Gage
Lily is all mine, and the single guys at Rhys’s party know it now.
It wasn’t my plan to mark my territory, but fucking Phoenix and Michaela König played me like a violin.
Shame on me for walking into their trap.
Phoenix must have r epressed desires to be an entertainment TV r eporter. My so-called friend texted me a
minute-by-minute account of Lily’s time at Rhys’s party.
I ignored him at first, unwilling to fall for his obvious taunting. He upped the ante. He sent me photos of
Lily, angling his camera so I couldn’t miss her kickass gold heels or her dainty toes painted in a lovely
shade of pink.
My desire for her ratchetted at rocket speed. My cock approved, but I didn’t fall for the bait. When I
didn’t answer, he k ept at it. The next photo showed more of her slender legs. The following one zoomed
in on her shapely calves. He k ept inching up her legs and stopped right at the edge of her short-shorts.
The fucker knew what game he was playing. When Michaela sent me a photo of Collin Dennison
hovering over Lily, three things became clear.
One, Mr. and Mrs. König were in connivance, pushing their agendas with the same zeal as fucking
politicians.
Two, with so many of our buddies in relationships, Collin Dennison remains a certified manwhore. I love
him like a brother, but the man is like
a dog after a bone when a woman catches his eye. A fresh face in our group is enough to send him into a
tizzy.
Three, staying away from Rhys’s party was no longer an option. For three years, my security system has
been tighter than Fort Knox’s. I don’t let anyone in who isn’t part of my small circle of trusted friends.
Not after the betrayal that shattered my world. I’m not sure what sorcery this woman possesses, but Lily
Schuyler managed to cross all my wires last night.
Security has been breached. The steel doors are open. An invasion is imminent. I should be calling the
calvary for backup. Or better yet, the US Army. Instead, I got behind the wheel of my Wiesmann GT
MF4, and drove my sports car like I stole it, a hot spear of jealousy tearing through me.
I’m surprised the LAPD didn’t pull me over and slap my ass with a speeding ticket. Lucky for me, the
club isn’t too far from my Beverly Hills mansion.
I cut the engine, jumped out of my car, flung my keys to the valet, and headed to the front door, nodding
at the bouncers posted at the entrance.
I busted inside Club SIX10 with the same urgency as a man entering a bar after being in jail for a decade.
Sometimes a guy needs to piss around a woman like a fucking dog to ward off others.
I take my role seriously. I’m guarding her. All of her. When I caught sight of her clad in that
cock-hardening outfit, I froze. The photos Phoenix sent me paled in comparison to seeing her in the flesh.
For a long minute, I stood there, mouth gaping open, all rational thought flying out the window because
all the blood in my body was traveling at warp speed to my cock.
Holy goddess. The flames of desire were burning so blistering hot, so urgent, so all-compassing, I
couldn’t breathe. Being in her presence caused parts of me to stretch and flex to life inside me. Parts that
have been dormant for so long.
I blame Lily for making me drag her off the dance floor, find a secluded place, and do unspeakable things
to her.
I had no chance against the oozing sexuality emitting from her. None whatsoever.
This is LA. Women flash skin. Lily went from demure to sex bomb overnight. I came here to watch over
her, lurk in the shadows, and make sure no one bothered her. Ravishing her mouth while making her come
all over my fingers wasn’t part of the plan.
The heady smell of her arousal tickles my nostrils and hardens my cock. No Rough Roger for me tonight.
Lily’s pussy is my only salvation. An elegant woman approaches me, jarring me back to the moment.
Here comes the traitress. I used to like Phoenix and Michaela. Not so much anymore. “Here you go.”
Michaela extends a bejeweled arm, flashing a stalk of gold bracelets, and hands me a gold clutch.
After guiding Lily to my car, I texted Michaela and asked her for her help.
Going back inside the party room would’ve elicited a barrage of questions from my friends.
I don’t have time. I’d rather lose myself inside Lily’s sweet pussy. I grab the small bag. “Thank you.” Her
green eyes, which are several shades de eper than mine, stare up at me.
Her lips devoid of lipstick purse together. My gaze narrows. “Whatever’s on your mind, say it.” She
hesitates, which is unlike her. Michaela is a straight shooter. “Let’s hear it,” I say. “Don’t hurt her.” I huff
out a laugh that ends up a self-d eprecating grunt. “You think so little of me, Mikki?”
She thrusts her chin up and out in that dogged, determined way she does when she’s dead-set on standing
her ground. “I’m sure I’m overst epping my boundaries, but she’s like a younger sister to me.”
If she was hoping to appease me with her words, she failed. “And what makes you think I’d hurt her?”
“She’s a sweet girl––” “She’s a woman.”
“You’re right. She is.” She bites the inside of her lower lip. “Get it off your chest.” “You’re...” “A blunt
object with rough edges? A brooding beast? A grumpy asshole? Short? Brusque? All of the above?” I
scoff. “That’s what people say about me behind my back.” I arch a brow. “I’m sure many of my friends
say I’m stubborn. Obstinate, even.”
She stares up at me through narrowed eyes. I glare back. “I was going to say intense.” “If that’s how you
feel about me, Michaela, why did you and your husband taunt me until I showed up here? I texted you
earlier and told you, chances were, I wasn’t going to come. I made sure to call the birthday boy with my
good wishes and even told him as much.”
“Gage, you should’ve seen the way you were devouring Lily with your eyes yesterday when you first
met.”
My feral reaction to this woman was written all over my face? Fuck. I rub the back of my neck. “It was as
if Phoenix and I were witness to two people falling in lust with each other.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re layering it on a bit thick.” A smug smile stretches Michaela’s lips as she studies
me. “What?” “The chemistry between you was bouncing off the walls,” she says. “For years, you’ve been
immune, but yesterday... a young woman sparked something in you.”
A strange sensation I can’t quite label fills my chest, but I don’t let on. “So now you’re playing
matchmaker?”
She tilts her head way back, cockiness shining bright from her eyes. “Are you going to tell me you guys
have been talking since you dragged her off the dance floor?”
I flare my nostrils in lieu of an answer. “My point exactly,” she says. “Why do you think my husband and
I have been torturing you with teasing text messages? Collin is Collin, but he would never make a move
on another man’s girl—”
“She isn’t my—” I stop midsentence.
What’s the point? Michaela grins from ear to ear. “I’m watching over her,” I say. “Whatever you wanna
call it, big guy.” I shake my head. “It wasn’t my intention to lecture you. I’m protective of Lily. So, don’t
overwhelm her with your brute force.”
“I’ll ke ep that in mind, Mom.” She pats my forearm. “Good boy.” Damn her for dishing it right back.