Page 115 of Claimed

When Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy” comes on, Gage takes my hand, twirls me around, then tugs me into his arms. I stare up at him in utter shock.

“I thought you didn’t dance?”

“Didn’t say I couldn’t.”

I’m in absolute Heaven as he dances me around the room. How has he hidden this from me for so long? We could have been dancing up a storm! As the song winds down, he pulls me close and stares into my eyes. Allah launches into another song – “#Beautiful” by Mariah Carey and Miguel. I have to blink and shake my head to make sure I’m seeing right, because Gage begins to mouth Miguel’s verse to me. He swipes a tear from my cheek and I realize I’m crying. This is way more than his usual brand of sweet. I don’t know if I can handle this level.

“I need to tell you something.”

“What?” I ask, wondering if my heart can take anything else tonight.

“I love you.”

“What?” I exclaim.Did he just say what I think he said?

“You heard me. I love you, Raven Selena Alvarez.”

That’s it. I’m done. Down for the count. He loves me. Not only that, but hesaidit.

“Why?” I ask, even after hearing the three words I’ve longed for. He said he doesn’t know what love is. What’s changed?

“Why not? You’re Princess Charming,” he smirks.

“Be serious.”

He chuckles as I smack him on the chest but it’s short-lived. The mirth disappears from his face and he cups my cheek, stroking it with his thumb.

“Because…you fit. You dove into my life head first, into a world you knew nothing about. You accepted me. All of me. No judgment. You just…” he shakes his head in disbelief. “Loved me. Even when I thought I didn’t know what love was. You’ve opened my eyes to a future I never thought possible…and I can’t wait to share it with you.”

“Oh, Gage…” I sniffle, trying to hold back my tears. Impossible, I know, but I think I just fell a little more in love with him. I definitely hope I see more of this side of him. He leans in and kisses my lips gently, before his hand slithers across my thigh and squeezes my mound through my jeans.

“Your tight pussy didn’t hurt either,” he whispers.

Yeah. There’s the Gage I know. Giggling, I wrap my arms around his neck, and pull him down so his forehead rests on mine.

“Gage Harley Hunter…I love you, too.”

EPILOGUE

***Raven***

“Are you pregnant yet?”

I roll my eyes, and Ellen snickers. “No, Chopper. Not since you asked yesterday.”

His brows furrow in concern. “Maybe we should get you two checked out, see if everything’s okay.”

“Jesus, Pop,” Gage grumbles as he walks into the bar. “Give us a break.”

He drops down next to me on the couch and snatches Mikey off my lap.

“It’s been three months,” Chopper persists. “I knocked up your mother in the first month.”

“Everyone’s different,” I explain. “It’s just taking a little longer for us.”

Ellen removes herself from the situation, going to sit next to Dr. E at the bar.Traitor.

“I still say you should get checked out. How often have you been having sex?”