Chapter 18
GAGE
Inever thought I’d find comfort in driving a delivery van, but I couldn’t quite hide my smile as I pulled away after dropping off another round of cupcakes. When I offered to help Tessa a few days ago, I’d expected the job to be tedious. A punishment I’d volunteered for.
Instead, it was rewarding in unexpected ways. I became familiar with neighborhoods I’d never driven through before and talked to people I’d never have met otherwise. Delivering Tessa’s baked goods all over Westbridge allowed me to see my hometown in a new light.
Helping Tessa was well worth being tagged as the billionaire delivery guy in dozens of social media photos.
My next stop was no different.
The woman who ordered an elaborate cake for her granddaughter’s birthday opened her door with a smile. “Oh my goodness, it’s you. I was hoping you’d do my delivery but didn’t want to assume.”
“Happy to be of service.” I lifted the box higher. “Would you like me to bring this inside?”
She opened the door wider. “Yes, please.”
I followed her into the dining room and unboxed the cake so she didn’t have to handle it herself.
“You tell that baker she’s a blessing.” She patted my hand. “This cake is going to make my girl’s day.”
I walked away feeling lighter than I had in years. Every delivery was a reminder that Tessa’s cakes were moments of joy for her customers. I enjoyed being a part of that.
But my favorite delivery each day was when Tessa cleared out anything that hadn’t sold—which wasn’t much with how busy she was—and had me drop it all off at the community center. Everyone there appreciated the treats so much.
It got me thinking about the stuff other places around town threw away. Hale & Honey couldn’t be the only bakery who didn’t want to sell day-old items. Restaurants had meals that couldn’t be used the next day. Food at grocery stores often went past the sell-by date.
When the bakery was closed on Monday, I spent my day researching the logistics needed to get those unused resources into the hands of people who could use them most. The pieces came together faster than I expected.
After my last delivery on Tuesday, I sat in the van and stared at my notes. For the first time since Rupert reclaimed the CEO role, I felt purpose again. Not the kind that came with a title or a corner office. This was about doing something good just because it was right.
I drove back to Hale & Honey, parked in the back lot, and walked in through the employee door.
Tessa was in the kitchen finishing a custom order.
She looked up when I stepped inside, her face lighting up in a way that stole my breath more than ever because I’d learned what it was like to live without her.
She moved to the sink and rinsed off her hands before taking off her apron. “You’re back early.”
“Last delivery was close by.” I leaned against the doorframe. “And I wanted to talk to you about something.”
She grinned. “Were you planning to ask me if there’s something else you can help with around here now that Tony is ready to come back?”
“Nope.” Although it was tempting to come up with a good excuse to spend every day with her.
She tilted her head. “What is it, then?”
“I’ve been thinking about all the stuff that goes to waste at local bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores.
” I’d remained steady during multi-million-dollar deals, but my hands shook a little as I pulled out my phone and showed her my notes.
“Shelters and community centers are always short on food. I want to fix that.”
She stepped closer to peer at the screen. “A nonprofit?”
“Yeah, with coordinated pickups and real-time alerts so businesses can donate what they have before it spoils. Grants, tax credits—whatever it takes to make it sustainable.” I looked at her. “I want to build something that matters.”
“No more big-shot CEO?”
I thought about my answer because I wanted to be completely honest with Tessa. “Maybe someday I’ll step back into that role when Rupert is truly ready to step down. But I’m in no rush, and I want to make my mark on our community until then.”
Her eyes softened, and she stretched up to kiss me.
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against me.
When she twined her arms around my shoulders and jumped up to wrap her legs around my waist, I slid my hands under her ass to hold her in place.
Then I carried her into her office and over to the couch.
She laughed against my lips as I followed her down and settled between her thighs.
“Are you sure?” I wanted nothing more than to sink my cock into her wet heat again after a month of limiting ourselves to kisses, but I needed her to say it out loud.
“Yes.” There wasn’t a hint of doubt in her voice or pretty hazel eyes. “This isn't just in the heat of the moment. I want you, Gage.”
I would’ve done just about anything to hear those same words from her every single day for the rest of my life. But if I only got to have her this one more time—which was always a possibility—I’d make the most of it.
Kissing her slowly, I savored the taste of her mouth before I trailed my lips down her jaw and neck. My hands slid under her shirt, tracing her ribs on the way up to cup her breasts. She sighed and arched into my touch.
We kicked off our shoes, and I tugged her shirt over her head, then did the same with my own.
The sight of her flushed skin and pebbled nipples pressing against the lacy cups made my cock punch against my zipper.
But my reaction wasn’t just physical. I loved Tessa so damn much that seeing her make herself vulnerable to me like this made my heart ache in the best way.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.” I pressed a kiss in the valley of her breasts. “Thank you for giving me a second chance.”
“Thank you for giving me a reason to.” She cupped my cheek, my beard scraping against her palm. “Just don’t make me regret it.”
“I won’t.” I stared into her eyes so she could see how much I meant that promise. “Never again, baby. You come first. Always.”
After searching my expression and giving a small nod, she lightened the mood again by teasing, “I hope you mean that literally, too.”
“Oh, I absolutely do,” I whispered against her lips before claiming her mouth in a deep kiss.
When she was breathless beneath me, I unhooked her bra and let it fall away. Then I took one of her nipples in my mouth, my tongue flicking over the pebbled peak. She moaned, her fingers digging into my scalp as I switched sides to give her other breast the same attention.
Sliding my hand down her stomach, I undid the button to her jeans and lowered the zipper. She lifted her hips to help me pull them down her legs, taking her panties off too.
I paused to stare at her again, in awe that this amazing woman was letting me have her again. “So perfect.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She slid her hands down my chest to tug at the button of my pants. “But I shouldn’t be the only one who’s naked.”
I stood and stripped out of my pants and boxer briefs, my cock already leaking precome. She licked her plush lips and reached out to stroke her fingers down my thick shaft.
“Careful, baby.” My hips shifted forward, pressing my dick against her palm. “You’re gonna make it hard for me to keep that promise about you coming first if you keep touching me. I want you too damn much.”
Her fingers curled around my cock. “Something’s hard all right.”
“Then I’d better make sure you’re wet enough to take me.”
She trembled beneath me as I kissed my way down her body to settle between her thighs, spreading her glistening lips. “Drenched.”
I licked between her pussy lips, savoring the way she gasped when my tongue circled her clit. I teased and sucked, sliding two fingers inside, twisting my wrist so I could reach the spot that drove her wild.
She rocked against my mouth, her breath coming in short pants. “Gage. Oh yes.”
I growled against her damp flesh, flicking my tongue faster until she came with a soft cry. Her back bowed off the couch, and her inner walls pulsed around my fingers.
I kissed my way back up and settled over her, guiding my rock-hard dick to her entrance. Pushing in slowly, I kept my gaze locked on her flushed face. When I was finally balls deep, I rasped, “So tight.”
She wrapped her legs around my waist, and the change of position had her pussy clenching around me.
“Fucking hell, baby.” I swiveled my hips. “Not sure how long I’m gonna last when your pussy is so damn perfect.”
“Then start moving,” she urged, her nails digging into my shoulders. “’Cause it’s not going to take much for me to come again.”
That was all the encouragement I needed. I started to thrust in and out, holding nothing back. She held on tight, her body moving with mine, and she cried out as I rocked faster.
“Come for me, baby,” I growled. “Let me feel your pussy milk my dick.”
She shattered, clenching around me, and that sent me over the edge.
I anchored myself deep as my cock twitched with each jet of come I spilled into her tight heat.
When it was over, I pressed my face against her chest, balancing myself on the edge of the couch so I didn’t crush her soft body beneath mine.
I knew I should move, but I didn’t want to lose this connection to the woman I loved. Not when I wasn’t sure how long it would be until I had her this close again.
Tessa tugged my head up until I met her gaze. “Whatever you’re thinking right now that’s making you so tense? You’re wrong.”