Page 15 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

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S tacey checked herself in the full-length mirror in her bedroom and grinned.

It was Halloween weekend, and she was looking forward to it as it gave her the chance to put the events of the last week behind her.

The holiday fell on a Saturday this year, which worked out perfectly for her.

Tonight, Krista and Ethan were hosting a costume party at Blackout for the teams and their families.

Well, the adults anyway. When Krista had told her about it when she got into town, Stacey had brought it up to Gage.

Gage told her he kind of had to be there, but if she was on his arm, he could deal with it.

Her doorbell interrupted her musings. Turning from the mirror, she left the bedroom and headed downstairs just as the doorbell rang. Gage was here.

“Hey...wow.” Gage stated when she opened the door letting him inside. “You look amazing.”

“You think so?” Stacey smiled, doing a little twirl for him. “You don’t think it’s too much?”

Gage just drank in his girl. Stacey was dressed in a beaded flapper dress.

The beads were a mixture of silver and black with what looked like a dress of royal blue under all the beads.

Black nylons with that iconic seam up the back of her legs and a pair of open-toed silver heels.

Her shoulder length hair was curled and pinned up and the look was topped off with a silver headband across her forehead.

In a word, he thought she looked fucking sexy.

“I think it’s perfect. I’m tempted to text Ethan and say we’re not coming.” Gage answered.

“Don’t you dare.” Stacey laughed. “I’ve been looking forward to this since Krista told me about it when I first got to town.”

“Fine, fine.” He sighed. “Well, do I pass inspection?”

Stacey twirled her finger, indicating for him to turn.

With a roll of his eyes, Gage complied. Stacey studied him.

When she picked out her costume, she in turn picked out Gage’s.

He was dressed in a full Zoot Suit. Complete with a hat and chained watch.

The shirt he wore was a royal blue. The pants and jacket were black with silver pinstripe.

She had even convinced him to wear the black and white shoes.

“Mm, mm, mmm. You look fucking hot Gage.” She grinned, stepping up to him and kissing him.

Gage growled and tugged her tight against him when her tongue slid sensually over his lips. “We are so leaving the party early babe.”

“You got a deal big boy.” She nodded. “Now, let’s go or else Krista will send one of the guys out to find us.”

Gage had to laugh, knowing she wasn’t far off from the truth.

While he felt a little ridiculous in the suit, seeing the lust in Stacey’s eyes was so worth it.

He had to admit, the suit and shoes weren’t as uncomfortable as they looked.

They climbed into his truck, and they were off.

Their hands interlocking on the center console, Gage’s thumb drawing lazy patterns on the back of Stacey’s hand.

“What are you doing tomorrow night? Other than giving out candy?” he asked.

“I just plan on just giving out candy until I run out and just veg on horror movies. Hell, I’ll be starting the horror movies as soon as I wake up. Kicking things off with The Exorcist .” She answered.

“Am I invited too?” he teased with a laugh.

“Well, that’s a no brainer Gage. Considering I see your overnight bag in the back there.” She shot back.

“Just don’t expect me to dress up tomorrow night.”

Stacey just laughed and kissed his cheek.

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S tacey was having a blast. Krista and Alora and Krista’s girlfriends, who were also there, had done an amazing job on the decorations. It was classy yet fun. “Kris, you all did amazing work here. I love the decorations.”

“Thanks. When I told Ethan I wanted to do this, he just said knock myself out. I called Tiffany and Alora and we got to work.” Kris beamed.

“Alora took care of the food, and I handled the decorations.” Tiffany added, lifting her glass.

“And it’s amazing as usual. I swear Tiff, you really should consider planning parties on the side. I bet Rich wouldn’t mind.” Crystal suggested.

“Oh yes, you should.” Tina agreed.

Stacey leaned back in her chair as Krista’s girlfriends offered their support to Tiffany picking up a side business.

It reminded her so much of her, Jerry, Jillian, and their circle of friends growing up.

Fully supportive of everyone’s hobbies and such.

Stacey was surprised to feel tears prickling the corners of her eyes.

Without the other ladies noticing, she pushed away from the table and headed for the doors that she knew opened into the outdoor courtyard.

Letting out a sad sigh, she sat on the low wall, wiping her eyes.

“Stacey? You okay?”

She looked up and found Frankenstein walking towards her. It was the voice that had given him away. “Oh, hey Grant. I didn’t take you for the dressing up type.”

Grant shrugged, “I figured if I wanted to stay on Krista and Alora’s good side I should play along. Hell, I think all the guys thought the same thing.”

“Yeah, and the fact that Alora threatened no more sweets for a month if you guys didn’t, had nothing to do with it?” Stacey asked with a knowing look.

Grant laughed. He grew serious once more. “Now, back to my initial question. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine Grant. Really. I just had a moment watching Kris, Alora and the girls all laughing and encouraging Tiffany to do party planning on the side. It reminded me of Jerry, his sister Jillian, and our little group of friends back in the day. We were the same way.”

“You miss him. Krista said you and Jerry grew up together.”

Stacey nodded. “We did. Jerry and I were only six months apart. Jillian was two years older than us. She was so sweet, protective and encouraging to me and Jerry and our friends. When she died, we were devastated. Then losing Jerry...”

Stacey sighed when Grant pulled her into a brotherly embrace.

Krista had told her that Grant was the big brother type, and she hadn’t been wrong.

In the October night, Grant just held her as she gathered herself.

When she pulled away a little, he produced a handkerchief from somewhere in his costume and handed it to her.

She had to laugh a little as she took it and dabbed her eyes again.

“You guys really are southern gentlemen.” Stacey smiled giving him back the handkerchief.

“My mama always said to keep one handy. For emergencies.” Grant grinned. “Feeling better?”

“Yeah, yeah, I am. It still hurts losing Jerry and it creeps up on me from time to time.”

“I know the feeling. Me and my best friend, Sean, both joined the Marines together. We were in the same unit at first. I was his best man when he married his girl, Evelyn. About six months before MARSOC came knocking on my door, he was killed in Afghanistan. He and I were like brothers. Yes, I met my boys here in MARSOC, but even after all these years later, I still have those moments thinking about Sean.”

“I’m sorry for your loss Grant. Do Gage and the others...” she started.

“Oh yeah, they know. They also know how to cheer me up when those moments hit. The trick is to remember all the good times. It doesn’t take the pain away, but it sure as hell helps.” He nodded.

“There you are.”

Stacey and Grant looked up to see Gage walking toward them. “Hey. Sorry, I just needed a moment.”

Grant patted her shoulder, stood up and nodded to Gage.

While Stacey didn’t see it, Gage caught the look Grant sent him.

Gage figured it had to do with Jerry. He had seen similar cases over the past two years when she would visit Austin and being around Krista and her girls.

He had even seen it a few times in New York.

Gage walked over and sat next to her. “Missing Jerry?”

“Yeah, a little. I’m alright now though.” Stacey answered.

“Grant is good with that sort of thing. I know he’s helped Krista over the last two years. I’m sure if you need an ear he’d be there.” Gage said.

“I get that feeling. He told me about his friend that was killed before he joined MARSOC. Krista told me he was like a big brother, and I saw that tonight.” Stacey sighed, laying her head on his shoulder.

He kissed her forehead softly, “So, you want to rejoin the party, or you want to head on home?”

“Let’s go back in for at least another hour then we can go home. Okay?”

“You got it babe.”

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S tacey sighed blissfully as she snuggled closer to the strong warm body that held her.

After they came home from Blackout’s Halloween party, Gage had all but carried her inside and upstairs to her master bathroom.

She smiled as she recalled the night before.

He had sat her on the counter before starting the shower.

As the water heated up, Gage had started on heating her up.

Without a word, he had begun stripping her.

His hands were so gentle on her skin as he removed her costume, taking care with the dress as he hung it back on the hanger on one of the hooks on the back of the door.

By the time Gage had her naked, and himself too, Stacey felt like she could barely stand.

Gage had moved them into the steaming shower and proceeded to make love to her.

No, not just making love. It was deeper than that.

Stacey lay there in his arms, her mind replaying the sheer tenderness of the night before.

First in the shower and then again in bed.

Both times, Gage had been so tender, loving, attentive.

It was a side of him she had never seen until last night. Yet, she loved every moment of it.