Free After The Fire (One Pass Away Book 3) by Mary J. Williams Page A

years.
    “That fucker Stanhope is gunning for me.” Gaige lifted his
    shirt. The bruise over his ribs was starting to turn an interesting
    shade—somewhere between navy blue and ink black.
    “Son of a bitch. I winced when I saw him hit you. Did the
    x-rays come back negative?”
    Gaige nodded. “I’m sore, but the ribs are fine.”
    “Stanhope hates you.”
    “It’s been five years.”
    Terrance poured two cups of coffee. It was an expensive
    machine—top of the line. A gift from Gaige on his last birthday. He drank so
    much of the stuff his wife swore his blood had to be half caffeine. Terrance
    was fine with that. According to his last check-up, he had the body of a
    thirty-year-old. No one would convince him that six cups a day of pure
    Columbian brew wasn’t a big reason why.
    “You stole his woman.”
    Gaige accepted the cup of un-doctored coffee. He drank it
    black—the same as Terrance.
    “The hell you say. She hit on me. I was in the mood. End of
    story. How was I supposed to know she was using me to make him jealous?”
    “Or that she would make your one-night stand public
    knowledge.” Terrance shook his head. “You were always a good student. But the one
    thing I could never teach you was to keep your dick in your pants.”
    “My dick has never steered me wrong.” Gaige took a sip of
    the hot liquid. “Roll your eyes all you want. I’m thirty-eight years old. I’ve
    never been divorced.”
    “Because you’ve never been married.”
    “I’ve never been accused of being anybody’s baby daddy.”
    “Not for lack of trying.”
    “I always suit up.” Gaige was damn proud of that fact.
    “Condoms aren’t one hundred percent,” Terrance pointed out. “Considering
    all the women you’ve been with odds are one of your swimmers made it through.
    Maybe you’re sterile.”
    “The end of the Benson line? Maybe that wouldn’t be such a
    bad thing.”
    “Come over here so I can hit you upside the head.”
    “I’d rather not. Been there, done that. Keep your big paws
    to yourself.”
    “I thought we settled this years ago. You are nothing like
    your father. Is that what has kept you from having kids?”
    Gaige didn’t respond. This was an old and well-worn
    conversation. Nothing changed. Not Terrance’s argument—nor his own. DNA. No
    matter how hard he tried to be a good man, every now and then he was reminded
    of what he came from. The bastard wouldn’t go away. Not in his head or his
    life.
    Don Benson lurked in the shadows. Gaige never knew when he
    would pop out or what form he would take. How could he subject a child to that
    kind of potential nightmare?
    “I like my life.” And he did. “I enjoy being a bachelor.
    Hell, maybe after I retire, my agent can get me on that TV show. I’ll search
    for true love in front of millions of viewers. Happily ever after—guaranteed.”
    “You’re impossible.” Terrance leaned back in his seat. “I’ll
    drop it. What are your plans for the evening?”
    “You’re the second person to ask me that question.”
    “What’s the answer?”
    “I’m free as a bird. Unless this is about business. Then I’m
    busy. Booked solid.” Gaige knew that look. He could feel his hope for a quiet
    evening slipping away.
    “It’s business related.” Terrance smiled when Gaige groaned.
    “But there is a big spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down.”
    “I’m listening,” Gaige said warily.
    “Dinner with a beautiful woman.”
    “I’m with you so far. Where does the business come in?”
    “She’s the ophthalmologist we’re trying to talk into joining
    the board. She flew in this afternoon. There’s a formal meeting set up for
    tomorrow.”
    “But you want me to soften her up tonight.” Gaige was fine
    with that. Up to a point. “How soft are we talking?”
    “Don’t worry, your virtue is safe. I’m not asking you to
    prostitute yourself for the cause. Besides, Dr. Reed doesn’t strike me as the
    type of woman who would be