Chapter 26
Curled up in the big comfortable chair by the patio doors in her bedroom, Carly picked up her e-reader, for once not having a stack of papers to grade. She was exhausted after the long drive to and back from the playoff game that had taken place in a small town on the other side of Dallas that she, Rachel, and Sophie had attended earlier in the day, but she was too keyed up to rest while waiting for Gage’s text.
Before she could search for a good book to read, her phone buzzed. Smiling, she picked it up and read the screen.
Gage: Hey, beautiful. We made it back safely.
Carly: Congratulations on the win!
Gage: Thanks! I’m so proud of these guys. They played great. Hey, is everything okay? I noticed you seemed a little off during the last part of the game.
Carly: It’s nothing. I’m fine.
Gage: I know you better than that. Something’s bothering you, I can tell.
Carly let out a moan. She didn’t want him to worry about her stupid reaction to the cameras at the game. She’d been uncomfortable when one had seemed to focus on her more than once during the game. While she was ready to meet the problem with Daniel head on, she did want to wait until the state championships were over so that Gage could focus on getting the team ready.
Carly: It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.
Gage: I know you will, but I’ll still worry about you. Plus, I’ve missed you.
Carly: I’ve missed you, too.
Gage: How about I come over in a little while? I want to see you and make sure you’re okay.
Carly: What about Jonathan?
Gage: He’s a big boy. He can stay by himself for a couple of hours Let me get these guys off the bus, and then I’ll drop Jonathan off at home. Have you eaten, yet?
Carly: Not yet. Are you sure you want to come over? You must be exhausted after today.
Gage: Yes, I’m sure, and I’m never too tired to be with you. I’ll get us something to eat and be over in about an hour. Do I need to bring enough for Rachel and Sophie?
Carly: No. They went out and will probably be home late.
Gage: Okay, I’ll see you soon.
Carly: Okay, see you soon.
***
“Come here. I’ve missed you,” Gage growled and put the pizza box down on the entry table then wrapped those strong arms around Carly. She moaned, and her mouth fell open as his tongue slid firmly across her lips. Her clit throbbed as their tongues stroked and a low moan radiated from his chest. Reaching down, he grabbed her ass, pulling her in tighter, and she pressed herself into the huge erection tenting the soft material of the gray sweatpants he had on. Far too soon, he pulled away, and Carly mumbled an incoherent protest before realizing Gage’s moan had changed to a low rumbling laugh. Clearing the haze from her mind, Carly finally noticed Max had had enough of being ignored and was whining loudly and trying to nudge his head between their entwined legs.
“As much as I would like to take you up against the wall, I’m starving,” Gage said as he reached for the pizza box. “Let’s eat. We can take our time after.”
He kissed her on the forehead before heading down the hall. She followed behind, her body buzzing with anticipation of later and admiring the view of his ass flexing as he strode to the kitchen.
“I think we have some beer if you want one,” Carly said, opening the fridge to see if a few were left from the ones Rachel had bought last week.
“A beer would be great. It’s been a long day,” Gage sighed as he sat down on the nearest stool.
“You didn’t have to come over. I know you must be tired.” Carly sat down next to him at the bar, handing him a beer and a plate piled high with pizza.
“I am, but I wanted to see you and ask what you are worried about,” Gage said before taking a long pull of his beer.
“It’s nothing. I just let my fears get to me for a while when one of the cameras kept pointing in my direction during the game.” Carly shrugged taking a bite of her pizza.
“What do you mean the camera kept pointing in your direction?” Gage looked at her with his brows furrowed in concern.
“I think the cameraman figured out something is going on between us. You kept looking at me and smiling, and I waved back at you several times. At all the other games, I’ve tried to avoid acknowledging you, mainly because of Dr. Crawford. Today I wasn’t worried about her, so I felt free to wave and smile. Everyone is going to find out soon anyway. I just underestimated how I would feel when it started to happen.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much. Charlie promised he would leave my personal life out. I’ll double check with him though, just to make sure,” Gage said and picked up a slice of pizza.
Carly knew he was trying to make her feel better, but she wasn’t entirely convinced the producer would brush it off. Gage having a love interest would be something they would jump all over. Normally, she wouldn’t have worried so much because most documentaries were filmed months ahead of time before they aired, but the producers for Gage’s were taking a different approach. They were airing the episodes raw and largely unedited, except for shortening them into the time slot. They wanted to try and keep up the ratings by letting the viewers watch as Gage transitioned from being a professional player to a high school football coach in real time.
“I know. I didn’t think it would be this hard.” Carly took a small bite of pizza, her stomach rolling despite her desire to see an end to the fiasco with her ex. She still wasn’t sure how he was going to react and wanted the next two weeks until the state championships were over to prepare before they put their plan in place.
“I know you’re worried, but I promise I’m going to do everything I can to keep you safe. I’m reviewing the episode tomorrow, and I’ll make sure you aren’t in it. Plus, I’ll remind Charlie about his promise. Remember, Mr. Griffin has someone watching your ex in case anything slips by. Now finish eating so we can get on to better things.” Gage grinned before taking another bite of his pizza.
Carly quickly ate the last of her pizza, her stomach calming at his reassurance. She finished her beer before putting the leftover pizza in the fridge and throwing away the trash while Gage took Max outside.
As she reached down to pour some dog food into Max’s dish, she heard the back door open then close. She put the scoop back in the bag of food then stood up, turning around to find Gage stalking toward her with a heated look in his eyes. Her nipples tighten into hard little nubs, and her clit pulsed as he stopped in front of her. She slid her arms around his torso and up the rippling muscles in his back as he took her lips in a scorching kiss. With his tongue tangling with hers and his fingers lighting a path along her skin, he reached down with both hands to lift her up. Carly wrapped her legs around his waist, marveling at his strength as he carried her out of the kitchen to her room. He kicked the door shut then walked over and tossed her on the bed.
Raising herself up and leaning back on her elbows, Carly watched with her body burning with need as he reached behind to pull his shirt over his head, his muscles rippling and bunching across his chest and tight abs. Mesmerized, she licked her lips as he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his sweats and slowly lowered them, his cock, nestled in the neatly trimmed patch of hair, springing free. Before she could reach out and touch the heavy length, Gage grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her to the edge of the bed.
“You have too many clothes on,” he growled, yanking at her pajama bottoms. They slipped off easily, and he threw them over his shoulder. Sitting up, she yanked her tank top over her head and threw it to join the rest of the pile on the floor.
Pushing her legs apart with his knees, she scooted backward on the bed as he lowered his body down to hers. His blues eyes blazed into hers, and a heady warmth flowed through her as he brought his lips to hers in a kiss that seared her to her toes. Raising back up to one elbow he looked down at her.
“We’ve only been together a few months, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.” His dark hooded eyes burned into hers while her heart fluttered wildly in her chest.
“Me, too,” Carly whispered as his lips crashed back into hers. Her body sang as he ran one hand up along the outside of her thigh, tracing a circular pattern up her side to the edge of her breast. She reached up to run her fingers through his coarse chest hair, but he stopped her and placed her arms over her head.
“Keep them there and let me love you.”
She left them in place as he drew one puckered nipple into his mouth. He released the puckered nub from his mouth and began to lave attention on the other one. Carly moaned and closed her eyes, reveling in the exquisite sparks coursing through her throbbing body. Finally releasing the tortured tips, Gage raised his head.
“So beautiful,” he whispered before he started kissing a slow path down her belly.
With her pussy clenched in anticipation as he made his way closer to the juncture between her thighs and forgetting his earlier command, Carly started to bring her hands down to his head.
“Keep those hands up where I told you to,” he growled, sliding down between her legs. She opened her startled eyes to look at him and put her hands back above her head wanting, much to her surprise, to obey his commands.
“This is all for you,” he rumbled against her right before running his tongue along the seam of her pussy and slowly circled her swollen, aching nub. With her pussy quivering, Carly let out a deep, guttural moan when he began to lick and suck her clit, driving her need even higher. As she lifted her hips to push deeper into his mouth, he took the hint and clamped down. He sucked hard while reaching up with both hands to roll her nipples with his fingers, pushing her over the crest into a blinding orgasm. As the flashing lights behind her eyes and the incredible waves of pleasure began to wane, Gage looked up with her juices dripping from his mouth, grinning. Spreading her legs wider in invitation, she reached down to pull on his massive arms. He slowly slid up her body until his cock was at her entrance. She wasn’t surprised when her core clenched again as he pressed inside.
Carly pulled his mouth to hers, tasting her juices on his tongue. Melting into his kiss, she wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned as he slammed into her. He slowly moved in and out, then broke the frantic kiss to raise himself up. Her eyes roamed down between their bodies to watch as he slowly pumped in and out, sweet waves of pleasure flooding her body. She raked her gaze along his tight ab muscles as they flexed with his movements up to his bulging pecs straining to his gorgeous eyes.
She gasped as the deep blue orbs locked with her own then reached up with one hand to run her fingers along the day’s growth of stubble on his cheek and jaw. She tried to convey with her eyes all the love she was feeling as they melded their bodies together in pleasure. He smiled and lowered his lips to take hers in a heated kiss. His thrusts increased, and he shifted his hips to slam his cock into that perfect spot. Another orgasm ripped through her just as he gave one final push, pumping his warm release into her. Gasping for air, he collapsed on top her for a moment before rolling them to their sides.
With eyes shining, she reached up and brushed the slightly grown out blond hair from his forehead and softly kissed his cheek. He pulled her tight into his arms, and as she lay her head against his chest, she sighed softly. He’d just shown her without words how he felt, and she was over the moon with happiness, but she knew the mess with Daniel needed to go away before they committed to each other that deeply. She could wait a little longer if he kept loving her the way he’d just had.
Later, after cleaning up and they laid spooned together, Carly desperately wished the night didn’t have to end.
“I wish you could stay,” she said, tracing the coarse hair of his forearms with her fingers.
“I wish I could, too, but I can’t leave Jonathan alone all night,” he whispered back, nipping at her ear.
“You’re such a good dad.” She wiggled around until she was facing him. “I mean that. You love him so much and would do anything for him, and it shows me what a good man you are.” She gazed into his eyes, hoping he could see the love she was feeling for him. At that moment, she realized she’d never truly loved Daniel. The feelings she was starting to have for Gage put anything she’d felt for him to shame.
“Thanks. Some days I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing, so that means a lot.” He leaned down, giving her a quick peck on the lips before rolling over to sit up on the edge of the bed. As he stood up and walked around to find the pile of clothes they’d had left on the floor, Carly scooted over and got up from the other side. She grabbed the pajama pants and tank top he’d laid on the bed slipping them back on. After they were both dressed, and Gage had his shoes back on, she walked with him to the front door. After another kiss, Carly watched as Gage backed his truck out of the driveway.
Max nudged her leg and gave a soft whine as the taillights of his truck faded into the darkness.
“I know, buddy. I didn’t want him to leave either. Maybe soon we’ll all be together.” Carly reached down rubbing between Max’s ears as she shut the door, hoping nothing would happen to disrupt the happy path their future was on.