She found her bag and checked her messages. Finding nothing urgent, she went to the bathroom, straightening herself up a little. She was still trying to accept the fact she stayed the night at the club, stretched out on the floor with a gorgeous man.
I have never done anything like this, ever.
She headed back to the office, grateful she didn’t see anyone else around. There was only the slightest twinge from her ankle, and Rylee wasn’t worried about it at all. She wouldn’t even need a doctor.
She sat on the couch, and a few seconds later, Gage came back with plates of food and a big mug of coffee. He handed it to her carefully, waiting for her to settle the plate on her lap before handing her the mug.
“Thank you,” Rylee said, taking a sip of the coffee. “How did you manage all this? I thought you’d have to go for takeout.”
“I could have,” he said, sitting down beside her. “But there are a few of us here who often work long hours, even staying the night. The kitchen ends up being really well stocked.”
The scent of the bacon was filling her nostrils, making her ravenous. She carefully set down her cup and tore into the thick-cut bacon and perfectly cooked eggs. Rylee couldn’t believe that the bacon was just a little crisp on the edges, the eggs soft in the center, and the toast perfectly browned.
The man can cook!
A few times while she was eating, Rylee almost commented on the quality of the food. She thought about asking questions about Gage, like what did he do here, and was it his full-time job? Even though there was still that sense of harmony in the air, she felt awkward.
Something about the situation felt much bigger than her, and it was a scary thing. Rylee liked her life, and she really didn’t know if she wanted to change it.
“Well, thank you so much,” she said as she put down her empty plate. “I had a really great time …” Rylee blushed hard, blinking, so she didn’t see Gage’s smile. “I better go,” she said, finding her shoes and her bag.
“Do you need a ride?” Gage asked eagerly.
“No, no. I’m fine. I texted for a ride share.”
Gage stood, reaching out and taking her hand gently. “Don’t go yet … I … I mean, would you like to go out with me sometime? Is it okay for me to ask you out?”
Rylee’s heart pounded in her throat. Inside, she was giddy, like she was dancing on a high wire. Until now, she’d thought this was a one-night stand. She’d opened up to Gage partly because she felt that they would never see each other again.
She took a deep breath, happy that her nerves weren’t showing. She smiled and gave Gage’s hand a squeeze.
“I’m really sorry, but I’m totally focused on work these days. I don’t think I have the time to work on a relationship right now.”
Gage let go of her hand, his face seeming to fall under a shadow. He looked at the floor, an almost imperceptible change coming over him.
“That’s okay,” he said. Rylee could see he was making every effort to sound cool, but he was failing miserably.
Miserablybeing the operative word.
“It doesn’t have to be anything more … if you aren’t interested. I get it. It’s fine.”
She could tell by his body language that it was not fine, not at all. That connection between them seemed to sing in the air, and she could feel the weight of his disappointment crushing him.
She couldn’t bear to see him in pain.
“Well, if it’s just dinner, I’ll make time, okay? I don’t know when, but as long as there’s no pressure. Let’s just see how it goes.”
Gage looked up at her. She could still see the weight of doubt all over him, but there was a sparkle in his blue eyes. She could sense his need, a deep, relentless force that lived inside him. It ran through his blood and was powerful enough to break down any walls she could put up.
It frightened her. It scared her even more that it seemed this feeling within him had been completely in control only twenty-four hours before. It had been awakened by her.
His need is for me. Not for just anyone, a partner, but me and me alone.
She took a tiny step back, feeling a slight pain in her ankle. Gage smiled, and she smiled back. She couldn’t help it. His happiness made her happy, even as the power of his need for her frightened her.
“Are you sure you don’t need a ride?”
“I’m sure,” she said, looking for the door. Even though she had no idea how to deal with the stormy conflict of emotions inside, she knew that she did want to see him again.