Hard Knocks: An Ultimate Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

her into his side. “Especially the sex you haven’t had yet.”
    “Armie!” She enjoyed his insights, but he was so cavalier about it, so bold, she couldn’t help but continue blushing.
    “Now, Harper, you know...” Suddenly Armie went quiet. “Damn, for such a calm bastard, he has the deadliest stare.”
    Harper looked up to find Gage scrutinizing them. And he did look rather hot under the collar. Even as the two attractive women did their best to regain his attention, Gage stayed focused on her.
    She tried smiling at him. He just transferred his piercing gaze to Armie.
    “You could go save him from them,” Harper suggested.
    “Sorry, honey, not my type.”
    “What?” she asked, as if she didn’t already know. “The lack of a Mohawk bothers you?”
    He laughed, surprised her with a loud kiss right on her mouth and a firm swat on her butt, then he sauntered away.

CHAPTER THREE
    G AGE LOOKED READY to self-combust, so Harper headed over to him. He tracked her progress, and even when she reached him, he still looked far too intent and serious.
    “Hey,” she said.
    “Hey, yourself.”
    She eyed the other ladies. “See those guys over there?” She pointed to where Denver and Stack loitered by the food, stuffing their faces. “They’re shy, but they’re really hoping you’ll come by to say hi.”
    It didn’t take much more than that for the women to depart.
    Gage reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Now why didn’t I think of that?”
    “Maybe you were enjoying the admiration a little too much.”
    “No.” He touched her cheek, trailed his fingertips down to her chin. “You and Armie had your heads together long enough. Care to share what you two talked about?”
    She shrugged. “You.”
    “Huh.” His hand curved around her nape, pulling her in. “That’s why he kissed you and played patty-cake with your ass?”
    She couldn’t be this close to him without touching. Her hands opened on his chest, smoothing over the prominent muscles. What his chest did for a T-shirt should be illegal. “Now, Gage, I know you’re not jealous.”
    His other hand covered hers, flattening her palm over his heart. “Do I have reason to be?”
    “Over Armie? ” She gave a very unladylike snort. “Get real.”
    He continued to study her.
    Sighing, she said, “If you want to know–”
    “I do.”
    Why not tell him? she thought. It’d be interesting to see his reaction. “Actually, it’s kind of funny. See, Armie was encouraging me to have sex with you.”
    Gage’s expression went still, first with a hint of surprise, then with the heat of annoyance. “What the hell does it have to do with him?”
    No way could she admit that Armie thought they were both sad sacks. “Nothing. You know Armie.”
    “Yeah.” He scowled darker. “I know him.”
    Laughing, she rolled her eyes. “He’s lacking discretion, says whatever he thinks, and enjoys butting in.” She snuggled in closer to him, leaning on him. Loving him. “He wants you happy.”
    “I’m happy, damn it.”
    She didn’t bother telling him how un happy he sounded just then. “And he wants me happy.”
    Smoothing a hand down her back, pressing her closer still, he asked, “Sex will make you happy?”
    Instead of saying, “I love you so much, sex with you would make me ecstatic,” she quipped, “It’d sure be better than a stinging butt, which is all Armie offered.”
    “Want me to kiss it and make it better?”
    She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
    With a small smile of satisfaction, Gage palmed her cheek, gently caressing. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
    She gave a short nod.
    He used his hand on her butt to snug her in closer. “Armie kissed you, too.”
    Making a face, she told him, “Believe me, the swat was far more memorable.”
    “Good thing for Armie.”
    So he was jealous?
    “Hey,” Stack called over to them. “We’re ready to get things started. Kill the overhead lights, will you?”
    Still looking