Page 34 of Forbidden

“Just wait, Gage Hunter. You’ll see.”

Yeah, right. The day I fall in love is the day flying pigs make snowmen in Hell. I open the car door and, against my better judgment, look up the street. Ellen is just a few houses away from Raven. A small part of me hopes to see her, but I see him instead, the boyfriend. He throws a look over his shoulder and then jogs off. That’s it. I slam the door and march off toward her house. It’s time to settle this once and for all.

***Raven***

I’m barely through my bedroom door when I hear the knocking. I turn around, shaking my head in disbelief. What more can I say to appease him? I yank the door open without even looking through the peephole.

“Chris, I told you –”

No, not Chris. I lift my gaze from a rapidly rising and falling chest to an angry stare.What the hell is he doing here?

“We need to talk.”

Oh, great. Another man who needs to talk.

“We have nothing to talk about.” I try to close the door but he stops it, steps in, and closes it behind him. “You can’t be here.”

“Why? Are you scared?”

“Not of you. I don’t need people seeing you here.”And I don’t need this getting back to Lonnie.

“It won’t take long.”

I turn my back to him so he won’t see my amusement, but I can’t stop the giggle that escapes me. Lord, I have a dirty mind. I face him once more, desperately trying not to smile but failing horribly.

“I hope that’s not what you tell your dates.”

His expression softens as he smiles and shakes his head.

“I don’t date. And in fact, Icouldsay that. I always have them coming in no time at all.”

“Really, now?”

“Really. You can’t disagree, not after last night.”

I feel my blush spread across my whole body and all of a sudden, I’m aware of his proximity. And how hot he is. And how good he smells. And that we’re alone in a house with beds, couches, chairs, and all types of flat surfaces. Even a wall would do.

“You should go.”

He takes my hand, pulling me into the living room and down on the couch next to him. I shuffle away from him, putting space between us.

“Lonnie can’t come home and find you here.”

“Don’t worry about Lonnie. She’s halfway to Florida right now with some of the guys.”

“Florida?”

“Yeah. Some business with our Jacksonville charter.”

“Oh.”

Florida. I miss home so much. I miss Daddy, Toni, my peaceful life. What I wouldn’t do to get it back.

“What’s wrong?”

“That’s where I’m from. Just missing home.”

“Jacksonville?”