The crowd stood on their feet clapping and cheering for the girls. Marilyn, Brandi and Gabbie amongst the loudest. Standing on the stage watching the girls, she felt better than she had in a long time. She glanced up into the clear blue sky searching for two people she knew she wouldn't see for a very long time. She felt her body let go of a breath that it had been holding for far too long.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Gage arrived at work earlier than usual. He didn't like the stressful feeling he got when the auditors were around. He just wanted them to do their job efficiently, quietly and then to get the hell out. Quietly meaning there wouldn't be much of anything for them to raise a ruckus about. The credit union hired them once a year to come in and audit all of the departments. This meant they took over the boardroom and helped themselves to anything and everything they could get their hands on.
Their job was to verify loan balances, deposit balances and to make sure there was dual control within the credit union. In short, they were hired to make sure there wasn't anything fraudulent happening. The auditors would be here for a week and they would check to make sure all of the credit union’s accounting books matched that of the member’s books. Did so and so's loan balance match what the credit union had on file? Who signed the checks? Who checked to make sure the accounting department wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary? What procedures did Gage have in place for things like that? Were they effective procedures? It was an endless process of checks and balances to get the credit union in line for when the state and federal examiners came.
So that is what Gage was going to be dealing with today and for the rest of the week. And of course, he had the ever-present Amber on his brain so this was going to be a great week, he thought sarcastically. At exactly eight a.m., the barrage began. He had people in his office most of the day. There were mini-crises that had to be dealt with and that was in addition to the auditors. Most of the things the auditors wanted or had questions about, they would ask his management team. There were a few times he popped his head in on something and had to set the auditors straight. But for the most part, he was able to avoid them.
“Everything checks out with her paperwork, all of the funding is in place. Her closing is on Friday.”
“Are you going?” he asked his Chief Lending Officer.
“You know I usually do. Do you want to take my place?”
“And close her loan?” Gage asked in disbelief. He could imagine the reaction he would get from Amber the minute he walked through the door and not Lisa – the woman he sent her to in the first place. No, actually he couldn't imagine her reaction because the stark reality was he had no clue what that woman was thinking. Although she had accepted his comfort and congratulatory response yesterday, she had still sent him out on his ass with the biggest blue balls in ten counties. Oh, but how he would love to see her though and whatever reaction she might have for him. Anything to pay her back for teasing him the night before!
“That's what I said. It's at nine. Let me know if you absolutely cannot do it.” Lisa told him as she turned to walk out of his office.
“Fine. I will check my schedule but I cannot make any promises.”
“Okay. Whatever. Let me know.” Lisa tried hard to suppress the laughter that was choking her as she made her way from his office. She knew he had it bad for Amber Prescott. And she knew she would win the bet she made with Nate. Most men were dense when it came to matters of the heart, so she wouldn't be surprised if Gage hadn't yet realized how bad he had it for Amber Prescott. But Lisa could tell. The three times Ms. Prescott came into the credit union, somehow Gage always found a reason to come into her office or ‘bump’ into Amber when she was on her way out. She had to find Nate and harass him about their bet. She knew she was right!
Gage shook his head to no one as he sat at his desk. Did Lisa now dislike Amber? Why wouldn't she want to go to the closing? Especially since she was the one who had handled everything from the beginning. He found that odd even though it gave him another chance to see her. Maybe if the timing was right he could change her mind about this whole friends thing. He knew he could change her mind. He’d done it before.
“Just put it in your mouth. There's nothing to be ashamed about. People do it all the time.” Okay that last part was a fib. He didn't know from personal experience – at least not in the five years he’d spent with his ex-wife. She never did this to him. Not even one time, just to try. But people did do it; he just wasn't special enough to have it done to him.
“It's not that. It's just, well, what if I’m not very good at it? What if you think it's horrible?”
His laughter rumbled in his chest, “I can promise you that isn't going to happen. You can start slow. Just lick the top a little bit and then you can put it in your mouth.”
“I'm scared. I want it to be good for you, but I’ve never done this before so I’m afraid it's not going to feel good.”
Seriously? She was a blowjob virgin? How had he gotten the short end of that stick? When he began interviewing for this place and paying the fees, it had never occurred to him that he would get stuck with a female that had never performed this sexual act. So much so that he hadn't even considered to specifically ask about it. Was she kidding?
“Are you teasing me? You’ve really never done this before?”
Her blue doe-like eyes bored into his, her bottom lip shined in the light from her incessant worrying, “I’ve never done this before.”
He was rock hard from the anticipation – from the mere conversation of it all. “You’ll like it. Try it. When I’m between your legs, I enjoy it just as much as you do. This is the same kind of thing. You will enjoy how good it will make me feel.”
She slowly wrapped her hand around the base of his cock. She situated herself on the bed, her bottom coming up in the air, “Like this?”
He might die from the excitement of knowing it was finally going to happen. It had been years since he’d experienced this. Years. He nodded his head, “Mmm-hmmm.”
He watched her, much too slowly, stick her tongue out and lick it. She looked into his eyes and then licked it again. Even slower, she opened her mouth and lowered it down onto his dick. Her warm mouth rode up and down his dick like a horse on a carousel. He knew it would be over rather quickly – it felt too good. That saying about forgetting what you were missing or forgetting how great something was until you experienced it again held true for him at this moment in time. He had clearly forgotten how amazing this felt.
Gage was brought out of his daydream by one of the auditors, Sara, knocking on his doorjamb. He casually tried adjusting his rising hard-on as inconspicuously as possible.
“Hey Gage, do you have a second?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“You know all of those files we requested in the letter we sent for you guys to get ready? Well there are two in particular that caught my attention. Can I show you?”
Fucking great, “Sure, sit down.” Because there was nothing he would rather do than go through loan files.
“It was actually easy to miss,” she began, “when we were in here last year none of us noticed anything.”
She pulled open the documents, laying them on his desk for him to look over. He was familiar with these documents – they were from accounting. But they weren't what he expected to see. These were accounting’s actual accounting records for the credit union. Not loan files. These were documents of things that had been purchased from within. Gage took a deep breath and settled into his chair, dreading the conversation they were about to have.
“I see here where the credit union purchased computer equipment last year and where you guys expensed it. See.” She pointed to the entry to show Gage.
“Yes, I see that.”
“But then there are a number of entries throughout the year where other IT related purchases were capitalized. It's a little unclear why accounting is expensing some of the computer equipment and why they are capitalizing some.”
The first thing that came to Gage’s mind was what the amounts of these purchases were for. “How much are they all for? Because we don’t capitalize anything less than twenty-five hundred dollars.”
“Well, let's see.” Sara turned the page to check out the entries. “There’s at least,” she counted quickly, “twenty-one purchases that are between four thousand but no more than five. I see a few that are around three grand and then a few more under three. So in total we’re talking around eighty, ninety thousand. And that's within the past eleven, twelve months. Oddly enough, almost all the purchases are less than five thousand and wouldn't require your approval per your internal purchasing policies. But they are all over twenty-five hundred, which according to you, they should be capitalized. Correct?”
“That is correct. Brian, our IT Director doesn't have to get approval for purchases less than five thousand. But something isn't making sense here.” Gage leaned back in his chair.
“Those are my thoughts exactly. That is why I came to speak with you about it.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Finished with her Tiny Tots class, Amber headed home. As she walked inside she reflected on how she felt. Amber felt good. She actually felt very good. Mother Nature had been good to her lately. She had been harboring so many demons from the deaths of her parents, that somehow, winning that competition made her feel content in ways she hadn't since they had passed away. She knew she was being silly. It wasn't like she had won that contest. Her girls won it and they deserved it. But selfishly, winning it gave her a sense of freedom. She actually felt like her parents would be proud of her. This was what she had worked so hard for the past few years and it had finally paid off. They won! In Amber’s mind, this was the least she could do to make them happy –make them proud of her. After all, it was her fault they had gotten killed anyway. Had she not been so selfish in the first place, they would still be around.
This was the first time in a long time that she had thought about them and hadn’t begun to cry. That was a step, she thought. She brought her yoga mat out onto the patio and began with a few simple poses. Her mind began to wander to Gage.
Gage. If she could get her hands on him, that would seal her contentment. She wondered if she could just go into his office and tell him how much she wanted him and this time, she wouldn't turn him away. Would he listen to her? Would he think she was being a tease yet again? If his actions from the festival were any indication, he must not be too mad at her. You don't twirl someone around in a congratulatory fashion if you were pissed at them, did you? She didn't think so. But how good that had felt. His strong arms around her waist and his body pressed into hers while she could feel his breath on her ear. That had been thirty seconds of heaven before she went on stage. It had almost felt like he cared about her. That he wanted her to be happy.
She didn't care anymore about Gabriella’s warning speech about Gage. She hoped it wasn’t too late to change his mind. She had to have him. She had to feel his hard body all over hers. She had to enjoy the look in his eyes while she devoured him. She mostly had to have him inside of her, pronto.
Surly he would be okay with that, right? He was ready to do naughty things with her the other night. He was a guy – could he possibly change his mind that quickly? She desperately wanted to find him. Hopefully, he would be at work and she could proposition him there. Invite him to her house tonight. Would he accept? Maybe he would be so worked up by the idea he would shut his door and take her right there, right along the edge of his desk.
She squeezed her legs together in anticipation, enjoying the unmistakable feeling of arousal. If only Gage were here now. She began touching herself, her mind consumed with thoughts of only him. Lying on her patio soaking up the heat from the sunlight, she moaned in ecstasy as she brought herself to climax.
“I'm here to see Gage, is he available?”
“Let me check.” The young lady picked up her phone, mumbled something Amber was unable to make out and quickly hung up. “He is in his office.”
“Thanks.”
Amber made her way to his office, slightly nervous. She hoped her skinny jeans and flared gold tank top looked appealing enough for him to agree to come over tonight. The closer she got to his office, the faster her breathing became. Why was she this nervous? It wasn't like this was going to be a surprise to him. She slowed down as she reached his office. She rolled her eyes at the fact that she was so nervous, when only a short while ago she had waltzed in here like she owned the place – same goal in mind.
She walked inside his office. His back was to her. He was wearing grey slacks with a grey and white pinstriped shirt. The light color of his pants highlighted his amazing butt. For a moment, she couldn't speak. He turned toward her and for a moment they simply stared at each other. His heavy gaze bored into her. It was desire. This look she knew. There was that unmistakable feeling again between her legs. Dear God, how could this man do this to her without touching her?
“Hi,” she managed, “do you have a minute?”
“Sure. Come in. Why don't you shut the door behind you.” It was more of a statement than a question. Amber stepped inside and shut the door.
“Thanks. We can have a little privacy at least.” He sat down in his chair.
Privacy? Images of Gage taking off her skinny jeans and bending her over his desk, fluttered around in her head. Would he do that to her here? Right now? She could feel her cheeks flushing from her naughty thoughts. She sat down in the chair closest to his door.
“Look, about the other night at my house...you were completely right. I was being a tease.” She took a deep breath, “Not intentionally. But ultimately. I am sorry about that.”
Gage didn't say anything. Please say something, she willed. They sat in silence longer than Amber cared for before Gage finally spoke.
“I’m sorry I called you a tease. That was a shitty thing to say. I have no idea what is on your mind or what you’re going through, so my apologies.”
“Where does this leave us?” she whispered.
“Amber, I'm not sure where this leaves us. What exactly do you want from me?” He picked up a nearby pen and began tapping it on his desk.
Before she could rationalize she blurted it out, “I want you. Just for tonight. All night. Will you come to my house after work? Would you be interested in that?” There. She said it exactly how she wanted it. She held her breath.
“I know you want more than just one night. Don't you, Amber?”
She did. She didn't want to admit it though for fear he’d turn her down. “This one night will do me just fine. What do you say?”
Gage studied Amber. He wanted her more than anything. He knew she wanted him, too. But beyond tonight, he wasn't sure what more he could give her. He knew if he let himself, he could easily give her everything she wanted. What was holding him back?
“What time do you want me to be there?” he asked.
“Seven. Come at seven.” She got up to leave.
“Amber? Please don't plan on this going any farther than tonight.” Gage stood up and went to her before she opened the door. He grabbed her hips and gently pushed her up against his door. “If it weren't for the auditors, I would take you right here, right now, and fuck you the way you deserve to be had.” He lowered his gaze to her tank top, presumably to her breasts and looked back into her eyes. He moved in and kissed her. Her head banged against the door and Gage Alexander, CEO’s tongue found its way into her mouth and left his mark of promise before he ushered her out.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Gage had had enough. It was 6:25 and he had agreed to be at Amber's house by seven. He had been so busy the rest of the day, he barely had time to think about her. Then when he did, he wasn't sure what to think. He knew if he gave in to her too much, he’d be toast. He knew that their interlude tonight would be great. He just wasn't sure if he was ready to give her all the things most women wanted. Love. Relationship. Cuddles. He had done that before with his ex-wife
and what had that netted him? He had been left high and dry with a lonesome heart. It was in his best interest to follow the whole one and done scenario just like before.
He couldn't wait to get his hands on her. Every time he was close to her, the intoxicating smell of her skin left him wanting more. Even when they were in the midst of conflict, his desire for her was too much. When she had basically called him an asshole, he had still wanted to ram himself inside of her and give her what she needed. He was somewhat proud of himself for showing so much restraint where she was concerned. But on the inside, he was far from restrained. No, on the inside he was...wishy-washy. Gage had learned from the military that having the right mindset to begin with, worked wonders. So as long as he told himself this wasn't going any further between them, despite what she wanted, it would go no further. Mentally prepare yourself for any surprises and the element of surprise wouldn't be so unexpected.
Instead of going home, he ran to the post office and stopped by the florist and headed straight to Amber’s. Just as he raised his hand to knock, her door swung open. Her blond hair was down, fanned around her shoulders. Instead of the denim jeans she had on earlier, she wore a black skin hugging mini skirt. She still wore the same shimmery gold tank top. Her feet were bare.
“Hi.” She was nervous; he could sense it immediately.
“Nervous?”
She smiled her megawatt smile, “No. Are you?”
“You can't lie to me. I can read you pretty well. Am I nervous?” he paused and thought about it. “A little. Can I come in? Here,” he thrust the flowers into her hand, “these are for you.”
A light shade of pink rose to her cheeks, “For me?” She tilted the bouquet to her nose, “they smell heavenly. Thank you so much. No one has ever-” She stopped what she was about to say and stepped aside and allowed him to enter. He brushed against her as he passed.
“You are welcome. I'm surprised you live in this big home all by yourself.” He gazed at the coffered ceilings and fancy woodwork that made up the entertainment center.
Trigger Happy (Girls with Guns, #2) Page 10
