Part 21 (2/2)

I was still delirious from the aftermath of what he had done, but I moved my body with each of his thrust. He lifted himself up, arms braced on either side of me so he could get leverage. I wrapped my legs around him, meeting each slam of his hips, twisting when he twisted, slowing when he slowed, following his lead because he knew exactly what I liked, exactly what made me soar.

His lips covered mine as I surged beneath him, his fingers pressing between my legs, hitting the switch that pushed me over the edge in a burst of pleasure, deliciously draining me. It kept coming though, the never-ending release, and I convulsed as he continued his strokes. He eased me down even as he found his release.

I felt him shuddering and opened my eyes, the overpowering sensations finally calming enough to let in other senses. His eyes burned into mine, even in the dark. We held each others stare, ragged breaths filling the air around us. Then he collapsed on me, pulling me to him as he rolled to his side.

”d.a.m.n.” He was still breathless. ”Now that was a d.a.m.n good apology.”

I rolled onto my back, his arm draped over my stomach. ”On your part, but I told you, Im not apologizing.”

He rose up on one arm and looked at me with a raised brow. ”So what was that then?”

I shook my head. ”A reminder. This is what you get with me.” I turned to my side, lifting up on one elbow like him. ”And if you want me, you need to make sure you put me first.”

His eyes narrowed, but a curious smile played on his lips. He brought his hand up to my cheek, sliding my hair back. His fingers lingered on my neck. ”I really dont understand you sometimes,” it was almost a whisper. His eyes had been following his hand, but he moved them up to meet mine. ”But f.u.c.k if I dont love you. You are first, in every way that matters.”

”It needs to show more.”

”Tonight, that meeting I thought I had, it was really a surprise party for me at the club. My goodbye. And all I could think was that I wanted you there. I left as soon as I could.”

I scooted closer to him, placing my hand on his cheek. ”Good. Im glad youre done with that. I only wish you were done with those people.”

He nodded. ”I know youre still talking about Cherry. And I did apologize to you; I wont let her talk to you like that anymore. I already told her when I got back.”

”Stop,” I cut off his rambling. It felt good laying here naked with him, but talk of her was already tensing my muscles and burning my heart. ”I dont want to talk about her. I dont want her to be an issue. Just dont make her one anymore. Lets move on.”

”Done.” He pulled me to him, curling around me.

I was relieved to push thoughts of her away. She wasnt even the most important thing to happen today, but I had mistakenly treated her like she was. I didnt bring up Anthony though. I let my thoughts melt away in the warmth of Gages embrace, and we fell asleep, skin on skin.

”Gage Lawson and Regan Lawson.” Gage handed the guard our IDs.

”Sign in that book there. Someone will be right out for you.”

He let go of my hand as he moved to the black binder the man gestured to, scribbling our name on the s.p.a.ce provided.

I stood, numb, not letting my mind work too far ahead. I had spent most of the week avoiding thinking about this. And Gage had helped me avoid it. After he signed over the club, he did have more time. He had a few meetings, and I had cla.s.s, but we spent a lot of the week together, mostly in the gym or bed.

It wasnt till yesterday that he talked to me about Nikolai, preparing me for his direct way of talking. He said its only gotten worse in prison, especially since his sentence keeps being increased. He doesnt have hope of getting out, and hes accepted that, even made the most of it. Theres an entire network within the prison that he runs. Gage promised he would be with me the entire time, and hed do most of the talking.

I wanted it. I wanted to find out information about my father, but I couldnt let myself even imagine how this conversation would go.

Gage was back at my side, and he grabbed my hand in his again. ”You okay? You dont have to do this. You can wait out here.”

I pulled out of his grip, wanting my own confidence, not just his. ”Im here. Im going in.”

He nodded, still watching me.

The heavy door in front of us buzzed. An armed guard opened it and signaled us to step through. ”Nikolai Rusnak has a private room for visitors. You wont be going to the cafeteria with the others,” the guard explained as the door shut behind us.

”We know,” Gage responded and slid an arm around me, pulling me to walk beside him even though the hallway barely fit us side by side.

My heart echoed in my chest, thumping heavier with each step we took.

The hallway seemed to go on forever, and then we made a turn, and another. We went through several other doors that only opened for the guards key. Each hallway cooler and smaller, like we were walking to a bas.e.m.e.nt, or dungeon. So many turns, I felt like a mouse in a maze. I looked towards Gage since he had been here several times before, he didnt seem phased. This must be typical.

Then the guard stopped at a door with a small viewing window at the top. He unlocked it with his key card and then held it open. ”You two can go in. Well bring Mr. Rusnak in shortly.”

The moment we stepped through, the door closed behind us with a deafening click.

Gage walked to the table set up in the center of the room and pulled out a chair. ”Take a seat. h.e.l.l be here soon, through that door.” He nodded to the door at the opposite side of the room.

I took the chair facing that door and waited.

Gage gripped my thigh under the table. ”Let me do most of the talking.”

I nodded. My mouth was dry and sticky.

Gage slid off his wool coat, letting it rest on the back of his chair. I sunk into my puffy jacket, taking comfort in the warmth.

The door opened, and I held my breath. A guard held it open, and Nikolai walked through.

”You have an hour, sir,” the young guard said.

Nikolai turned towards him. ”Ill tell you when Im ready.”

The man nodded and closed the door.

I dont know what I had expected-chains, an orange jumper, something that said prison-but this man was in black pants and a white b.u.t.ton up s.h.i.+rt, nothing in the way of restraints. His grey streaked dark hair was slicked back from a hard face lined with age, but intimidating all the same. His aura was strong, but nothing about his stature was. He was average height and soft around the middle, soft everywhere really.

”Gage.” He had a smokers voice, and his smile showed yellow teeth. ”Boy its been a while since you visited. We have much to discuss.”

Gage stood as Nikolai approached and embraced him.

”Its hard since Im in New York now.”

He waved him away. ”Yeah I know. Hows the cannolis there? Playing nice?”

Gage laughed, light. ”They dont have a choice.”

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