“I’ve been waiting for you,” he counters. “And I’m done letting the moments slip away.” He bends down and presses a kiss to my forehead.
I close my eyes as his lips touch my skin and reach for him. My hand clutches at the material of his tank, just above his hip.
“You’re tired, Callie.”
Again, he reads my mind because my body decides to yawn.
Gage smirks. “I’ll tuck you into my bed.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and steers me into his apartment. “You can snuggle up and sleep in tomorrow.”
“My phone…” I trail off lamely.
“Not tonight,” Gage says firmly, steering me toward the bathroom. He tilts his head. “Your toiletries bag is already on the vanity.”
I give him a smile. “You think of everything.”
“I like taking care of you,” he admits.
I dip my head to hide the emotion swelling in my eyes. It’s been so long since someone’s taken care of me. I’ve missed it. I hurry into the bathroom and ready for bed.
When I reenter the bedroom, Gage is pulling back the duvet cover to the king-sized bed.
I sit on the edge and look up at him. In this moment, I feel small. Vulnerable. Shattered.
And also wound tight in a way I haven’t felt in years.
Gage’s biceps bunch and the strong muscles in his shoulders tighten as he leans down to turn on the bedside lamp.
He must read the heat in my expression because he chuckles lightly. “You need to sleep, babe.”
I nod because he’s right. Between the flight, the wine, and the heady conversation, I’m drained.
I lay back in the bed, rest my head against the pillow that smells like Gage. Spicy cologne and clean soap. He pulls the covers up to my shoulders, flips off the light, and presses another kiss to my forehead.
His large hand strokes the top of my head, pushing my hair out of my eyes.
“Sleep well, Calla Lily.”
“Good night, Gage.” My eyes are already closing, my heart rate slowing. My mind drifts as relief wraps around my thoughts. I feel warm and taken care of. Safe.
A flashback to him caring for me after Grandma passed rolls through my mind again. Gage really has been there for me all along.
“Good night,” he whispers.
I hear the soft snick of the bedroom door as it closes and then, I sleep.
Chapter 5
Gage
“You let me sleep too late,” Callie says, stepping out onto the balcony the following morning.
“You needed it,” I reply honestly, kicking back in the chair to grin up at her. “Want a coffee?”
“Mm,” she sighs sleepily. Contentedly. “Coffee sounds perfect.”
I start to stand up.
“I can get it,” she says, placing a hand on my arm.
