Secret Gifts (Steamy Version) by Elena Aitken Page B

paused and ran a hand through his hair. “Not for anything.”
    “But, I don’t know if she can fight it this time, Gage. Mom doesn’t want this. She doesn’t want any of this.”
    Movement caught Gage’s eye, and he turned to see Megan watching him from the door. Listening to every word.
    “Hannah,” he said, cutting off whatever she was saying. “I’ll have Lucas transfer more money in the morning.”
    “It’s not money we need, Gage. It’s—“
    “Keep me updated,” he said simply before pressing the button that disconnected the call.
    He tucked his phone into his back pocket and stared at Megan for a minute. When she didn’t make the first move, he stepped towards her. “How long have you been there?”
    She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in a move he was coming to recognize as a nervous gesture. “I wasn’t out here long. I just—“
    “How long?” he growled.
    “Long enough.” She put her hands on her hips and planted her feet. “Who else knows?”
    He was fairly certain she was referring to the knowledge regarding his mother and not Lana. No one knew about Lana.
    “Just those who need to,” he answered. “And I prefer to keep it that way.”
    Gage knew he was being an asshole. Megan didn’t deserve his anger. It wasn’t her fault his mother was dying and that he was too much of a chicken-shit to face the past and go home. She’d been nothing but good to him by giving him such a great day and letting him feel, at least for a few hours, that he was just a regular guy.
    “Gage.” She reached out for him, but he pushed past her.
    “Leave me alone, Megan. I didn’t ask for your help and I don’t need it.”
    He flung open the door and walked inside but came to a dead stop. To the right was the restaurant where Bo and Morgan were waiting, and Megan was sure to be rejoining them. He could go back to the easy conversation and sense of belonging he’d had with them. It was easy. But Megan would be there. And despite the fact that all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss her, he’d just been a first-rate jackass to her. Maybe, if he apologized, if he— “Gage!”
    A remotely familiar voice behind him called out and although it took him a second to place the voice, he turned to see a beautiful blond woman waving at him. The girl from the night before. As a reflex, Gage’s face relaxed into a slow smile, which the blond must have taken as encouragement because she started walking in his direction.
    Moments later, she was in front of him. “Hey,” she said. “Sorry our party got cut short last night. But we can try again, can’t we?”
    He glanced backwards at the glass door where he was certain Megan was still watching him. She watched everything. Just knowing she’d heard at least his half of the conversation he’d had with Hannah made his blood boil again. She had no right. And monitoring how much he drank? What was next? Was she going to tell him who he could and could not have sex with?
    Gage looked at the blond again. What was her name? Lisa. It came to him in a flash. Yes. She’d been good to party with.
    “You’re right,” he said. “We could finish that party. Maybe this time without any interruption?” She giggled and Gage had to swallow down the irritation that rose up within him. He took a quick glance back towards the restaurant. Truth be told, he’d far rather be nursing another beer and reliving the climb again with Bo. But that was too easy, and that would mean Megan. And besides the fact that she knew too much, just being near her would make everything far too real.
    “Well, come on then,” Lisa purred. She grabbed his hand and led him down the hall.
    No, he thought. The last thing he needed was reality sneaking in.

CHAPTER FIVE

    Megan woke the next morning with a start. She’d been surprised when the night before, after her confrontation with Gage, and then watching him being led off by that blond fame monger, that when she’d