Made it home.
Thanks for letting me know babe.Gage lay there waiting for her reply.He didn’t have to wait long.
Thanks for dinner tonight.For the talk...hell for everything tonight.I feel much better knowing where you and I stand now.
Stace, like I said earlier, there were so many times I wanted to bring this up.Now you and I can just focus on seeing where this leads us now that you and I are in the same damned city for longer than a few days.Gage chuckled at the laughing emoji she sent back.
I agree Gage.Well, I’m going to turn in.I’ll call or text you tomorrow.Night.
Good night, babe.Sleep well.
Gage sat his phone back on the nightstand and clicked off the light.When he and Stacey had been talking earlier, he had almost blurted out that he thought he was falling in love with her, but something held him back.A part of him was a little afraid at voicing that thought.Yes, he and Stacey cared about each other, that much was obvious.Yet what if, while yes Stacey cared for him, she wasn’t in love with him or even feeling the same as he?He wasn’t sure he would recover if that were the case.No, he would wait.If they really were falling in love, the time and place would present itself.He would just be patient.Closing his eyes, Gage rolled onto his side and slipped into sleep.
––––––––
––––––––
As Gage slept, Staceylay on the sofa wide awake.Her mind just wouldn’t shut down.She kept replaying the conversation they had about their relationship.She had worried for nothing.She and Gage wanted the same thing, and it thrilled her beyond belief.From the first night she had spent with him, she had felt a deep connection with him.A feeling she had never felt with any other man, not that there had been a whole lot of them anyway.Gage was unique among men, hell all the men of Blackout were.They were gentlemen, yet fierce warriors as well.A combination that wasn’t seen much in their generation.
Sighing, she rolled onto her side.Tonight, she had been so close to telling Gage that she loved him but couldn’t bring herself to voice her feelings.She had no doubt that she was in fact in love with the former Marine, but it had been her experience that the average man wasn’t comfortable when a woman blurted out those three words.Yet, Gage Carson wasn’t your average man now, was he?Closing her eyes, she once more attempted to sleep.Her last conscious thought before slipping into oblivion was that maybe she should just take the leap and tell him.
––––––––
––––––––
Gage took his firstsip of coffee when his cell rang.“Morning babe.”
“Morning yourself.”Stacey replied.
“Hope you slept good last night.I know I did.”
Stacey giggled,“I would think so after I screwed your brains out so well.”
Gage couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped.His heart tripped as Stacey laughed on the other end.“You can screw my brains out like that anytime you want babe.”
“Well now, I just may take you up on that.”Stacey said sassily.“So, what are your plans for the day?”
“The usual paperwork to kick things off.Then Ethan and I have a meeting at the capitol building to discuss plans for the upcoming political season.We usually provide additional security for the local stuff.”
“Is Krista’s dad running for Governor this election?”
“It’s not confirmed, but Krista, Danny, and Ethan believe he’ll make the announcement in the next few weeks.If he does, I know all of Blackout will vote for him.Nick is a good man and a fair man.Not to mention the man is smart in both politics and public opinion.”
“I’ll say.He and I have had many conversations over the years about that.Course this was before I knew Krista was Kris James.I hope he does run.He would make a good Governor.”Stacey agreed.
“Hell, yes he would.What’s your day shaping up like?”Gage stated.
“After breakfast, I’m heading to the office to meet my boss here in Austin.His name is Chase.Walt says he’s only like four years out of college but has potential.I figure I’ll be at the office for an hour or two then I’m meeting Krista, Debbie, and Ruby for lunch.Then Kris and I are going to her house to discuss her latest book.”Stacey answered.
“Sounds fun.You still want to go on that ride this weekend?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Then it’s set.You want to meet at your place or mine?”
“How about yours.You know more about the routes around here, so it makes sense for you to take the lead here.”
“All right, we’ll meet at my place at say seven?”