Split(113)

We pull up the drive, only to be met by a barking Buddy as he jumps around the truck and leads us to the house. Lucas hops out and gives the dog a rub behind the ears. “Good boy, Buddy.”

I lean against the hood and watch the man and his dog, admiring how far they’ve both come. Guiding each other from the dark.

Lucas tilts his head and brings his eyes to mine. He flashes a smile, and I realize he’s done that almost every time he’s looked at me since the police station.

My heart flutters in my chest. “What?”

He pulls his top lip with his tongue, trying to tamp down his grin. “Nothing.” He stands to his full height and plucks at his shirt. “I need a shower.”

Inappropriate images of my body pressed against a naked and very wet Lucas flash through my mind. My skin heats and I press my thighs together to try to stifle the fire burning between them.

“Hey . . .” His hand cups my jaw and his eyebrows are low over his slategray eyes. “You okay?”

I try to laugh but his closeness has me practically breathless. “It’s weird; I keep thinking my feelings will mellow a bit, but they don’t.”

“Is . . .” He studies my face. “Is that what that is? When your face gets serious like this and your eyes turn . . . I don’t know . . . intense?”

“It is. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with it and I just have to touch you.” I run my palms up his abdomen, over his pecs, up to his shoulders, and suck in a stuttered breath. “You’re so beautiful, Lucas.”

He drops his forehead to mine. “This doesn’t seem real to me yet. You’re out of my league, Shy.” He tilts his head and runs his nose along my cheekbone in a slow drag, inhaling the entire way to my ear. I tremble as his hot breath teases my sensitive flesh. His muscles tense under my hands before he sinks his teeth into my earlobe and pulls with a growl.

Gage.

I don’t have to see his eyes; I can feel the difference in demeanor. As if our souls have connected and I can sense the change. My legs wobble and he holds me firmly to him. “You’re here.”

“Of course. Where else would I be?”

He presses against me, nuzzling my neck with a soft moan that ghosts across my skin. “You know it all now, Shy. And you still want us.”

I sift my hands through his hair, hoping to erase the insecurity that coats his words. “I do.”

He pulls back, his eyebrows pinched together, and he frowns. “I love you.” His fingers fork into my hair at my nape. “But I’d understand you not wanting to be with someone like me.”

“You said you love me.”

“I do.”

“Let’s just start there.”

He rests his forehead against mine, breathing together, inhaling and exhaling, filling each other with the unspoken promises of forever despite the obstacles in our way.

“You have the ability to break me.” His voice is raw, causing me to sink deeper into his embrace.

“Then we’ll shatter together, because without you I’m not whole.”

“Fuck, Shy, you want us.” His words drip with disbelief.

“More than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything.”

“I need you.” He rakes his teeth along my skin, sending a delicious shiver up my spine.

I drop my head to the side, exposing my neck and offering myself to him. “What are you waiting for?”

He chuckles and pulls away enough to give me his eyes. His forehead lowers, predatory glare bores into mine, a slow smile pulls at his lips. “He gave you over to me.” His eyes flutter and dart as if he’s hearing something in his head and trying to understand; then his grin widens. “He’s warning me to be good to you.”

I lock my hands around his neck and a thrill races through me. Whereas Lucas is tender and coaxing, Gage is powerful and demanding. I know I’ll always be safe with him, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is new and the unknown is a little terrifying.

“I’m nervous.”

His thumb brushes along my jaw. “Don’t be. I’ll always take care of you, Shy.” His eyes move from my lips to my eyes. “I’ll never hurt you again. Promise.”

“Okay, Gage. I trust you.”

His eyes flare and he leans in. His lips cover mine and command my compliance. Tender, but firm enough to communicate he’s in control, his tongue lashes against mine. Our hands grasp at each other and can’t seem to get close enough. He rips his mouth away and dips to grab my ass and pull me up around his waist.

“Gage!” I giggle and wrap my legs around him while he strides to the house, through the front door, and straight to the bathroom.

“Shower, baby.” He releases me, our bodies brushing together the whole way as he slides me to my feet. “Now.”

I shake my head, grinning. “I took one already.” I point over my shoulder. “I’ll just wait out there—”

His arms come around me so quickly I lose my breath and he whips my shirt off over my head. “No, I need you right this f*cking second, Shy.”

Ruthless.

My skin explodes in goose bumps as Gage lovingly but effectively strips me naked until I’m standing before him with nothing to cover me except my hair that drapes over my shoulders to cover my breasts. His gaze moves over me in a visual caress from my feet, to my thighs, to my hips. He tilts his head and licks his lips and continues to travel the length of my body until he’s at my eyes. His expression is soft and I’m trapped in the intensity of his stare. I shudder in anticipation, and his eyebrows pinch together. “You’re cold.”