Page 70 of Claimed

“Oh.”

“I remember seeing this stand-up comedian once and he said, ‘ain’t nothing wrong with going downtown, just make sure it’s your city’.”

I look up at him, eyes wide. “So I’m your city?”

“City? Baby doll, you’re my world.”

CHAPTER 17

***Gage***

I throw a lackluster punch at the bag. I’m not in the mood, but I was bored. Why would I want to beat the shit out of anything after the events of the last two days? The only reason I’m not inside her right now is because she left with Chrissy to go shopping. She said she needed a break but fuck…I needher.

E walks in and drops down on the bed. “Get into a fight with a cat?” he asks, motioning to my back.

I grin at him and waggle my brows suggestively. “Yeah…a pretty little kitty.”

“Anyone I know?”

I stop punching and turn to him. “Who do you think?”

“You mean…Raven?”

“Yup.”

“Shit.” He chuckles. “No wonder you have that stupid grin on your face.”

“I can’t even begin to describe it, brother.”

“I bet. But at least it means she’s finally moving on. Is she okay?”

“She’s great. Slept through the night, too. No nightmares…nothing.”

“And during? She didn’t freak out or anything?”

I hug the bag and give him my full attention. “E…she was amazing.”

“Yeah, love will do that to you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Love. L-o-v-e. You may have heard of the concept.”

“You think she loves me?”

“I know she does.”

She loves me? No. That’s not possible.I know she cares about me and she wants me, but that’s a far cry from being in love. I’m not the type of guy women fall in love with. E must have hit his head or something.

“But I wasn’t talking about her, you dumbass.”

“What?” I stare at E in confusion.

“You. I’m talking about you. You love her.”

“E –”

“You care about her. You’d do anything for her. You haven’t even looked at another woman pretty much since you met her. You can’t stop thinking about her, and I bet you were just punching on that bag to pass the time until she comes back. Dude…you’re in love. Accept it.”