Let It Burn (22 page)

“Absolutely,” We share a smile because my team just beat his in the second preseason game, “kind of doubt you are though, Georgie. Maybe next time though? Have a good night my friend.” I back out of the swinging door with a smile and a wave, like I was taught back home.

Back home you had to greet everyone with a smile and a hello. Hell if you passed Widow Jenkins and didn’t ask her how church had been, she hit you with her bag. It was refreshing, freeing almost, to blend in with faces I didn’t know and who couldn’t give a shit about knowing me.

The anonymity was new and I was embracing it. Another reason Cage rattled my cages. Hah, no pun intended. Because another reason I chose Chicago was because I could get lost and hopefully stay lost here. Instead, the first day I venture out for real, the man notices me somehow. Now I can’t shake him and I don’t know if I want to.

I reach into my bag and touch the book with my note for him. When a bum grasps my ankles, I also grab my mace. A gift from my brother Colton. I drop some dollar bills into his hand and he lets me go. Then I move on again, just that easily. No need to offer more, and really he doesn’t expect it.

It’s all taken some adjusting because while I’m trying to fade away into the crowds, truth be told the bustling streets make me nervous. I never dealt well with people looking at me, or listening to me. Not when I took debate or when I stood beside Tucker for homecoming court. I felt trapped by eyes and questions and expectations back home so I panicked when I felt closed in on.

Cage had noticed this that day we visited the fire house. Right away he had picked up on my unease and stuck close to me. It had only been my second day out and about in the city. I had stayed locked up in that dive hotel until I moved into the cottage.

That day on the corner, crowded by midafternoon commuters and people on breaks, I had started to panic. Then he had touched me, pressing a hand to my back and I had calmed almost instantly. I felt him move close, his easy smile and the way his eyes held mine making my anxiety seem silly.

Then he promised to stick with me and he had. I had gone to absolute goo just about everywhere. Especially between my legs until I was almost ashamed. Almost.

When I was just a few blocks from the cottage, having carefully made my way through the mid-evening commuters, I thought I heard my name called. It’s a fairly common name, though not for a woman.

Ignoring it as a coincidence, I apologized to another unfortunate soul because I was out of cash. While I was pausing to search for some change, I heard it again. Spinning with a frown at being bothered, I nearly dropped my groceries.

A fire truck was coasting down the crowded street beside me. Cage was standing on the edge of it, Finn smirking down from beside him. The truck barely slowed and Cage, bright eyed and those dimples flashing, leapt down and crossed the sidewalk towards me.

“Cage! What....are you...that was foolish!” It hadn’t been really; the truck was barely doing fifteen miles in the busy traffic.

“Hey, Sugar,” He towered over me and I bloomed with warmth, “couldn’t pass up the coincidence someone thought kind enough to give me.” Cage twisted at the waist, waving at the truck and I just stared at him.

“Meaning what, exactly?” Despite my chilly behavior towards him earlier, Cage was as warm and charming as ever. The jerk.

Cage was still in his gear, or at least most of it. He wore the blue shirt with his fire station stamped on the back, the soft fabric sculpting to his massive shoulders and trim waist. I could barely see heavy boots beneath the sagging yellow protective pants he wore. They hung low on his hips, held up by black suspenders that I felt an overwhelming urge to see him in sans shirt.

A brief flash of him with those pants around his knees, thrusting into me as I gripped the thick suspenders left me hot and achy all over. He looked like he belonged on one of those firemen of the month calendars. I’d buy one.

“Chance to be a gentleman and walk you home. I’m pretending that’s why I leapt off a moving fire truck, for the sake of chivalry, Sugar. Now, give me that.” Before I could object, he took the bag with my groceries and started walking.

“Cage,” I stood rooted to my spot, biting back a grin at his persistence, “who says I need walking home? It’s four blocks away.” Cage turned to face me, taking a few steps backwards as he answered.

“Well I say so, of course. I care about your safety, you know? I will see you home safe. Carry your groceries, even put them away and cook dinner if you want. Kiss you again if you act right. I am at your service, Sugar.” He winked and I threw my head back and laughed.

“Oh you are? What precisely does that entail?” Cage’s face darkened and made something coil in my belly.

“Anything. You. Ask.” Slowly his eyes trailed over me and I felt the look between my legs, as if he had reached out and touched me there.

“Is that so? What if I ask you to fix my sink because it drips? While I maybe make us dinner?” Where my boldness was coming from, I had no idea.

“Abso-fuckin-lutely, baby. And desert?” Cage drug his tongue over his bottom lip, eyes focused on my face and I was wet instantly.

“Perhaps. Now...get me home like a gentleman, first, you randy fuck.” Cage threw his head back and laughed, deep and throaty and I loved it. Maybe loved him.

“Outstanding. Come on, Sugar. Not safe for you without me on these streets.” Cage tipped his head and I caught up to him, falling into step beside him.

We were quite as we walked, Cage slowing his long legged stride so I could keep up with him. I liked that he was big and solid because I felt safe with him. While I hadn’t felt truly unsafe here, it wasn’t the same as actually feeling safe. Having no doubt I had nothing to worry about. Cage wouldn’t let something or someone hurt me.

Not physically of course. Not that he could stop the damage he might ultimately do to my heart. To my soul. Because I knew it all belonged to him without my ever voicing it. Without my actually being ready to agree to it at all.

I just hoped he dealt with it carefully because I hadn’t meant to give it away. Hadn’t known when I stepped into that library, my future was already waiting for me.

“Where you at, beautiful?” Cage asked softly from beside me, his warm breath flushing my cheek.

“Hmm? Thinking. Stuff. Things. You toss compliments out so easily. I reckon it’s because you use them frequently. With many women. Lots.” I didn’t know if I really believed that; and I didn’t know how much it mattered if I did.

“Hey,” Cage paused and reached out to yank at my wrist, “not true. Look...when you want details, they’re yours. I’m not proud of parts of my truth. Charli, my truth is yours when you want it though.” His hand slid up to cup my neck, thumb at my jaw, forcing my gaze to his.

“Truth? Anything I ask you, when and
if
I get there,” I cautioned and he just smiled because that too was a lie, “you promise you won’t hold out? I may not like it. I can take it though.” My chin lifted and his dimple came out as he grinned.

“Anything. You ask, I tell.
When
you get there. I don’t want a single thing between us, Charli. One thing though,” His words forced me to focus on his and my face flushed with the intensity I found there, “the pretty things I say to you are only for you. They are part of my truths and I don’t say them half as often as I think them. As I feel them. Not half as often as you deserve them, baby. I’ll fix that, though.” His head tipped close and his breath was hot at my mouth but I wasn’t ready so I dipped my head.

“Do....I mean...you think men like pretty words too, Cage?” I watched his Adams apple bob as he swallowed; even that was sexy to me.

“Mmm, Charli,” His lips whispered against my temple, “You think pretty words about me, Sugar?” I tipped my head back at the dubious question in his voice; how could he doubt how beautiful he was?

“If I did,” My eyes lowered to his mouth because I wanted to kiss him, wanted to be the one claiming him, “would you like me to share? Seems only fair, right?” I didn’t know why I felt so brave with him. Felt amazing.

“Fuck yes I would.” His skin flushed a little and I laughed, pressing my lips to the dimple that drove me crazy.

“This right here,” I whispered against the dimple, “you kind of had me the first time you used this thing on me, Cage Cooper. But, really,” I dipped away and stared up into his eyes, “It’s your eyes. Your eyes are fucking beautiful.” Cage groaned and the crinkle of the bag was the only warning I had.

Then he had one arm around my waist, hauling me tight against him and he was kissing me. Devouring was a better word for it. His tongue slipped past my open lips, because I was ready and waiting this time. I wanted his taste and I wanted it to consume me and flood my senses. Like everything about him did.

I whimpered when his tongue stroked mine, his teeth nipping at my bottom lip. My hands were tangled in his thick hair and I lifted on my toes to press closer. I needed to be closer. Heat pooled between my thighs and I pressed my hips to his, feeling his thick erection through his gear. The arm wrapped around my waist moved, one hand slipping to grip a handful of my backside and haul me closer.

“You’re not letting me remain a gentleman, baby. You can tell me pretty words all you want though. Coming from you,” His mouth softly, briefly, drug over mine once more, “they hit in me in all the places that matter, Sugar.” I let out a sound of agreement before licking at his bottom lip.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Cage.” He set me back down, the bag crinkling again and I hoped we hadn’t ruined dinner.

We kept our distance the rest of the way, though I know it was a struggle for us both. When I let us inside, Cage headed right for the kitchen and I had to remind myself he knew the house well. For a moment I stood watching him as he set the bag on the island. Imagined this was normal, how my life was.

This beautiful house and that beautiful man standing in my kitchen. It looked kind of like a perfect life if I was being honest. Kicking off my shoes near the door, I passed my iPod dock and with a swipe of my finger, music filled the house. Cage stopped what he was doing, which was ripping the bag of groceries down the middle.

“Dinner, wine and music? Why I might think you want to seduce me, Charli Dixon.” We shared a look and then he winked and I blushed because, shit maybe I was.

Cage helped me unload the few groceries I had picked up, commenting about the bare fridge he found. I insisted I had been ordering food in, as he knew for a fact. Cage snatched my hand when I said this, making me squeal as he spun me back and lifted me atop the island.

Then he was kissing me, his hands splaying over my back as he shoved between my knees. I scooted to the edge of the counter, hooking my ankles at his ass and urging him closer.

Cage rewarded me with a deep groan that had my hips bucking against him. When his hands tangled in my hair, he tipped my head back before tearing his mouth from mine.

I ached at the loss of him and frowned in question. Then softened when I saw the need burning in his eyes. Cage still needed me to ask and I would. Very soon, I knew.

“You don’t have any idea how much control you have over me, Charli. All the control is yours, Sugar. I’ll be or do whatever you need from me.” Cage touched his nose to mine as he spoke this against my lips.

“Cage,” I threaded my fingers in his hair and drew him closer, “I’m sorry. For....for earlier and for...every other time I screw up. Because I will. I...my truth will be yours too, Cage. I just...I didn’t come to Chicago to find you; I didn’t expect you. Doesn’t mean I don’t.... want you. I don’t want to; you might be the single most terrifying thing to ever happen to me, Cage Cooper.” Cage cradled me gently to his chest, his breathing ragged as I admitted some truths of my own.

“I’m scared too, baby. I was waiting for you and I’m still scared. What did I say though? Just...be scared with me, Charli.” One side of his full mouth hiked up in a sweet smile and I flooded with heat.

“I... think I can do that, Cage.” I didn’t know just what that meant exactly, but I knew I was done running. For now.

“Hmm, now dinner, yes? Want me to cook?” I laughed, really laughed full and free and fuck it felt good.

We agreed I would cook because he wanted to work on the faucet leak. While I fixed steaks and salad, pouring us some wine into the two wine glasses I took from boxes I had yet to unpack, he worked.

Before lugging out a wooden tool box I didn’t even notice had been stowed away beneath the sink, he stepped from his gear. I watched him do this and barely fought the urge to insist he finish. Just barely, because damn I wanted to see it all. Instead, I mixed the salad and kept my mouth shut.

He finished just as I was fixing the plates and when he pressed up behind me, I was overwhelmed. It felt so natural. So strange and new but so right. Slipping his arms around my waist, the corded muscles flexing and fascinating me as he brought me back against him, he sighed. As if he felt it too.

Dipping his face in to my neck, he took a deep breath and his arms grew tight. I didn’t fight it because I didn’t want to. I fell back against his muscled chest as my eyes closed and my arms dropped atop his. Cage startled me when his teeth came out at my neck, then hot words were pressed to my ear.

“Can I say something dirty without ruining the moment?” I laughed and sighed when he did too, the rumble against my back warming me.