Page 30 of Ache
“Yes,” I confirm.
“Anything else?” We continue to move closer, a force of nature taking control of our bodies.
“There’s one more thing,” I whisper.
“What’s that?” His tone matches mine.
“You’re a great kisser.” Our lips touch, but our intimate interaction is disrupted by a loud, irritated cough.
We break apart, and when I look up, I swear I turn pale. Tage is standing before us, arms crossed, stare daunting.
What the fuck is he doing here?
“We aren’t getting up any time soon, man,” Alec brushes him off, of course having no idea who the man is.
Tage slides his daunting hazel eyes over to Alec. “That’s cool,man. I’ll just join you.” He slips into the booth beside me.
Alec is appalled.
“Listen, asshole—” Alec’s signature short temper flares.
“It’s okay,” I intervene before a fist fight breaks outs. “I know him. He’s sort of a friend.” I glare at Tage. I don’t know what game he’s playing, but it’s going to end right now. First, he stalks me on my date last night, and now this?
“What are you doing here?” I cut to the chase.
“That’s not a very nice tone to take, Everly.” Tage reaches for my water and takes a sip. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend? I love meeting new friends of yours.”
I look past Tage at the exposed brick wall to collect my bearings. This is so not cool.
I huff. “Tage, this is Alec. Alec, Tage,” I make the quick introduction.
Alec looks as unhappy about our unwelcomed lunch guest as I am.
“Pleasure.” Tage reaches out his hand.
Alec looks at it like it’s diseased. He is the last person Tage is going to walk all over. Tage pulls his hand back, seemingly not bothered at all. He’s good at that. The brush-off.
“So, how did you two meet?” He’s being beyond obnoxious.
“Work,” I answer curtly.
His attention jumps between Alec and me. “Isn’t there a strict rule about coworkers dating at your firm? It’s a no-no, right?”
I can almost see blue flames shooting out of Alec’s eyes. “You’re not part of our firm, so the on-goings within it mean nothing to you.”
Tage grunts. “See,Alec, that’s where you’re wrong. When it involves Everly, it will always mean something to me. And if you’re putting her career in jeopardy just to get your rocks off, I definitely have something to say about that.” Tage straight up threatens him.
“Tage,” I hiss. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. The man has drifted in and out of my life like a ghost the past eight years, and he choosesnowto manifest. He choosesnowto suddenly take an active interest? “I think it’s time for you to go.”
“I second that,” Alec spits.
The waiter chooses to drop our food at that very moment. The smell makes me hungry and turns my stomach all at the same time.
“I’ll let you two eat. Looks delicious.” Tage steals a French fry from Alec’s plate. “I’ll be watching you.” He leans over as he stands, getting in Alec’s face.
“Watch, learn, and be envious.” Alec isn’t intimidated in the least. That hard exterior runs straight to the core. Too bad Tage has one to match.
We watch him saunter out of the small restaurant, and once he’s gone, Alec zeroes in on me.
