Beyond The Cage (6 page)

“Stop, crooked nose!”

He reaches around me with both hands, grabbing at my computer.

“You’re gonna make me drop it!”

Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me against him. When my giggles die down, I lie back and sift through the results once more. I click a few links, but they don’t tell me anything I don’t already know. Most of them are just videos of his matches.

“I have an idea.” I hand him my laptop. “Why don’t I ask some questions and you just type your answers for me?”

He rolls his eyes.

“Come on. Tell you what, for each question you answer, I’ll…”
Hmm…what do I offer as incentive?
“I’ll…remove one item of clothing.”

With a grin, he taps on the keyboard – ‘OK.’

Great!
“You already know the first question.” I curl up next to him and watch the screen.

He types ‘Joshua.’

“Where do you live?”

Wagging his finger, he gives me a ‘naughty girl’ stare.

“Ugh!” I reach down, remove a sock, and throw it on the floor. “What?” I shrug. “I didn’t say
what
I would remove.”

He taps on the keys – ‘Here in Evanston.’

Keeping up my end of the bargain, I remove my other sock. “What’s your family like?”

‘2 brothers, 1 sister.’

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

He points to my top. I sigh and move to my knees. Facing him, I pull my top over my head and toss it aside.

“Happy?” I ask.

‘Very,’ he types out.

Okay…just one more question. I am
not
getting naked. What do I ask? Licking his lips, he stares at me expectantly and snaps the waistband of my leggings.

“Wait a minute. I’m thinking.”

He points to the last thing he typed, and then to my leggings.

“You cheater!” I exclaim, realizing he’s referring to when I asked if he’s happy. “That doesn’t count.”

He shrugs as if to say it’s not his fault, and motions for me to get on with removing my clothes.

“No way. My game, my rules, and I say it doesn’t count.”

He raises his arms in surrender and waits for my next question. Talking about games gives me an idea.

“What was your childhood like?”

Uh-oh…obviously a sore subject. The veins in his neck are starting to bulge out. With a vehement shake of his head, he hands me the laptop. I guess our game is over.

“What is it?” I ask.

He springs out of bed and heads for the door.

“Wait!” He stops but doesn’t turn around. “Come back. Please.”

Taking a deep breath, he faces me and I stretch my arms out to him. When he returns to the bed, I straddle him once more.

“I’m sorry. No more questions today.”

I resume my earlier position, my head on his chest. His arms curl around me and he sighs.
Me and my big mouth. What could have happened to him? Is it why he doesn’t talk?

Leave it alone, Jas. Just leave it alone.

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body. – H.L. Mencken

I slap Chelsea’s hand away, but she shakes me again. What the fuck? It’s not time to wake up yet.

“Quit it, Chels,” I mumble in irritation.

A huge hand slides to my stomach, and soft lips place light kisses on my shoulder. Definitely not Chels. I lean into the warmth snuggled against my back then turn over, wanting more. Throwing my arm around him, I burrow closer. I could get used to this. The moment I get comfortable, he taps my shoulder.

“
What
?” I whine, dragging out the word.

Forcing my eyes open, I switch on the lamp on the nightstand. By the time I turn back to him, he’s standing by the bed.

“Come back to bed.”

He doesn’t move, only glancing at the door.

“Why are you leaving?”

He gestures toward me.

“Me? What did I do?”

Making the same gesture, he urges me to look down. I do, and realize I’m in my bra and leggings. I forgot all about my half-naked state.

“I’ll put something on. Don’t leave…please,” I beg. I just want to curl up in his arms and go back to sleep, but there’s a tortured expression on his face.

He’s obviously trying to get out of an uncomfortable situation and I’m forcing him to choose between that and pleasing me. It’s not fair.

“Okay,” I acquiesce. “I’ll walk you out.”

We go through what has become our routine – he kisses my forehead and disappears. With a sigh, I return to my room. There’s no way I’m falling asleep now, so I might as well get some studying done. I know I’m smart, but if I’m going to get into the med school of my choice, I need near perfect scores.

At seven, I decide to make breakfast. Chels walks in as I’m pouring the coffee.

“Where is he?” She glances around, then leans forward and whispers, “How was it? You obviously worked up an appetite.”

We sit around the island like we usually do, and talk while we eat.

“Nothing happened,” I state.

“I was wondering why it was so quiet.”

“He left earlier. Last night, I asked him about his childhood and he got kinda upset.”

“Mommy issues?”

“I have no idea, but I’m not gonna push it. If he wants me to know, then I will.”

After breakfast, we go our separate ways. Throughout the day, I keep thinking back to Cameron’s reaction. I can’t shake the feeling that something horrible happened to him as a child, and it stays with me, even during dinner with Chels. She doesn’t push the issue, and tries to direct our conversation away from him as much as possible. After our meal, we head back to our apartment.

“When did we get a security guard?” Chels asks as we approach the door.

I glance up from searching for my keys and find Cameron’s henchman waiting patiently.

“Jared, right?” I address my question to him.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“
Ma’am
? Jasmine, please.” He nods, reminding me of his boss. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m here to pick you up. Don’t tell me –”

“No, he didn’t. But don’t worry.” I put him at ease. “You mind if I shower first?”

He breathes a sigh of relief.

“Come on in. Chels can keep you company.”

I leave the two of them in the living room and hop into the shower, wondering where I’m going. It occurs to me he’s never actually taken me out. What a cheap date I’ve been.
Well, that’s going to change.
As I’m blow-drying my hair, I think about what to wear. My mom always told me, ‘When in doubt, black jeans and a nice top’. Guess that’s what it’ll be. After applying makeup, I grab a pair of jeans and a white button-down, top.
Shoes…hmmm…I think I’ll go with my black, wedge sandals
. I change purses then check my reflection in the mirror. Perfect. Just a little perfume and I’m good to go.

Jared stands as I walk into the living room.

“I’m ready,” I announce. “Let’s go.”

“Have fun, Jas. I won’t wait up.” Chels winks at me.

I roll my eyes. “Later, Chels.”

Downstairs, Jared leads me to a black Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. I love it! My kind of wheels.

“Nice wheels.”

“Thanks, but it’s the boss’ ride.”

Mr. Jackson has good taste.

“So, what’s your job title?” I ask once we start driving.

“Head of security.”

“Security? You’re kidding, right?”

He chuckles. “I’m not his bodyguard. My job is mostly logistics. I also make sure his surroundings are safe. Check venues, hotel rooms…keep crazy people and groupies away from him…stuff like that.”

Groupies…ugh
. “How long have you worked with him?”

“Two years.”

“And this is a part of your job description? Picking up…”—I shudder—“his women?”

“You’re actually the first one who’s made it past the dressing room.”

“Eww…that’s nasty.”

His body shakes with laughter. “I must say I wasn’t surprised when you walked out. You and your friend stuck out like a sore thumb. I knew just by looking at you that you weren’t like the others.”

“You mean a skank groupie?”

He laughs again. “Something like that. But…obviously he saw it, too.”

I should hope so!

We pull up to a huge building with no signs. I remain in my seat because this can’t possibly be our destination. It looks like a warehouse. When Jared opens my door, I fix him with an incredulous stare.

“This is it?” I ask as I climb out of the car.

“You’ll see once you’re inside,” he assures me.

He opens the door and I step in, hearing a man bellowing instructions and the sounds of fighting.

“C’mon! You keep doing that you’re gonna get killed! Watch him, kid…learn from him!” the voice shouts.

I turn the corner and find that it’s actually a gym. Various equipment—some I know, others I don’t—are scattered around the room. In the middle, there’s a huge boxing ring. Cameron is in it, fighting some other guy, and the one shouting is standing by one of the corners. I’m guessing he’s the trainer. He’s older, with grey, thinning hair and a huge belly. What kind of trainer is he? He certainly doesn’t look like one.

Cameron stops and turns in my direction, a smile instantly on his lips. I return it, wiggling my fingers at him.

“Focus!” trainer guy yells. “Distractions get you killed!” he continues as he heads in my direction.

“So…you’re Jasmine,” he says, extending his hand.

“Hello.”

“I’m Mannie, K.O.’s head trainer. Great to finally meet you.”

Head trainer? How many does he have? And what does he mean ‘finally’?
“You, too.”

“Come, sit.”

He pulls up two chairs, dropping down on one while motioning for me to take the other. I turn mine backward and straddle it, facing the ring. Crossing my arms on the back, I rest my chin on them and watch Cameron. He’s actually fighting – using different moves and techniques. I’ve never seen him like this. It’s…
beautiful
.

“You are looking at one of the most dangerous men on the planet when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. I’m willing to bet that he
is
the most dangerous.”

For once, I don’t see danger. I see art. He moves with such grace and agility. My mouth falls open in surprise when he does some kind of high flying acrobatic move.

“That boy is the most complete fighter I’ve ever met,” Mannie continues.

I turn my attention to him, my interest piqued.

“Ex-Marine. Discipline and sheer power like I’ve never seen.”

Wow. I listen closely because I might actually learn something about him.

“I’m talking Kung Fu, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Capoeira, Taekwondo, Tai Chi Chuan…even Ninjutsu.”

Ninjutsu? So…he’s a ninja? I look to the ring once more, unable to take my eyes off him.

“In the cage, he’s not much of a showman. He likes to get in and get it done. It’s also what he’s known for. The only place you’ll see him move like that is in this gym.”

“Does he train like this every day?” I ask.

“Mostly. He has a few fights coming up. After that, though, he has the big event.”

“Event?”

“You don’t know about it?”

“No,” I answer.

“The Ultimate Warrior. Last man standing, fighters from all over the world, no holds barred, just a few standard rules. It’s his chance to prove he’s the best, hands down. Purse is ten million.”

“No holds barred? That sounds dangerous.” I give him my attention once more, worried Cameron could get hurt.

Mannie observes me with a curious stare, then smiles. “I see why he likes you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just told you that he’s possibly the most dangerous man on the planet and you’re worried about him getting hurt. Not to mention you didn’t even blink when I mentioned the prize money.”

So, what, you think I’m a gold digger?
“I don’t want his money.”

“I can see that. I also see the way you’ve been looking at him since you got here. He’s had that same look in his eyes lately.”

He has? Wait…what look?

Mannie winks and makes his way back to the ring, shouting, “Okay, boys. Jackson…floor!”

Cameron climbs out of the ring, rolling his neck while awaiting his instructions. Mannie yells a command and he drops to the floor, doing push-ups. Every time Mannie shouts, Cameron switches styles. One moment, he’s clapping, then the other he’s tapping his chest with both hands. Next, it’s one-handed push-ups. Never in my life would I have thought I would find push-ups sexy, but my pussy is clenching just from watching him. I never thought I’d be into someone so muscular either but here I am, salivating as each one ripples with his movements.

“Dragon!” Mannie yells.

Cameron moves forward on all fours like a Komodo dragon. The next command has him trotting to a corner of the gym. Excitement flutters in my belly as I see where he’s heading. As an avid
Arrow
fan, one of my favorite past-times is watching Oliver on the salmon ladder.
Goodbye, Oliver. Hello, Cameron!
My eyes are glued to his chest and abs as he moves up the ladder and back down.
Good Lawd, this man is fine!
Why the hell haven’t I been to one of these sessions before?

“All right, cool down,” Mannie says all too soon.

Cameron jumps down, and another man approaches him with a towel and a bottle. Mannie walks back to where I’m seated, a proud smile on his lips.

“Was that little show for me?” I ask.

“Maybe.” He winks.

“Well, whether it was or wasn’t,
thank you
.”

He chuckles just as Cameron approaches with that questioning look of his. I lick my lips as I take in the sweat glistening on his perfectly formed body.

“Mannie here was just telling me that you’re a jack of all trades, master of none,” I answer his unasked question. He raises a brow. “Yeah. He says you’re a slacker and you only got this far by sheer luck.”

We both turn to Mannie, who’s regarding us closely, confusion written on his face.

“You two got some kind of telepathic thing going?” he asks.

“Unlike you, he doesn’t talk to me, so I’ve just learned to read his expressions.”

“He doesn’t talk to me, either. I’ve known the kid five years…not a peep.”

What the hell?
“So, you don’t talk
at all
?”

He shakes his head and offers me his hand.

“See you around, Jasmine,” Mannie says as we walk away.

“Bye, Mannie. It was nice meeting you.”

Cameron leads me to the back of the gym, through a door, and up a staircase.
Where the hell are we going?

“You know, I’ve learned more about you in the last half hour than I have the entire time I’ve known you. The man makes you sound like a harbinger of death.”

After going through one more door, we walk into an apartment.

“You live here?” How convenient – right above the gym. “This place is an old warehouse, isn’t it?”

He nods.

“I like what you’ve done with it.”

I take a look around the lion’s den. It’s very…him. Minimalist, black and blue décor. It is
huge
, though…and this is just the living room. I turn back to him and catch him staring at me.

“What?”

Curling his index finger, he beckons me.

“No. You need a shower. Go.”

He chuckles, nods, and walks away. Waiting, I sit on the couch for a while before I get bored. I guess I’ll have a look around. On the left wall, I spot a picture and move toward it. I know it’s him. He’s in his Marines uniform and is much younger and smaller, but his eyes sparkle back at me.
Aww…he looks so handsome
. Next to the picture are various certificates, awards, and commendations. Wow. One of them is a Mechanical Engineering degree from Northwestern. There’s so much I don’t know about him, and I need to remedy that.