up off the floor before I make it there. Dropping the bag to the floor halfway across the room, I let out a whoosh of air a second later as my back hits the bed and Sage comes down on top of me.
“You’re sleeping in here.”
“I’m not,” I huff out, trying to push him away, only managing to somehow flip him to his back. Looking down at him, I don’t know what comes over me. One second, I’m getting ready to hop off the bed and make a run for the door, and the next, my mouth is colliding with his. Our teeth gnash together and I pull back a second before going back for more, thrusting my tongue into his mouth.
A whimper slides up my throat as he pulls his mouth from mine long enough to rip my shirt over my head. It’s then I lose what little self-control I have. I remember what it felt like the first time we were together. I remember how it felt when his mouth was on my breast against my skin and between my legs. I remember it like it was yesterday, and I want that again. I want to feel his mouth and hands on me, and I definitely want to put my mouth and hands on him.
Pulling at his shirt, he does a half ab crunch and we yank his shirt off and toss it to the bed. Then his hands slide up my back, and I feel his fingers as they work the clasp of my bra. When that’s gone, he drops it on top of his shirt. Pressing my chest into his, my nipples scrape against the light smattering of hair on his chest, and my tongue flicks against his, earning me a growl of approval that I feel tingle between my thighs.
He rolls me to my back, his mouth leaving mine, and his head dips so he can lick over one of my nipples while his fingers tweak and pull the neglected one. Back arching, I wrap my legs around his hips, seeking the friction I so desperately need between my legs. My body is buzzing. I never knew it was possible to have an orgasm from just my nipples being sucked and a little bit of clit stimulation, but I feel the pull of arousal in my lower belly, the telltale sign that if I move my hips just right, I might come.
“Sage,” I pant, and his hand and mouth leave my breast.
Leaning back, he looks down at me. I think he’s going to stop again, so I do the only thing I can think of. I lean up and press my mouth to his while rubbing my palm over his huge erection through his jeans. Groaning, he pushes my hand away. I want to pout, but before I can, his fingers move to the button of my jeans, and in one flick of his fingers, he has them undone and his fingers are sliding over my pubic bone. Down they go, zeroing in on my clit with an accuracy that has me thrusting my hips up into his fingers.
“So goddamn wet. How did I forget how wet you get for me?” he asks against my lips, and I moan, digging my nails into his back. I’m close, so close. Thrusting my hips up, my breath catches when his fingers thrust into me, first one then two, both curving up and hitting that spot deep inside of me that has me seeing stars. “Jesus, your pussy is squeezing the fuck out of my fingers,” he rumbles, taking my bottom lip into his mouth and pulling it between his teeth.
“Sage!” I cry out as my orgasm explodes through me, leaving me lightheaded and limp. I’m panting as my eyes open and I find him staring down at me.
“So fucking beautiful. Better than I remember,” he whispers, and I lick my lips then sit up. Forced to pull his fingers from me, he puts them in his mouth and his eyes fall closed. “Definitely better than I remember.” His eyes open, and I push him to his back.
“Please,” I whisper when he tries to stop me from unhooking his jeans. Studying me for a moment, he gives in with a shake of his head and lies back. Releasing him, I watch his long, thick cock flex up toward me and my mouth waters. He’s perfect everywhere; even his cock is perfect, long, smooth, and hard with thick veins that run the length of it.
I wrap my fingers around him and my pussy contracts when they don’t meet. I remember what it felt like to have him inside me, the stretch and slow burn of pleasure he brought on with each thrust. Looking up at him, I place my lips around the head of his cock and slowly sink down on it, taking him as far as I can go without gagging. Keeping my hand at the base, I twist and pull while I suck and lick, watching his expression as I drive him closer to the edge.
“Fuck, baby.” His fingers slide into my hair, and his abs tighten as he leans up to watch me take him into my mouth. “Jesus, I’m gonna fucking come,” he warns.
Taking him even deeper, I work my hand in faster strokes. I want him on my tongue and down my throat. I want him to come in my mouth. I want to taste the pleasure I’ve given him.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he chants as his eyes close and his hips lift off the bed, sending him down my throat as he comes.
Swallowing down every last drop, I lick him clean, wondering what the hell came over me. I’ve never swallowed before… or enjoyed giving a blowjob, for that matter. But I did enjoy giving one to him. No, I didn’t enjoy it; I loved it.
“Christ.” He pulls me up under my arms onto his chest then kisses me deep and wet before pulling back, studying me. “Now I’m even more pissed at myself for walking away,” he mutters.
I can’t help it. The comment is sincere and so funny that I laugh loudly and drop my forehead to his pec. Hearing my stomach growl a second later, I lean back to look at him. “I think I’m still hungry,” I tell him, and he smiles then leans up, kissing me softly before dragging me from the bed, handing me my bra once I’m standing.
“Meet me in the kitchen when you’re done getting ready,” he says right before he disappears into the closet, coming out a minute later with a shirt in his hand. He doesn’t say anything as he walks by me to leave the room, but his fingers graze across my stomach the way they did the first day we met. It leaves something warm sitting in the pit of my stomach as I put on my bra.
Pulling my shirt on, I head for his bathroom, noticing the toothbrush I bought when I was staying with him is still in the holder. I use it quickly before taking a brush to my hair and putting on some ChapStick. I didn’t really dress up for work today, so I figure my outfit of dark jeans, a red, long-sleeved, scoop-neck shirt, and my black, leather booties that match my jacket is casual enough for whatever we end up doing.
As soon as I’m done straightening myself out, I head to the kitchen, where Sage is already waiting with his back to me and his head bent as he flips through a stack of mail in front of him. Standing unnoticed, I take a second to enjoy the view of his ass in the jeans he has on and the way the dark green Henley he changed into fits him like a second skin, showing off the muscles in his arms and back. When he turns to face me, I realize that the back view may be good, but the front is even better. His shirt is molded to his wide chest, and the deep green of his shirt makes his eyes even more phenomenal, if that’s even possible.
“Ready?” he asks, and I nod, letting him lead me with his hand against my lower back to the front of the house. Grabbing my jacket at the front door, I put it on then take his hand when he offers it. He closes the door behind us and locks up, then takes me to the passenger side door and helps me in.
I buckle up while he walks around the hood and slides in behind the wheel. “Where are we going?” I ask as he turns on the car and reverses out of the yard.
“There’s a few places nearby. Do you feel like having Mexican, Italian, or American?” he inquires, and I wonder which one of those will have the best menu for my new diet. Deciding on Mexican, he drives us to a small strip mall that has a nail place, a donut shop, and a Mexican restaurant in it. He parks near the front door and shuts down the engine, unhooking his belt before opening his door.
Getting out, I meet him at the hood where he takes my hand. The smell of spices and meat hits me when we walk through the door, and my stomach growls again. “Holy cow, look at that,” I say, pointing out a picture of the guy from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives standing with a very pretty petite Mexican woman. “Now I’m even more hungry,” I admit, and he laughs, tucking me under his arm. I’m not lying; every time I watch that show, my mouth waters and I wish I could be there eating the food, so I’m super excited to experience something from the show firsthand.
“Sit anywhere, you two. Someone will be with you in a moment,” a woman says, and Sage nods before leading me to a booth in the back of the small restaurant.
Sliding across the leather seat, I smile at him as he takes a seat across from me and scans the room—my guess, looking for danger. “Anyone suspicious?” I whisper, and his eyes come to me.
“Habit.” He laughs, and I grin at him.
“Hello, my friends. What can I get you two to drink?” a man asks, coming up to the table and placing menus in front of us.
“Water, with lemon please,” I request, and he nods at me before looking at Sage.
“Beer, whatever you got in a bottle that’s cold.”
“All right, I’ll be back.” He half bows at us before taking off toward the back of the restaurant, coming back a second later with a basket of chips and a bowl of salsa, setting them on the table before leaving again. Picking up a chip, I dunk it in the salsa and take a bite, and my eyes widen.
“Hot?”
“God, yes.” I fan my mouth then grab my water when the waiter sets it down in front of me. I don’t even care how bad I look chugging from the glass. My mouth is on fire.
“Did I give you the hot one?” the waiter asks, and I blink away the tears leaking from my eyes. I don’t know if it’s the hot one, but it is hot.
Watching Sage dunk his own chip in the salsa and pop it in his mouth, I laugh when he has the same reaction I just had. His mouth opens and his eyes water as he puts his beer to his lips and chugs.
“I’m sorry. I’ll get you a new one.” The waiter picks up the salsa and leaves only to appear out of thin air as he sets a new salsa between us. “It should be okay now.” He smiles.
“Thank you.” I smile at him before he walks off.
“It should be okay?” Sage repeats, and I smile as I bite into another chip without dunking it in the salsa.
“You heard that, too?” I grin, shaking my head. “I don’t think I’m brave enough to be the guinea pig. You test it out and tell me if it’s safe,” I urge, batting my lashes at him, and he picks up another chip, touches just the edge into the salsa, and then places it against his tongue.
“It’s good,” he mutters.
Laughing at him, I pick up my own chip, scoop up some salsa, and take a bite. It’s good, better than good. It’s delicious… or I’m starving. Whatever the case may be, by the time our waiter comes back for our orders, I’ve eaten almost all the chips and salsa.
“Do you know what you’d like to eat?” he asks.
“The salmon taco salad and another water please,” I reply, and he nods then looks at Sage.
“Another beer, the biggest burrito you’ve got on the menu, and a side of guacamole,” Sage orders, and the waiter nods before walking off. “So what’s going on with the shop? Have you and Ellie had a chance to discuss it again?” he asks me.
I pick up another chip and dunk it in the salsa, but then drop it into the basket. I don’t want to ruin my dinner, but at the rate I’m going, it’s liable to happen. “We have a meeting at the bank on Monday to see about the loan. Frankie is asking two hundred and fifty thousand for the salon, and that price includes everything—the chairs and supplies—already there. It’s a good deal. We just have to make sure we can get the loan, along with the extra money we need to do the renovations we want.”
“Is there a lot of changes that need to be made?”
I shake my head. “No, not necessarily. But right now, it’s Frankie’s shop, and as much as we love it, we want to make it our own. We want to do some upgrades and add a couple more chairs that we can either rent out each month or hire a couple more girls to work. We are always slammed, so the extra staff would mean more income in the long run.”
“That’s smart,” he agrees, reaching over to take my hand. “Have you told your parents?”
Blinking, I realize I haven’t told them or Chris about the shop, and they are normally the first people I tell everything to. “I haven’t. I’ve only talked to you, Ellie, and Jax about it.”
“Might be smart to keep it on the down low until you have a better idea of what’s going to happen. Or at least until you have a chance to talk to the bank about the loan you need.”
“You’re probably right. I love my parents, but I know if I tell them, they will want to jump in and throw money at me,” I mumble.
“Having money thrown at you isn’t a bad thing, babe.”
“No, it’s not, but I want to do this on my own. I want to prove to them and myself that I’m capable of doing something on my own. My parents are the best, but they can be a little overbearing at times.”
“They just want you to know they love you and that they support you,” he says quietly, giving my fingers a squeeze. “I think sometimes parents try to overcompensate. They never want us to feel like we are missing out on something.”
“Do your parents do that with you?” I ask, and his face softens.
“My dad is too cool for that, but my mom is a coddler. I love her for it. I’ve never worried about the depth of her love for me. So yeah, she throws love at me the way your parents try to throw money at you.” He smiles then leans back, letting go of my hand as our food arrives.
Looking down at my salad, my mouth waters. Then I look across to his plate and my eyes get big.
“Jesus,” Sage mutters, staring at the plate in front of him. It isn’t a normal size plate. No, it’s something you would serve a turkey on at Thanksgiving, and the burrito sitting on it takes up the whole surface.
“Do you two need anything else?” our waiter asks.
I pull my eyes from Sage’s meal and shake my head then mutter, “Unless you have another stomach somewhere. I think my man might need it.”
Smiling big, he shakes his head then walks off.
“Your man, huh?” Sage asks, and my eyes go back to his and my stomach dips when I see the look there. “I like that.”
“You do?”
“Been waiting a long time to hear you call me that,” he admits, and that warmth I’ve been feeling in the pit of my stomach spreads through my chest.
“Thank you,” I blurt, and his focus on me changes. “For waiting for me, I mean.”
The focus in his gaze changes to heat. “You better eat before I say fuck it to the food and carry your pretty little ass out of here over my shoulder so I can take you home and show you my gratitude in a different way.”
“Right,” I breathe, picking up my fork and shoving it into my salad, taking a huge bite before I tell him I wouldn’t mind him doing just that.
“I’m not even sure where to start,” he says, and I chew and swallow my bite while watching him look at his plate.
“The middle,” I supply helpfully, and he grins at me then digs into his food. Surprisingly, I eat all of my salad and he finishes more than half of his burrito. When the check arrives, I try to pay, but like always, he doesn’t let me. After arguing for a few minutes, I give in to him and he pays the bill.
After that he tucks me into his car and we head back to his place, where he leaves me with a soft kiss outside his bedroom door. I stand here watching him after that kiss as he moves to the spare room. I think about joining him there, but the part of me that knows we still need to work on getting to know each other keeps me in his bed, where I fall asleep surrounded by his scent.