Page 38 of Tempted

“Seeing each other?” She raises her brows incuriosity.

“Dating…if that’s what you wanna callit.”

She leans back and regards me carefully. Ican see the wheels turning in her head and puzzle pieces clickinginto place. Finally, she smirks.

“You’re falling for her.”

“What? No. I like her, I’ll admit, but that’sit.”

“Mmhmm.” She’s not convinced and frankly,neither am I. “How much longer?”

“A month.”

“Be careful, Gage. I don’t want to see you inprison over this.”

“That’s not gonna happen.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Don’t worry. And don’t say anything toanyone.”

“Goes without saying.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m going to check on Mikey.” She looks downat the watch on her wrist. “Take her home. And pay her…sixtydollars.”

“Okay.”

She’s still asleep on the couch. I kneel infront of her, then trail my fingers down her cheek and whisper hername. Her eyes flutter open, and she smiles up at me.

“Wake up, doll.”

“Shit. I can’t believe I fell asleep,” shesays while sitting up.

“Come on. I’m taking you home.”

“Ellen’s back?”

“She’s upstairs with Mikey.”

I pull her up and she staggers, grabbing myarm. “You good?”

“Yeah…just still waking up.”

“Here.”

I hand her the money and she shoves it intoher pocket then sags against me. “I got the bike so you gotta wakeup, doll.”

She grumbles incoherently, and I realize thatI’ll either have to carry her or we walk to her house. I tuck herunder my arm and we make our way outside and up the street. By thetime we get to her door, she’s fully awake. She buries her face inmy chest and groans. Her hands slide under my cut and up my back,then she drags her nails over my T-shirt.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ugh. What’snotwrong? I’m horny andfrustrated and I want you and I’m on my period. Pick one.”

“We’re on the home stretch now, babe. Notmuch longer.”

“God, I love how you smell. I just wanna eatyou up.”