I bit down on his lower lip and gently tugged in response.

The next noise coming from his throat could only be described as the sexiest growl I’ve ever heard from a man. He fiercely attacked my mouth again and soon the windows were completely fogged up. Gage slid his hands under my dress and traveled up toward my underwear. Thank God they were cute and lacy tonight. His fingers had just started curling around the sides to pull down when his hands and mouth froze.

“No, Cassidy, we need to stop.” His hands were now cupping my cheeks and holding my face a couple inches from his. “I’m not going to do this here with you.”

I shook my head and tried to kiss him again. “I don’t care, Gage.”

He stopped my advance and looked directly into my eyes. “No.”

A huff of air escaped my lungs and I lowered my head dejectedly. I tried to move away, but his hands kept me anchored to him. Pressing his forehead to mine, he held us there while our breathing returned to normal. What felt like an eternity of trying to hide my embarrassment later, he finally slid me back onto the seat and pulled out of the parking area. Neither of us said anything until we were five minutes from the house, then he took my hand and pressed it lightly to his lips.

“Don’t be upset, Cass . . . please.”

Easy for him to say. I shrugged and looked out the window. “I’m not.”

We pulled up to a red light and he took my chin in his hand, forcing me to look up at him. He knew I was lying. “I swear to you, it’s not that I don’t want to.” I suppressed an annoyed laugh; of course he would say that. “But I’m not about to take that from you, especially in my truck. You deserve better than that.” Someone honked behind us and he started driving again.

The distraction couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, because my eyes were huge and my cheeks were now bright red. I’d forgotten that during my rant to Gage, Adam, and Dana about why Tyler had brought that girl back to our place, I’d also disclosed the fact that I was still carrying my V-card. Someone please kill me now.

As soon as the car slowed in the driveway, I left my heels in the truck, jumped out, and ran for the door, key already in hand.

“Cassidy, wait!” Gage yelled as he threw the truck in park.

I know it’s childish, but it’s what I’ve always done. Bad situation came up? Run away. Kind of hard to break that lovely habit. Only this time, I didn’t have Tyler or Gage to run to. I thought about calling Jackie and packing a bag, but first I needed to get the damn door open. After almost dropping the key, I finally got it in the lock and opened it as Gage called my name again. I slammed the door shut behind me and raced for the closet in my room, grabbed my duffel bag and threw it onto the bed. I’d thrown the contents of one drawer into the bag and was heading for another drawer when Gage reached me.

Grabbing my arms, he spun me around so I was facing him, and though his grip didn’t hurt, it effectively held me there. “Damn it, Cassidy, what are you doing?” He was searching my eyes, and I saw his were full of confusion and I watched as they filled with pain and fear when they flicked over to the bag on my bed. It could have been seconds, minutes, or hours. Time seemed to stop as my heart broke looking at this amazing man. Blowing out a breath, he stood up straighter and released my arms so he could push the hair away from my face. “Don’t run to him. Not from me.”

I let out a strangled sigh but couldn’t think of what to say. Hey, Gage, I appreciate you trying to protect my virtue. But in case you didn’t notice, I just put myself out there and you freaking rejected me before bringing up the fact that I’m still an inexperienced virgin. I wasn’t mad at him; I got it. Who would want to be with someone who has absolutely no idea what they’re doing?

“Please don’t go, Cass. I want you here, with me.”

I’d never had anyone ask me not to leave, and he’d just asked me twice. “I won’t.” It came out soft as a whisper. He raised an eyebrow and let out a humorless laugh. I quickly said, “I promise.”

Pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, he released my hair and stepped away. His eyes looked so hurt and it took every ounce of control I had not to throw myself into his arms. He was giving me my space even though he was so sure I was about to leave him. It was practically written all over his face with a bright red Sharpie that he didn’t think I would stay. With a final sigh he turned and left my room. When he hit the living room I heard his deep voice trailing behind him.

“I love you, Cassidy Jameson.”

Dear Lord, I was so in love with him. I didn’t think I could ever get enough of hearing those words coming from his lips. No matter how much my gut screamed at me to grab my stuff and leave before he had the chance to hurt me again, I forced myself to unpack the duffel bag and get ready for bed. Pulling on a pair of sleep shorts and an old concert tee, I went to the bathroom to wash my face and throw my hair into a messy bun. Hoping to assure him I wasn’t running from him, I walked out to the living room and went to his door, but it was locked and there wasn’t any light coming from under it. I sighed and reluctantly walked back to my room.

GAGE

HOW HAD I f**ked up so bad last night? I couldn’t believe what I’d heard from Cassidy about Tyler, and God, did it make me want to punch him all over again. Realizing just how much he’d lied to both of us to keep us from each other pissed me off to no end. But having Cassidy tell me she loved me took all that away. Kissing her and having her kiss me back again had felt so right, and I hated how much time we’d wasted, but damn if I was ever going to let anything stand between us again. And then I’d gone and done the job myself.