by Sarah Curtis
Cassie wasn't sure how true that was, but they were pretty words, so for tonight, she would believe them. She wrapped her arms and legs around Gage, bringing him closer. She wanted to feel his weight covering her. He kissed her then, long and deep and oh, so toe curling.
He scraped his fingers into her hair, tilting her head, giving him access to her neck. God, that felt good. He could do that all night, and she would be perfectly content. Well, almost. He didn't stay at her neck long. His mouth was soon breathing short, hot pants into her ear. His hands dived under her shirt, his fingers traveling over her ribcage.
"Are you wet for me, Sunshine? Are you ready for my cock?"
Cassie whimpered. His words created more wetness between her legs, and she knew she was more than ready for him.
He whipped her shirt over her head. Her bra was mostly lace, mostly see-through, and Gage growled when he saw it. He enveloped her breasts with his hands and squeezed. She arched into his hold silently pleading for more. He unclasped her bra and sucked her nipple into his mouth, slowly twirling it with his tongue, and nipping at it lightly with his teeth.
"Gage please, it's been so long." She practically groaned.
"Okay, baby, I'll take care of you." He reached down and unfastened her jeans, diving his hand in and hitting the target first go. She didn't want to even think about how he knew how to do that so well. She was just going to enjoy reaping the benefits.
He leaned over, taking her nipple into his mouth, sucking hard while at the same time spearing her with his fingers. And that was all it took. She shattered, coming hard. He softly licked her breast while slowly fingering her, gradually bringing her down.
Gage lifted his head. "I want you to do that again."
"I don't know if I have another one in me," Cassie said, feeling totally relaxed.
"We'll see." He gave her a cocky grin before stripping her of her jeans. She helped him pull off his T-shirt. He sat on the side of the bed, removed his boots and socks, then shucked his jeans. He came back to her, covering her with his body. It felt wonderful, skin against skin. She trailed her fingers up the hard muscles of his arms then down the sleek skin of his back.
Not wanting to ruin the mood, but knowing someone had to voice this, she asked, "Do you have protection?"
Gage stopped nibbling on her neck and raised his head. "I didn't think to bring any. I didn't exactly plan this. I promise you, I'm clean."
Cassie shook her head. "I'm not on birth control."
Gage dipped his forehead to hers and sighed. "Monday, you go to the doctor and get on something. I'll take whatever test you want and in the meantime, I'll be sure to keep a condom in my wallet."
Cassie couldn't help but feel the evidence of his arousal resting against her stomach. She gave it a little nudge. "But what about you?"
"Sunshine, I'm a thirty-year-old man. This will not be the first time I've gone to bed with a hard-on. I will survive."
"I can take care of it for you."
He gave her a light kiss on the lips. "After waiting five years for this, I want to come in your pussy, not your mouth. Although, coming in your mouth at a future date is definitely an option I want to keep on the table." Gage reached under them and pushed down the covers before flipping them back up to cover them. He reached over, turned off the bedside lamp, then scooped her back into his arms.
Cassie snuggled close to Gage. She rested her head on his shoulder, draped her arm across his stomach, and entwined her legs with his. It had been a long time since she'd had a body to wrap herself around, and she had to admit, it didn't suck. She held Gage just a little tighter and sighed. This was another one of those things she didn't want to get used to, but for tonight, she would enjoy it. She closed her eyes and felt sleep sucking her in.
"I want to tell Logan I'm his dad."
"We'll tell him tomorrow," she said, sleepily.
She felt Gage release a long breath and relax into the bed. The arm cradling her tightened in a quick squeeze. "Thank you."
She thought it was a little strange that he was thanking her, but she was too tired to inquire about it. That was the last thought she remembered before she fell into a deep sleep.
* * * * *
Gage lay awake, listing to the distant sounds of dogs barking and the not so distant sound of Cassie's gentle breathing. He'd spoken the truth when he told Cassie he'd dreamed of this moment, holding her in his arms. He just never thought his dream would become a reality. That it had, was something he wouldn't take for granted. This time, he would hold on tight and never let go.
She didn't trust him, and he could understand that, but he would prove to her he wasn't that same stupid kid he had been before. He would prove to her he was a man in love with his woman. Yes, he loved her. He had never stopped, and he would do whatever it took to win back her heart.
He was relieved she was willing to share with Logan that he was his father. Not knowing her thoughts, he had worried she wouldn't want to tell Logan just yet. He wanted them to get married, to become a family. Not just so Logan would have his name, but so Cassie shared his name as well. He wanted them to belong to him, and he wanted to belong to them. His eyes drifted shut, Cassie's slow, steady breaths lulling him to sleep. His last thought, before he drifted off, was any day that ended with Cassie in his arms, was a good day.
* * * * *
Cassie felt the bed dip and a warm body hit her back. Soon, a little face appeared above her. Cassie tucked the covers under her armpits, never more aware of being naked.
"Did you and Gage have a sleepover?"
Cassie picked her head up and looked at the clock. Five of five. She heard Gage groan. She looked over at him. He had one eye open. "It's not even light out yet."
Cassie giggled. "Welcome to my world."
Logan crawled over Cassie and sprawled on top of Gage. "What's ya doing here?"
"I was sleeping." Gage stretched his arm out and turned on the bedside lamp, dislodging Cassie's head from his shoulder.
Cassie got up on an elbow and squinted into the light. "Why don't you go into the living room and turn on your cartoons, so Gage and I can get dressed. Then I'll make you some breakfast."
"Can I have French toast?"
"Sure."
"Yay!"
"Shh, Aunt Laurie is still sleeping. Now, go on. We'll be out in a minute."
Logan scooted off the bed and ran out the door, leaving it wide open behind him. Cassie sighed. Gage chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll shut it." He got up, picked his jeans off the floor, and slid them on. He closed the bedroom door before heading to the bathroom.
Cassie got out of bed and went to the dresser. She got out a pair of panties, a bra, and a T-shirt and slid them on before going to the closet for a pair of jeans. Gage came out of the bathroom just as she did up the button. He came at her from behind, his hands hit her stomach and she froze.
His lips hit her ear as he whispered, "You got dressed already." He drew her body closer, his hands roaming higher. "I missed the exciting part."
"What part is that?" Cassie asked, leaning back closer to his bare chest.
"You walking around the bedroom naked."
"Believe me, that's not the exciting part. I'm not nineteen anymore and have the body of someone that's had a child."
Gage gave her breast a squeeze. "I think you're perfect. I love the curves. I think they're sexy."
"You think that's sexy, wait until you see the stretch marks."
Gage moved his arms back to her waist and lifted her, walking over to the bed. He flipped her around and pushed her onto the bed. She landed on her back with a huff.
"What are you doing?" She asked, as he unfastened her jeans.
"I want to see. You said it was sexy."
Cassie tried batting his hands away but was unsuccessful. "I was being facetious." He grabbed the waist of her jeans and tugged them down. "Would you stop!"
Gage didn't answer, he was too busy examining her hips and stomach. "They're so light you can barely see them." He traced a thin white line. "I wish I could have seen your belly swollen with Logan." Her body stilled, and her breathing stopped. He spoke so low, she could barely hear him. He placed his hand on her stomach, stretching his fingers wide. "You held life in here. Every one of those marks, you should wear with pride."
He leaned his head forward and softly kissed her stomach. "Now, let's go make French toast." He snatched his T-shirt off the floor, threw it over his head, and left the bedroom.
Cassie lay where she was, immobile for a few minutes while everything Gage said sank in. Then she stood, buttoned her jeans, and left the bedroom, smiling.
After breakfast, Gage gave her a kiss (he tasted of maple syrup and Gage, yum) and told her he needed to go home to clean himself up but would be back later in the afternoon to take her and Logan out to dinner.
Cassie was fine with that. She had a bunch of stuff to do around the ranch, and Logan liked to help her on the weekends. "Well, little man, let's get dressed and see how Rosie, Sally, and Hank are doing."
The three pit bulls she had taken in earlier in the week were doing well. All the injuries from their last dog fight were mostly healed. She let them out through a shoot that led to a secluded section of the yard. She didn't trust them to intermingle with the other dogs, just yet, but as she worked with them, she hoped soon, they would become more social.
She and Logan opened all the kennel cages and ushered the dogs out into the large fenced in yard so they could run and play. They went through the kennel, replaced old with fresh water, and filled all the food bowls with kibble.
When they finished, they played with the dogs for a while then headed back to the house. Cassie paused when they reached the porch. "Come sit with me on the swing a minute. I want to talk to you before we go in for lunch."
Cassie held the swing steady while Logan climbed on, then sat beside him. Now, what would be the best way to tell Logan, Gage was his father?
"Daddy!" Logan shouted, as he flew down the porch stairs to meet Gage.
Gage sent Cassie a startled look right before Logan collided into him, wrapping his arms around Gage's legs. Gage extracted himself, squatted, then pulled Logan into his arms for a tight hug.
Her talk with Logan had gone surprisingly well. She had explained that Gage was his daddy and that he'd been away for a very long time because he was a famous rock star but was back now and didn't have to go away anymore. She explained how much he loved Logan and how he wanted to be his daddy, and then took him inside and Googled, Engage, so he could see what a rock star was. And like any four-year-old, he had taken it all in stride and had been beyond excited that his daddy was famous (well, he had been excited after Cassie explained what famous was).
Cassie watched Gage slowly open his eyes and look at her over the top of Logan's head. His eyes, moist with tears, sparkled in the sunlight as he mouthed a silent, thank you.
Cassie didn't feel deserving of his gratitude. In fact, she felt pretty crappy that she had kept them apart for so long.
As she turned to go back into the house, wanting to give them a few minutes alone, she heard Logan say, "I love you, Daddy." And then Gage's reply, delivered in a gravelly voice, broken with emotion, "I love you, too, Son."
She made her way back to her bedroom, feeling tears fill her own eyes. She sat on the edge of the bed, realizing the magnitude of her deception and not feeling very good about herself. She denied both Gage and Logan four wonderful years together, years they would never get back.
"I know what you're thinking."
Startled, Cassie looked up. Gage had his shoulder propped against her doorjamb.
"Don't beat yourself up over what-might-have-been. We have the now, and we have the future. We both messed up. If I hadn't let you go, I would have known about Logan. It's just as much my fault as yours." He walked fully into the room and sat next to her on the bed. "Let's just be happy we're all together now. Let's forget the past and start over."
Tears running down her face, Cassie looked at Gage. God, he was so handsome it made her stomach hurt. And when he looked at her, like he was now, with those incredible blue eyes, it was almost impossible to resist him.
She raised her hand and traced her finger over his eyebrow, down the side of his face, along his jaw, stopping when she reached his chin. "I don't know if I can, Gage. I'm scared I'm going to get hurt again."
Her captured her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her palm. "Okay, Sunshine, we'll take this one day at a time, but know this, I promise you I'm not going anywhere. I will fight for us," he waved his arm at the bedroom door, "fight for my family, and I'm fighting to win." He stood from the bed and took her hand. "Let's go eat."
Chapter Eight
Logan asked questions about Gage's band the whole way to the restaurant, and Gage (with some translation help from Cassie) answered every single one very patiently. The two acted like they'd never missed a day in each other's lives. It was heartwarming to see.
Gage pulled into the parking lot of a large strip mall and drove to the far end. As they neared the end building, Cassie saw in big neon letters the name, Engage. She turned to him, clearly surprised. "You own a restaurant?"
Gage gave her a nod. "It's been open about a year."
How did she not know this? Although, it's not as if she paid attention to anything related to Gage or Engage.
They walked into the restaurant, and Cassie looked around thoroughly impressed. "Wow, this place is fantastic." Guitars of every size, shape, and color decorated the ceiling, years worth of rock memorabilia lined the walls, and Engage could be heard playing in the background.
Gage walked up to the hostess. She gave him a smile and showed them straight back to a corner booth. "Do you need a booster seat for this handsome fellow?" She asked, as she passed out menus.
"Please," Cassie said, giving her a smile.
She walked away and returned a few minutes later with the high, square cushion. "Your waitress will be with you shortly."
Cassie opened her menu and went straight to the kid's section. "What do you want to eat, little man?"
"Pizza!" Logan said, coloring a picture on his place mat with some crayons he found on the table.
"You had pizza last night. How about mac and cheese?" Cassie asked, reading from the menu.
"Nope," Logan said, popping his P.
"Spaghetti?"
Logan shook his head.
"How about a hamburger?"
Logan looked up from his coloring. "Pizza, Momma."
Cassie sighed.
Gage took her hand. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
Their waitress arrived. She was a cute, perky, little thing with straight, black hair in a high ponytail. She had on a tight, white T-shirt with Engage written in black across the front and black, short-shorts.
Cassie leaned into Gage and whispered in his ear. "Can the outfits be any more sexist?"
Gage whispered back. "I didn't pick them out. A marketing team did everything. The only thing I contributed was my name and my money."
"Are you ready to order?" The poor girl looked petrified, having to serve the owner.
Cassie gave her a big smile, trying to put her at ease. "I haven't had a chance to decide yet. Too busy worrying about what this little guy
is going to have."
The waitress gave her a weak smile. Oh well, she tried.
Gage pulled a wad of money from his front pocket and peeled off a fifty. "Can you get a busboy to run a few doors down to the pizza place and bring back a small pepperoni pizza." He handed the fifty to the waitress then turned to Cassie. "Remind me to put pizza on the menu."
Cassie didn't know what to say about that whole exchange, so she just nodded then looked back at her menu. Gage had been well known already when they had been together all those years ago. She remembered whenever they had gone out in public, he'd always had someone approach him to ask for his autograph or to take a picture, and after a while, Cassie just took it in stride. But living the life of a nobody these last few years, she'd forgotten what it was like being out with someone famous. Guess she would have to get used to it again.
She looked over at Logan. She'd never really thought about it before, but she supposed being the son of a rock star would have its challenges. He would have to take the bad along with the good. He couldn't change who his father was.
"Do you know what you want?" Gage asked, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Um... I think I'll have the Cobb salad." She looked up from her menu. Gage had a funny expression on his face. "What?" She said, with attitude.
"A salad, really?"
"I like salad," Cassie said defensively.
"Are you sure you're not trying to watch your weight?" She felt his hand give her thigh a squeeze under the table. "Because let me just say, I like you just the way you are."
Cassie huffed, "Believe me, by the time I get done drowning my salad in ranch dressing, it'll have more calories than any hamburger on this menu."
Gage chuckled. "So noted, you like ranch dressing."
"No, I love ranch dressing. I would eat it like a bowl of soup if I could."