Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

before leaving to go mingle.
    I sat alone for a while, fighting against the urge to watch Gage move around the room.
     
    As I exited the bathroom, an arm wrapped around me and pulled me back against a firm chest, a hand over my mouth.
    “Shhh,” the man breathed into my ear, slipping us into a small dark room.
    I wasn’t going to yell. I knew the moment the arms circled me it was Gage.
    He turned me around, releasing my mouth as he held me against the closed door. His warm hands cupped my face, blue eyes glowing in the dark.
    “Are you all right? Seeing you at his house yesterday—fuck. Have they hurt you or anything?”
    I couldn’t form words, my emotions choked me. This was the concern I wanted from him but I found it hard to swallow now. He had walked away yesterday.
    His breathing was raspy and reeked of beer as it fanned over me.
    I raised my hands to his chest, wanting to push him away but not able to find the strength. “I’m fine.”
    “Good.” He let out a large breath and dropped his forehead to mine. “I’ve missed you.”
    I did push him away at that, but he barely budged. “Could have fooled me.”
    “It’s not you I’m trying to fool.” His hands gripped my shoulders, holding me in place. “Although it would be best if you believed it too. Everything is so fucked up now. I don’t know what they’re telling you to keep you there, but I guarantee it’s not the truth.”
    The thing was, I knew that. I knew they were lying, but now I realized I didn’t believe him either. I didn’t trust that anyone was telling me the truth.
    “I have to get back out there before we’re noticed.” His hands rubbed my shoulders as his head dipped towards mine, breathing me in, drowning me. “Damn, you make me crazy. I had to talk to you. Please, don’t do anything till I talk to you again. Let me fix this.” Then his lips were on mine with a frenzied need, and I kissed him back, clinging to this electric moment until his words sank in.
    I pulled away from his kiss. “It’s too late for that. I need to know what you know, so I can know what to do.”
    “Tonight. I’ll be there tonight, just wait till then.” He stepped back and caressed my cheek. “You go out first. I’ll wait here.” His heat and security vanished when he took a large step back, leaving me cold and weak.
    Panic gripped my heart and muscles as I thought of leaving this space, going back out there, back to him treating me like nothing and everyone manipulating the situation. Sucking in a shuddering breath, I tried to fight back the swell of fear and burning tears just behind my eyelids. His promise to come tonight didn’t comfort me. It felt like another lie, another ghost of a promise. I fought against every cell that demanded I pull Gage back into me, turning instead to open the door.
    “Wait.” His warmth was instant as he stepped close; his hand pressed on the door by my head, keeping me from opening it.
    A wave of relief flooded me, and the tears that had been threatening to fall escaped. This was too much. He was too much. I’d lost control of everything and hated myself for allowing that to happen.
    He moved his free hand to my hip, turning me to face him again. I fought against it, not wanting to fall apart in his arms, but I had little strength.
    Both of his arms circled around me, holding me to him. “Babe, you’ve got to stay strong. Don’t cry.”
    Stiffening at his words, I reigned in my emotions and shoved away from him.
    “I am strong. You make me weak,” I accused, squeezing my eyes against any more tears as I sucked in several calming breaths.
    “Fuck,” he groaned as he swiped a hand over his short hair, looking at the ceiling of the storage room that was our hideout. His voice was even, absent of emotion as he spoke. “I’ll go out first. Wait a minute, and then you can come out. Go to the bathroom again and clean yourself up.”
    He lowered his gaze back to me, face unreadable in the dark. He