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

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G age climbed out of his truck along with Lance and Tony. "So, what did you guys do last weekend?"

“I finally got that damned whirligig finished for ma and pop's anniversary. I dropped it off at UPS this morning.” Tony answered, grabbing his tool bag.

“How many years have they been married now Tony?” Lance questioned, grabbing his own bag.

“Thirty-eight years next week.” Tony grinned, the three walking into the office building.

The three were greeted by a woman. “Good morning gentlemen. I'm Stephanie Chance, head of security.”

“Morning ma'am. I'm Gage Carson with Blackout Security. These are my associates, Tony Pace and Lance Archer. Our boss Ethan Blackstone, said your company signed up for our VIP package, correct?” Gage replied.

“That's correct. The big wigs are worried about cyber hacks.” Stephanie answered, leading them toward a bank of elevators.

“Has that been an issue for the company in the past?” Tony asked.

“Yes, Mr. Pace, several times actually. This company is small, but we deal in financial investments, money management, that sort of thing. We deal with individuals and small businesses. So naturally, we want to protect not only our clients, but ourselves.” Stephanie stated.

“We'll get you all squared away ma'am.” Lance spoke up as they exited into the basement level.

“While these two are getting things set up, perhaps you and I could discuss the full details of the VIP package.” Gage said.

“Sounds great.” Stephanie agreed.

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S tacey pulled up in front of Blackout just as Ethan walked out the front doors. When she pulled off her helmet, she heard him let out a low appreciative whistle. “When did you buy that Stace?”

“The day after I got to town. Krista put me in touch with the guy that sold her bikes. The second I saw it I fell in love.” Stacy grinned, placing her helmet on the back of her seat. “So, he’s out?”

“Well, he’s on his way back now. He called about ten minutes ago and said they were packing up. That’s when I called you.” Ethan answered, leading her into the building. He opened the door and held it for her. “They should be back in about fifteen minutes, twenty if there’s any traffic.”

“Perfect. Krista and her girls are at the house unpacking. When you called, Krista all but kicked my ass out the door. It was her idea to ride the bike here.” Stacey laughed.

“Sounds like her.” Ethan snorted as they stepped into the elevator. “I have a pretty good idea what she was thinking when she suggested it too.”

Stacey snickered, “Me too. She’s probably thinking I’ll take a while.”

Ethan and Stacey looked at each other for a moment before they both burst into laughter. When the doors reopened, both had managed to get themselves under control. They rounded the corner and ran into Grant. He stopped in shock. “Stacey? What are you doing here doll?”

“Hey Grant.” Stacey smiled, giving him a hug. “I’m here because I live here now. You’re looking at the new Romance Fiction Editor at Walter he missed her. Running a hand along the back of his neck, he stepped off the elevator and on autopilot moved down the hall to his office.

He was so lost in his thoughts when he entered the office, he missed the person sitting on the sofa against the far-right wall.

“Hey big boy.”

Gage froze. He knew that voice. Not quite trusting his ears, he took a slow breath in and as he released it, turned toward the voice. “Stacey?”

Stacey gave him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. He watched as she stood from his sofa and ran to him. He barely had a moment to brace himself before she launched herself up into his arms, hugging him for dear life. Breathing in her scent, Gage hugged her back just as tightly.

“Stacey, I've missed you.”

“I've missed you too Gage.”

Slowly, he sat her back on her feet and just looked down at her. At five foot four, she barely reached the middle of his chest. Her dark brown hair was longer now, stopping just below the middle of her back. Her heart-shaped face looking up at him full of happiness. Those deep green eyes glowing.

Unable to keep his hands off her, his hands slid over her shoulders and down to rest at the base of her spine. “Not that I'm not glad you're here babe, but what are you doing here?”

Stacey nibbled her lower lip, and he nearly groaned. “Well, I live here now.”

“What?”

“Yep. I was offered the position as head of romance editing at the publishing house’s branch here and I took it.

I only told Krista. She put me in touch with her friend Tina and I now have this great house about ten minutes from your place, coincidentally.

I wanted to surprise you.” She explained, her face suddenly looking nervous.

Gage felt something inside him swelling. She was here. In Austin. He swooped down, pulled her off her feet, his hands cupping her ass and lifting her so that their eyes were now level. "You're not bull shitting me? You're really living here now? Like permanently?"

She nodded, her eyes shining now. Gage let out a whoop before kissing her. No, this wasn't a kiss, this was more than that and he knew it. He felt her arms tighten around his neck as she met his kiss with one of her own. Their lips came apart just as the door opened.

“So, I see you like your surprise.” Ethan grinned, leaning against the door frame.

“You knew?” Gage asked, setting Stacey back on her feet.

“Easy there, brother,” Ethan laughed, raising both hands up in a surrender motion. “I found out when she showed up at the house last night. Then she and Kris told me they had kept it quiet because Stacey wanted to surprise you. That's when I suggested she come here.”

“Ethan said you would be at a job this morning and that once you called him saying you were on the way back, I should head over here and wait for you.” Stacey finished, her voice full of amusement.

Gage looked from his boss and friend, down to the brunette spitfire tucked into his side. “Well, you succeeded babe. I'm surprised.”

“That was the plan big boy.” Stacey winked. She then slipped from his arms. “Well, I got to run.”

“Wait, why?” Gage demanded, already feeling the loss of her.

“Gage, you have work and so do I. I may not officially begin at the office until Monday, but I do have a new house to finish unpacking and organize. Besides, Krista and her friends are there now waiting to help me so I can get it done faster.” Stacey explained.

“Speaking of work, I got to get back to it.” Ethan spoke up. “Stace, you're welcome here anytime. Gage, why don't you walk her out?”

Gage felt himself nodding. Slipping his arm around Stacey again, they headed toward the elevators. After not seeing her in months, and not talking to her in weeks, he was like a starving man around her. Once in the empty elevator, he pinned her to the back wall, kissing her desperately.

Stacey felt like she was floating. The feel of her back pressed against the wall and her front against the rock-hard body of Gage was like a high she didn't want to come down from.

When she reached for him, he gripped her wrists in one large hand and pinned them over her head.

God, she loved when he did that. She whimpered feeling his cock pressing into her.

“Gage. Oh god.” she breathed, his lips now on the side of her neck just below her ear, his tongue tracing slow languid patterns.

“Fuck Stacey. I want you so bad right now.” Gage growled, nipping the delicate skin.