5. Chapter 5

I had no clue what was happening. Walking in the woods with my new employer? Sure, Ray told me to use this time with Gage to get to know him in order to better help him stay on schedule, but spending that much alone time with him? It probably wasn't the smartest thing for me to be doing. I should've been going through his file and spreadsheets to get everything ingrained into my brain. Even answering some of his emails would've been a more productive way to spend my time. But there I was enjoying a gorgeous late afternoon walk with a man I was becoming more and more intrigued with every minute I spent with him.

Gah!

"I bet it's gorgeous out here in the fall," I said to break the comfortable silence that hung between us. It wasn't awkward, just. . . perfect stillness and it was incredibly peaceful. I glanced at him and saw a smile curl his lips before he turned to me.

"Every season is beautiful out here—even winter," he replied. "Over the years I think I've managed to visit during every season, but summer is my favorite. I love the lake and going out on the boats."

"How many boats come with this place?" I asked.

"Well, there's a speed boat which is really too big for a lake this size but it's still fun to race around every now and then," he admitted. "Then there's a metal rowboat that also has a small horse-powered motor on the back. I use that one a lot to fish. Plus, there's a canoe, and four kayaks."

"Jesus, the property really does have everything," I said.

"For all the time I spend here, I should buy the place outright," Gage said. "Right now, our management company has a long-term lease on the property which makes it available to us whenever we need to use it."

"Do you own a lot of houses?" I questioned then realized it might be too personal. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that. It's really none of my business."

Gage shook his head, "It is kind of your business, if you're going to be my PA. You'll be one of very few who know my whereabouts at all times. Knowing how organized Ray is, I'm sure all the locations and addresses of my properties are listed in a file somewhere. But to answer your question, I currently own four. The house in LA, an apartment in New York City, a place off the coast of Miami, and a ranch in Montana."

"Which is your favorite?" I asked.

"Guess."

I thought about it for a minute and then grinned at him. "Is this a test to see how much I've learned about you?"

"Call it curiosity to see if you've figured me out yet," Gage said.

"Okay, then my guess is the place down near Miami," I said.

"Why'd you pick that one?" he asked.

"Because you said you love summer and the lake," I explained. "It would make sense you'd like Florida since it is basically summer year-round and surrounded by water."

Gage stopped walking and looked at me. "Wow, that's quite perceptive of you—and you're correct, but sadly I don't get to spend a lot of time down there."

"Why didn't you go there to write the album?" I asked.

"Ray says there's too many distractions for me in Miami—and at all my other places, except for Montana, but it's already getting cold up there," Gage detailed. "Ray prefers me to basically be in isolation. Plus, this property has a small sound studio in the basement for me to record tracks if I want to."

"Ahhh, that makes sense," I agreed.

Gage turned left at a fork on the trail that seemed to loop us back toward the main house. The sun wasn't as high in the sky now but still flickered through the tree canopy above us. The air remained warm but almost halfway through August I anticipated it cooling off a lot at night. It was so different from the city and I could see Ray's point about the importance of removing as many distractions as possible for Gage and his band. This was a work retreat, whereas Gage's other houses were personal places he lived. It was wise to keep work separate from personal—which was sound advice for many reasons.

We walked a few more minutes and came to a clearing on top of a ridge that overlooked the lake below. There was a stone fire pit and four handmade chairs made out of tree branches. The craftsman who created these pieces had to be an artist whose preferred medium was wood. The chairs were so beautifully hand-carved and varnished to protect them against the outside elements, I could see them being on display in an art gallery instead of randomly perched in the middle of the woods like they were.

"These are amazing," I said as I ran my fingers over the textured bark still attached to some places on the wood, while other parts were chiseled and almost sculpted to create smooth curves. I was in awe of everything around me.

"Yeah, the chairs are really cool," Gage agreed. "A local artist in town made them for the owner and set them out here on the perch. There's a wooden deck under our feet but it's all covered up by several years' worth of fallen leaves and dirt." Gage plunked his ass down in one of the chairs and folded his arms behind his head. I watched his biceps flex and then forced my gaze away. "It's a great spot to sit and. . . contemplate shit."

"Like song lyrics?" I asked and took a seat in the chair beside him.

"Sometimes, but mostly I come out here to think about life. Where I am and where I want to be."

"Are you where you want to be?" I asked. We were getting kind of deep with our conversation but Gage still seemed compliant and open to share with me. I'd never push him and the second I sensed apprehension I'd back the hell off but maybe talking like this is what he needed to get the writing process moving forward.

"Yeah, sure. I'm happy with my life for the most part," Gage said. "I'm satisfied with what I've accomplished so far, but it feels like, I dunno. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining because, believe me, I know I'm a spoiled, privileged asshole."

"Do you feel like something is missing from your life?" I asked.

Gage seemed to consider the question and slipped lower in his seat, his thighs naturally spreading wider. I studied the way the fleece fabric hugged his muscular thighs. He looked relaxed and completely at ease and I was happy to see that. I wanted him to be comfortable around me. It would make my job a lot easier.

"I'm not sure," he answered smoothly in that gravelly tone that seeped into his singing voice, too. "On the surface everything is fine, but obviously something must be off because the lyrics just aren't coming to me like they usually do. I'm stalled, like I hit a wall and I can't figure out how to get around it." His head turned to me and our eyes met. "You're the only one I've flat-out admitted that to, so do me the favor of not mentioning this to Ray. He's nervous enough I'm going to blow the album deadline as it is."

Gage's words were powerful and I was honored he was opening up to me. He didn't know me and certainly had no fucking idea of the kind of man I was or where my moral compass sat. I had to find a way to convince him that he hadn't trusted someone he shouldn't and that his secrets were safe with me and always would be.

I reached across the arms of our chairs and squeezed his shoulder. "Hey, I know we're just getting to know each other but whatever you say is safe with me," I said evenly. "I might have been hired by Ray and signed the NDA paperwork with him but I work for you. Whatever we discuss stays between us unless you tell me otherwise. Never question that, okay?"

Gage nodded but he made a scoffing sound which made me wonder if he believed what I'd said. Saying the words was one thing but being in his line of work my guess is that Gage had been burned more than once in the past by people who broke their alliance to him. I'd just have to make sure my actions proved otherwise. I wasn't like most people. I'd worked in this business long enough to know how the game was played. Any employer who entrusted me with their privacy and daily business affairs were rewarded with one hundred percent of my commitment and loyalty to them and the job they hired me to do.

"Easy for you to say," Gage kind of grumbled under his breath. He leaned forward in the chair, rested his elbows on his knees and ran his fingers through the waves of his dark hair. "Fuckkk. I just don't know what my problem is and why I can't write. I've never been blocked like this and it's honestly freaking me out. I mean, what if this isn't temporary and inspiration never strikes me again? What the hell do I do then? I have people depending on me to get this next album moving forward. If I can't deliver it then. . . I don't know." Gage stood up and began to pace in front of the fire pit.

I could almost feel the tension rolling off him like concussions after a rocket launch. His shoulders were tight and his hands balled into fists at his sides. I got out of my seat and stood beside him. Together we gazed down at the lake twinkling in the late afternoon sunshine. I made sure not to crowd him but I purposefully placed myself close enough for him to feel my strength. A moment after I came to a rest by him, I visibly saw his body relax, like he was exhaling a breath he'd been holding. I wondered if he was even conscious he had done it.

At first I didn't say anything. We simply took in the same view and absorbed whatever tranquility we found in the shimmering water but I also hoped Gage found some peace from my presence beside him. In the short time I'd been there with him, I already felt a connection I'd rarely felt with any of my other clients. I hoped I wasn't making a mistake or crossing professional lines by getting so close but the vulnerable side he was revealing to me made me want to soothe and protect him in any way I could.

"You got any food in that massive kitchen of yours?" I asked. When he didn't respond I turned my head to study his profile. He had strong, rugged features with a nice thin layer of beard stubble covering his jaw and I loved the way his waves curled around his ears and rested at the nape of his neck. I also saw the glint of more than one silver hoop in his earlobe and a diamond stud. What really caught my attention, though, was the gentle slide of his Adam's apple. He certainly was a beautiful man but he was also straight—and my fucking boss, which made him completely off limits on multiple levels.

When Gage remained silent, I bumped my shoulder into his to get his attention. "Food?" I asked again.

"Oh, shit. Yes, of course," he finally said as he came out of his trance. "I should have offered to feed you sooner. Come on. I have chicken marinating in the fridge we can throw on the grill."

"Sounds perfect," I replied and followed him as he walked back to the trail and headed toward the house. I couldn't help but wonder where his thoughts had drifted off to while we stood together on the hill. I kind of hoped he might share it with me one day. I liked the idea of Gage revealing more of himself to me.

Perhaps a little too much.