He’s muttering to himself when I get inside. Tiny’s sitting patiently at his feet as if he’s used to this behaviour, while Hallie is sprawled out on her side, her yellow eyes narrowed as she follows Gage’s feet.
“Hey,” I say tentatively, and three sets of eyes turn to me. “Everything good?”
Gage makes his way over to me. He smells like his body wash and cologne, and his hair is slightly damp. He’s wearing black jeans, a dark green hoodie and his usual black lace-up boots.
He doesn’t say anything, just grabs my face in both his hands and lays a kiss on my lips that I can’t help but melt into.
“How was the rest of your day?” His words come out breathy and rushed. I hold onto his wrists, brushing my thumb over the backs of his hands.
“It was good. How was yours?”
He nods, but I can tell the sincerity is fake.
“Did something happen?”
“No.” The word comes out squeaky, and I call bullshit. Gage clears his throat, laughing it off. “I was just thinking if you’re not too tired, we could go for a drive?”
“Can I change into sweats and Ugg boots?”
He smiles for real now, and as hot as he looks when he’s rocking a scowl, his smiles just might be my favourite.
“Of course.” He kisses my cheek, then squats down, hands rubbing my stomach as he presses a kiss there too. “How’s my little girl?”
I grab onto his hand, shifting it lower on my left side where she’s kicking. “Anything?”
He waits for a few moments before his shoulders sink and he shakes his head. “No. But I’m sure it’ll be soon.” He kisses my stomach one more time before standing.
“I’ll be quick,” I say, scratching Tiny on the head as I drop my purse on the bench.
Hallie jumps up, rubbing herself against my arm and demanding some of the attention for herself. I tickle my fingers under her chin, earning a purr.
Making my way to the bedroom, I quickly change, pull my hair free from the scrunchie, and five minutes later, I meet Gageback at the kitchen door. He’s doing that thing where he flicks his lip ring back and forth with his tongue. I’m sure he doesn’t realise it’s weirdly hot, but in the times I’ve seen him do it, I get the sense he does it when he’s anxious or overthinking.
I stand beside him, resting a hand on his bicep. “I’m ready.”
He looks at me as though there are a hundred thoughts racing through his mind. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Never better.” He kisses my cheek, then nods to the door. “Let’s go.”
Taking me by the hand, Gage walks us out, locking the door behind him, then takes us over to his ute. As always, he helps me in, buckles my seatbelt and kisses my stomach.
“Are you hungry now, or can you wait for a bit?” he asks a few minutes into our drive.
I shrug. “I can wait a bit.”
“I just want to take you somewhere first.”
Twisting in my chair, I turn to face him with a grin. “Another surprise? You’re acting very strange. What are you hiding up your sleeves?” I push the sleeve of his hoodie up, staring down at the shaded Grim Reaper standing amongst smoke and vines that stretch down until they meet the rose on his hand. “Apart from your tattoos.”
Gage turns quickly to wink at me, then puts on his indicator, looking in his rear vision mirror before pulling over.
The sun’s just finished setting, but I can make out enough details to see we’re not anywhere particularly special.
Gage leans over me, pulling open the glovebox, and holds up a blindfold.
“Is this something you picked up at the club?” I gasp. “Are we going to Nella Notte?”
His face sours. “I’m not taking my pregnant wife to Nella Notte.”
