Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 109245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
“Yeah, okay.”
Meridian came closer to Scar’s bedside, and Gage had an urge to back away, but he stayed beside his partner.
“Meridian,” Scar said cautiously.
“I’m doubling your training this week.”
Scar bolted upright too fast, grunting in pain. “What? Why!”
“Because five men got the drop on you on a public street,” Meridian said flatly. “Did I really need to explain that?”
Roz made a sound of agreement. “Not much of a badass assassin if you ask me.”
“But no one did ask you,” Gage snapped. “So get out.”
Meridian continued, voice low and absolute, “Your partner fought six men and was never touched.”
Gage felt a sense of pride that Meridian hadn’t added on, “and he’s blind.” He hadn’t framed it as some kind of miracle. Just capability.
“I was prepared,” Gage said. “I wasn’t led into a trap.”
“Is that the excuse you wanna give me, Scar?” Meridian sounded as if he’d leaned in, or maybe it was just his voice going darker.
“No,” Scar said through clenched teeth.
“Good. Because you know I don’t accept fuckin’ excuses. They’re what weak men use when they can’t accept defeat.” Meridian growled. “They didn’t outnumber you, those fuckin’ amateurs outsmarted you. That’s what unprepared does.”
“Fuck.” Scar hissed.
Meridian turned slightly, his coat shifting and pushing the scent of cold leather and sweet Sobranie smoke up Gage’s nose.
“So tomorrow,” he finished, “you’ll train until your body remembers you don’t get caught.”
Meridian left them alone in the room, powerless to argue or object.
“I’ll train with you, okay?” Gage whispered against Scar’s cheek. “No more doing stuff alone. If you wanna go to Bible study, we’ll go together.”
Scar caressed the back of his hand down his cheek. “You really came for me.”
“Always.”
White Ravens
Gage
The elevator ride to their floor felt longer than it should have.
Scar stood with his good shoulder leaning into the corner, posture rigid, radiating frustration.
Gage stood close enough to feel the heat coming off him, close enough to hear the way Scar’s breathing wasn’t quite normal yet.
Scar shifted, as if preparing to step out the moment the doors opened. “I’ll see you at the ass-crack of dawn. Try to get some sleep, okay?”
It sounded like a decision made to save face, not a real desire to be alone.
Gage crowded him until Scar’s back was pressed against the elevator wall.
“Stay with me,” he said, not asking.
“Gage…”
He tipped his head, voice lower, softer, “Let me kiss it and make it better.”
For a second, Scar didn’t move.
“You’re not supposed to say shit like that, Saint.”
“Mm, are you saying no?”
Scar was silent until the elevator doors opened, then muttered, “Okay.”
He navigated through his space easily, with Scar following.
“Bathroom’s to the left,” Gage said. “Towels and toiletries are on the second shelf.”
Scar hummed in acknowledgment, and Gage waited for the door to click shut.
He changed into sleep pants and a soft shirt, then laid a tank top and a pair of cotton lounge shorts on the bed for Scar.
In his kitchen, he let out a long exhale, curling his fingertips around the edge of the counter as if it could keep him from freaking out.
He was still wired from the field, full of that wild, protective energy. But underneath, something more intense was rising, and it scared him how much he wanted to do something about it.
He put together a small fruit-and-cheese plate since he and Scar had missed the chance to have dinner and set it on the nightstand.
The shower shut off, and a moment later, Scar stepped out.
The heat of the shower and the scent of his own soap came out behind him, filling the room in a way that made Gage’s stomach tighten.
He pointed at where he’d put the plate and forced his voice to stay even. “Are you hungry?”
Scar paused. “A little, I guess. Are these shorts for me?”
“Um, yeah if—” He tipped his head toward the sound of water droplets hitting his hardwood floor, before his eyes widened. “Are you naked?”
Scar’s silence was all the answer he needed.
Lord help me.
His breath hitched, and his heart began to hammer so fast he thought he’d hyperventilate.
He was remembering their last time alone, how he’d explored Scar’s body, tracing lines of muscle, hard ridges, and sharp edges formed by hard living.
His fingers twitched at his side with an urge to reach and confirm what his imagination was painting so vividly.
“I sleep naked. I don’t like restrictions.”
“That’s, uh… Sure, that’s fine. To each his own.” Gage cringed.
He rolled his eyes behind his glasses at his idiocy. He’d been going for nonchalant, but the high pitch in his voice ended up making him sound the opposite.
“You still want me to sleep with you?” Scar’s voice was deep and seductive.
“My bed is big enough for five people. You can sleep in it…with…me if you want.”
Naked.
Gage’s face was warm. The silence that followed only made the heat spread down his throat to his chest.