Page 32 of Gentleman Wanted
I threw a glance over my shoulder. There was no one within earshot, but I still lowered my voice. “Because I was on my knees with his cock in my mouth at the time.”
Cali fell about laughing just like I knew she would.
When she finally stopped giggling, she straightened. “So what did you say?”
“I said no, God Cali. What did you think I would say? His dick was in my mouth. It wasn’t a real proposal.”
She cocked an eyebrow in my direction. “Oh, he meant every word he said. And you turned him down.”
Glancing behind me, I caught sight of Gent through the kitchen window, Bobby on his hip. Had he really meant it? Had I really turned him down?
“We haven’t even said I love you yet.”
“Do you love him?” Cali followed my gaze, her face knowing.
“I think so.”
“You think so? Jesus, Gem. He bought you a house. He’s raising your son as his own. Gent is head over heels for you, and you're not sure.” She shook her head. “If you don’t love him, then you shouldn’t be wearing…” She lifted the corner of the leather I was wearing. “You know that. You need to work out what you want, Gemma. Before someone gets hurt.”
I fell silent. Her words swirling around my head. “Shit.” I couldn’t imagine life without him. He was my best friend, not just my lover. “Shit.”
Cali squeezed again. “There you go.”
“What do I do? How can I make him believe that I do love him and want to be with him?” The thought of him leaving was crippling.
“Sweet girl, you just gotta tell him.”
Easy peasy.
All I had to tell him was that I loved him. How hard could that be?
“Everything ok out here?” Gent called from the doorway. His eyes found mine, and the smile that lit up his face was like looking into the sun. It was blinding.
“Told you he was crazy about you,” Cali whispered. “Everything is fine. I think Gem wants to talk to you, though,” she called out louder as she walked away with a wink. “Give me Bobby.”
Easily he passed my son over.
“Everything ok?” Gent’s eyes searched my face.
“Yeah.” I stared at him. He really was the best thing that had ever happened to me. He had been in my life for so long, but I hadn’t really noticed him. Now he was all I could see.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” I reached up to run my fingers through his hair, messing it up. “I just wanted to tell you how much this all means to me. How much you mean to me.” I met his eyes. Chewing on my bottom lip.
“It’s nothing, Gem.” Shrugging his wide shoulders, he looked suddenly sheepish.
“It’s everything, Gent.” I took a deep breath. “You know I lo-”
I didn’t get to finish. The back door opened, and Ruin appeared.
“Gent. His voice was shrill. “We’ve got to go. Someone set fire to the tattoo shop.”
***
The room was dark, and for a second, I didn’t know what had woken me. Some sound coming from the quiet flat.
For a second, I froze, trying to blink back sleep.
I hadn’t meant to fall asleep on the sofa after coming back and settling Bobby into his crib, but it was obvious I had from the pain in my neck and how dark it was.
