Caged In (7 page)

CHAPTER TEN

Charlie

Light filtered across the room as I
slowly came awake. It took a minute for me to realize that I was in Cage
’
s bed . . . in his room . . . in his house. Oh, and I
was naked as the day I was born, with absolutely no idea where my clothes were.
The clock next to the bed told me it was four o
’
clock
in the afternoon. I must have fallen asleep after we made love. And there was
no other way to describe what we did that second time but to say we made love.
It was slow and sweet, and so very intense. My face warmed at the thought of
everything we shared with each other without saying a word.

One of my favorite parts of last
night was when I asked about the need for a condom. In classic Cage talk, he
said
“
I
’
ll
be damn if anything ever separated us again.
”
I
could feel all the pieces of my heart coming back together again piece by piece
with every minute I spent with this beautiful man.

I sat up when I saw the framed
picture of us next to Cage
’
s clock. Picking it up, I got a
better look at Cage and I after the homecoming game sophomore year where Cage
single handed won against Prep.  We both looked so young and so very happy. I
remembered how nervous Cage was going up against the highest regarded Nate
Maxwell.

Shit!
I needed to call Nate to let him
know I was okay. But first I needed to find clothes. The I needed . . . hell  .
. . I was not sure what I needed. Clothes! Yes, clothes were my first priority,
then Cage, then a phone. After using the bathroom, I found the drawer with all
of Cage
’
s t-shirts. Picking the first one
had me wearing one of his favorites; a vintage, black Led Zeppelin t-shirt that
came to rest about mid-thigh.

When I opened his bedroom door, I
heard the soft sounds of a piano that got louder as I made my way downstairs.
The sound taking me back to all the times Cage played for me when no one else
was around. He was so musically talented, but he hated that anyone knew. His
parents constantly wanted to parade those talents in front of their friends and
relatives, but Cage just wanted to play for himself. His piano was how he wrote
all of his songs, working out the melody to make sure it was just right. Even
in high school he was piecing together music and phrases that fit how he felt
or what he was going through. Those ballads helped him to express what he could
never say out loud.

I leaned against the wall just
watching him, enjoying this moment of seeing him in his element once again.
Pages of paper were sprawled out all around him as he stopped and added more
notes. His love for what he did evident when a smile overtook his face lighting
it up to the point it was beaming. Not wanting to disrupt him, but needing to
be a part of this I slowly crept along the wall until I took the final few
steps to be next to him.

At my appearance by his side, Cage
looked up and into my eyes. His held so many emotions that I took a step back
from the sheer force they branded me with.

“
I didn
’
t mean to disturb you,
”
I mumbled.

“
Yes you did,
”
Cage laughed as he turned to
grab my hand.
Holy shit.
Shock rolled through me as I stared at the very
same tattoo that I had on back. His was on his chest, right above his heart.

“
Cage.
”
My breath caught. I traced
the outline of the ink as he pulled me down next to him on the bench.
“
When?
”
Nothing more needed to be
said, because he knew what I was asking.

“
Same as you. When I turned eighteen.
”
Cage let me continue to trace every line. His arms
came around me, pulling me close. When I pressed my lips to his tattoo, he
released a huge sigh as if a weight had physically been lifted from him.

“
It
’
s beautiful,
”
I said looking into his eyes once again. Not afraid
this time with what I saw there.

“
You
’
re beautiful.
”
His lips found mine, soft and gentle. Breaking away, a
happy smile spread across his face.
“
And if I remember correctly you
always loved to sit next to me when I was working through something. Back then
it was just sounds and a few words.
”

“
That
’
s not true,
”
I interrupted.
“
I loved whenever you would play for
me. I knew I loved you the first time you did.
”
A
slow reddening of his cheeks told me he remembered playing
“
Clair de Lune
”
for the first time for me
when we were ten.

“
But that was just playing what someone else had
written. And stuff I put together wasn
’
t music. Not like what I do today.
”

“
Everyone has to start somewhere,
”
I countered.

“
That they do,
”
agreed Cage.
“
That they do.
”
The smile he wore matched the
one in his eyes as he turned back to the piano and started playing again. I
knew I would listen as long as he played. On rainy days we would sit like this
for hours. Ever-so-slowly as to not break his concentration I laid my head
against his shoulder as he continued to work through a melody. Next came words
that stole my breath and anchored my soul to this man forever.

There is no forever

Without an eternity in your arms

Our love is limitless

It knows no bounds

You are the dream that I have every
day

If only you would stay

Forever in my arms

Where I can keep you out of harm

You would be better without me

But I stand before you on bended
knee

Begging you to forget the past

So our future will forever last

There is no forever

Without an eternity in your arms

Our love is limitless

It knows no bounds

Love blossomed in my heart and
tears pooled in my eyes as his fingers came to rest over the keys of the last
notes. Without looking at me, head down, Cage asked,
“
Did you like it?
”

“
No,
”
I choked out. His head
whipped around. Taking in my watery eyes, his shoulders sagged in relief.
“
I loved it,
”
I corrected.

Cage leaned over until his forehead
rested on mine.
“
And I love you Charlotte Nicole
Moore.
”
 

“
Then show me,
”
I demanded, letting the
hunger I had for him shine through.

Not hesitating, Cage barked,
“
Always,
”
as he pushed the bench back
and lifted me up onto the keys of the piano. A litany of different notes filled
the air as my ass pushed against the keys as Cage hooked my legs over his
shoulders.
“
You look so damn sexy in my shirt,
here in my house. And right now you smell so fucking good,
”
he said as he buried his nose between my legs and took
a deep breath.
“
You and me together is a potent
aphrodisiac Ms. Moore. And look at your pussy weeping for me already. I bet you
taste as good as you smell.
”
 
Cage then proceeded to lick
from my anus to my hood before blowing air on the moist trail he had left
behind, sending a hunger so wicked for this man I knew I could never get enough
of him.

My breath left me as I fell against
the piano, sending more awkward sounds into the air. Cage wasted no time as he
feasted on me. Each lick and plunge of his tongue into me had me bucking my
hips to find the release I so desperately craved. I begged for him to finish
me, but he pulled back each time I teetered on the edge. When it finally became
too much I gripped his head to me, riding his face, making music of my own as I
sang my release.

Boneless, my grip loosened and my
hand fell away as Cage
’
s fingers began to play me like his
beloved piano. Adding a second finger, Cage was relentless as he picked up the
pace driving me closer and closer to another release.
“
Don
’
t stop,
”
I pleaded, earning me a soft kiss on my inner thigh
before Cage
’
s mouth latched onto my clit and
sucked so hard lightning struck across my vision as I exploded like fireworks
on the Fourth of July. Chanting his name over and over again as I rode my wave
of ecstasy.

Cage

Her chest rose and fell at such a
rapid pace I knew I needed to wait before plunging into her so deep that we
could not tell where she ended and I began. I pushed my shorts off as she
finally opened her enchanting emerald eyes. I lifted her up off the keys and
straight onto the head of my cock.
So fucking tight.
Her pussy clamped
down around me making my progress slow as I continued to penetrate her until
her lower lips kissed the root of my cock.  Charlie pulled my t-shirt up and
off her body at the same time she began to rock back and forth. I knew I was
hitting all the right spots when Charlie threw her head back moaning for more.
I kissed up the column of her neck as I buried my hand in her hair, directing
her mouth to mine. My tongue matched the rhythm of our bodies as she rode me,
building to a cadence that was bound to have us both detonating in mere
minutes.

My arms came around Charlie as our
pace increased again. Starting at her shoulder blades I ran my hands down her
back to her ass cheeks, where I griped them so hard I was sure she would have
marks. Spreading her ass, my fingers played along her puckered hole. Charlie
’
s own growl accompanied the tilting of her hips to
drive my cock further into her and to rub her clit just the way she needed, at
the same time I began to thrust up.

Our lips met messy and wet as I
felt my climax building. It was so high I knew nothing could stop my glorious
fall.
“
Cum baby,
”
I grunted right when Charlie
’
s walls squeezed the seed right out of me and we came
together in glorious bliss. 

Her forehead came to rest against
mine as my dick continued to spasm within her.
“
It
gets better every time,
”
she whispered.

“
Yes it does.
”

“
We need a shower.
”

“
Yes we do.
”

“
Wow, you are really agreeable after great sex.
”

“
You need to clarify that - after great sex with you.
”

She laughed.
“
Ok. You are really agreeable after great sex with me.
”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Charlie

I was not going to lie, I
was nervous as hell. After a quick shower together and then a stop at Nate’s
house to change and check in, I was on the way to Shutter William’s house to
meet the band and attend their tour kick-off party. I wanted the guys to like
me, but I was also uneasy about what this meant for Cage and me. It blew my
mind that I was just starting to get my Cage back and he would be leaving in a
matter of days for a six-month, big city tour.

“Shutter,” Cage called as we
walked through the front door. The house was empty, but music was blaring from
the back of the house. When no one answered, Cage led me down the hallway to a
huge kitchen with a beautiful view of a waterway. We walked out onto the porch
hand-in-hand, earning us stares from the small group already there. “Shutter,” Cage
said in greeting to one of the most tattooed guys I had ever seen, but also one
of the most gorgeous.  He wore a white wife-beater that showed off his arms and
neck covered in ink, as well as what I could see of his chest. Even his face
had ink on it. Pictures of this man did not do him justice as he stood before
me in all his tattoo glory. Shutter met us, exchanging a bro-handshake with
Cage before turning his ocean blue eyes on me. They were such a striking
contrast to his black faux-hawk.

“This is Charlie,” Cage said
introducing me. “Charlie this is Shutter, Caged In’s drummer.”

“And best friend,” Shutter
said as he
took my hand
, placing a kiss on the top of it.

“Hogwash,” came from behind
Shutter as Locke stepped around him. “I was the one who brought this bloke into
the band, so I get to claim best friend.” Locke’s rant had me smiling as the
fourth and final band member joined our circle. Linc was gorgeous in a punk
rock kind of way with his blonde hair buzz practically bald and warm, chocolate
brown eyes. His “Save the Ta-Tas” t-shirt was sleeveless revealing arms that
were covered in tattoos from his wrist to his shoulders. One
dimple
winked at me when he smiled.

“Or so you claim,” said
Linc, as he extended his hand.

I took it in greeting, as I
said, “I’m Charlotte.”

“Oh trust me love, we all
know who you are,” he said, tugging me into his arms and away from Cage’s. “Cage
was right to keep you from us all those years. I definitely would have tried to
steal you away.”

“Hey now, hands off my girl,”
Cage laughed as he pulled my back against his front. The phrase “my girl” was
not lost on the guys as they all shared a look before turning their attention
back to me. “In fact, keep your everything to yourselves,” which earned a laugh
from everyone.

“Well make yourselves at
home. Lord knows these fuckers have,” remarked Shutter, gesturing all around
him as he turned and made his way back across the deck.

“Ay Cage. Tons of beautiful
feeks
tonight,” said Locke as Linc wandered off.

“Did you say geeks or freaks
Locke?” Cage joked and I laughed. Locke’s face grew as red as his hair.

“Women. I said fucking
women.” Locke flustered was pretty funny to see.

“Nah bro you didn’t,” Cage
said as I nodded my head in agreement.

“Feeks is women in gaelic.”

“Sure it is buddy,” teased
Cage, “sure it is.”

“You wanker. Go get a drink.
You are no fun sober.” I stood corrected. Locke in a tiff was even funnier. I
giggled as he shook his head and walked away.

“I love giving that guy a
hard time.”

“I can tell,” I said as Cage
led me over to the bar and asked for two longnecks.

“Cage,” came a gravelly
voice behind us. “Introduce me to your newest flavor.”

Cage cleared his throat,
sending me a sideways glance before turning around. “Hogan, how are you?”

“As good as always,” he
replied as he practically eye-fucked me. I knew I pushed the envelope a little
tonight with my Ryan Wethers’ mini-dress choice, but not enough for me to be
visually raped by this forty-something, balding creep. “Hello there beautiful.
I’m Hogan Reynolds, manager extraordinaire for the very famous Caged In, and
who might you be? Don’t tell. Let me guess. A porn star?” My mouth hung open at
his suggestion. “From the look on your face I would say no. Ok how about a
Sci-Fi channel actress? Did some zombie beaver eat you out or something?”
Holy
shit who was this asshole!
I looked to Cage to see him as shocked and appalled
as I was. “Still a no, huh? Ok, lay it on me, who are you princess?”

I wanted to tell this guy “someone
who was too classy to even talk to him,” but if this really was Cage’s manager
I did not want to start off on a bad footing, so I sucked it up, stuck out my
hand and introduced myself. “I’m Charlotte
Moore
.”

“No shit. I recognize you
now. Well I have to say Cage landed himself a shark this time, and not just any
shark, a fucking great white.”

“Enough Hogan.” Cage’s voice
held a bit of an edge to it.

“Why Cage? You have already
been connected to her, so why are you with her again? You don’t do do-overs.”

“I mean it Hogan. Shut the
fuck up,” Cage seethed as he stepped in front of me, shielding me from Hogan. “Walk
away.”

“This isn’t over. We will be
discussing this tomorrow at the band meeting.”

“What-the-fuck-ever,” Cage
said, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind him.

“You don’t want to see me
angry. You know what happens when I get angry,” yelled Hogan.

“Easy Hulk,” laughed Locke
from across the deck. “No one here wants to see you turn green.” All laughed at
Locke’s remark, breaking up the tension for everyone except Cage, who looked
like a little green himself as if he could smash Hogan with just a thought.

Cage

I should be
in
heaven
, chilling with my boys and my girl finally by my side. Hell, I
should be laughing it up as Locke regaled stories of our road trips before we
made it big, making Charlie laugh. A small smile peeked out as I just sat back
and watched her beautiful face light up. Every once in a while she would look
over at me and smile or squeeze my hand, but then one of the guys would pull
her attention back to them. But I could not get Hogan out of my head. He was up
to something as I watched him go back and forth among the different groups here
tonight.

There was Sex Bruise, an all
women, up-and-coming band that I thought was pretty awesome. They were our
first opening act for this tour and Shutter was obsessed with their drummer, a
cute little blonde. Then there was the other act which was some past-its-prime
band that Hogan managed as well. I had no idea how they got on this tour. We
swore Hogan had dirt on someone to get them on the billing.  Then there were
the groupies, our usual go-to-girls that warmed our beds whenever was needed.
Looking over the group, I think I was connected to all of them at some point in
time over the last few years. I shuddered at the thought, drawing Charlie’s
mesmerizing eyes to me.

I took a long pull of my
beer to calm by nerves.
Damn it.
Why did I ever
leave her? I knew I was doomed that first night in my aunt’s house when I
realized Charlie would never come through my window again. She would never
crawl into my bed on really bad nights when only I could calm her racing heart
down.  And now I was about to leave her again?
No fucking way.
 I did
not have it in me. Charlie just had to come. I needed to check with the guys,
but they would be cool with it. It was Hogan that would throw the fit.

“Where you going?” Charlie
asked as I stood up.

“Bathroom and a refill. Want
one?” I really needed to talk to Hogan alone to head off any craziness he would
try to throw at me, but she did not have to know that.

“Sure,” she smiled before
turning back to whatever nonsense Locke was spewing.

I turned to see Hogan was
headed inside with a girl on each arm. That was probably what I looked like a
little more than six months ago, but seeing someone else do it made me realize
how pathetic it looked. How desperate I probably looked to anyone who actually
paid attention. The self-hate I was working to get over came roaring back. My
heart hammered in my chest as my palms got sweaty. Everything felt like it was
closing in until I turned and found Charlie’s green eyes on me. They were
creased in worry, as she started to stand to come to me if I needed her. Relief
swift and sure filled me. I shook my head, letting her know I was okay. Charlie
cocked her eyebrow as if to ask if I was sure. I nodded before making my way
into the house.

Hogan was not in the
kitchen, but I could hear giggling from the front room. I hesitated, thinking
maybe I should do this tomorrow, but determination set in knowing I needed this
out of the way so I could get Charlie on board with my idea.

“Yo, Hogan. Can I talk to
you for a minute?” I asked as I entered the room. The drugs and groupies and
the scene they made should have had me turning around and walking back out to
Charlie. But just the mention of Charlie in my mind had me more determined than
ever to get this out of the way.

“Sure thing buddy. Come on
in. Have a seat,” Hogan said as he patted the seat next to him. I took a deep
breath and walked over and sat down. As I did, the rest of the groupies walked
into the room. The few already there were quite busy. One was cutting the coke,
another was lining it up while two sat and watched. An eagerness in their eyes
that I knew too well. Two  that just joined us started making out with each
other. Another one pawed at Hogan as he leaned back, adjusting himself with one
hand while the other roamed her body. “What do you want to talk about?

“I am going to ask Charlie
to join us on tour.” There it was, out there. No turning back now. The
statement alone made me excited for the tour to start, for my band and my girl
to be on the road together.

“Are you sure?” His
confidence never wavered. “I mean, it is like taking sand to the beach. I mean,
look around you,” he said, motioning to all the women. “Why give all this up
for one girl? Sure, keep her on the side, but on tour? Leave the wifey at home where
she belongs, so the boys can go out and play.”

“It’s not like that man,” I
argued. “I want Charlie with me. I am over all this.” It was my turn to gesture
around the room. “I want more.”

“More of what? More girls?
More drugs? Tell me so I can make it happen.”

“Naw, man. That’s not what I
mean.” One of the girls, I think her name was Mercedes, came to stand in front
of me and then dropped to her knees between my feet.

“What are you doing?” I
asked as I started to push her away.

“Your turn,” she cooed, holding
up a square mirror with three lines of coke on it.

I said, “No, thanks,” at the
same time Hogan urged, “One line ain’t gonna kill you.” I tried to stand up,
but another girl sat right next to me blocking my exit.

“Ok,” I yelled, wanting
everyone to back off for a second so I could get my bearings.

“Charlie.” Hogan’s voice was
patronizing.  “Welcome to the party.”

I stopped breathing. My mind
went blank. I started to push through the mess I just made, of what I could
only imagine Charlie was seeing. The drugs. The women. Me in the middle of it.
But her voice, so cool and detached had me rooted to my spot. My eyes found
her, standing in the doorway. Her feet braced apart as if readying for a fight,
but her eyes . . . God her eyes . . . held heart ache and misery.
Fight for
us baby . . . for me.
“It’s ok. It’s time for me go,” and with that her
flight instincts took over and she was gone.