Page 33 of Forbidden

He presses his lips to mine, and I curl my fingers in his shirt and pull him closer. I need to assure him that I’m not going anywhere. The problem is how can I do that when I’m not sure myself?

CHAPTER 7

***Gage***

I stare down at my nephew as he sleeps in his crib. The moment my sister told me she was back from her trip, I had to come and see them. I love this kid like he’s mine, been taking care of him since he was born. I was the first one to hold him when he exited the womb. His father, Eddie, was a friend and brother who was killed in a deal that went south. I blame myself every day for it. Even if Mikey wasn’t my nephew, I would still make sure he didn’t want for anything. This is why I don’t want kids or an old lady. With the life I lead, I don’t want any woman of mine left alone, or raising a child without his father. My sister, Ellen, walks up behind me and places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“Thinking of having one of your own, big brother?”

“Not likely, shorty.”

Ellen is the spitting image of my mother. She has the same nose, lips, and brown hair. We both got her blue eyes, but everything else I got from Dad. She even has Mom’s mannerisms, which is uncanny because she was just a baby when Mom died.

“I’m not short. I’m fun-sized.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen that shirt.”

“Come on. Let’s go downstairs.”

She leads me to the kitchen and I sit around the table while she unpacks groceries. Eddie bought this house the moment he proposed to Ellen and she accepted. Too bad he didn’t get to live in it.

“Want a beer?”

“Sure.”

She opens a bottle and hands it to me then returns to her unpacking.

“You seen Chopper yet?” I ask.

“No, I haven’t seenDadyet. He’s coming over tomorrow.”

“Cool.”

“So…”

I know that tone. She’s about to stick her nose in my business. I take a deep breath and wait for it.

“Who’s the lucky woman who’s been warming your bed at nights?”

“No one’s ever been that lucky, little sis.”

“Oh, please! I know you haven’t been celibate.”

“Didn’t say I wasn’t fucking. Just don’t keep ‘em around long enough to do any warming.”

“You’re so crude. You’re telling me not one woman has slept in your bed?”

“Don’t need a woman for sleeping.”

“You’re such a whore.”

“I know, but I’m so good at it,” I reply with a smirk.

“Just wait. When the right one comes along, you’re going to fall flat on your ass and the best part is, you won’t even see it coming.”

“Okay, that’s my cue to leave.” I finish my beer, set the bottle on the counter, and kiss her cheek. “You can keep that love shit to yourself. I’m out.”

I flip the hood on my jacket over my head as I walk out.