Page 43 of These Wicked Hearts

He rolls his eyes. “I need to grab coffee.”

“I think you like me and want to make sure I get home safe.”

“Atlas, you’re twice my size. I’m not protecting you from shit.”

“The muscles are for show. I’m not confrontational.”

“Unless you have to occasionally punch people.”

My smile snaps wide onto my face. “Hazard of the job.” A heavy sigh leaves his lips as he watches me. I want to ask what, but he gets up, flashing me his biteable ass before opening his dresser and grabbing clothes. He tugs on his briefs, a pair of ripped jeans, and a red T-shirt.

I get up and slip on my clothes.

In the elevator, we wait for my floor. There’s this awkward tension settling over us. I’m not sure why. “Do you want my number, just in case?”

“In case of what?” Gage asks.

I shrug. “So you know when I’m home.” I think. “I mean, unless you want me to shine a bat signal from the roof. Then you just look outside and see this flashing light in the sky and know it’s go time.”

“What would our bat signal be?” He surprises me.

“I—” I think. “Damn, that’s a good question. An erect penis seems too obvious.”

“You’re probably right,” he says flatly, taking my phone out of my hand and swiping up. He punches something in then grabs his phone. It vibrates in my hand, and I see his name light up with a text.

Gage: You’re annoying.

“And sexy.” I wink at him. He shakes his head as the door opens. “This is going to be so much fun. Strangers with benefits.”

Gage walks beside me. “I don’t think it’s fair you know what I do for a living.”

“That’s on you, man. You should have covered that tattoo.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not every day I let someone put their mouth on it.”

“I did.” I beam. “I did do that. Lucky me.”

“Ridiculous.”

I stop short, startling him. “Um, just so you know, I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

He watches me a moment before the hard lines of his face soften. Just a touch. “I know you won’t.”

We turn down the hall and I freeze. “Fuck.” I watch the two towering men bang on my door.

Oli’s head turns to me as we approach my apartment. I’m shocked when I reach him, pulled forward by his strong arms. He hugs me tight, slapping me on the back. “Holy shit, it’s so good to see you,” he says. “It’s been months.”

He squeezes me tighter.

“You’re suffocating me, you ugly prick.”

“Hey, watch it.” I hear Andre. “That’s my very gorgeous husband you’re talking to.” Oli laughs, letting me go, and I give Andre a hug.

“What are you both doing here?”

“We came to see if you wanted to ride with us. We got in last night.”

I nearly forget about the man behind me. Shit. I turn and see Gage standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets, looking bored as ever.