Authors: Kris Norris
“What do you mean, complicate it further?
I was under the impression we’d made everything pretty clear.”
Gage broke her gaze, stuffing his hands in his pockets. When he looked back into her eyes, she felt a cold shiver curdle her blood. Regret shadowed his face as he set his jaw, and spoke through set teeth. “You’re confused, and scared. Don’t mistake those feelings for something they’re not.” He tried to soften his expression, but she saw a flicker of pain glitter in his eyes. “We need to deal with this Drake situation first, before we hop back into bed like a couple of rabid bunnies.”
“I’m not asking you to have sex with me,” she bit out.
“I said, we’ll only sleep.”
“You also said you wouldn’t ask again,” he snapped, closing the distance between them. “I gave you what you wanted last night. Let’s leave it at that until this madness is over.”
He reached out to touch her, but she backed away. She felt her heart drop out of her throat, and shatter on the floor. He hadn’t loved her last night. It’d been a submission on his part—
a pity fuck
to keep her under his control. The door pressed against her back, and darkness clawed at the edges of vision. She could see Sam and Sue over Gage’s shoulder still standing beside the adjoining door. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered.
Brooklyn
reached behind her, twisting the handle until the door opened against her weight. She backed into the room, hoping her legs wouldn’t buckle before she could seal the world away.
Gage lowered his hand, a desolate expression on his face. He took a deep breath. “Brooklyn…”
“I’ll take the room,” she heard herself say, her voice so distant it sounded like it’d come from far away. She backed in further.
“Brooklyn?”
Sue’s voice was timid as she walked halfway across the floor. “Sam and I are going to grab some food at that truck stop next door. Why don’t you join us?”
An answer.
The woman was waiting for an answer, but nothing seemed to come to mind. Her head felt fuzzy, her tongue thick, and there was a strange ringing in her ears. She pried her gaze off the floor, and did her best to hold Sue’s stare.
“I think I’ll just go to bed. I’m pretty tired.” She grabbed the edge of the door and slowly drew it across in front of her.
“You should eat,” said Gage.
She didn’t look at him, but continued to close the gap. “Goodnight.”
Gage listened to the door click shut, the soft sound loud in the hush of the room. She’d looked more than upset, and a new wave of guilt washed over him. He backed away, keeping his eyes fixed on the door, half expecting her to open it up and confront him again. He heard Sam shuffle his feet behind him. “Don’t start with me.”
Sam snorted.
“Wasn’t planning on doing anything of the sort.
I’m done trying to convince you of what an ass you’re being. As far as I see it, you’re free to screw up your life as you see fit.”
Gage spun around, holding Sam’s heated stare.
“Ass?
At least that’s one step up from being a bastard by taking advantage of her.” He took a step towards the couple. “She’s not thinking clearly. What do you think she’ll feel inside when all of this is over and she realises I used the situation to fuck her like she was my own personal sex toy?”
“She wasn’t asking you to
fuck
her.”
Gage winced at the way his friend said, fuck. He’d never heard Sam use that tone before. “Damn it. You’re just as disillusioned as she is! I know you heard us last night. Don’t pretend you believe for one moment that wouldn’t happen again if I go anywhere near that room.” He stopped and jerked his coat off his shoulders, tossing it across the back of the couch. “I promised myself I’d never hurt her again, and having sex with her right now is doing just that.”
Sam walked forward, and took Sue’s hand, leading her to the small door. He looked back at Gage as he escorted her through. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe it was
love
you were making, and not just sex?”
Gage stared at the empty space as the door closed behind Sam, his mind replaying the man’s words. He hadn’t considered Brooklyn’s feelings could be genuine. Not with the stress she was under. And he knew he’d never be able to just hold her without wanting more. His control was too shaky, his need too great. The last thing he wanted was for her to never forgive him.
As if you’ve forgiven yourself.
He sighed at the thought, sinking into the couch. It was lumpy, and gave too much under his weight. The voice was right. He still hadn’t come to terms with that night, especially after the way she’d trembled beneath his touch when he’d flipped her over on her stomach. And he had a hard time convincing himself her reaction was anything other than fear.
“Damn.” He stared at her closed door. Didn’t she realise they needed to talk things out first? Reconcile their feelings, his betrayal? He closed his eyes, feeling fatigue steal over him. He’d let her rest for a while. Then maybe he’d talk to her.
Chapter Sixteen
Midnight
Brooklyn
sat on the bed trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered soul. It was over. While the realisation didn’t sit well with her, she finally accepted it for what it was. She couldn’t make Gage love her anymore than she could convince Drake she wasn’t Sarah. The sooner she pulled herself together, the better. She’d lived through adversity before, and she’d make it again.
She forced in a large breath, clenching her teeth to maintain her resolve. She was done following Gage around like a desperate puppy.
As though she was unable to take care of herself.
And the idea Drake would spend the rest of his life trying to hunt her down halfway across the country seemed surreal. It was time she took control. She glanced at the window. It was small, but large enough to squeeze through. She knew she’d be able to hitch a ride at the truck stop. There’d been more than a dozen eighteen wheelers parked out front. Surely one of them would be headed east.
Her grandparent’s cabin.
She hadn’t been back since they’d died the summer before she moved to Seattle, but she knew the place was still there. She’d sold it to a friend of the family, and they’d promised her she’d always be welcome. She sighed, hoping the invitation didn’t have a statute of limitations on it. While she knew it was a gamble, it was the only place even Gage didn’t know about. Besides, it would only act as a stepping-stone—a place to regroup before she ventured somewhere else.
Brooklyn
shook the uncertainty away. She’d solve the problems as she crossed them. All she knew was she needed to escape. Get as far away from Gage and her broken heart as possible. She opened her purse and took out a small note pad, brushing over the thick envelope she’d stuffed in the other day. Her stomach fluttered at the sight of it as she slowly pulled it out. She thumbed the edge, glancing back at the door. If nothing else, she owed Gage his freedom.
She tugged at the flap and removed the stapled sheets. The paper was crisp, and the whiteness seemed to glow in the pale light of the room. Her heart cried in protest as she steadied her hand, signing each line in turn. A single tear blotted her final signature, releasing Gage from their vows.
Freedom, or was it just another type of prison?
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she placed the package on the small night table. Then she pulled out the velvet pouch from her purse and set it on top. The ring had belonged to Gage’s grandmother, and she couldn’t find it in her heart to keep it. Maybe he could give it to Peter.
Aren’t you going to leave him a note?
Should she? What would she say? Her hands trembled as she opened the notepad and scribbled some words across the page. She placed it beneath the pouch, wishing her hands would stop shaking, before stuffing the pillows under the blankets. At least in the darkness it would look like she was sleeping. It was juvenile, but it might buy her a bit of time.
“Damn that’s tight,” she growled, wedging her body through the narrow gap, dropping silently to the ground. The pavement was wet, with dark puddles laced across the path. She followed the thin walkway around the back of the motel, pausing at the corner. The diner was off to her right, a short jog through the rain. She straightened her shoulders, steeling her resolve, as she dashed across the lot and through the door.
3:00 am
Gage sat in the darkness, staring at Brooklyn’s closed door. There hadn’t been a sound from inside the room since she’d shut him out hours ago, and he hadn’t been able to bring himself to open it. He sighed, running his fingers through his hair as the clock ticked in the background. He’d heard Sam return from dinner, Sue’s sultry laughter proof they were making the best of the situation. Their room had grown silent shortly after midnight, and Gage had spent the rest of the time thinking.
Sulking.
He cursed the thought, staring at the empty space on his finger. He didn’t want to feel this way, or have Brooklyn so distant from him, but he didn’t know how to bridge the gap. It was obvious his previous assumption was right. If he went anywhere near her bed he’d end up making love to her most of the night.
I thought it was just sex?
Not to him. But he couldn’t convince himself Brooklyn’s feelings were justified. There was just too much uncertainty in her life. They’d jumped back into bed way too fast. He should’ve had the courage to confront her in the hospital. Discuss what had happened. Admitted he’d been wrong and promised never to doubt her again. But instead he’d rammed his cock inside her for hours on end, fulfilling his primal needs instead of her emotional ones.
He slammed his fists on the couch, fighting the need to scream out his frustrations. Damn it, they’d been married for ten years. Surely he had the guts to just walk into her room and clear the air? He looked down at his hands, amazed at how they trembled. He’d spent fifteen years on the force.
Faced more dangerous situations than he cared to count.
Yet, the prospect of talking to his wife scared him more than anything he’d faced in the line of duty.
He huffed, realising it was the outcome he feared. What if she didn’t want to work it out? What if she couldn’t forgive him? He shook the thoughts away. Peter had claimed she believed he deserved a second chance. That had to mean something.
Gage stood up, crossing the short gap in three long strides. He fisted the handle, ignoring the way his heart pounded in his chest, and turned the knob, easing the door open. The room was dark and quiet, the air humid and thick. He squinted at the bed, skimming over the motionless silhouette shifted to one side. A knot formed in his stomach, and a lump lodged in his throat. A nervous sweat greased his palms, and he wiped them across his pants as he slipped a step further inside the room.
“Brooklyn?”
He waited, listening for her reply. “We need to talk.”
He cringed at the silence, wondering what was sifting through her mind. She’d always been a light sleeper, so he knew she was awake. He grunted. Nothing was going to stop him this time.
“Okay. I suppose I deserve the silent treatment. But if you think that’s going to stop me from saying what should’ve been said months ago, then you’re wrong. The truth is
,
I’ve been wrong.
About everything.”
He sighed, leaning against a wooden chair. He wasn’t certain his legs would take the strain, and welcomed the small measure of support. “I’m sorry. I know I should’ve told you months ago, but I never seemed to find the right words. How do you justify hurting the one person who means the world to you? I couldn’t. Then it was just easier to avoid the issues than deal with them.” He took another deep breath.
“To avoid you.”
He kicked the chair back and sank into it, ignoring the creak that echoed in the room. He didn’t know what else to say. He glanced over at her outline on the bed. God he wanted to go to her. Hold her in his arms, feel her breath warm against his skin. Ease her fears, and fuel her desires. He’d undress her slowly. Show her there was nothing more important than her pleasure, her love. Once he had her naked, he’d touch her gently, careful not to mar the smooth perfection of her skin. It’d be soft and warm, like the sun kissed petals of a rose. He’d explore every inch, kissing and touching, worshipping her like she deserved. She had several erogenous zones, all of which brought soft whimpers from her lips. He’d start at her neck, paying special attention to the soft hollow of her shoulder. She loved when he nibbled her there. He’d linger, lave the area fully before moving down to just below her armpit, where the curve of her breast blended into her ribs.
He moaned just thinking about kissing her there, knowing it’d only build their desire. She’d start to beg him then. Use her sultry voice to sway him to her needs. But it wouldn’t work. He’d kiss her lips once then venture farther down, tracing her hips with his tongue. She’d squirm at his touch, as his fingers skimmed down her leg to caress the soft spot behind her knee. That usually had her arching off the bed, her hips thrust against his thigh in desperation. He’d be able to feel the liquid proof of her arousal. Smell the scent mixed in with the bouquet of perfume. But he wouldn’t touch her silky inner lips just yet. First he’d tease the groove of her inner thighs, draw his fingers gently along the edge of her sex. She’d try to shift, but he’d follow her movements, prolonging the pleasure until he could feel her juices soaking her skin, spilling down her thighs and up the cleft of her ass.