When he backed away, leaving her shaking and breathless, Gages grin was cocky, his dark eyes on fire. And dont you forget it.
Weak-kneed, she blinked at himstunned, confused and aroused. Aroused by Gage? What was happening to her?
Leapin lizards, she rasped, touching her fingers to her lips, half expecting to find them ablaze. What was that?
That, Mrs. Powell Gage took a step back, rolled his shoulders and twisted his mouth in regret is just a taste of what youll be missing. He laced their fingers and nudged her down the aisle with her arm tucked under his. Giving her a side glance, he arched an eyebrow. So how do you feel about your no-sex rule now?
Gage loaded the last of Zoeys belongings into the back of his Ford Escapeor rather Elaines Escape. He was using the SUV while his sister was in rehab and he had Pet. He slammed the back end of the vehicle closed and glanced up to the door of the motel room where Zoey emerged with her purse and a backpack. Having never officially checked out, due to her lack of funds, Zoey was still technically renting the room. So theyd returned long enough for Gage to get a shower and a nap before hitting the road.
Shed been unusually quiet since the wedding ceremony,
and Gage mentally kicked himself for kissing her so passionately. A chaste kiss to seal the union would have been enough. Or no kiss, as Zoey had wanted, would have been safest. But all her talk about how their marriage wouldnt be real, how they couldnt have sex, how sleeping together their only time had been a mistake had frustrated him.
And, yeah, he knew that harboring any hope that living as man and wife, sharing the same roof, renewing the bonds that had made them so close in high school would eventually change her feelings for him was a recipe for disaster and heartache. But maybe a little of Zoeys recklessness had rubbed off on him because, damn it, he still clung to the shred of hope that someday Zoey would see what she meant to him and return his feelings. The kiss at the I Do, I Do Wedding Chapel just demonstrated that they had chemistry beyond friendship. His body temperature rose just remembering the heat in Zoeys kiss. The way her raspberry lips had parted in surprise and a pink blush had crept over her cheeks. Shed made a beautiful bride.
For whatever reason, Zoey was scared to recognize that attraction and embrace it. Hed known that ever since he woke up alone the morning after graduation. Kissing her today had been stupid. He couldnt push her, or he risked having her run from him again as she had six years ago. He couldnt risk hurting her while she was vulnerable, couldnt risk frightening her away when she was still reeling from Dereks desertion. She needed him to be her friend while she dealt with the mess she was in and got her feet under her again.
Gage dragged a hand down his face and sighed. Patience, buddy. Just have patience.
Yet another small voice, an echo from the past, whispered to him, Youre a dope if you think shell ever want you. Shes going to run again. Shes going to hurt you. Thats who she is and what she does. You cant change her.
I think thats everything. Zoey opened a back door and tossed in her backpack. Did you pay the motel manager?
Gage shoved his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. Yeah. Were good to go.
Zoey gnawed her bottom lip. Im going to pay you back. All of it. I hate that you got stuck settling my debts.
Forget it.
She frowned. Never. Im gonna pay you back. I am.
Zoey? The voice came from behind Gage, and even before he turned, he saw Zoeys expression and knew who it was.
What the hell are you doing here, Derek? Her tone was brittle, hurt.
Gage bristled and stepped in front of Derek when he tried to approach Zoey. Beat it, dude. She doesnt want to talk to you.
Derek ignored Gage and leaned sideways to see past him. I just want a minute, Red. We gotta talk.
I have nothing to say to you. She snatched open the passenger door of the Escape and dropped her purse on the seat. Ready, Gage?
Gage? Derek cocked his head and studied him. Youre her friend from school.
Squaring his shoulders, Gage narrowed a defensive glare on the man whod used Zoey and discarded her like yesterdays news. Actually, Im her husband now. And Im taking her home. So beat it.
Dereks eyebrows shot up, and he coughed a laugh. Her husband? You know shes pregnant, right?
Gages blood pressure spiked, and he balled his fists. Yeah, I know, he growled through gritted teeth. And I know you werent man enough to take responsibility for your baby. But I care about Zoey, and I will protect her from you and anyone else who tries to hurt her or her baby.
Derek raised his hands. Easy, man, I dont want to hurt her. I just gotta talk to her. Turning toward Zoey again, his expression turned beseeching and somewhat desperate. If youre married now and going home, then you must have access to some money again. I need your help, Red. Please.
She scoffed. Get real.
Cmon, Zoey. Vipers breathing down my neck. I gotta get him his money soon or things could get ugly.