Let It Burn
Page 31
“Hmm, sounds like the perfect morning. Or late afternoon, as it were. Cage....” I was tired, eyes heavy and body completely exhausted.
“Fuck this feels good.” Smiling in the darkness as he spoke my thoughts, I snuggled back into him.
“Night, Cage.” Warm lips settled at the back of neck, soothing me.
“Night, Sugar.”
Within moments I was asleep and for the first time since I had come to Chicago, I slept peacefully. Contentedly, even.
1
After waking up sore just about everywhere, and heat flooded me once the memories reminded me of why, I was upset to realize Cage was gone. Before I heard him making noise downstairs. When I made my way down and found him not only cooking us breakfast, but doing it half naked while singing loudly to music pumping from my iPod, I just watched.
Sweet Jesus, I was in love. Bacon and eggs, what smelled like waffles and fresh brewed coffee was the last straw. Cage was perfection and he was mine and I wasn’t letting him go.
Our weekend was spent inside. Almost thirty-six hours of the best quality time I had ever spent. We watched movies and laughed and talked. Cage cooked for us more, letting me cook too, while he touched me and kissed me until I got so distracted a fire had to be put out. Thank god I had a skilled fireman on hand. Cage was, in fact, skilled at everything.
While I ordered food for us after the fire incident, he was busy on his knees. Cage fed off my pussy and gave me two orgasms in the time it took me to order Chinese. Lying on the couch together, he rubbed my shoulders with large hands, asked me questions about things I never wanted to share with anyone else. I shared with Cage, though. See, skilled.
While it was still scary, and sharing my space with him was awkward at times, I loved every minute of it. When I woke in the morning and went through my normal routine, he watched with that smirk on his face. The same as when he watched my nightly one. Cage was a simple creature; he woke up, showered, brushed his teeth, and fed us.
Then touched me and fucked me until it was time to eat again. When I decided it was my turn to feed on him for a change, his aggressive reaction and the pleasure I gave him, along with his large hand sweeping over my soaked pussy, brought me to orgasm along with him. It was more than sex and dirty acts, and he never pretended any differently.
When he asked all those questions, I knew he wanted to know. When he rubbed my feet while we watched Tales from The Crypt, the contentment that radiated off him flooded me with emotions. With need and want and abso-fucking-lutely, love. I knew by dinner time that first day my hesitance to admit I loved him was pointless.
Cage made me laugh and loved to touch me and never hid his reaction when I touched him. He cared about my past but more about my future. A future that he hoped involved me writing and most certainly one that involved him.
Late Sunday, I knew our time was running out and sadness settled over me. It wasn’t as if this was the last I might see him, of course. Over the weekend he had talked about a dinner at his place the following weekend. With friends. Even mentioned me meeting his sisters. Which I knew, after all we talked about that weekend, was a big deal. Still, it had been a perfect weekend and I almost wrecked it.
Upset that he had to go since he worked crazy shifts, I was short tempered and distant. While Cage made us dinner, after leaving for the bodega just long enough for that surly mood to take hold of me, I kept my distance. Didn’t let him touch me the way I had all weekend. Barely kissed him back when he laid a sweet kiss at my lips.
“Charli. What did I tell you?” Turning the burners down, he watched me over the island as I stayed away. Punishing us both.
“I don’t know....” Before I could finish the lie, because of course I knew what he meant, he was on me.
“Don’t lie to me. I said run all you want, Sugar,” Suddenly my back was flat on the kitchen table, “because I will always chase you.” Cage’s hands yanked my panties off, flipping my skirt up as he dropped to his knees.
“Cage...dinner....” My breath hitched and I moaned because his mouth was on my wet pussy and he spoke roughly against it.
“Mmm, desert first, Sugar,” His flattened tongue licked me from bottom to top and back again, my hips bucking, “Jesus fuck you taste so good. So sweet, Sugar. Always so wet for me. This is me chasing my girl when she wants to run. This is me telling my girl this pussy is mine. You get me?” My legs closed around his head as he devoured me, fingers slipping inside my throbbing center.
“Yes....yes...Cage...” With his thick, skilled fingers pressing at that spot only he could find, his mouth suckling my clit into his mouth, I let him take control.
It was more than sex but sex was a great way to tell me just what he meant. Cage ate at my pussy like he had a point to prove. That I somehow missed the memo even as he claimed literally every inch of me all weekend that I, pussy included, was in fact his.
An orgasm later, as he slid inside me deep and slow, I knew without a doubt. Fucking me slowly, watching me with hooded eyes full of so much emotion it was hard to look at, Cage was in fact proving a point.
Sex was fucking awesome together but it wasn’t sex. It wasn’t this weekend. It was us, and whatever this was becoming. Which, for him, seemed like something important and real.
“Tell me, Charli.” Sitting up as the table rocked beneath his thrusts, I kissed him with everything I felt then obeyed his command.
“I’m yours, Cage.” Hooking his thick forearms under my thighs, he lifted me against him and pounded into me.
“Fuck yes you are. Look at me. Look at me when I fuck you. I love the look on your face when you come for me. So god damn sexy. You drive me fucking crazy, Sugar. You are mine. This pussy,” He thrust slow as if there was a need to clarify, “is mine. Come for me. Come so I can feel how good I make you feel, Sugar.” I loved when he talked to me while he was inside me; it felt more intimate than anything I had ever known.
“Yes! Oh shit...yes, Cage. Fuck, baby, it’s so good.” Then my mouth was on his as my fingers turned rough in his hair, his thrusts shaking my body.
“Fuck yes. Come for me. Fuck, I’m coming too, baby. Jesus, Sugar.”
That seemed to settle my fears and after he cleaned us up and carried me to the living room, he fed me. Not only was he great with his hands, his pretty words, that filthy mouth of his and his magic cock, but he could cook. Just like he swore he could.
Over dinner we talked about the coming week and when we could see each other. Seemed Cage had intentions of seeing me every chance he got. Which was just fine by me. We had time for some more Tales From The Crypt before he had to get his stuff and head out. I pouted like a teenager when he stood at the door, telling me good night.
“Sugar, I don’t want to leave. Duty calls. Text me all you want. I will answer when I can. I will call you when I’m off. Unless it’s late.” This was something we had agreed on; I needed to know he was in one piece or I might go crazy.
“No. Even if it’s late. You promised. Be careful, please.” Silly, foolish tears flooded my eyes and Cage’s face fell.
“Oh, baby, don’t. I promise to be safe. I promise to call you. My life just got good,” He held me close and let me sniffle into his firm shoulder, “why would I go and fuck it up now? Lock the door after me, okay? Tell me when you go to bed, okay?” It felt so natural, kissing him goodbye as he headed off to work and it sobered me a little. This was moving so fast. Then he smiled at me and I didn’t care.
“Night, baby. I will tell you. Thank you...for...” Cage shook his head, his beautiful face lighting with so much emotion I had to look away.
“Thank you, baby,” His sex voice was back and my pussy responded accordingly, “I get to go to work knowing what you taste like. What you sound like when I’m fucking you. How fucking good your pussy feels. How amazing it felt to go to sleep holding you. Wake up next to you. I loved every. Single. Fucking. Minute. I expect a second take, my place next. Night, Sugar. This is going to fucking kill me to wa
lk away right now.” The teenager pouting in me wanted to urge him not to. Beg him to stay. But the adult who was crazy about him, and loved that he was such a good man who loved his job, knew better.
“Me too, baby. Now go. Duty calls. Save lives. Rescue kittens. All that good stuff you do. I will be here when it’s time to clock out.” Cage startled me, dropping his bag and pinning me to the door.
“Jesus, fuck. Say that again.” Love flooded me as I saw what looked like pure, unfiltered need in his eyes.
“I will be here. My life just got good too, baby.” Cage touched his forehead to mine and the depth of emotion that swirled in his eyes stunned me.
“Fuck I needed to hear that. Why is this so hard,” He took a shaky sigh, eyes closing briefly, “I don’t want to leave you. I don’t. Give me some Sugar and shove me out the door, Charli. Or I won’t leave.” I laughed, looping my arms around his thick shoulders and stepping on my tip toes.
“Don’t tempt me to keep you locked up, deny you of Sugar. Go, baby.” Then I kissed him, sweet and deep and without holding back a single thing.
Night one without Cage, after two nights with him, was a rough one.
1
Monday and Tuesday were the worst days I’d had in Chicago since being here. Cage was working a twenty-four-hour shift and spent it at the fire house. We texted like teenagers and he called me whenever he got the chance. After having him to myself for two days it wasn’t nearly enough contact. It was rainy all Monday, cold with bitter winds that took my breath away.
When I wasn’t talking to Cage, I was working with the second week of the mentor program, which wasn’t going over nearly as well as the first. The doctor was a nice enough guy, but the kids didn’t react to him the way they had Cage. There was nothing that got them excited about him or what he did.
Besides that, the roof was leaking in my office at the cottage and one of my favorite book collections had been damaged. I checked in with my brothers and the girls to find out they were considering running the bakery without me. I had never even considered that a possibility.
“The place is an institution,” Colton had argued, all of them on speaker phone, “but mama left you in charge of it. We get that it might not be your thing anymore.” That was not something I ever expected him to understand.
“We love the place though,” That was Maisie, and Sadie cut her off, “please just think about it, angel. You could teach us everything we needed to know.” It would mean heading back home for a while and I instantly panicked, though I couldn’t explain to them why.
“Just...think about it, Charli," Cash chimed in because he knew if anyone could convince me, it was him, “How’s things in the big city, kiddo?”
I would think about it, because I never wanted to think of my mom’s dream ending. Although she had bigger dreams, ones she never got to, that bakery was a big one and she made it happen. It had been hard closing it up to come here, but something I knew she would understand.
Catching them up quickly on my life, but leaving Cage out because my brothers would never understand and that was a conversation for me and the girls later, I was thoughtful as the call ended. Sad, even. I missed home but I did love it here. I loved Sara and the library and was finding a real friend in Lola.
Really, Cage was a good enough reason for me to love it here. That day though, I wasn’t thrilled about his long demanding shifts. It was something I was going to have to get used to and I knew he was worth the effort.
Before the program ended for the day, Lola showed up with a book from Cage. I didn’t even notice the title, knowing there would be a note from him. It was a reminder that he was real and mine and maybe missed me too. As soon as I could get away from the kids and Dr. Patel, I secluded myself in my office and poured over it.
Charli,
It’s four am and we just talked until I think you fell asleep. I miss you. I am so sorry last night was crazy hectic here. Four rescues because apparently, the minute I have a girl I need to devote my time to, work gets crazy. It’s always crazy actually. I just never noticed. I never wanted to talk to anyone else or laid here thinking about someone. I know it will be hard, living this life with me. I hope it’s not asking too much. I want you in my life, Charli. To know I got to go home to you Friday was like nothing I’d ever felt. This weekend we had was the best I’ve ever had.
I wonder what you do all day while I’m here, wonder how the kids in the program are. I wonder if your hair is down. What you’re wearing. I hope it’s not sexy because I don’t like the idea of some doctor enjoying my girl. I’m proud of you with that program; you should be proud of how well it’s doing. Those kids think so highly of you.
I didn’t read this book; Gigi told me you might like it though. She brought it by when she visited the station last night. Tell me how I keep my baby sister from falling for Finn? Pretty sure it’s happening and it’s stressing me out.... speak of the devil I just caught that fuck texting her. Would you bail me out if I beat his ass?
Share time: Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and sometimes I like to have it for dinner. I like to drive around the city late at night. No reason. No destination. I get more anxious than scared when dealing with a fire. Think it’s in my genes; Pop still gets excited. I like old, cheesy rock music like Journey and Chicago. My tattoos...I promised you stories, here’s one: I got my first one right after I became a volunteer. It’s the station badge; I added color to it and the date I was certified. Then I just kept adding. I love your sexy little tattoo. Do you have more? I don’t know how I might have missed them, since I have kissed every single inch of that perfect body. Damn I miss you. :(
I wish I got to know your mom. The way you talked about her in that last note made me miss her right along with you. I think you coming here was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen and she would have expected nothing less.
Having you this weekend, in the biblical sense if you will, was not only the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced, but more intimate than anything I’ve ever felt. Lying in that beast of a bed and holding you all weekend, talking to you in the dark until we were exhausted and laughing with you while we cooked for each other...it felt like there was no other way for us to be, but together.
At this point I think labels feel almost disrespectful for what I feel for you, Sugar. I can give you one though. I feel like the word Girlfriend doesn’t even begin to cover what you are to me. Something else might scare you away. As long as the world knows you are mine. Just like I am yours. I don’t care what we call it. As long as it is, Sugar.
I want to see you today. I’ll swing by with this, of course, and hopefully get some Sugar from you. Maybe make time for the periodicals again ;) If not I will call you when I’m done. I will make time for you, for us, Charli. I promise.
Miss me for now.
Cage
Cage was fast becoming my obsession. As I scrawled yet another note, and smiled at the book, Eleanor and Park, his sister had suggested, I thought maybe the same was true for him. It wasn’t as scary if he was just as twisted up and overwhelmed as I was. Cage spoke of his parent’s relationship, the painfully romantic way they found each other.
Things like this happened every day. Things like Cage and I. Who says fast or intense was bad? Who said months of dating, playing games to get to know them while you both kept yourself safe and closed off was any smarter than intense days of sharing everything and letting yourself fall in love? Once upon a time, maybe I did.
Then, I met Cage Cooper. After the heartbreak of loving someone I was never going to get close to in the ways that made love matter, I was of a new mindset. People don’t need time or to play it safe when it’s real.
Cage and I, it felt fucking real. Tucker was never the great love of my life, he was never my forever. Just like Cage said. Maybe it was too soon but if pressed now, I would say he was right because he knew something I hadn’t.
Cage just might be the great love of my life.
Cage
After spending almost every moment with her for almost three days, leaving her Sunday had been a lot harder than I expected. Thankfully, Charli seemed as miserable as me; which sounded fucked up but at least I knew I wasn’t in this thing alone.
We had made a deal that I had to text her after calls so she knew I was in one piece. To be honest that request did crazy shit to my head. Even crazier shit to my heart. It mattered a fuckova lot to me that she needed to know, no matter the time or what she might be doing, that I was okay.
Of course I complied. I knew, now that I knew the truth about her losses, how scary it was for her let me in. Once she had, I was doing anything and everything to make this work. Make it easy for her. Because I couldn’t lose her. Not now. If I had thought I was crazy about her, possibly falling for her before this weekend, I was clueless.
Charli was going to be the great love of my life. Even if I had considered it not so seriously before, I knew it to be fact now. From wanting to touch her, taste her, bury my cock in her sweet pussy, it changed with each part of me she let me have. Taking her the middle of the kitchen that first night, both of burning with need, had not quenched my need for her. It had set it on fire.
We had laughed and talked and fucked all over that house, barely a surface safe from me pinning her to it and pounding into her. Then sometime in the middle of the afternoon Saturday, after lots of talking and eating and laughing, I had her again in that beast of a bed.