“Is this our first fight?”

“You’re the one who wants to fight, Chris. I don’t even know why.”

“What’s going on with you and the Dealer?”

“Nothing. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve spoken to him.”

“He’s very protective of you for someone you’ve only spoken to a handful of times.”

I step forward and place my hands at his sides. He gazes down at me, his eyes searching my face.

“Don’t worry about him. I’m with you. Only you.”

He cradles my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

“No te quiero perder.”

“You won’t lose me, Chris.”

He presses his lips to mine, and I curl my fingers in his shirt and pull him closer. I need to assure him that I’m not going anywhere. The problem is how can I do that when I’m not sure myself?

CHAPTER 7 ***Gage***

I stare down at my nephew as he sleeps in his crib. The moment my sister told me she was back from her trip, I had to come and see them. I love this kid like he’s mine, been taking care of him since he was born. I was the first one to hold him when he exited the womb. His father, Eddie, was a friend and brother who was killed in a deal that went south. I blame myself every day for it. Even if Mikey wasn’t my nephew, I would still make sure he didn’t want for anything. This is why I don’t want kids or an old lady. With the life I lead, I don’t want any woman of mine left alone, or raising a child without his father. My sister, Ellen, walks up behind me and places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“Thinking of having one of your own, big brother?”

“Not likely, shorty.”

Ellen is the spitting image of my mother. She has the same nose, lips, and brown hair. We both got her blue eyes, but everything else I got from Dad. She even has Mom’s mannerisms, which is uncanny because she was just a baby when Mom died.

“I’m not short. I’m fun-sized.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen that shirt.”

“Come on. Let’s go downstairs.”

She leads me to the kitchen and I sit around the table while she unpacks groceries. Eddie bought this house the moment he proposed to Ellen and she accepted. Too bad he didn’t get to live in it.

“Want a beer?”

“Sure.”

She opens a bottle and hands it to me then returns to her unpacking.

“You seen Chopper yet?” I ask.

“No, I haven’t seen Dad yet. He’s coming over tomorrow.”

“Cool.”

“So…”

I know that tone. She’s about to stick her nose in my business. I take a deep breath and wait for it.

“Who’s the lucky woman who’s been warming your bed at nights?”

“No one’s ever been that lucky, little sis.”

“Oh, please! I know you haven’t been celibate.”

“Didn’t say I wasn’t fucking. Just don’t keep ‘em around long enough to do any warming.”

“You’re so crude. You’re telling me not one woman has slept in your bed?”

“Don’t need a woman for sleeping.”

“You’re such a whore.”

“I know, but I’m so good at it,” I reply with a smirk.

“Just wait. When the right one comes along, you’re going to fall flat on your ass and the best part is, you won’t even see it coming.”

“Okay, that’s my cue to leave.” I finish my beer, set the bottle on the counter, and kiss her cheek. “You can keep that love shit to yourself. I’m out.”

I flip the hood on my jacket over my head as I walk out.

“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, I could say 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?”

“No. Miami.”

“Why’d you move here?”

The tears begin to gather in my eyes and I desperately try to blink them back. He moves closer and curls his arm around my shoulder. All I want to do is bury my face in his neck and cry my eyes out.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

His voice is low and soothing and has me turning toward him as the tears slide down my cheeks.

“I lived with my dad, but he died four months ago.”

“I’m sorry, baby doll. Come here.”

He pulls me into his arms, and I lay my head on his chest as he settles into the couch. I can’t control myself. All my feelings just push to the surface and have no other outlet but my tears. Losing Daddy, living with Lonnie. He’s probably rolling in his grave at the way she treats me.

“I know what it’s like to lose a parent. I lost my mom before you were even born and I still miss her.”

“Does it get easier?”

“No, but you learn to deal.”

I curl my fingers in his jacket and sink into his embrace. He gives me exactly what I need – to be held. I need to feel close to someone else, to feel connected. I’m alone in this world, and right now I feel so removed from it, floating away. I need something, someone solid to tether me.

“It’s okay. Let it all out.”

Who would have thought that someone would be Gage Hunter? This man holding me in his arms, soothing me…he makes me want things I shouldn’t. He makes me want to feel things I shouldn’t, want to do things I shouldn’t…he just makes me want. I cry until I have no more tears. I lie on his chest, sniffling until I feel like I don’t even remember why I was crying. He makes me forget. And right now, whatever cologne he’s wearing is doing strange but incredibly good things to me.

“You smell good.”

“Thank you. So do you, like apple pie.”

I giggle softly as I sit up, wiping my cheeks. “Yeah, I need a shower.”

“Never said I didn’t like it,” he says, brushing at my cheek with his thumb.