by Sarah Curtis
She craned her neck to look at him. He had that look on his face again. The one that said, "I am the man. This is my woman. Back off." She sighed, she so would not put up with that. Rick was a nice guy and did not deserve to be treated with Gage-a-tude.
Rick was already shaking Gage's hand, all smiles, introducing himself. "Hey, dude, you're the lead singer of Engage. I have all your songs downloaded. You rock!" He looked at Cassie. "I didn't know you knew Gage Hunter. That's so cool."
"Cassie knows me very well," Gage answered, before she could.
She craned her neck again and said through gritted teeth, "Gage."
Rick was oblivious and kept rambling. "You should have said you knew a famous rock star, Cassie. It would be really cool to get an autograph. Oh, and maybe a T-shirt signed by the whole band. That would be awesome."
Even Gage, in all his macho man glory, couldn't compete with the cheerful power that Rick possessed. She felt then heard him chuckling behind her.
"I'll see what I can do, man." He pulled Cassie tighter to him and wrapped his arm around her chest.
"That would be great," Rick took a step back. "Well, I guess I'd better go finish my rounds. It was nice meeting you. Catch ya later, Cassie."
Cassie waited for Rick to walk away before she rounded on Gage. "You need to stop doing that."
"What did I do?" To his credit, he really did look confused.
"Giving the evil eye to Rick, or any other man that happens to look my way or talk to me is not cool, Gage."
"Just marking my territory, Sunshine. Don't have a problem with men talking to you, so long as they know their place. And I let them know their place," he took her by the upper arms and drew her closer, leaning his head in, speaking low into her ear, "by giving them the evil eye."
"That's barbaric."
He pulled his head back and gave her a fierce stare. "Barbaric or not, that's the way it is, Sunshine. It's a man's universal language. They get it, and they respect it and if they don't, they know they're asking for trouble."
"So you're going to be growly and handsy every time a guy talks to me?"
"Absolutely."
Cassie sighed, knowing she should just give up. "Was there a reason you're here, other than to scare off Rick?"
Gage chuckled, "Not really." Wow, the man didn't even look contrite.
"Then if you don't mind, I'm going back to work."
He gave her one last squeeze and a forehead kiss before releasing her. "I'll see you back at the house, Sunshine," he said, before casually walking away.
Cassie watched him go. She couldn't help it. He looked good from behind, darn him.
"So, you're telling me, some crazy person threw a brick at your window, spray painted your car, and maybe tampered with some hose thingie, and now you're living with Gage?"
Cassie looked around the playground to see if anyone stared at them. Sam's voice had gotten rather shrill toward the end of that statement. Some lady on the next bench over gave her a small smile. Cassie smiled weakly back. "I'm not living with him. I'm only staying there a few days until my aunt gets back from vacation."
Sam's eyes moved to where Gage stood, pushing Logan and Kyle on the swings, then her eyes cut back to Cassie. "Does he know that?"
Cassie huffed and rolled her eyes. "Yes, he knows that."
"So, what's going on with you two? And don't tell me nothing, because I know there's something."
Cassie sighed, "I don't know. He says we're in a relationship whether I like it or not, but I can't seem to get my brain to go along with the program of giving Gage a second chance."
Sam gave her a serious look. "People change. I've known Gage a few years now, and while he's not a saint, he's definitely not a sinner."
"That's not the problem. I know he's a good guy, and he's great with Logan. It's just that things were really great when we were together the first time, too and then they weren't. How do I know what's good now isn't going to have the same result?"
Sam thought about that for a moment before she spoke. "Well, no one can predict the future, but I do know people grow the older they get. Priorities change. You can't tell me you're the same person you were the first time you were together with Gage, and I'm sure he's not the same person either." Sam paused a moment before she continued. "You said your head couldn't give him a second chance, but what is your heart saying?"
"My heart has always belonged to Gage. There hasn't been a day in the last five years that I haven't thought about him, wondered how he was. But when he left, he left gaping holes in my heart. It took a long time for me to patch those holes, and I don't know if I have it in me to heal them again if he rips them open once more." Cassie's eyes pleaded with her friend. "Please tell me you understand."
Sam leaned forward, surrounded Cassie in a hug, and whispered in her ear. "I do understand, but sometimes you have to take a chance.
Chapter Sixteen
Sam's words echoed through Cassie's mind from the park back to Gage's house. Gage had called her stubborn, and Sam had told her to take a chance. Maybe she was guarding her heart too closely. Maybe she should give Gage a second chance, let him back in. Maybe she was wrong to deny herself another shot at happiness.
She was so wrapped in her thoughts, she didn't realize the car had stopped, and they were parked in front of Gage's house.
"Sunshine?" Gage asked, grabbing her attention.
She looked over her shoulder at Logan in the backseat to see his attention was fully absorbed by the DVD he watched. She turned her attention back to Gage. "Okay, you win. I'll give us a second chance. I just hope to God, I'm not making the biggest mistake of my life."
Gage watched her for a full five seconds before dropping his forehead to hers. He let out a heavy sigh, "I promise, you will not regret this decision."
That night, after putting Logan to bed, Gage found Cassie in the living room. He took her hand and led her through his bedroom and into the bathroom. He'd filled the tub and turned on the jets. Bubbles shot through the steamy water.
Gage slowly peeled away her clothes and then his own, all without saying a word. She felt the need to say something, but she wasn't sure what. He looked thoughtful and serious, and she worried if she spoke, he would say something she wasn't ready to hear. So instead, she contributed to the silence.
He dimmed the lights before pulling her to the tub and carefully placing her in the hot swirling water. He stepped in behind her, pulling them down, so they were seated with him at her back, his arms and legs wrapped around her. He leaned over and pumped body-wash into the palm of his hand. Her hair, piled in a messy bun atop her head, left her neck and back exposed to his touch. She felt his hands brush across her shoulders, down her spine, and back up to rub down her arms. A strong musky scent, Gage's scent, filled the air as he continued to lather her. Her nipples peeked through the foam he created on her chest, and she watched as bubbles slid into the clear water, sailing away on the ripples the jets created.
And still he said not a word. His teeth captured her lobe, his lips sucking it deep as his hand slid down her stomach through the water, finding her, his fingers skimming through her folds before entering her. The fingers of his other hand plucked at her nipple, squeezing and rolling it as he ground himself against her backside.
Cassie's head fell back against his shoulder, her neck no longer able to support its weight, as his fingers brought her closer to the edge. He turned her, raising her body out of the water before lowering her onto his shaft thrusting deep while claiming her mouth in a rough, wet kiss.
Her hands sought his shoulders for support as she moved herself on him, Gage's hands tightly clutching her hips for added stabi
lity. She was close, she could feel it coming, her body tensing, getting ready to explode. And then it hit her, and she shuddered as wave after wave rippled through her body.
Gage directed her hips for a few more thrusts before he too found his release.
And only then did he speak. Cradling the back of her head in his hand, holding it close to his neck, his cheek resting against her temple, he said, "Tell me you're mine."
Not having the energy to say anything more, she whispered, "I'm yours."
The house was dark and quiet as Cassie and Logan snuck downstairs to the kitchen to make Gage breakfast. It was Father's Day, it would be Gage's first, and she wanted to make it special.
She had the whole day planned. First, breakfast in bed, then a quick run to the ranch to check on the dogs, and last, Cassie had booked a day of horseback riding at a small dude ranch about thirty miles outside Las Vegas. She remembered it was something Gage had liked to do, and Logan had never been on a horse before, so she thought it would be fun for the two of them.
The last few days they had fallen into a routine. They would take Logan to school then head to the ranch where Cassie worked with her dogs while Gage took care of whatever business he needed to take care of. They would go back to Gage's after picking Logan up from school, and Gage would give him a swimming lesson while Cassie made dinner. Then they would put Logan to bed and it would be alone time for them. Sometimes they would snuggle on the couch and watch TV, other times they would snuggle in bed. Cassie found she liked spending her time with Gage and hoped she didn't regret her growing dependence of him.
"Momma, what are we going to make?" Logan asked, as Cassie flipped on the kitchen light. She went directly to the sliding door and opened it to let Max and Sunny out.
"I was thinking toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs. What do you think?"
"Um..." He put his little finger to his chin, deep in thought. "I think that sounds good."
"Okay, that's what we'll make then." Cassie pulled the ingredients out of the fridge and set them on the counter. "How about if you be in charge of the toast." She went to the pantry and pulled a stool out and over to the counter for Logan to stand on.
"I know how to butter."
"I know you do. You're the best butter spreader in the whole wide world."
Logan giggled, getting up on the stool, ready for his toast duty.
Cassie fried up the bacon and scrambled the eggs while Logan buttered the toast with a half tub of butter. She couldn't find a bed tray, but she did find a serving platter that she made do with, and they proceeded up the stairs, Logan giggling the whole way.
Gage was asleep on his stomach, one arm tucked under his pillow, the other over his head. The sheet ended at his waist, leaving the smooth, golden expanse of his back exposed. Cassie's hands were full, so Logan hopped on the bed and climbed onto Gage's back, poking him in the shoulder. "Daddy," he whispered, loudly in Gage's ear, and Cassie couldn't help the little giggle that escaped her lips.
Gage made a grunting noise.
Logan tried again. "Happy Daddy's Day."
Gage opened one eye. Seeing this, Logan got excited and bounced on his back. "We made you breakfast in bed! I buttered the toast."
Gage got up on an elbow, looked over his shoulder at Logan and ruffled his hair. "Did you say you buttered toast?"
Logan gave a little hop on the bed and nodded his head. "Yep."
He looked over at Cassie and frowned. "Put that tray down. It looks heavy."
Cassie shrugged a shoulder. "It's not that bad. Sit up and I'll put it on your lap. Logan why don't you run to your room and get daddy's card and present."
Logan shimmied of the bed and ran to his room. Gage sat up and took the tray from Cassie. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble." He put the tray in his lap then took her hand, pulling her down next to him.
"We wanted your first Father's Day to be special."
Gage's eyes got soft right before he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "Thank you."
Cassie gave him a smile. "Don't thank me yet. The best is yet to come."
He gave Cassie a quizzical look as Logan came barreling back into the bedroom. "I made this all by myself, but Momma helped me spell."
"You did?" Gage smiled and took the gift from Logan. "Climb on up here and help me open it." Gage patted a spot on the bed and Logan leaped. Gage read the card while Logan unwrapped the present.
"Here," Logan said, holding out a rectangular box.
Gage took it and lifted the lid. Inside was a macaroni necklace with a plastic charm that said DAD. Gage pulled it out of the box and slid it over his head. "I love it. I'm never taking it off." He leaned forward and gave Logan a kiss on the forehead before ruffling his hair once more.
Cassie stood from the bed. "Eat, you guys. It's getting cold."
Gage grabbed her hand. "Aren't you going to eat?"
She smiled down at him. "I nibbled earlier. I've got to get ready. We've got a big day planned."
Logan loved horseback riding. The dude ranch was cute, but small, having about ten horses. They rode on a five-mile trail that looped back around to their starting point. The scenery was beautiful and the day not too hot, making it a very pleasant ride. Logan had such a good time, he didn't want to leave, but Gage promised they would come back and ride the horses again soon.
They were dusty and tired so didn't feel like going out for dinner and it was decided they would order a pizza and spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool. Logan showed off for Cassie all his new swimming skills, but what she loved most was that he could hold his breath for a full thirty seconds underwater.
The day had been perfect but it wasn't quite over yet. Cassie sat in the center of the bed, legs crossed, waiting for Gage as he put Logan to bed. Gage's present from her rested in her lap.
"What's that?" Gage pointed to the wrapped gift as he walked into the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed, taking the present that she handed to him. "I think you've done enough, already. I had a great time today."
She smiled up at him. "I'm glad. This is just a little something I wanted you to have."
Gage unwrapped the gift, revealing Logan's baby book.
* * * * *
Gage slowly opened the book. Right on the first page was a picture of a twenty-year-old Cassie in a hospital bed, smiling huge, holding a tiny bundle in her arms. Under the picture was Logan's name, date of birth, weight, and length. He flipped the page.
"I have all the memories up here." Gage looked to see Cassie pointing at her temple. "I thought I'd give you the memories, at least, through this." She tapped the book. "I know it's not the same as the real thing, but–"
Gage interrupted by placing his fingers over her lips. "This is perfect, thank you." His voice sounded gruff, even to his own ears, and he quickly looked back down at the book to get his emotions under control.
This page held a list of Logan's first achievements. When he first crawled, walked, lost his first tooth. There was a tiny lock of hair taped beside first haircut. Gage ran his finger over it, baby soft. He continued flipping pages, watching Logan grow. He saw his first birthday party, the pictures with blue frosting all over his face made him chuckle. He learned Logan's first word was mamma, and a scraped knee was his first owie.
The book ended when Logan turned two, no longer a baby, now a toddler. Gage closed the book and set it on the nightstand. He took Cassie in his arms, pulling her onto his lap. He buried his face in her neck and breathed in deep, loving her smell. "Thank you," he whispered, against her neck. He felt her fingers run through his hair and held on to her a little tighter. He was never letting go. He had his fam
ily back, and he would hold on tight.
* * * * *
"What in the hell are you doing?"
Cassie looked up from shoving a T-shirt in her duffel bag. Gage stood in the doorway of the bedroom with a scowl on his face. "What do you mean?"
"What do you mean, what do I mean?" He waved his hand at her duffel. "What are you doing?"
Cassie looked back down at her bag. "Packing."
"Why?"
"Laurie gets home today. There's no need for Logan and me to stay here any longer."
Gage ran a hand through his hair. "We'll be talking more about you moving here permanently when I get back from New York."
"You're going to New York?" When? And why didn't he tell her?
"Yeah, I leave Thursday and come home Sunday."
"When were you planning on telling me about this?"
"I'm telling you now."
Cassie pressed her lips together not wanting to tell him he totally missed the point. Cassie continued packing. She picked up another T-shirt from the bed and put it in her duffel. "Okay, we'll talk about it when you get back from New York." Her tone implied they would not be talking about it when he got back.
Gage stepped to her and took her in his arms. "This is why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you getting all pissy."
"I'm not pissy because you're going, I'm pissy because you're telling me at the last minute."
"I don't leave for three days. How is that last minute?"
"You should have said something when you first found out."
"Listen," he gave her a squeeze, "I don't even want to go, but it's some kind of promotion thing for the new album."
She wrapped her hands around his biceps. "I know you have obligations. I'm not trying to hinder that in any way."
"Yeah well, I'd still rather stay here with you."