Page 30 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

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L eading into Thanksgiving , Gage and Stacey were both pleased, yet nervous.

For the last week, since the explosion at Gage’s house, the two had been more hyper aware.

It was something Stacey found she was not sure if she liked it or not.

She was a bit envious of Gage. This was something that appeared to be second nature to him.

Hell, it seemed second nature to all of Alpha team.

Then there was the fact that Celeste and Lewis were still in Austin and that the asshat targeting her and Gage had been silent.

“Stacey, honey what’s wrong?” Celeste asked.

Stacey mentally cursed wiping her hands on the dishtowel draped over her shoulder.

Looking up, she saw that the older woman was watching her closely.

It was a look that Stacey recognized. Her own mother would give her that look when she knew something was bothering Stacey.

Over the last week, Stacey had also realized that Celeste Carson was like her own mom; not much got past her.

“Celeste, I’ve been feeling...different.

Since Gage voiced that he believes he’s the target, he, and I both have been hyper aware of everything around us.

While Gage may be comfortable with that, I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I mean, it’s second nature to him, but not to me.

I’ve never really paid much attention to my surroundings unless I was in a match or walking through Times Square.

Then there’s the fact, that he and I are both worried about you and Lewis. ” Stacey admitted.

Celeste walked around the kitchen island where the two of them had been making pies for Thanksgiving dinner the next day at the Jamison house. Without a word, she pulled Stacey into her arms and hugged her tightly.

“Stacey, you listen to me. My son, his teammates, and my husband, are warriors. It’s in their blood.

However, so are you. I sensed that when I met you in Gage’s hospital room.

I see in you that same fire I see in Lewis, Gage, and his teammates.

I understand that this feels uncomfortable to you, but I would wager that if you just gave into those instincts; you will find this new skin fits pretty good.

” Celeste stated, releasing Stacey, and cupping her face.

“You think so? I mean, I wasn’t in the military like Gage, or my dad, or Lewis. How in the hell am I a warrior?” Stacey argued.

“That doesn’t matter. For example, look at Krista and Alora. They never served, but in their own ways they too are warriors. Wouldn’t you agree?” Celeste explained.

Stacey was silent a few moments, “Yeah, I guess they are.”

“There you go. Honey, men like Gage and his brothers will unknowingly attract women. Yet, they will only be happy and satisfied with a woman who in her own way is a warrior and can balance him.” Celeste smiled.

Stacey stood there stunned as Celeste patted her cheek and turned back to the pie crust she had been working on.

Her mind was now running a million miles an hour.

Was Celeste right? Was she and Gage in some way fated to be together?

Nibbling her lower lip in thought, Stacey returned to her own pie crust.

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“N ot that I’m complaining son, but why are you and I out here instead of inside helping your mother and your woman getting ready for tomorrow?” Lewis questioned from his seat across from Gage at Stacey’s backyard fire pit.

“Two reasons. One, mom and Stacey would have just kicked us out if we tried and you know it. Two, I’m worried about Stacey’s dad, and I wanted your advice on how to talk to her about it.” Gage sighed.

Lewis chuckled before taking a sip of his beer. “Okay, you have me there. Those two are a team in the kitchen and we would just be in the way. As for Stacey, what has you worried? Other than the obvious.”

Gage took a deep swig of his own beer before speaking. “Dad, I’ve noticed this last week and a half that Stace has become...well...”

“More intuitive?” Lewis supplied, raising a brow.

“Yeah. I can see that it’s unnerving her. For me, it’s just natural. For her though, not so much.”

Lewis sighed and leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees, as stared into the crackling fire, holding his beer bottle.

“It may be unsettling to her now but trust me. This sense is something she was born with. Like you were, like your brothers were. It’s not something everyone has; it’s a warrior trait. ”

Gage frowned and mirrored his dad’s posture. “What do you mean?”

“Gage, there is difference between a warrior and a soldier. A soldier can be trained and molded, but a warrior...now a warrior is different. A warrior spirit is ingrained with certain traits. The gut instincts of danger, the clarity of mind under pressure, the intuition of their surroundings, and a deep-rooted sense of justice. Stacey is a warrior through and through. It’s why during all of this, she has not crumpled under the weight of it.

Same thing with Ethan’s bride and Lance’s soon-to-be bride.

You and your brothers are not built like most men.

You six, and yes, I consider Danny one of your brother’s now, are born with warrior souls.

And because of that, you six need your women to be the same. ”

“What like G.I. Jane or something?”

“No, no. Take Alora for example. If you had met her before the Malconi case, would you have seen a warrior spirit?”

Gage furrowed his brow as he thought about the question. “Actually, I wouldn’t.”

“Exactly, and you would be wrong.” Lewis pointed out. “When I met Alora last year, I saw her warrior spirit.”

“Dad, are you telling me you’re some psychic or something?” Gage asked dryly.

Lewis sat up and laughed deeply. “Hell no. You’ll find that the older you get, you too will see it. It’s like how one service member can just look at another and just instinctively know he or she served too. One warrior will sense another. Plus, you forget I have more years on me than you.”

Gage smiled a little. “Okay, and don’t go spouting bullshit about you being old. I bet you could still whip my ass if it came to it.”

“Your damned right I could.” Lewis smirked, causing Gage to laugh.

Gage calmed his laughter and grew serious again. “So, how do I talk to her about this?”

“When the time is right. Gage, I wouldn’t worry too much about Stacey regarding this. This new skill may have tossed her for a loop, but it won’t for long.” Lewis assured Gage.

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S tacey looked up from the book she was reading when Gage stepped out of the bathroom, cane still in hand. “How’s the ankle feeling? You want me to re-wrap it for you?”

“Nah, I think I’m going to let it breath tonight. It still hurts a little but nothing like it was last week.” Gage sighed, slipping into bed beside her.

Stacey marked her place, sat the book on the nightstand and moved into his arms. Gage looked down and without a single word, kissed her.

The kiss was so tender that it stole her very breath.

She felt his hands moving slowly, lightly over her body.

Shivers rippling through her. When his lips left hers and started trailing along her neck, Stacey moaned.

“Gage...mmm...are you sure...”

“We will go slow babe. I need you.”

She could not argue with that, because she felt the same way.

Not wanting to put him in any discomfort, she eased him onto his back.

Together, they removed his sweats and dropped them on the floor.

She then moved, so that she was now straddling him.

Wordlessly, she took his hands and placed them on her hips.

Their eyes transfixed on one another. Her hands left his to cup his face.

When her hands began tracing the lines of his face, he moved as well.

He never took his eyes off hers as his hands moved along the curves of her body. Gathering the soft cotton t-shirt, she had put on after her shower. He could see her chest starting to heave, hear the barely audible gasps as he moved his hands and the t-shirt up her body.

“Lift your arms Stacey.”

Whimpering, Stacey obeyed, raising her arms over her head. In a blink, the shirt was off and dropped to the floor. Gage groaned, sitting up, leaning in, and sucking a nipple into his mouth. Stacey breathed his name, cradling his head against her chest. Her hips now began to move.

“That’s it babe, move against me. Oh yes, you taste and feel so good.”

“Gage, oh your mouth. Mumm, yes.”

Gage switched his attention to her other nipple as Stacey continued rolling her hips. He knew she could feel his erection now throbbing. “You feel what you do to me? My cock’s hard, throbbing, needing to be inside you.”

“Please. I need you, Gage. I want you inside me.” Stacey pleaded.

“Then do it babe. Wrap your hand around my cock and guide me inside you.” Gage ordered, his voice low and husky now.

Stacey wasted no time in following his instruction.

She moaned as his length throbbed in her hand as he eased onto his back.

Lifting her head, she saw Gage watching her.

Keeping her gaze on his, she slowly guided him inside her.

She felt just how wet she was for him and what he was doing to her.

As the head slipped between her lips, Gage hissed.

With their eyes still connected, began to ease herself onto him.

Stacey wanted them both to feel every inch of him fill her.

Her breath sounded labored as her body took him inch by beautiful inch, filling her like no man ever had.

Like no other man but Gage Carson could.

Ever since that first night in her hotel after Krista’s book launch two years ago, there had been a flame between her and Gage. A flame that was a tether of sorts.

“God, oh Gage...so deep.”

“Fuck babe, mmm. I love being inside you. You taking me all like this. Ride me, Stacey. Take my cock the way you and I need right now.”