Page 4 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

“Whoa there big boy,” Stacey panted, “Before you get in my pants, you at least owe me dinner.”

Gage chuckled as did Stacey. His laughed turned into a slow moan as he kissed her once more.

This time the kiss was gentler. Stacey's arms slid around his neck as she returned his kiss with one of her own.

He slowly set her back on her feet and his hands came up to cup her face before pulling his lips from hers.

“In that case, come to my place tonight. I'll cook us dinner.” he offered.

“All right, what time?” she nodded.

“Say seven?”

“Seven it is.”

Gage pulled her into his arms and held her as the car continued down to the lobby.

Stacey breathed him in, her head resting against his chest. At six foot three, he towered over her mere five foot, four frame.

She often found it comical that despite their height difference, they still seemed to fit together.

When the elevator door opened, the two stepped out.

“You mentioned your house was near mine?” Gage inquired, looking down at her.

“Yep. Once it's all set up, you'll have to come see it.” Stacey winked.

“I sure will.” Gage chuckled, holding open the door for her.

Stacey proceeded him toward her recent purchase. With a saucy smile, she leaned against the sleek Ducati Diavel. “Well?”

Gage let out a low whistle in appreciation, “Wow. Now that's a thing of beauty.”

“You talking about me or the bike?” Stacey teased.

“Both. Christ, woman the idea of you on that bike...” he cut himself off as his cock throbbed.

“Well, after all the fun we've had on yours I wanted one. The day after I got here, I went to Krista's bike dealer and got this baby.” Stacey swung her leg over the bike and reached back for the helmet. “Maybe this weekend, before I get bogged down with work, we could take off on our bikes.”

“I think I just might be free this weekend,” Gage smiled, moving to her, and deftly doing up the chin strap. “Be careful and I'll see you tonight.”

Stacey leaned in and kissed him, “Seven it is. See you, big boy.”

Gage laughed as he watched her take off down the street.

Shaking his head, he turned and re-entered the building.

His mind already starting a checklist of things he would need for dinner.

He would make her favorite shrimp linguine with tomato and basil.

There was a place on his way home he could pick up fresh Italian bread, fresh shrimp, and her favorite wine.

Gage stepped into the elevator whistling with a bounce in his step. Stacey was in Austin.

––––––––

––––––––

S tacey walked into her new house to the sound of music and lots of laughing. “What did I miss?”

Krista turned from the box she was unpacking, “Wow, I figured you'd take longer.”

“God you're such a dirty bird.” Stacey snorted in disgust. Then broke into laughter when Krista flipped her off. “We didn't have THAT kind of reunion. Yet. He's cooking me dinner at his place tonight. Besides, he and I need to talk.”

“Talk? Uh-oh. You guys aren't breaking up, are you?” Tiffany asked, frowning a little.

“No, no. Or at least I don't think so.” Stacey reassured her. “You see, for nearly two years now he and I have been, well together. Yet we never really labeled what we are you know? Are we a couple? Friends with Bennie’s?”

Shauna walked over, setting the broken-down box on the pile of others. “What do YOU want to be with Gage?”

“I don't know Shauna,” Stacey replied, pulling out picture frames from the box.

“Okay, I'm calling bullshit.” Tiffany argued, “You and Gage have been together for nearly two years now, right?”

“Yeah, but what's that...” Stacey started to argue.

“And, in that time have you been with another guy? Dating or otherwise?” Shauna asked.

“No.” Stacey said.

“Well, I haven't seen Gage out with any other women, and believe me, Ethan would have said something.” Krista added, carrying a stack of books to the bookshelves.

“What are you guys saying then?” Stacey demanded.

Tiffany giggled. “What we're saying honey is, it sounds like you already know what YOU want.”

Stacey released a slow breath. Yes, she did know. “And if Gage doesn't want the same thing?”

“How did he react when he saw you?” Krista asked, turning from the bookshelf.

“He seemed happy. I mean he picked me up and kissed the ever-loving hell out of me.” Stacey answered, unable to stop the sigh of pleasure as she recalled his kiss.

“There you go then. And from what Krista's told us, he often asks her about you whenever he’s around her or Ethan.” Shauna pointed out.

Stacey stared at the women around her. Was it possible they were right? “You guys really think he wants the same thing I do?”

Krista walked to her and draped an arm over her shoulders. “Hon, if I had to bet? I'd place my money on yes.”

“Thanks. All of you. Okay, enough of this sappy shit.” Stacey said, making everyone laugh. “Let's get my house unpacked, then I got a dinner to get ready for.”

“All right ladies, you heard her, let's get to work.” Tiffany ordered in a motherly voice, causing more cachinnation around the room.

––––––––

––––––––

S tacey exited her bathroom wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe her mother had given her the previous Christmas.

With the help of Krista and her friends, her house had been unpacked and mostly situated in about four hours.

She stood at the foot of her bed and studied the two choices she had picked for her dinner with Gage.

While he had been shocked when she had shown up at his office, she herself was still coming to grips with the fact that she was now in Austin and no longer did they have that distance barrier between them.

She hadn’t been lying when she told the girls that she worried that Gage didn’t want the same thing that she did, regarding their relationship.

“Oh, get a grip girl.” She chastised herself out loud. “You’re just being ridiculous now.”

After all, when he had kissed her in his office, it was a kiss that showed he was genuinely happy that she was in Austin and living here permanently.

After a few more moments, she made her outfit choice.

She hung the navy-blue dress back in her closet and set about getting ready for dinner.

Fifteen minutes later, pleased with appearance, Stacey left the bedroom and headed downstairs.

As much as she loved her Ducati, she knew it was impractical to ride in dress and heels.

Picking up her purse from the table in the foyer, she fished out her keys and walked outside.

Fall was in the air, and it excited her.

Moving to her car, she was already thinking of what she would do for Halloween decorations.

Tonight, one way or another she and Gage would know exactly where they stood with one another and roughly where their relationship was heading.