Page 82 of All Your Lies

“I can think of more pleasurable ways to earn brownie points, Lex,” he murmurs as he gets back into bed and much closer to me than before.

My stomach does a flip at the use of my nickname. This is the first time I’ve heard him say it since we were younger, and it does things to me, things I’m not willing to admit to myself.

I ignore him and break off a piece of chocolate, then place it on my tongue and moan as the velvety goodness melts instantly.

I catch him gazing at me with a weird expression on his face. “What?”

“Nothing.”

I hold the chocolate bar up. “I’ll give you a piece if you can be a good boy.”

He licks his lips as he looks over at me. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“Guess you aren’t getting any, then.” I shrug. His hand shoots out as he attempts to grab my chocolate, but I hold it to my side as I lean away. “Nope, none for you.”

Gage jumps on top of me with a quickness I don’t expect. His thighs lock my legs closed while his hands grip my wrists, holding me in place. My chocolate bar stands vertical in my hands above my head.

“You were saying?” He arches a brow.

“Bad boys don’t deserve chocolate.”

Gage leisurely scans my body under him. “But bad girls do?”

“I’m not a bad girl.”

“No, you’re my good girl, aren’t you?” he says in a velvety voice that sounds better than my chocolate tastes.

My cheeks heat and I turn my head away from his intense stare. He leans above me and takes a huge bite out of my chocolate bar.

“Hey!” I shriek as the piece of chocolate hangs from his mouth.

He dips his head and places the other side against my lips. I open my mouth and bite the piece off, my eyes never leaving his.

This is unlike any other moment we’ve experienced. It’s not charged by hatred, tension, or lust.

This is two friends finally taking the plunge into the next phase of their relationship.

This is what I imagine our first moments would have been like if all the other shit wouldn’t have happened.

I lift my head, offering myself to him, and he complies as his mouth comes down on mine. It’s reminiscent of our first kiss in the garden, tender and unhurried. Like we’re still unsure, but savoring the moment. His mouth is an intoxicating mix of chocolate and smoke, and I never want it to stop.

twenty-five

Gage

With a smirk on my face, I observe Alexa’s frustrated huff as she regains her stance, determination clear in her eyes. Under the hexagon lights in my home gym, her body glistens, clad only in her bra and my boxer briefs. After our movie last night, she made excuses and retreated to the other room, much to my disappointment, so I woke her up early for a sparring session.

“Why are we doing this? Aren’t you supposed to protect me as my soon-to-be husband?”

“I will, but I want to know that you’re capable of fighting if something happens to me.”

She crinkles her nose. “Don’t say things like that.”

“It’s always a possibility. You know how this life is. A new day is never guaranteed.”

“Well, I don’t like to think about it.”

“Careful, Lex. Your love for me is going to make my heart burst,” I say with a smirk.