“You’re driving me crazy, Raven.”

“Fair’s fair. You do the same to me.”

He moves to the side, leaving one leg between mine. His fingers crawl up my inner thigh but stop at the edge of my panties. I moan as he makes small circles on my skin.

“Touch yourself for me.”

Baby Jesus in the manger. My breathing accelerates as I pull my T-shirt up. I stare at him as he watches my hand disappear into my panties.

“Are you wet?”

Wet? It’s Niagara Falls down there. “Yes.”

“Let me see.”

I roll my fingers around then show him my glistening digits. He takes my hand and sucks on my fingers one by one. I think I feel myself gush even more.

“Fuck, babe. I knew you’d taste good.”

He covers my hand with his and slides it back into my underwear, keeping his fingers on top of mine while I touch myself. He moves the tip of my middle finger to my clit and presses down. My hips jerk, and I whimper.

“Circles…right here,” he instructs.

I follow his order as he bites my nipple through my shirt. It sends a zing of current through my body and I shudder. He continues to guide my movements, touching me but not really touching me. I can’t hold back the sounds escaping me.

“Gage…”

He kisses me deeply, his tongue taking over my mouth. My thighs tremble as he uses my own fingers to deliver excruciatingly maddening sensations. I begin to writhe against him as I feel my orgasm in the distance.

“Keep going.”

He removes his hand and kneels between my legs, kissing up my inner thighs and sucking on my skin.

“Oh, God, Gage.”

“That’s it, doll. Make that pussy come for me.”

I can’t stay still. I grind against my fingers as he sucks on my thighs. He’s so close…if only he would just push my panties aside and replace my fingers with his tongue. I massage my breast with my free hand, twirling the nipple.

“You smell so good,” he mumbles.

“What do I smell like?” I cry out as he licks the crease between my thigh and hip.

“Like my favorite meal.”

Jesus. “Then bon appétit.”

He chuckles and bites into my thigh.

“Soon.”

With that promise, I work my clit faster. He spreads my thighs wide and watches me.

“My pussy, Raven…all mine.”

His words send me over the edge and I arch my back, leaping off and into a sea of torrid pleasure.

“Gage!”

My muscles convulse and my body is racked with seemingly endless shudders. I lie there, twitching and unable to move. That was so intense, it’s like it drained all my energy. He lies next to me, softly kissing my cheek as I try to catch my breath and regain feeling in my limbs. If this is what happens from him being in the same room while I touch myself, I can only imagine what’s going to happen when he finally touches me. I have never looked forward to a birthday more in my entire life.

CHAPTER 14

***Gage***

“What is all this?”

I shuffle through the papers littering my desk as Ellen walks in, carrying a couple of garment bags.

“Invoices for Raven’s party.”

“It’s just one night. I have less paperwork ordering a month’s supplies for both clubs.”

“Oh, shut up. It’s a special night, and you can afford it.”

Right. Guess I can’t argue with that logic. “I’ll start writing the checks.”

“I need you to sign off on her dress. I brought two I think she’d like.”

She unzips the garment bags and removes the dresses, holding them up for me to see. They’re both blue, one long, and one short.

“This one is more traditional prom.” She jiggles the long one. “This one, more of a party dress. It’s strapless; you can see the cutouts on the bodice. With the high-low, frilled skirt, I feel like it’s something she’d choose for herself. She likes to show skin.”

Yes, she does. I study them both and try to imagine her wearing them. As much as I’d love to see her covered up, I know she’d like the short one. And she’ll look damn sexy in it, too.

“The short one.”

“Excellent! And here’s your suit.”

She unzips the other bag, revealing a black suit with two different ties. She removes one, leaving a color that exactly matches the chosen dress.

“I’m not wearing that.”

She scowls at me, tapping her foot in frustration.

“You cannot wear jeans and your cut.”

“Wasn’t planning on it, but I’m not wearing a monkey suit, either.”

“Ugh! What kind of Prince Charming will you be without the suit or the dancing?”

“I’m no Prince Charming, Ellen.”

“But you can be.”

She sits in the chair opposite me and stares imploringly. “For one night, you can be her prince and make her feel like a princess. It’s just for a few hours, Gage. A few hours on your part that will give her a lifetime of good memories.”

Fuck. I eye the suit once more. That night at Scythe flashes in my mind once more. Fuck.

“Fine. I’ll wear the suit.”

***Raven***

I practically float around the diner. Not even the crankiest customer can get me down today. My birthday party is tomorrow. After that, Gage and I can be together – truly together. No more hiding and sneaking around, and we can finally make love. My body tingles as I think about it. Plus, I get to have my two best friends here to celebrate with me. Toni gets here this evening, and I can’t wait to see her. The icing on the cake has to be that Lonnie has been M.I.A for days. I’ve spoken to the manager at the apartment complex and my dad’s lawyer. Everything is pretty much in place. I’m almost done packing. It’s not like I have much to move.

“Aren’t you a ray of sunshine today?” Millie smiles at me.

“I’m really looking forward to my party tomorrow, even though I have no clue about what’s going on. I know Ellen and Chrissy are working on it, so at least it won’t be bikers and rock music.”

“Oh, I think you’ll like it. I’m giving you the day off so you can get your hair and nails done and what-not.”

“Thank you! Just a hint, Millie. Please?”

“Nope. You’ll know soon enough.”

“Ugh! Fine.”

On my break, I head outside and call Gage.

“Babe,” he croons. Dios, me encanta su voz. And when he calls me “babe”.

“Hey.”

“What’s up, doll?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to hear your voice.”

“Is that so?”

“Yup. I’m so excited about tomorrow. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Me, too. I swear I’ve tried balancing these books a million times. I get halfway through and have to start all over.”

“You’re still not going to tell me anything about the party?”

“My lips are sealed.”

“How am I supposed to know what to wear?” I counter.

“I got it covered.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. Your outfit will be waiting for you when you get back from all your hair and nail shit tomorrow.”

“You covered that, too?”

“I’m just cutting the checks. Ellen’s been a busy bee.”

“So, I guess Ellen’s the one I should go home with tomorrow night then.”

He goes silent, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Ha ha, very funny,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Listen…I was thinking about this getaway idea. The more I think about it, the better it sounds.”

“Where you wanna go?”

“I don’t know yet, but we can leave on Thursday. I just need to wrap up some business.”

“Cool. I need to talk to Millie. And I have to meet with Mr. Santini, Daddy’s lawyer, to sign some papers, and then we’re going to take care of my apartment. But we should be done by noon.”

“How much you need for the apartment?”

“It’s all taken care of. Don’t worry about it.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. I have to get back to work, so later.”

“Okay, babe.”

By the end of the day, I’m jittery. Ron and Chrissy went to pick up Toni at the airport and they’ll be here any minute. I say my goodbyes to everyone and wait for them outside. I’m craning my neck to see down the street, chewing on my lower lip, and bouncing on the balls of my feet. Toni’s more of a sister to me than Lonnie will ever be. We’ve been inseparable since we were kids, even though she’s a year older. She’s a lot like me, or maybe I’m a lot like her. I’ve always looked up to her. Hell, she’s the one who told me about periods and gave me the birds-and-the-bees talk. By “talk”, I mean she showed me one of her dad’s pornos and told me to always use condoms. I was ten. Needless to say, I was a little traumatized.