The next morning, Brylee was startled awake when the pillow under her moved and growled. Her eyes popped open.
Her first view was of Gage's beautiful chest under her cheek.
He was lying on his back on the sofa, and she was tucked against his side and the back of the sofa. One of his hands was curled around her upper arm that lay across his chest, and the other was under the blanket and cupping her bare bottom.
"Do you know how much I'd like to roll you to your back and slide deep into your body right now?"
She jerked her gaze toward his face. The rumble of his rough morning voice and the picture he put into her head made her need spike so fast, she gasped. The ache in her grew as his hand slowly slid over her bottom. Her hand curled against his chest.
He felt her shift against him, unconsciously pushing her bottom into his hand. He used his free hand and tipped her head back. He stared down at her for a moment before his head dipped, and he pressed his lips against hers.
As he pushed his lips harder against hers and cupped her ass to hold her in place when she tried to climb up his chest.
Gage lifted his head.
Her eyes fluttered open. She realized the position she was in and blushed a scarlet red, making him grin.
He ran his thumb over her cheek. "You are so beautiful."
She stared up at him in shock when she realized she felt beautiful when she was with him.
****
"Are you a virgin?" Gage asked suddenly.
She felt her face heat and guessed she was bright red. "I…" she stammered.
"It's all right, sweetheart. I don't mean to embarrass you, but I have to know. The last thing I want to do is hurt you."
Brylee shook her head. "I … no, I don't think so."
"Sweetheart, you have to know if you lost your virginity."
"I … I was moved out of the house that Larkin and I stayed at. I'm not sure why they moved me. Tommy, he was a foster kid that lived at the house they put me in. One night, he stuck his thing in me, and it hurt really bad, and I screamed. The foster father pulled Tommy off me. I heard him later say there was blood, and that means I'm probably not a virgin."
Gage felt a rage build in him. "How old were you, sweetheart?"
"I think twelve or thirteen."
"How old are you now?"
"Larkin and I think we're either twenty-three or four."
"You don't know?" Gage asked.
Brylee shook her head. "No, neither of us have birth certificates. We made our birthdays together because we like to think we're twins."
Gage smoothed the hair from her face. "When is your birthday, sweetheart?"
"We decided on June twenty-fifth because it's exactly six months from Christmas."
"That's a good day," Gage told her.
Brylee grinned up at him.
"What happened to Tommy?"
Brylee bit her lip. "They moved him to another house. Not long after that, I was moved back to the house Larkin was at."
"Did they take you to the doctor?"
She shook her head. "No."
"He didn't get in any trouble?"
She shrugged. "I don't think so."
Gage tightened his arms around her and set his chin on the top of her head. "I'm so sorry you went through that."
"It's okay. I was moved back to the house Larkin was at, so I was happy."
Gage wished he could get his hands on the kid who hurt her and the foster parents who hadn't done anything for her. "Have you talked about this with anyone?"
She shook her head. "No, not even Larkin."
"Why?"
"I didn't want her to worry or be sad."
He pressed his lips against her forehead and closed his eyes. He could actually feel himself fall a little in love with her at that moment. He'd never met a sweeter person in his life, and he'd do whatever he needed to do to keep her.
Brylee looked up. Tears sprang in her eyes at his expression. "I'm sorry I made you sad. I shouldn't have told you."
He shook his head. "No, I'm going to want you to tell me everything, no matter if it makes me sad."
She nodded but stayed silent.
"Let's get up, sweetheart. I'll feed you, and then we'll go get your things."
"Wait. Why?"
"Because you'll be living here with me."
Her mouth dropped open in shock. "I…"
"Tell me something. How did you sleep when you were in my arms?"
Brylee bowed her head as she seemed to think about his question. She looked up at him in surprise.
"I slept very well."
He grinned. "See. We were meant to be together." He lifted her to her feet and sat up. He nonchalantly pulled down the shirt she wore and stood. Then he grabbed her hand and pulled her after him and into the kitchen. "What sounds good for breakfast?"
"Whatever you have," she said and leaned against the counter while he rummaged in the fridge.
"Well, we've got eggs and bread."
"That's fine."
He pulled the things out and set them on the counter. "We'll go to the store after we get your things. How does that sound?"
Brylee nodded.
Gage pulled a pan out and set it on the stove. "How do you like your eggs?"
"I can only eat one,
and I like it over-easy."
"I like my eggs like that also," he told her.
"Can I help with anything?"
"Yeah," he said and pulled out the toaster. "How about you make the toast?"
"Okay."
****
They worked silently together.
Then they set the plates down and sat. Brylee kept sneaking peeks at the man who sat next to her at the counter. She finished her egg, piece of toast, and juice before she stood and walked to the sink. She started to wash her dishes when she felt a wall of solid heat press against her back.
Her eyes slid closed when one of his arms curled around her waist.
"I have to tell you. I haven't spent a more enjoyable night and morning with anyone in a long time, if ever. I'm so glad you're here, princess, and I hope in time, you will love being here with me."
She exhaled shakily but stayed silent.
She felt him press a kiss to the top of her head and then take a step back.
"How about we get dressed? You'll have to wear your skirt from last night, but you could just tie the ends of my shirt in front until we get your clothes."
Brylee cleared her throat. "I'll do that."
"Okay, good. Let's get going. It'll take us the better part of the day to pack your things up and go to the store and stock up our refrigerator."
She stared at him with wide eyes. He talked like they'd been together for a while instead of one night. As much as she told herself not to get to attached until they knew each other better, she couldn't deny the kernel of hope that continued to grow in her belly.
Brylee walked into the room he'd given her the night before and made the bed before she undid her braid and brushed her hair and then her teeth. She slid on her black skirt and then tied up Gage's shirt. She grinned when she looked into the mirror. She had to admit to herself it looked almost stylish.
"Ready?"
Brylee turned toward the door to see Gage leaning against the doorjamb, in faded jeans and a tight black t-shirt, with his arms crossed and staring at her. "Yes, I'm ready."
He straightened and held out his hand. "Then let's go."