GAGE

26| c a n ' t s t a n d y o u

I got home from Greece yesterday. The trip was interesting to say the least.

Gage kind of just dropped me off at my apartment and left me. Even though I'm used to it, I hate when he disappears.

I tried calling him many times but he never answered.

I wipe off the red lipstick from the corners of my mouth in the rear view mirror at the stop light.

I'm on my way to meet Abriya and Rich's men at an address she texted me and I'm kind of nervous.

I park my car when Siri tells me I've reached my destination and get out. It's a dark restaurant and people sit at the outdoor tables.

I text Abriya that I'm here and she responds that she's outside. I spot her colorful hair and make my way to the table.

Once there, I notice the three men sitting with her. I pull a seat next to Abriya and sit down.

"Hey." She says.

"Hey." I sigh.

I awkwardly poor water from the pitcher into a glass and take a sip.

"So who are you guys?" I look to the three men.

One of them is middle-aged with black hair, Abriya introduces him as Mark.

The next one looks to be around Gage's age and his name is Max. He has curly chocolate brown hair that's held back with a headband. Cute.

The last guy, oh. My stalker from Greece.

"I'm Jace and I can introduce myself." He glares at Abriya before smiling at me.

I shake the hand he offers, "You again."

"Me again." Dimples appear on his cheeks.

"Anyway! Enough with this flirting," Abriya waves her hand around, "Back to business. Now Rich wants you to help with the business; simple tasks. You seem lean and capable of defending yourself if anything happens. You won't be alone while doing said tasks and it'll be safe. Well, as safe as this job gets." She chuckles along with the other guys, "If you agree, the first mission is for you to seduce a drug lord to give you the password to his safe. Think you can handle that?" She asks.

"I don't really have a choice now do I?" I tilt my head.

"Great, you'll start on Friday." She smiles.

"What? Friday? I can't do Friday, I have plans!" I exclaim.

"The only plans you have is this, unless you want to be kidnapped and fuckin' killed." She snaps.

"Look you little bitch, I'll do this shit, but I'm not gonna let you talk to me however you want to. I will jump across this mother fucking table and slap that black lipstick off your big ass mouth if I have to. And I will do it." I realize that I am now standing and leaning over the table.

Jace snickers and Abriya rolls her eyes and huffs back in her chair.

"Just send me the details." I nod to the guys before heading back to my car.

The car ride seems longer than before and I open the front door when I finally get home.

I flick the light switch and gasp when I see a figure on my couch. A screech emits from my mouth in the process.

Gage is sprawled all over it and opens his tired eyes. "Where were you?"

"How did you get in here? You almost gave me a heart attack!" I set my bag on the counter.

I run my hands through my unruly hair and shake it out behind my shoulders.

"Where were you?" He repeats, ignoring my question.

"I was- I'm not answering that until you answer my question!" I squint at him.

"I asked first." A lazy smirk appears on his lips.

"Are you drunk?" I furrow my eyebrows and lower my face to his.

"I wish I was." His voice sounds weak.

"What's wrong with you?" I put my hand on his cheek.

He bites the pad of my finger causing me to snatch it away. "Stop it."

My instincts bring me forward to his lips but before they make contact I stop myself.

I groan.

I hate what he does to me. Just by existing.

I sigh, "I need to- you need to leave."

"No." He smirks.

"Yes!" I whine, trying to pull him off the couch but I fail.

"Where were you?" He repeats.

"I was... hanging out with some of my friends since I, you know, haven't seen them in a while." I lie. I know he wouldn't stop asking me if I didn't answer him.

"Now how'd you get in here?" I ask for the millionth time.

"Is that important?" He doesn't look at me.

"I cannot stand you!" I roll my eyes and go into my bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

I take a long shower and when I'm done, I go back downstairs.

Gage is still there, "You're still here." I say obviously.

I didn't think he'd still be here, hence me not putting on a shirt 

Water droplets fall from the tips of my hair and onto the floor.

"Gage." I call lightly.

"Hm." He hums.

I walk over to him and sit on his thigh.

"I thought you couldn't stand me." He opens his eyes smugly.

"I can't! You're just... I don't know." I lean back and spread my legs over Gage's torso.

His hand makes it's way to my bare thigh. He pushes my glasses with his finger and the corners of his mouth lift up.

"Oh," I take them off and hide my rosy  cheeks with my hair, "I didn't think you'd still be-"

"No, they're cute." He bites the metal on his lip.

I roll my head back along with my eyes and exhale heavily.

His soft deep laughter fills my ears.

"Stop." I push his face away with my hand.

He pulls me towards him and kisses my forehead.

"I still can't stand you. Why are you here anyways?" I lift a brow.

"Cause I missed you." His eyes shift to me.

"You're full of shit." I look away.

"Baby, look at me." He taps my chin and I melt into his fingers.

He brushes my hair behind my ear and I position myself on his waist. I lean into him and our lips brush against each other.

"I've waited all day for you." He tugs on my bottom lip with his teeth.

Hm, sure.