“Good. I don’t need another groupie. I need you.”
He needs me? Is he serious? We barely know each other.
My heart doesn’t care how we barely know each other. It wants him. It wants to explore being with Gage.
Sorry, heart. There is no time to explore more. But we can do friends. Maybe.
“Come on, songbird. Forgive me and I’ll be the best friend you’ve ever had. I’ll braid your hair, help you wax your legs. Whatever you need.”
An idea starts to form in my head. A way for Gage to ‘help’ me and also learn I’m not to be messed with.
“I’ll forgive you.”
He reaches for me. But I hold up my hand.
“On one condition.”
“Name it. Whatever you want, it’s yours. Although, I draw the line at naked pictures on the internet. My agent loses his mind whenever those appear.”
I giggle. “You have naked images posted online more often?”
“Forget I said anything.”
Forget, he mentioned being naked? I wish I could forget. I need to forget. Because I am never witnessing Gage in person in the nude. We are friends. Nothing more.
“What’s your condition?”
“Meet me tomorrow evening. And wear clothes you don’t mind getting ruined.”
“What are we doing?”
“You’ll find out. Tomorrow. Black clothes would be good.”
His eyes narrow. “We’re not doing anything illegal, are we?”
“Why? Are you afraid to break the law?”
“I’ll break the law with you. It’s what good friends do. But I need to prepare.”
“No worries. What we’re doing isn’t illegal.” Not exactly. Maybe it would be illegal somewhere else. But not on Smuggler’s Hideaway. Here, the activity is expected. Especially in the summer.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow, friend.” He kisses my cheek before leaving the office.
I’m playing with fire. Keeping our relationship strictly platonic is not going to be easy. Not when a kiss on my cheek lights up my entire body.
But friendship is all I have to offer.
Chapter 12
I can’t say I’ve ever been interrupted by a vomiting raccoon before.
Gage
Ipark in front of Addy’s house and fold out of my SUV. Addy insisted I drive for today’s ‘activity’, which she’s still keeping secret from me.
Before I have a chance to walk to the door, it opens and she hurries outside.
“Let’s go.”
