Engaging (Alluring Book 2) (18 page)

Two volunteers had shown up to take over the rest of the daily duties at the ranch, so with nothing else to do, Cassie decided to take a quick shower and join the boys in the backyard.

She found Gage sitting on her bed as she walked out of the bathroom.  She had just finished her shower and had dressed in jean shorts and a light-blue tank top, but her hair was still wrapped in a towel.  She paused when she saw him.

"So, Logan and I were talking, and we decided that since we're playing hooky, we might as well live it up."

She gave him a wary look.  "Oh yeah, what did you guys have in mind?"

"Logan said he's never been to Adventure Island."

"That's true," Cassie said, drawing out the words.  Adventure Island was an amusement park on the outskirts of Las Vegas, and she had yet to take Logan there thinking he was still too young.

"So, shake a leg, Sunshine.  We leave in ten."

He stood from the bed and was about to leave.  "Wait!"  He stopped, looking back at her, eyebrows raised.  "Don't you think Logan's too young to go to an amusement park?"

"Hell, no.  He'll have a blast.  There's a lot of stuff for younger kids to do."

Cassie shrugged.  "Okay, give me ten and I'll be ready."

Seeing as it was the middle of the week and school wasn't out yet for the summer, Adventure Island was pleasantly uncongested.  Gage scooped Logan up and placed him on his shoulders as they made their way down the main street that led to the center of the park.  Cassie studied the shops and eateries they passed, noting not much had changed in the years since she had last been there.

"Give me your hand, Sunshine," Gage said, drawing her attention.  His left arm was wrapped securely across Logan's legs that dangled over his chest, and his right hand was held out to her.

He must have caught her speculative look.  "I won't drop him, I promise."

She gave him a sheepish smile and gave him her hand.  Gage led them straight to the carousel.  "Thought we'd start with something tame," he said, stopping at the back of the line.

Cassie watched the colorful horses twirling around and smiled up at Logan to see what he thought.  "Well, little man, you want to go for a ride on a horse?"

He nodded his head enthusiastically and pointed.  "The green one."

Cassie laughed.  "Okay, we'll try to get the green one."

Gage pulled her close and whispered in her ear.  "I like the green one, too.  It reminds me of your eyes."

She wasn't sure what to say to that, so she just leaned in closer, giving him more of her weight.  He gave her shoulders a squeeze.  She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Gage surrounding her.  She imagined what it would be like if this were really her life, them as a family, and chided herself, not too get to comfortable.  Life, she learned, had a way of breaking and no amount of glue could hold it together.  But she was going to enjoy the now.  Now, they were a family.  Now, she was nestled close to Gage.  And now, she was happy.  Now was a good place to be.

After the carousel, they went on the spinning cups then the bumper cars.  Gage refused to crash into Cassie.  She didn't have such qualms.  Every chance she got, she bashed into the front, back, or side of his car and laughed excitedly after every collision. 

As they were exiting the ride, Gage grabbed hold of her, pulling her close and speaking low so only she would hear, "Don't think you're not going to pay for that, Sunshine.  I'll take my revenge when I have you fully at my mercy."

Cassie couldn't control the little shudder that moved through her body.  She looked up at him with hooded eyes and slowly licked her lips.

"Stop looking at me like that, Sunshine, or we're leaving the park now."

Cassie grabbed Logan's hand and asked, "Where to now, little man?"  Totally changing the subject.

Chapter Fourteen

The sun started to set when they left the park and fully set by the time they got home.  Logan had talked nonstop the whole way about everything he had seen and done.  Cassie loved that he had such a good time.  She would have to thank Gage for that later.

Gage turned onto the road that led to the house but after a minute, stopped the car.  "Fuck."

"Fuck.  Fuck.  Fuck."  Logan parroted from the backseat.

Gage quickly looked behind him. "Shit."

"Shit.  Shit.  Shit."

Cassie quickly covered her mouth to keep from laughing, but a small giggle escaped.  She got herself under control and turned to Logan.  "Sweetie, those are words that only daddies are allowed to say."  Then Cassie turned to Gage.  "What is it?"

Gage did a chin lift in the direction of the house.  She turned her head and looked out the front window.  Her red SUV had black, spray-painted writing all over it.  Due to the distance and the darkness, she couldn't read what it said.  "What the hell?"

"Hell.  Hell.  Hell."

Gage turned to Logan.  "That's a word only mommies say."  He turned back to Cassie.  "Stay in the car.  Lock the doors.  I want to take a look around."

Cassie grabbed hold of his arm.  "Maybe we should call the police.  I don't want you going out there if anyone is still around."

He leaned forward and gave her a light kiss on the lips.  "I'll be okay."  He took off his seat belt, opened his door, and got out.  "Lock up."  He slammed his door and walked to her SUV.

She kept an eagle eye on him until he disappeared from her view when he went around the side of the house.  She had her cell clutched in her hand, ready to dial 911 quickly if need be. 

It wasn't needed.  Gage came back to the car.  She unlocked the door for him, and he got back in.  "All's clear and the house is still locked up tight."  He put the SUV in drive and pulled up alongside hers. 

Up close, she could read what was spray painted on it. 
Mind your own business bitch, Fuck off,
and her own, personal favorite
you screwed the pooch.
 

"We'll put Logan to bed, then call the cops to report this."  His jaw was clenched and there was a strange tick at the side of his head by his temple.  He got out of the car and went around to the back passenger side to collect Logan.

Cassie got out of the car, went up the porch steps, and unlocked the front door.  Logan was sleepy, so she didn't bother with a bath, just had him change into his pajamas and brush his teeth before climbing into bed. 

Cassie went to the living room while Gage and Logan did their nightly thing.  Her eyes locked on him a few minutes later as he came into the room.

"Is he asleep?"

"Yeah," he said, pulling his wallet and phone from his back pockets.  He sat next to her on the couch, pulled out Officer Cruz's card from his wallet, then made the call.  When he hung up, he turned to her, grabbed her under her armpits, then whipped her around so she faced him, sitting straddled on his lap.  "Now, you wanna tell me what's going on."

She could tell he still wasn't happy, but he had beaten the anger back.  "I honestly don't know, Gage."

He had his hands at her hips, and he gave them a light squeeze.  "That's twice now you've been left threatening messages.  You did something.  Try to think."

She closed her eyes and thought back over everything she'd done in the last month.  She shook her head, opened her eyes, and looked at Gage.  "I haven't done anything unusual,"  she gave him a teasing smile, "except get involved with you again."

He leaned his head back against the couch and closed his eyes.  He let out a long breath.  "I don't like this." 

She leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder.  His arms came up and circled her back.

"I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you." He held on to her tighter.  "You're my world, Sunshine, you and Logan."

Cassie closed her eyes and pressed her lips tight.  She knew he waited for her to say the words back, but she couldn't bring herself to say them.  If she said them, they would become real.  It would be so easy to give her heart to Gage, but she had a hard time forgetting the past.  Her heart and head were at war, and she honestly didn't know which one would win. 

The rest of the week went by with no further incidents.  The police had come within a few hours, took some pictures of her SUV and took her statement.  The next day, two beefy guys had come and picked up her SUV, bringing it back later that evening, looking brand new.  Gage handed them a wad of cash, did some secret-manly-handshake with them, then they took off as mysteriously as they'd come.

Gage had gone home Friday to work on the new album while she worked with her dogs, but came back in time to go with her to pick up Logan from school.  He took them out to dinner (pizza, of course), then everyone went to bed early, tired after a long, stressful week. 

Now, it was Saturday night, and they were in bed.  Gage was on his back, hands stacked behind his head, elbows in the air.  Cassie had her head resting on his chest, her hand under her cheek, and her leg draped across his waist.

She waited for him to make a move, but he seemed content to just lay quietly.  She wasn't in the mood for quiet.  "Tell me about your life for the last five years."

Gage didn't speak for a moment, then said, "I worked, toured, created music.  What specifically do you want to know, Sunshine?"

"Was there anyone special in your life?"

"Special?  No.  I won't lie and say there hasn't been anyone, but there hasn't been anyone that has meant anything."

"Surely in five years you've had some kind of meaningful relationship."

"Why?  Have you?"

That shut her up.  Okay, so she guessed it was possible but their circumstances had been different.  She'd been pregnant and then a new mother.  Babies take up a lot of time and energy, as do toddlers.  "I just find it difficult to believe, being a famous rock star, you couldn't find someone special you wanted to share your life with."

"I did find someone special.  I just had to find her again."

That shut her up, too.  In a move so quick, she wasn't quite sure how he did it, he had her on her back, his body pressing into hers.  "Anything else you want to know, Sunshine?"

His face was so close she could see each individual eyelash.  They were thick and black and long, and she couldn't help but be a little envious.  She needed two coats of mascara for her lashes to look like that. 

"Well?"

She had gotten so lost in his eyes, she forgot he had asked her a question.  "Um..."

Gage chuckled, but it wasn't a happy sound, it was predatory.  "I'm going to fuck you now, baby.  You ready for me?"

Cassie had trouble breathing and it wasn't because Gage lay on top of her.  She licked her lips, and she watched his eyes grow dark.

"I'm going to take that as a yes."  He was up and had her nightie off in a matter of seconds.  And then he was down again, capturing her breast in his mouth sucking in deep, his tongue lashing at her nipple.

She arched into him, grabbing fistfuls of his hair in her hands.  He moved to her other breast, paying that one the same attention.  She squirmed under him, rubbing her body against his.  He went lower, sucking and licking her belly, grabbing her panties and sliding them down her legs.  "I can smell you.  Your scent makes my cock hard."  His fingers touched her and she moaned, her legs falling open wide.  "Soaked."  He fingered her, and her hips surged up to meet his thrust.  He leaned in and licked through her folds, stopping at her nub, sucking it in, and playing with it with his tongue. 

She was lost to sensation.  The pressure building between her legs, the heating of her skin, and the tingle down her spine.  All thoughts were gone and in its place was pure bliss. 

He crawled up her body and took her mouth in a deep, wet kiss.  "You want my cock?"  He asked, against her lips.

"Yes," she moaned, needing him to take care of the ache he created.

He rolled onto his back.  "Then hop on and ride."

She didn't hesitate.  She crawled on top of him and straddled his hips.  He had gone to bed naked, so there was no barrier between them.  She took him in her hand and guided him in, letting out a long sigh as she slid down his length.  She went slow at first until the feelings started to build and then she moved faster, slamming down hard.

"That's it, baby, find it."  His fingers found her spot and rubbed, and she went wild.  She threw her head back, her arms reaching behind her, her hands gripping his shins.

"Fuck, what a sight.  You're fucking beautiful."  He growled.  "You better find it quick, baby.  I'm gonna come."

And she did.  She found it quick, shattering around him.  She sat back up, and he grabbed her hips, slamming her down as he surged up until he found it, too.  She fell forward and buried her face in his neck, breathing hard.  His hands trailed up her spine, tangling in her hair, pulling her head up to look at him.

His face was serious as his eyes traveled over her features.  His hand moved from her hair, lightly encircling her neck before moving down to cover her heart.  And still, he didn't say anything. 

She didn't like his silence.  "Gage?"