It seems that Gage already senses her anxiety, because he fills in the gaps for her, encircling her in his arms. He’s so strong that it feels like he could simply crush her to death if he so wanted. The thought thrills and terrifies in equal measure. His next words are dark and husky, coiling low in Minnie’s core. “What if I told you I want you to just be mine? Would that make you feel better?”
Heart leaping with schoolgirl hope, Minnie looks up at him, enjoying the feel of him holding her. “And you’d just be mine? Because…I’d like that.”
A wry smirk shapes his wicked mouth, his hazel eyes alive with amusement and pleasure. “I’d like that too, princess.” He leans back to look down at her skeptically, still sensing her distant unease. “So. Dinner with your folks? You don’t seem too keen.”
In a manner of speaking, she thinks dryly.You don’t know what they’re like. “It just seems soon, is all. My father is,ah, a challenging man. I’m not sure I want to subject you to him.”
“Hmm. Got it.” He seems rather willing not to press further, which gives Minnie pause. He changes the gears, moving them to a new topic, making her frown. “Speaking of dinner.” Gage rubs the back of his neck, a hint of red there. “The guys want to grill out on Saturday. I,uh, want to bring you over.”
He wants her to come hang out with his roommates? Oh, goodness. “Saturday? As in, tomorrow?!”
“Yeah. Tomorrow. Marlin wants to officially meet you, aside from seeing you in passing in the hallway.”
It’s a rather embarrassing fact. The first time Minnie ever went to Gage’s place for what wassupposedto be a one-night stand had her passing some of his roommates in the halls like a cheap hooker. Back then, she had thought it would be the one and only time she would ever be there. She figured she would never have to shake the hand of some guy who had listened to them bang. That she’d never have to face them again.
No such luck. Her one attempt at being spicy and having a one-night stand turned into an ongoing relationship…and now Gage wants to bring her around and have her officially meet the other men.
It’s fine that you meet his friends, but he doesn’t seem keen on meeting your family,a dark little whisper says in her mind.Why might that be?Minnie pushes it away, doesn’t want to focus on it.
“Should I bake cookies? A cake?” Minnie offers up, wanting to please and desperately wanting to shove down her prim embarrassment. People like sweet things, don’t they? Making a good impression has been drilled into her head since she was a girl. “I’ll bring whatever dessert you think they’ll like.”
“Those brownies of yours are dangerous.”
She gives Gage a look. “You’re saying that because those are your favorites.” He’ll eat them all before anyone else has a taste.
Gage smirks, guilty as charged. “Because they’re fuckin’ great.”
“The point is to bring dessert to impress your friends, not to impressyou.” She feels like she needs to make some grand, impressive display…and brownies seem sort ofcommon. Not awe-inspiring. When her mother hosted events, she always had such jaw-dropping centerpieces, and the pressure to be held to her mother’s standard is a heavy weight.
Minnie squawks when he scoops her up like a princess and walks her over to her bedroom. “Believe me, they’d be happy with anythin’ you make. They aren’t used to women baking them treats. Your caramel swirled brownies are out of this world. Besides, you’re my dessert, princess. And tonight, I intend to eat well.” Gage flashes a predatory, hungry smile.
Minnie flushes, feeling those words all the way to her core as he sets her gently down on her sheets.
Chapter 4
The fact that Gage doesn’t bring up her family again nags, but Minnie tries to push that down on her anxiety list. The top of her list is not to make a fool of herself in front of his friends at the cookout.
She can worry about Gage’s odd standoffishness about meeting her familylater.Priorities.
In preparation for their barbecue with his roommates, they set off together Saturday morning, driving through the south end of Uptown, parking near the quaint, family-run butcher that Minnie has known her whole life.
The aging owner glances up and smiles at Minnie, recognizing her. As a girl, she would accompany her father to grab filets or premade kebabs for dinner. Here, they always have the best cuts of meat and are well-known in town as a favorite spot. Their marinades? Always on point. “Miss Fray,” Mr. Rackers says in greeting. “Long time no see, young lady.”
She grins and replies, “Mr. Rackers. Good morning. Could we trouble you for a few things?”
“Of course, dear girl. Of course. Let me know what you’d like when you’re ready.” His eyes glance off Gage with reserved interest, and Minnie knows he’s going to be gossiping about this to someone in the future.Crap, why didn’t she think of that possibility? The old man loves to talk.
Gage is already peering into the different display cases, determining what will be best for their cookout, his brow furrowed in thought.
“You want anythin’ in particular?” Gage asks her when she comes to stand beside him. “Marlin will make anythin’ you want.”
Minnie bites her lip. “Are you sure? If you’re all getting steaks, I don’t want to be trouble-”
His large hand finds its way to her waist, making her body heat with awareness. The things those hands do to her! It always feels indecent when he touches her in public, because Minnie feels like everyone knows what effect he has on her, just by looking at her face. “Marlin won’t care, he loves grillin’. Pick whatever you want.”
She points out the cilantro-lime marinated chicken, and Gage nods to Mr. Rackers, rattling off the various cuts of meat he wants wrapped to go with the chicken. As Mr. Rackers is preparing the meat to go home with them, he gives Gage another inquisitive look, eyes lingering on his neck tattoo.
Just as they pay at the register, the bell chimes from somewhere behind them, signaling that another customer has entered the humble shop.
