Page 106 of The Bluffing Game

“I know,” he says, “but sometimes, what we want isn’t what we get.” He pauses for a second and then touches the side of my face. “Are we good, Sage? Like, really good?”

“About the earlier stuff, yes. I’m not very happy about having to come and stay with you, but I will admit that Parker does seem like a little bit of a psycho, so for now, I will acquiesce.” I cross my arms and glare at him. “But I’m not happy about this. Don’t think it means more sex. In fact, it may mean none.”

“You trying to hurt my feelings, Sage? Or are you just attempting to lie? You can’t resist all this.”

He flexes his muscles, and all I can do is laugh.

“Just watch me.” I shake my head. “Two strikes, Dalton. You lied about being Bradley, and now you’re making me live with you. Don’t take my kindness for weakness. I like you, but I still don’t know if I trust you.”

Chapter 28

DALTON

“The sun is shining, and we’re singing, Toby and me, and we’re having fun,” Sage sings and dances with Toby in the living room, and I can tell he is having the time of his life. “It’s time for breakfast. Let’s hope it’s not smelly.” Sage giggles and waves her fingers in the air and sticks her tongue out at Toby.

I watch as he rolls around on the ground, laughing. His shrieks are young and boisterous as he jumps up and runs over to get onto Sage’s shoulders.

“Sing it again. Sing it again.”

“I think I might be losing my voice right now,” Sage says to him as she rolls him to the ground and tickles him. “How’s about we make some pancakes instead?”

“Ooh, can I get chocolate chips in them, please, please, and blueberries?”

“I think so, but I’ll have to ask your dad first.” Sage looks over at me, and I nod, a warm smile on my face as I watch them.

“Yay, blueberry and chocolate pancakes are my favorite.” Toby goes running into the kitchen. “Are you coming, Sage?” he calls back.

“I’m coming. I’m not an Olympic athlete, you know?”

“What’s that?” he asks, and she laughs.

I follow them into the kitchen, my heart warm as I watch them. Sage looks slightly rumpled in my oversized T-shirt and boxer shorts. Her long hair is up in a ponytail, and her eyes look tired. Neither one of us slept the night before, but not because we were messing around. In fact, we didn’t even touch. We just lay side by side in the bed, not speaking until I asked her if she was okay. She nodded and turned over onto her back. I am almost positive that she didn’t get a wink of sleep though.

“Can I have bacon as well?” Toby asks excitedly. “And fried eggs and French toast?”

“I don’t know if you can have French toast and pancakes, Toby. And bacon and eggs? That seems like a lot,” Sage says in a soft voice. “Maybe, just maybe, you can choose two of the above.”

“Two?” His little lip wobbles like he’s about to cry. He bats his eyelashes at her. “What about three?”

“What about one?” she says.

“One? You said two.”

I hide a smile as she winks at me.

“You can have one or two—that’s it.”

“Okay, I’ll have pancakes and eggs, please, Sage.”

“You’re welcome. And do you want to do a shape in the pancakes?”

“A shape like what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe bunny ears, or we can do a dragon.”

“Can you really do a dragon?”

“Actually, I don’t know if I’ve ever done a dragon, but I can try.” She laughs and then tugs on the T-shirt. “Maybe your dad knows how to do a dragon.” She looks over at me. “Or maybe you just fight them?”