Chapter Thirteen: Gage

Murmurs arise as I make my way through the lobby of the brokerage firm. Women whisper to each other, while the men get to their feet wondering if they should call 911 or grab a piece of paper to ask for my autograph.

I am fully aware there is steam pouring out of my ears and I might be sporting the face of a serial killer.

From behind a partition, a woman’s beehive hairdo pops up, her neck craning to see what all the commotion is about.

Someone takes out their cell and starts recording.

But my steps don’t falter.

I’ve been waiting six days, seven hours, ten minutes and twenty-three seconds for Darla to return my call. Just as I promised, her time is up.

“Hey, aren’t you Gage Harlow?” A man with caterpillars for eyebrows, shouts.

Normally, I’d stop. Say a kind word and go on about my merry way. However, there is nothing merry about me today.

My woman has stalled me for as long as I will allow.

I told her I was coming for her. And I meant it.

From the corner of my eye, I see Emily jumping up and down pointing to the door at the end of the hall. I give her a nod and make a mental note to send her a dozen roses.

When I reach the door, I don’t knock.

I throw the door open wide.

Darla flies out of her office chair. “What are you doing here?”

I step into the office. “I told you that I would give you time.”

“I need more.” She squeaks.

“You’ve had enough.” I stalk towards her, dragging a chair from in front of her desk to the right to block her exit. I keep moving to the left.

She nervously licks her lips, stepping backwards until her back hits the wall.

“What is more time going to do for you?” I growl.

“Uhm…I…uhm…I don’t know.” She shrugs.

“Wrong answer.”

She peeks around my shoulder. “People are watching us.”

“Good. Then there’ll be plenty of witnesses for what I’m about to do.”

“What are you going to do?” Her baby blues blink.

“I’m going to make you confess.” The rapid rise and fall of her gorgeous breasts distract me for a half of a second.

“Confess?” Her hand goes to her chest. “Confess what? You don’t think I was the one that leaked that story, do you?”

“Don’t be daft, woman.” I inch closer. “How do you feel about me?”

“What?”

“Oh, you didn’t hear me.” I step back, cup my hands around my mouth and bellow. “How do you feel about me, Darla Gray!”

“Stop it!” She glares. “Everyone can hear you!”

“Perfect.”

She bends to the side, looking over my shoulder.

I cup her chin in my palm, tilting her beautiful face back to me. “Answer the question, baby. How. Do. You. Feel. About. Me.”

She rolls her bottom lip in over her teeth. “Please…”

“Nope.” I shake my head. “I’ve been patient. Your time has run out. Answer the question.”

“I love you.” She whispers.

“What?” I cup a hand over my ear. “I didn’t hear that, Darla? How do you feel about me?” I shout so that everyone behind us doesn’t miss a word.

She defiantly raises to her toes. “I love you!” She hollers. “Happy now?”

“Not yet, hotshot.” I cage her against the wall with my body. “Kiss me like you mean it.” I smirk.

Her mouth drops open. “What?”

“Time’s ticking, baby. Kiss me or I’m about to throw you over that nice walnut desk of yours and show you how much I’ve missed you.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“One…two…”

Her hands grab onto my neck and she devours me with a blistering, hot kiss. When she pulls away, we’re both gasping for air.

“That was a helluva kiss, hotshot.”

“You forced it out of me.” She huffs.

“Well, I thank you.” I lean in close. “I’m sure the rest of the office thanks you, too.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I’m desperately, madly in love with you, Darla Gray. There isn’t anything I won’t do to get you to truly know that.”

“Is that so?”

“It is so.”

“Alright.” She wiggles out from underneath my arm. “Meet us at the Eurasia tonight at six sharp.” She calls out all her wide-eyed co-workers. “My boyfriend is taking us out for dinner!”

She turns back to me with a sugary smile. “You said anything.”

“I did.” I reach out and stroke my fingertips over her cheek. “You just have to promise me two things.”

“Again, with the promises.” She rolls her eyes.

“One you will never leave me hanging again. We are a team until our last dying breaths.”

“Oh, my God. You’re going to make me cry.” She lays her head on chest. “I promise.”

“Thank you, Lord.” I kiss the top of her head. “Number two, you’re my dessert tonight.”

“I promise, I promise, I promise.” She looks up at me with a look of pure love that has my blood pumping so hard, I feel lightheaded.

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too.”

I give her one last kiss. Then walk out of the office, strutting like a peacock.