Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“I see where some might say yes,” Trent said, a smile spread across his lips.
“Good,” Gage said. With no delay, he rose, pulling Trent with him. Trent went for his wallet while Gage gathered their suit jackets, handing Trent his.
“It’s taken care of Trent. They bill me. Come, let’s go back to my place,” Gage said, stepping away from the table, holding a hand out for Trent to walk ahead of him.
“I thought you were in overnight construction mode, I’m not sure it’s good for us to go back there,” Trent said, stepping in front of Gage, questioning. Gage took the opportunity and closed the distance between them; his arm snaked out, hooking around Trent’s waist and they stood there, chest to chest in the empty restaurant, looking at one another. He could feel Gage’s arousal pressing into him, but checked the urge to rub up against it. Just barely.
“It is in overnight construction, but I have another place close by. You need to come with me and not argue. I’m finding it very hard to not push you back on this table and press those sweet lips to mine, again. I’ve never been more envious of a fork in my entire life. Now follow me, it won’t be long,” Gage said, grabbing his hand and taking the lead, guiding him through the empty restaurant.
“Should you check in at home?” Gage asked as they walked together to the elevator.
“They should all be asleep now… Let me make sure no one called.” Reaching in his suit jacket he pulled out his phone, checking the messages. The only one he’d received came from Sophia, letting him know they were all sleeping in his bed, leaving him to sofa city for the night.
“Johnson, we need to go to my place. Is everything good, Trent?” Trent glanced up from his phone to see the bellhop holding the door open for him. When they were all in the elevator, Johnson pressed a button a couple of floors down and rode down with them.
“You live here?” Trent asked.
“Sometimes… It’s been a base over the years. Johnson is anyone home this evening?” Gage asked.
“No, sir, not that I’m aware. There was a benefit away if I remember correctly,” the bellhop said, keeping his eyes trained on the doors of the elevator, never looking back at Gage or Trent.
“Thank you,” Gage said and turned to Trent, never releasing his hand. “Is everything good at home?”
“Yes, they’re all asleep in my bed. I get the sofa when I get home tonight,” Trent said, but stayed unsure as to exactly what was going on around him. Gage dodged the question of where he lived, but the bellhop clearly knew him. And who were the others Gage spoke of?
“Thank you, Johnson, and no one needs to hear of this,” Gage said, extending a hand, anchoring the other to the small of Trent’s back, guiding him to walk out the elevators first. Through a sideways glance, Trent thought he may have seen money exchange hands from Gage to the bellhop. The elevator opened to what looked like a hotel hall, but there were only two doors Trent could see and possibly a hall farther down. As Trent turned back to question Gage further, Gage’s predatory gaze hit him and the man took a stalking step forward.
“Absolutely, sir,” Johnson said as the doors shut behind him. They were only two floors below the restaurant.
“Where are we going?” Trent asked, backing away from Gage, panic filling his mind. Panic that had nothing to do with that predatory stare, and everything to do with these living arrangements. Gage was already so far above him with just his worldly experience, but if he lived here, no way could he ever be in Trent’s league. Trent had let his heart rule tonight, and he feared pieces already belonged to Gage. He knew if he attempted to name these feelings coursing through him where it would lead… No! He wouldn’t let himself think it. Slowly, he forced some of the mental walls broken down tonight to slide back in place.
“My place… I told you,” Gage said, stepping forward again seeming to like the chase Trent inadvertently started.
“You live here?” Trent asked. His heart began to pound in his chest at Gage’s expression. This man looked so sexy, too sexy, and Trent’s breath caught in his throat. He took a small step back as Gage reached out and pulled him forward, but he kept a hand between them, holding Gage away from him.
“I do, well, I have throughout the years whenever I’m home. I’m moving to the gallery, having my home base there. Now, I do believe there’s way too much talking going on and not near enough of those sweet lips on mine, gorgeous,” Gage said. Breaking through the barrier of Trent’s outstretched arm, Gage wrapped his arms tightly around Trent’s waist, tugging him in, chest to chest.
“Is this like a penthouse?” Trent asked, letting himself be brought forward, but he dodged the first kiss. Living in buildings like this, on floors this high, driving Ferrari’s were for the extremely wealthy. He wanted Gage. He wanted to be fucking him right now, but another obstacle between them made its presence known. Gage was loaded and Trent was nothing more than a blue collar worker. He and the waiter upstairs were the same guy and his heart dropped as another wall fell into place, protecting him.
“No, of course it’s not the penthouse.” Gage glanced around the place as if trying to figure out what Trent saw that he didn’t. “It’s just an apartment. Why all these questions? I can see by the look on your face you’re putting all those barriers back up. I just can’t understand why when all I’m focused on is your lips being back on mine. Let’s go for whatever this is happening here between us… I’ve never experienced this depth of feeling before, and I can see no reason for you to distance from me. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” Gage pushed Trent up against the wall as he finished his speech. A ding sounded from the elevator at the same moment Gage placed the palm of his hand on Trent’s cheek, circling around to his neck to draw him in for a life-altering kiss.