Page 5 of The Flame of Carson (Blackout Security Inc. #3)

––––––––

“Hi,” Stacey said, stopping in front of him.

Gage pulled her to him, his hands resting at the base of her spine, “Hi.”

He leaned down and tenderly pressed his lips to hers.

He felt her lean into him, her arms wrapping around his waist. Gage wanted her but was content to stand there and kiss her all night at the same time.

It was he that broke the kiss first. Rather reluctantly, biting back a groan of frustration.

“Dinner's just about ready. Let's head in.”

“Dinner. Yeah.” she sighed, her voice sounding airy as her eyes flitted open.

Chuckling, Gage led her inside. The moment the door closed behind them Stacey moaned at the smells wafting from the kitchen.

She looked up at Gage with the most beautiful look in those green eyes, that it pierced his very heart.

Keeping his hand on the middle of her back, he steered her toward the kitchen.

“You made my favorite.” Stacey spoke in surprise when he walked over to the stove.

“Yep. I thought you'd like it,” Gage nodded, as he poured them both a glass of wine.

Stacey felt her heart skip as her favorite Pinot Grigio flowed over her tongue.

Gage Carson wasn't like most of the men Stacey had gone out with. He was first and foremost a true southern gentleman through and through. It was refreshing in a day and age where men seemed to have lost their balls and thought being chivalrous was a sign of weakness. But not Gage. Hell, none of the men of Blackout were like that. They were all true gentlemen. At least in public. In bed it was a whole different ballgame. At least with Gage, and from what she had talked about with Krista and Lance’s girl, Alora.

“How are your folks? Are they enjoying retirement?” Gage asked, straining the pasta over the sink.

“Oh yeah. They said to tell you hi and they hope that I can persuade you to visit the Vineyard with me this summer. Mom said last summer she and dad renovated the cottage and are looking forward to their two weeks visit in the summer. They just renovated the house in Tarrytown also and want me to bring you next time I visit.” Stacey giggled.

“Ahh, I seem to have the approval of the parents.” he joked, dumping the pasta into a bowl. “Honestly though, I like your parents. Your dad plays a mean game of chess I'll say that.”

Stacey leaned on the bar, cupping her chin. “Mom and dad really like you too. I know I kind of blindsided you when you met them, but...”

“Babe, I told you then that it was cool, and I meant it. What were you really scared of? That your family's rich?”

She sighed, “Yeah. It's scared off a lot of guys, but it also seems to attract the money grubbers too.”

Gage was at her side and lifting her chin, so she was looking into his eyes.

“Sweetheart, so I don't come from money, and you do.

That's nothing to be ashamed of. Your family worked hard for all their success.

I'm not with you for your money or your family's money.

I'm with you because you look fucking sexy naked.”

Stacey burst out laughing and slapped his arm. “Pig.”

Gage wiggled his brows. “Oink. Oink.” His smile faded a little as he grew serious again. “As true as that is though, I'm with you Stace, because I enjoy being with you. We have fun in and out of bed yes, but I like being with YOU.”

Stacey licked her lips at the intensity reflecting back her in those brown eyes of his. “Gage....”

Gage's lips covered hers. Sensually making love to her mouth, leaving her feeling lost in him. Just as slowly, he pulled away. “Let's eat babe. We can talk after.”

“Okay,” she agreed breathlessly.

––––––––

––––––––

A n hour later, Stacey and Gage had finished eating, cleaned up the kitchen and were now sitting on the sofa in his living room with their wine. “Gage, there's something we really do need to talk about.”

“What's wrong babe?”

“Nothing bad, I promise,” She started. Fortifying herself with another swallow of wine, Stacey faced him and continued, “For nearly two years now we've been... I guess dating. Yet, in that time we've never really established what we are to each other.”

Gage's brow furrowed, “You lost me somewhere.”

“Well, what are we? Are we friends with benefits?

Lovers only? Boyfriend and Girlfriend? We've never talked about this, and I think it's because we had that distance barrier almost as a buffer. I was in New York, and you were here, but now that distance isn't an issue, what are we? In the last almost two years, I felt like we’ve got closer, you know?” Stacey explained.

Now Gage understood, or he thought he did anyway. He took a sip of his own wine before sitting their wine glasses on the coffee table. He took her hands in his and faced her. “Stacey, since we started this relationship, I have been faithful to you. I want you to know that right now.”

She squeezed his hands, “Same here.”

“I figured that much. You don't strike me as the type of woman who sleeps around. As for you and me and what we are...I thought you knew what I wanted.”

Stacey felt her gut clench. Was she wrong? “W... what do you want Gage?”

“You. Stacey, we're lovers, we're friends, but I want us to be more. Boyfriend and girlfriend doesn't even begin to describe us. I want you to be mine Stacey. Be my woman.” Gage stated.

Stacey released his hands and threw her arms around his neck. “Yes Gage. God, I was scared for a second there. I thought maybe you didn’t want the same thing I did. I want to be yours Gage. But on one condition.”

“What’s that?” he asked, pulling back to meet her gaze.

“If I’m your woman, then that makes you, MY man.” She replied with a sassy wink. Stacey let out a shriek when she suddenly found herself in Gage’s arms straddling him.

“Your man, is it?” He challenged. Chewing on her bottom lip, Stacey nodded. “I accept your condition.”

Stacey opened her mouth to reply but Gage’s lips were on hers once more silencing her.

She whimpered as he made the kiss hotter.

Pinning her body against his, ravaging her mouth.

She went to wrap her arms around him, but he was having none of that.

Enveloping her wrists in his hands, he cuffed them behind her back, pinning them at the small of her back making her moan as heat lanced through her.

God, she loved how strong he was and how he would display it with her.

Right now, she really, really loved the feel of his lips and tongue against her neck.

“Stacey.”

“Gage. Please.”

Gage suckled at her neck, “Please what?”

“I want you, Gage. Take me to bed.” she pleaded, her hips bucking.

“Yes ma'am,” he moaned.

Shifting his hold, Gage stood. His cock throbbed when Stacey locked her legs around his waist, her core pressed against him.

Kissing her again he stalked from the living room, down the hall, up the stairs, and toward his bedroom.

The door kicked firmly closed behind him.

Tonight, he would lose himself in his woman and he would make sure she lost herself in him in return.

He wanted to leave no doubt that he was hers and she was his.

––––––––

––––––––

H ours later, Gage lay in bed holding Stacey to his side.

He tilted his head and just studied her in the moonlight that was filtering through the windows.

When he had first met Stacey he never once thought that she would be his for longer than the weekend.

Yet the cosmos seemed to think otherwise and now here they were.

No more long-distance calls or visits. They could see each other whenever they wanted.

It made him smile knowing they could further explore what had been building between them over the last almost two years now.

He hadn’t been lying when he told her they were so much more than boyfriend and girlfriend.

Gage dropped a soft kiss on her forehead before he held her a little tighter.

“I better get going.” Stacey said.

“Do you have to? You could always stay the night.” Gage replied.

Stacey sighed and slowly sat up, “I’d like to, but I should spend the night in my new house tonight. Until today I’ve been staying at a hotel until my furniture and stuff were delivered this morning.”

Gage sat up and leaned against his headboard, turning on his bedside light as she climbed from the bed and began looking for her clothes. “Damn woman, you sure are a vision naked.”

Stacey looked up and laughed pulling on her dress, “You’re not so bad looking yourself.

” He grinned. When he started to get out of bed, she stopped him by raising her hand.

She sat at his side and leaned in, giving him a tender kiss.

“I’ll see myself out. If we can’t get together later this week, I’ll see you bright and early Saturday morning for our bike ride. ”

“I’m looking forward to that. I’ll call you in the morning.”

Stacey nodded, caressed his cheek as she gave him one more kiss than she was standing and heading for the door.

Gage sat in bed and watched her. After she left the room, he listened to the sounds of her heels on his hardwood floor.

He couldn’t stop himself and after hearing his front door open and close, he slid out of bed, moved to his bedroom window that faced the front of the house and looked down.

As if sensing him, Stacey turned and looked up.

She waved before climbing into her car. And just like that, she drove off into the night.