Chapter 21
Carly stuck her head out the patio door after putting away the tutoring materials she and Jonathan were using earlier and called for Max from where he was sniffing around the pool. While waiting for the black and white mutt to make his way to the door she tried to think of some way to deal with her ex-husband. She could hire a private investigator to keep track of him if he made a move, but how would she pay for one? Her dad had offered when she’d first moved, but Carly knew he would have to dip into his retirement savings to pay for it, and she’d turned him down.
She couldn’t stay in hiding forever. She was also worried that despite his reassurances, Gage was going to eventually get tired of having to hide their relationship and decide to call everything off. Her heart flipped at the thought, and she brushed a tear from her eye. Lowering her trembling hand, she took a deep breath, thinking she should take Rachel’s advice and not hide anymore and deal with Daniel when he came after her. Maybe the Oaktown police department would be able to help her more than the small force back in her hometown.
At the sound of the door leading inside from the garage opening, Carly wiped away another tear and walked through the kitchen to meet Gage when he came in. She was resolved to bring up her concerns sometime in the next two days. But first, she was ready for some alone time to explore his delicious body once again.
“Hey, beautiful,” Gage said, coming into the kitchen. He pulled her into his embrace, igniting a familiar fire in her lower body.
“Hey,” Carly answered, laying her head against his firm chest, loving the way his arms felt around her. Kissing her on the top of the head, Gage released her then pulled her by the hand into the family room.
“We need to talk,” he murmured as he tugged on her hand and sat down on the sectional. With her body shaking, Carly sank down next to him, her heart tripping at the thought her worst fears were coming true.
“Are you okay?” Gage asked, rubbing his thumbs along the tops of her hands.
Nodding and silently willing back the tears threatening to fall, Carly braced herself for the dreaded words she knew he was about to say. With her heart dropping into her stomach, she dropped her head to hide the tears welling in her eyes.
Hearing a heavy breath next to her, Carly tried to pull her hands away from Gage’s firm grasp, but he wouldn’t let go. She took in a shallow breath when he began to speak.
“I think we need to figure out a way to deal with your ex-husband. You can’t keep living in fear,” he said, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.
As Carly’s heart leaped back into her chest, she inwardly berated herself for thinking Gage was going to send her packing. He wouldn’t have invited her to spend the next couple of days with him if he had. With her heart returning to a normal rhythm, she took a steadying breath and looked up. “I’m not just worried about me. What if Daniel tries to hurt you or Jonathan?”
Gage tugged on her hands to pull her closer. “You don’t have to worry about us. I’ve had to deal with a few crazy people and have hired protection before. I’ll do so again if we need to. I can see this is taking a toll on you, and it’s time to do something about it. I’m hoping for a future with you and want to see where this goes. We’ll have to be seen in public together eventually.”
Carly looked up into Gage’s smiling face, her heart doing flip-flops at his mention of a future together. She settled her rapidly heating core against his hard length as he pulled her over to straddle his lap and whispered, “You’re right. I’ve been thinking about it, too. I told my parents about you yesterday. They promised not to say anything, but I’m worried one of them is going to let it slip accidently.”
Cupping her face with his hands, Gage looked Carly in the eyes and lifted his hips to press himself against her core. “I don’t think you should hide any longer. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. We can start with baby steps if you want and see how your ex reacts. My dad knows a good private investigator. That way, if we decide we want to go out to get a burger or go to the movies and someone posts a picture of us, he can let us know if your ex-husband makes a move.”
Carly lowered herself and rubbed her pussy along his throbbing length. “I was thinking the same thing before you got back, but I’m not sure where I would get the money. Daniel left me with nothing, and I’m not going to let my dad use any of his retirement savings.”
“Don’t worry about the cost. Let me do this for you. Let me take care of you. I swear I’ll never let the bastard hurt you again,” Gage whispered against her lips.
Even though he’d yet to say those three little words Carly longed to hear, she could feel their presence right below the surface as his lips raked back and forth and his tongue plunged, and he poured his soul into hers. Her heart swelled, and she fervently returned his kiss.
Gasping for air, when he finally broke away, Carly gazed into his shining eyes filled with those unspoken words.
“Will you let me do this for you?”
Carly nodded, unable to speak and laid her head on his broad chest, her heart pounding.
“Thank you. We’ll talk to my dad on Thanksgiving and get everything set up as soon as possible,” Gage replied, pushing her until she stood on her feet.
As he led the way to his bedroom, Carly prayed she was making the right decision to trust Gage would keep her safe and, hopefully soon, she would finally be free from Daniel.