Page 31 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

Stacey’s hands lay palm down on his chest, bracing herself, as she started moving.

Gage held her hips, pulling her harder down on him as she rode.

Looking up at his woman over him made Gage harder inside her.

He would never tire of seeing her like this.

Lost in the flame that always consumed them during sex.

“Fuck, oh Gage. I love your dick inside me.” Stacey panted, her hips moving faster now.

“Christ Stacey, you are so wet. Yes, faster. I want you to come for me. Come hard.” Gage gritted, lifting his hips to thrust into her harder.

“Gage...please...make me...so close...”

“I am right there babe. Oh fuck, I am ready. Now!”

He pumped hard three more times before they both cried out.

Gage moaning her name as he emptied himself into her and Stacey gasping his as she surrendered to their joined orgasm.

Gage pulled her down and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her still shuddering body.

Slowly, he felt her all but sag into his arms.

“Wow, it is always like that first night. Or is it just me?” Stacey sighed, her head resting over his heart.

“No, it is not just you babe. I love you, Stacey.” Gage breathed, holding her securely, still inside her. “Just close your eyes and let me hold you like this, Stacey. Please?”

“I love you too, Gage. So, God damned much. Never let me go.”

“Never.” Gage vowed.

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“I still wish you would wear your Dress Blues. For me at least. I looked it up and even asked Ryan about it, since he was a Marine too. You are allowed to wear them for a wedding.” Alora stated.

Stacey snickered as she and Krista shared a look.

This had been a running argument between Lance and Alora ever since they set the date.

Stacey suspected Lance did not want to, but she could be wrong about that as the man would never give a straight answer.

Of course, Alora had never said why she wanted it. At least not to her.

“Alora, if you will finally tell me why this means so much to you, I might consider it.” Lance sighed facing his fiancée.

The large Jamison table fell silent, and all eyes were now on the future Mr. and Mrs. Archer.

All of Alpha team, the Jamison’s, Dale and Ruby Blackstone, Stacey, and Gage’s parents were enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving when Alora mentioned the topic of the wedding toward the end of the meal.

Now, curiously, Stacey studied the woman, waiting for her to answer Lance’s question.

“Fine. I want you to wear them because I am proud that you are a Marine. More than that, I want our friends and family to see that you are MY Marine. I want to see you in all the glory that comes with wearing that uniform when I become your wife.” Alora said, her voice revealing that her mind was dead set on this and would not be changed. Not even by Lance.

“Damn. Lance, I think your future wife just a made a very compelling argument.” Jax was the first to speak up.

“I agree.” Hayden nodded.

Lance said nothing. Stacey watched as he instead looked at each of Blackout’s founders who were also his groomsmen.

His brother, Jake would be his Best Man.

Stacey watched as one by one Ethan, Gage, Grant, and Tony all nodded.

She realized what they were all agreeing to and reached over to slip her hand into Gage’s.

“This is what you really want Alora?” Lance finally spoke, looking at Alora again.

“It is Lance.” Alora answered firmly.

“Fine, I’ll call mom in the morning and have her send me my Blues.” Lance replied.

The million-watt smile Alora gave Lance just before throwing her arms around him, had everyone at the table grinning. Stacey leaned close to Gage, “So, does this mean I get to see you in your Blues? I have always wondered what you look like in them.”

“Yes, considering I have to see if they even still fit.” Gage chuckled.

When Gage looked away from Stacey, he caught his dad’s eye and both men grinned.

The conversation around the table picked back up.

Stacey was seated between Gage and Grant.

She glanced over at Grant and saw he was frowning a little.

She decided after dinner she would talk to him.

Luckily, the meal did not last much longer.

Ruby and Deb began to hand out tasks. Stacey and Grant were on dishes.

Stacey figured that would be the perfect time to talk to him about whatever was on his mind.

Jax, Hayden and Tony cleared the table, while Ruby, Deb, and Celeste set about preparing the leftovers for everyone.

Half an hour later, it was only Stacey and Grant alone in the kitchen.

“Grant, what’s wrong?” Stacey began as she started washing.

“What?” Grant replied, confused.

“I asked what was wrong. You seemed upset or distracted during most of dinner.” Stacey replied.

Grant sighed, “It’s...”

“Do not give me the “it’s nothing” line. Something is up. Talk to me.” Stacey interrupted.

“Fine. You remember me mentioning my buddy, Sean?” She nodded. He continued, “His widow, Evelyn, she called me up a day or so before Gage’s house was blown to hell. I made a promise at Sean’s grave that I would always watch out for her, be there for her. I dropped the ball.”

“What do you mean Grant?”

Grant was silent a moment as he continued drying.

“The day she called, it would have been her and Sean’s tenth wedding anniversary and I completely forgot.

Hell, I forgot last year too. How could I have forgotten such an important day, Stacey?

He was my best friend, my brother. Evelyn was the best thing that could have happened to him, and I went and let her fall to the wayside for the last year and a half. ”

Stacey dried her hands and took one of his hands in hers.

When he looked at her, she said, “Grant, the last year and a half has been hectic. I know because it has been hectic for me and Gage. You folks had the Ingram trial and then shortly after that, the Malconi case. If Evelyn is half the woman, I think she is, she would understand that and doesn’t blame you. ”

“She...she said something similar when we talked.”

“See. Look, after we finish these dishes, you should head home and call her. Tell her what you’re feeling.

I bet you’ll feel better. I know that losing a loved one is hard, and I wish I could say it gets easier with time, but I can’t.

Before Jerry died, I had lost both sets of grandparents within the span of five years.

My mom’s parents first, then my dad’s. It doesn’t get easier, but you get better at dealing with the pain when it comes on. ”

“You think I should call her and tell her? I don’t want to make her feel guilty or anything because of my own guilt.”

“She won’t, but you said she was the best thing that happened to Sean, and she would want you to talk to her. Plus, I get the feeling if Sean were here, he would smack you upside your head for feeling guilty.”

Grant chuckled a little, “Yeah, he probably would. Thank you doll. For listening.”

Stacey smiled and hugged him, “You’re very welcome, Grant. Now, let’s finish our task or Mama Deb and Mama Rudy will have a fit.”

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G rant took a slow breath and dialed the number. He heard the phone ring four times then heard her voice. “Hello Grant.”

“Hey Evelyn. I’m not calling too late, am I?” Grant questioned.

“No, no it’s not too late. Is everything okay? Happy Thanksgiving by the way.”

“Happy Thanksgiving to you too. As for everything being okay...” he paused then continued, “I...Evelyn I need to tell you something.”

“Grant, you know you can tell me anything. If I can help, I will. I thought you knew that.”

Before he could lose his nerve, Grant jump right in.

He told Evelyn everything he had told Stacey only an hour ago.

As he laid out his feelings on him dropping the ball regarding Evelyn, he paced his living room.

For nearly ten minutes he told her everything he was feeling about not keeping up with her the last year and a half. He finally fell silent.

“Grant Whitney are you crazy! You actually believe you dropped the ball?”

“Evelyn I...”

“ I swear if I was there, I would slap you upside that stubborn Marine head of yours.

You have in no way, shape, or form dropped the ball.

Do you hear me? Ever since I met you and Sean, you have been there for me, for him.

After he...after he passed, you could have just brushed me off, but you did not.

Grant, I would not have gotten through these last eight years if it had not been for you.

“You told me last week that you had promised Sean at his grave that you would always look after me. You have gone above and beyond. So, this last year and a half you and I have not talked much. You had that trial and that Malconi case on your plate. Now, you have another one and this one is hitting close to home, isn’t it? ”

Grant stopped pacing and sat in his armchair.

“Yeah, very. Gage and his woman, Stacey, are being stalked. This guy went as far as blowing up half of Gage’s house.

Luckily, he is okay, but he’s no longer directly involved in the case, and he thinks HE’S the actual target and Stacey is just the road to get to him.

This asshole has us chasing our tails and now Blackout must protect not just Stacey, but one of our own. ”

“My god Grant. Poor Gage and Stacey. I wish I could do something more than say a little prayer that things will work out in your favor. I can hear in your voice this case is getting to you. I am sure it’s getting to all of you.”

“It is and that’s not good. We must remain objective despite Gage and Stacey being targets. It’s hard to just flip that switch off.”

“ I can only imagine. I tell you what. You make me a promise right here and now. If you feel your head getting too bogged down with fears, or worries, or even anger, you call me. Did you hear me? I don’t care what time of day or night.

I know I’m not Sean, but if I can be a sounding board for you to clear your head, then damn it I will. Promise me.”

Something in Grant shifted at the insistence in her voice. An old feeling, he thought he had buried began to creep back in. Like before, he pushed it deep down. “Evelyn, I don’t want to burden you...”

“ Grant, you wouldn’t. For these last eight years you have been my springboard. Now it’s time for me to be yours. Promise me you’ll call me.”

“I...I promise. If I feel too muddled, I will call you.” Grant replied, his voice sounding awed.

“Good. Now, why don’t you grab yourself a beer, turn on that damned movie you and Sean loved so much...um oh right, The Postman, and just unwind. All right?” Evelyn all but ordered him.

“Yes ma’am.” Grant laughed. “Evelyn, thank you. I guess Stacey was right. She’s the one who told me to call you and tell you. I guess I’ll text her and let her know she was right.”

“I like her already, a smart woman. Maybe if I get out to Austin I can meet her. And don’t text her.

Send her flowers. Just run it by Gage so he doesn’t knock your head off thinking your poaching on his woman.

” Evelyn giggled. “Again, I’m glad I could help and I’m here.

Day or night. Good night, Grant, relax and sleep tight. ”

“Good night, Evelyn.” Grant said and hung up. “Sleep with the angels. Evie.” He then whispered to his silent house.