Without you (currently being edited)

Chapter 12

Authors note: Strong language and some sexual content.  If your a minor please don't read.

Ellianna's POV-

     I can't believe I'm standing here, half naked, hugging Gage but when he told me what happened to his sister I couldn't help it.  It was an instinct.  He hugged me back and when he told me I was o.k. I hugged him tighter. I was only o.k. because of him.  I swear I'm not dreaming, he kissed me twice, o.k. so it was on the head, but still.  When Avery walked in a coughed I quickly stepped back and looked at her.  I thought for sure she would have that wicked grin on her face but she didn't.  She asked Gage where the bathroom was and I wiped the tears from my face. 

      I looked back at Gage and he did something I really wasn't expecting.  He threw me over his shoulders and headed for the door.  I yell at him to put me down but he clearly wasn't.  I couldn't help but laugh and let him carry me outside holding on to his hips.  God this man is ripped.  He is all muscle and carries me like I weigh ten pounds.  When he stops and puts me down then quickly picks me up bridal style I know what he is going to do.  Having a pool at home I can't tell you how many times my brothers would throw me into the pool.  So I lace my fingers together around his neck.

     He looks at me and I know I'm smiling at him like "there ain't know way I'm letting go buddy." He says "Ellianna, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way?" and gives me that wicked grin.  I can't believe he said that and gave me that look.  O.MY.GOD he can't look at me like that when I'm this close to his face. I don't dare look at his lips though and smile at him and say  "If I go in, your going in too."  That earned me a laugh and he said "o.k. so the hard way then." 

     Then he jumps in the water with me and I have to let go.  I emerge from the water laughing and splash him and say "you ass!"  He just smiles at me clearly happy with himself.  Avery walks out and starts putting her stuff in her bag and I can't help but wonder "what the hell is she doing?" I look at Gage and he doesn't look happy either.  I swim to the side of the pool as she turns to me and puts her bag over her shoulder and I ask her "what are you doing?" I'm clearly not ready to leave and start to wonder if my little performance has made her uncomfortable. 

     She stops and looks down at me and say "Unless Gage has a tampon, I gotta go."  I can't believe she just said that and I hear Gage behind me say "umm.. nope I forgot to stock up."  She looks at him and says "way to go!" then back to me with a smile and says "I'm going to have to go."  I start to make my way to the steps and say "I'll go with you." Then she shouts which stops me and I look up and she said "NO!"  then continues with a wave of her hand "you stay and have fun there isn't much you can do." then winks at me and finishes " I'll see you later."

    I stand there watching her walk through the door and I don't say anything.  Damn her, I gotta endure this alone.  I don't turn around right away because I know Gage is behind me.  I finally get the courage to turn around, hoping he doesn't still look mad, and when I see the grin on his face I know I'm in trouble.  I quickly look down and dip back in the water.  Neither of us say anything for a few minutes and I look back at Gage and he has that wicked grin still on his face.  O. God!  It's Gage who breaks the silence and says "how about a bet?"  I look up at him with curiosity on my face and narrow my eyes and say "what kind of bet?"  He just gives me that look again and says "a race."

     O.K. I can't help but wonder what he has planned so I swim closer to him and say "what kind of race?"  He smiles again and says "the first one to go the length of the pool and back, wins!"  O.K.? I can play his little game and I say "what does the loser have to do?"  He gives me a smile and says "the loser has to make dinner."  O.K.? he wants me to stay and make him dinner? and I'm totally fine with that.  So I say "your on!"