Page 6 of The Flame of Carson
“Oh, I’m not his...”Stacey started to say.
Ethan and Grant looked at her and laughed.“Doll, trust me.You’re his girl.The man has been a sourpuss for the last three weeks.”Grant stated.
“Really?”Stacey gaped as they walked into Gage’s office.
“Yeah, really.That’s why I even agreed to this cockamamie plan of yours and Krista’s.I want my NORMAL right hand-man back and that will only happen once he sees you in the flesh.”Ethan said with a roll of his eyes.
“It’s good to see you and welcome to your new hometown.Good luck.”Grant replied, kissing her cheek before walking out of the office.
“Yeah, welcome home and good luck.I’ll be nearby.I want to see his expression when he realizes you’re really here.”Ethan winked, and then left.
Stacey sat on the sofa in Gage’s office.Now alone, a wave of nervousness washed over her.Had she gone about this the wrong way?Should she have told Gage rather than just surprising him like this?No.No, this was the best way.She knew him well enough to know that had she told him, he would not have believed her anyway and would have just told her to stop pulling his leg.Feeling calm again, she settled back on the sofa to wait.
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Gage walked into Blackouttwo hours later after leaving Tony and Lance at Dolan Financial.Sure, he knew the technical part of their security systems, but installation?That would be a negative.As he entered an empty elevator, a sadness washed over him.It had been nearly three weeks since he last heard from Stacey.The last time he called her, she had told him she had something big coming up and that she wouldn't be available for a few weeks.He didn't show it, but he felt a little crushed.Since their first weekend together almost two years ago, they had stayed in regular contact.Emails almost daily, phone calls once or twice a week.Whenever she came to visit Krista, they would get together.Plain and simple; 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.
