Chapter 13

Nicole sat on the counter, and Gage turned to her, his eyes burning with intensity. He leaned in, his face inches from hers, and whispered, "I promise."

Nicole's eyes locked onto his, and she whispered back, "I promise too."

Their lips met in a passionate kiss, the tension between them palpable. They were so lost in the moment, their surroundings melted away, leaving only the two of them.

As they kissed, Gage's hand slid under Nicole's T-shirt, his fingers caressing her breast. Nicole's grip on his face tightened, her fingers digging into his skin as she deepened the kiss.

Gage's touch sent shivers down Nicole's spine, her body responding to his caress. She felt a surge of desire, her heart racing with excitement.

The kiss grew more intense, their lips moving in perfect sync. Gage's hand continued to explore Nicole's body, his fingers tracing the curves of her breast.

Nicole's breath caught, her body arching into Gage's touch.

Just as Gage and Nicole were getting lost in their passionate kiss, the doorbell rang, shattering the moment. They both came back to their senses, and Gage stepped back, his chest heaving with excitement. Nicole smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Gage walked towards the door, his sweatpants riding low on his hips. Nicole hopped down from the counter, her T-shirt slipping down her shoulder. She sipped her coffee, her eyes fixed on Gage's back.

When Gage opened the door, he was surprised to see Ashley standing there, her face etched with worry. "Gage, thank God you are at home," she said, her voice trembling. "Nicole didn't come home last night, and I'm so afraid. Please, do something. Mom will kill me."

Just then, Nicole appeared behind Gage, her hair mussed and her eyes still sleepy. Ashley's eyes widened in surprise, and she took a step back. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Nicole chuckled and held up her hands in a defensive gesture. "I'm sorry I scared you, Ash. I was drunk last night, and I accidentally got into Gage's apartment."

Ashley's eyes narrowed, and she looked at Gage, then back at Nicole. "Our apartment is not exactly next door," she said, her tone skeptical.

Nicole laughed and nodded. "I know, I know. But I was really drunk, and I must have gotten lost."

Ashley's gaze dropped to Nicole's T-shirt, and her eyes widened in realization. "That's not your shirt," she said, her voice accusatory.

Nicole followed Ashley's gaze and smiled sheepishly. "I threw up so much last night, and my dress was ruined. Gage helped me out, and I borrowed his shirt."

Gage nodded in agreement, a smile spreading across his face. Ashley looked at him, then back at Nicole, her expression softening.

"Fine, I trust your story," Ashley said, grabbing Nicole's hand. "Now, come with me. Mom is going to kill us."

Nicole looked at Gage, and he winked at her. She smiled, feeling a spark of electricity between them. As she followed Ashley out of the apartment, she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets they would share.

*** Ashley turned to Nicole with a mischievous grin. "By the way, Mom called me earlier," she said, her voice casual.

Nicole's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. "What did she say?" she asked, her tone cautious.

Ashley hesitated, her grin faltering for a moment. "She asked about you, and I had to tell her some lies," she admitted, her voice sheepish.

Nicole's eyes widened in alarm. "What kind of lies?" she demanded, her voice rising.

Ashley took a deep breath before launching into a detailed explanation. "You know how Mom's been trying to set you up on blind dates? Well, she called me to ask about the latest guy she sent your profile to. And I had to tell her that you're not interested, but then she started asking more questions, and I had to think fast."

Nicole's face grew hotter by the second as she listened to Ashley's confession. "What did you tell her?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ashley's grin returned, and she said, "I told her that you have a boyfriend, and you're in love, and you're going to get married."

Nicole's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Ashley, her face pale with incredulity. "What the fuck, Ashley?" she exclaimed, her voice loud and disbelieving. "Why the fuck did you lie? You know I never lie to Mom!"

Ashley took a step back, her eyes apologetic as she held up her hands in a defensive gesture. "I know, I know, but I had to think fast," she explained, her voice calm and soothing.

Nicole's face was still flushed with anger and shock, her mind racing with the implications of Ashley's lie. "Ugh, now what will happen?" she asked, her voice laced with worry and frustration.

Ashley's expression turned reassuring, and she smiled gently. "Nothing will happen, Nic," she said, her voice soft and calming. "It's not like Mom will come here to start your wedding preparations or anything."

Nicole's eyes narrowed, her mind still racing with doubts and fears. But as she looked at Ashley, she saw the sincerity in her sister's eyes, and her anger began to dissipate.

Ashley continued, her voice persuasive. "Be happy, Nic. Now Mom won't force you to go on those blind dates. You're free from all that stress and pressure."

Nicole thought for a moment, weighing her options and considering the consequences of Ashley's lie. And then, slowly, a small smile began to play on her lips.

"Yeah, you're right," she said finally, her voice soft and resigned. "I guess it's a good plan."

Ashley suddenly turned to Nicole with a mischievous glint in her eye. "By the way, you smell nice," she said, her voice low and teasing. "Something like... sex."

Ashley winked at Nicole, her eyebrows raised in a playful challenge. Nicole rolled her eyes, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"Ashley, shut up," Nicole muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced around nervously, hoping no one had overheard Ashley's comment.