Let It Burn

by Dee Ellis

  Cage’s magic hands moved, shoving over my front, lifting my tits in his hands. I moaned, arching into his touch, biting his lip when his thumbs flicked over my hard nipples. Hard. Soft. Harder. My hips rocked harder, my pussy soaked as I cursed throwing jeans on.

  Had I left the leggings on, I could feel his cock pressing against my wetness; let him feel how bad I wanted him. Still wanted him. Would always want him. Cage’s mouth was at my ear, teeth at my earlobe, then my jaw, then sucking at the curve of my neck. My head dipped back and he moved until I was almost lying back on the blazer.

  “Baby I will do anything,” His teeth sunk into my shoulder, hard, before suckling, “anything to fix what I did. I won’t let you run away, Sugar. I can’t be without you now. Fuck you feel so good. Let me make you feel good, baby. Please.” My head nodded and his hands dropped to my jeans, the button open and zipper down in seconds.

  “Please, baby. Touch me, Cage.” Cage broke away, yanking at my jeans.

  “Fuck yes,” He growled as I lifted my hips a little, “I need to make you come again. Hear you say my name as I make you feel good. I need it baby. Spread your legs for me, Sugar.” Cage tore my jeans and panties down in one motion, letting them tangle at my ankles.

  Then he was kissing me, his large hands sliding up my bare thighs, sending heat straight to my core. My hips lifted as his hands slid beneath them, yanking me to the edge of the front end of the blazer. It was cold against my skin, but I was hot everywhere, needing him to make the ache between my legs go away. Only he could.

  It was awkward and clumsy and I laughed and he did too and one of the paper cut wounds yesterday had inflicted on me began to heal. Cage’s tongue was in my mouth, teeth at my lips and he groaned, guttural and low when one hand pressed between my legs.

  “Jesus, fuck baby,” Hot words rushed out against my lips as his fingers slipped over me, spreading my wetness over the swollen pink flesh, “so fucking wet for me. Only me. Because this pussy is mine, Sugar. Always will be, Charli. Look at me.”

  I obeyed, like I always did, gasping as his thumb pressed hard and fast against my clit, back and forth, swiping and putting exquisite pressure.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful. I won’t let you go. I can’t. Yeah, that’s it baby, open up to me,” I cried out long and loud as two fingers slid inside me, curling to seek that spot that undid me, “look at me while I touch you. I love to see you come apart for me. So sexy, your eyes go wild and you say my name just right when I touch you right there,” My hips lifted and he hissed out a sound as I cried his name,

  “Just like that. Turns me the fuck on to watch you come for me, Sugar. Only thing that feels better is being inside you when we come together. Eyes on me, Sugar. Keep those eyes on me.” I struggled to obey, his fingers pumping inside me, twisting just right, his thumb swiping at my clit until my hips bucked.

  “Oh shit,” I hissed, my fingers clawing at his muscled shoulders, “Cage...please, I’m so close. Fuck it feels so good when you touch me. Always. Oh...oh!”

  “That’s it, Sugar. Come for me baby. Fuck, you’re so perfect baby. Come for me, Charli.” Then I did, hard and slow, the pleasure rolling through me as my hips rocketed up off the hood of the blazer, my legs clutching at him.

  “Cage! Oh, yes!” Then I was kissing him as his fingers pumped inside me still, my pussy spasming around his thick digits.

  “Fuck yes. Feels so good to hear you come, baby. I love the little noises you make for me.” Cage murmured against my mouth, nibbling at my lips between words, letting me catch my breath.

  Without moving too far away, he righted my clothes, eyes never leaving mine. As I watched, he sucked his fingers into his mouth, groaning as he cleaned my pleasure from them. I shuddered and the legs wrapped around him tugged, bringing him close again.

  Cage touched his forehead to mine, the hand that had not been knuckle deep inside me cupping my jaw. He pressed a dozen sweet, promising kisses at my mouth, my jaw, my nose, making me laugh gently. Leaning away a little more, he took a deep breath, his thumb swiping over my mouth.

  “I love you so fucking much.” Once again I felt like a blooming garden, my face lighting up with his words, my chest expanding. I knew he meant it now. I knew.

  “What. The. Fuck.” Boomed a loud voice from just feet away.

  “Oh shit,” I yelped, sliding down off the blazer, shoving at Cage, “Stop right there.” I tried to move in front of him, tried to stop what I saw about to happen.

  “Baby, no...” Cage shoved me gently to the side, my curses falling on deaf ears.

  “Motherfucker.”

  Cash said nothing else, just cocked back his massive fist. Cage took it, waited for it even. Faster than I thought he could move, Cash struck out two, three times. I screamed out as Cage flew back against the blazer and crumpled to the ground.

  Cash rushed him, kicking him twice in the ribs, Cage rocking from the blows. Blood spurted into the air like a fucking fountain and I shoved at my brother’s shoulders, rushing to protect Cage. Maisie cursed and darted in front of his hulking form as he stepped forward, ready for more.

  Well shit; pretty sure my big brother just killed the love of my life.

  1

  Cash looks like a bull, storming back and forth in front of the fireplace Colton is working to get going. Its cooler out than I expected but I think the fire is just a way for Colton to distract himself. I sit at the low carved walnut coffee table, a first aid kit open at my lap. Cage is watching me from one of the leather club chairs, smiling around a busted lip.

  Cash got him good and he went down hard, staying out for a lot longer than I was comfortable with. Sadie smacked him around until he came back to me, Maisie cursing and Colton laughing the entire time. When he woke up, cradled against my chest, blood staining the hoodie I loved so much, he frowned.

  “I love you in that fucking hoodie, too. Shit.” Then he winced and tried to smile before we helped him up, Cash coming at us once again.

  One look from me had him throwing his hands up, a snort of anger flaring his nostrils. Like a fucking bull. The guys refused to help us, so Maisie, cursing at her husband for being a brute and a dick after the fact, helped me get Cage inside. Sadie produced the first aid kit from the kitchen and the two sat at the couch, watching me tend to him.

  They were smirking and I just glared at them while I tended to Cage. He wasn’t dead, thank goodness; but besides the split lip, a massive bruise on his cheek, his noise was beat up too. Still he smiled at me while I gently cleaned him up, as if he had just won some little victory. I suppose surviving the quick but brutal attack kind of was a victory, in dude logic.

  “More worried about your face, Cage. Ribs too. Can you breathe, baby?” Wincing when I pressed a gentle hand to his ribs, which were likely broken after those kicks, he nodded.

  “I can now, Sugar.” Cage just smiled wider, splitting his lip back open and I bit my lip, looking away with my own smirk.

  “Cash, Colton,” I raised my voice but kept my eyes on Cage, “You lay another finger on him unless I request it, which I won’t, I swear to god it will be you I bury on this fucking farm.” Cash made a nose but rounded to stand behind Cage, Colton joining him.

  “Fucker earned it.” Colton spoke for Cash, something that was a common occurrence.

  “He’s right, baby,” Cage still smiled, but his eyes were sad, “I hurt you. I earned at least what I got. More, maybe.” Then he shoved to his feet and, arm wrapped around his ribs, stuck his hand out towards my brothers.

  The room grew thick with tension as the girls and I shot to our feet too. It felt divided and I knew this was an important moment. I pressed close to Cage, offering silent support.

  Even if I didn’t know where we stood, which even after the “I love you” changed everything and the quick orgasm in the barn, I didn’t. I couldn’t see him hurt. I loved him. No matter what happened next, I loved Cage Cooper more than I thought I could love anyone.

  I wouldn’t l
et my brothers, or myself for that matter, cause him any more damage than had already been done. I hurt him too, I knew the minute I saw him on my front porch that I had done damage too. I didn’t know if this could be fixed, any of it, but I certainly wasn’t going to allow more to happen.

  “Cash, Colton,” He tipped his head, waiting for them to take his hand or ignore it, “I’m Cage Cooper. I’m here to fix my mistake. I am so in love with your sister, it hurts more than that beating you gave me. I never wanted to hurt her, and I will do whatever it takes to not do it again. I love her.” Tears flooded my eyes as I watched him baring his soul to my surly, brooding brothers.

  Behind me, Sadie and Maisie let out little sounds and I realized I did too. They took my hands, moving behind us more in a sign of support. I watched Cage, breath taken by his pretty words, by his bravery, by him. Even after the barn, he had no idea where I stood and still he was willing to put himself out there. I could reject him and yet he was professing feelings to strangers. I loved him.

  I still hurt, still was not sure I had the whole truth or if I wanted to know it. But I knew I loved him. More with every pretty word, with every act of him trying to prove how he felt. That I mattered to him. Coming here had taken bravery, letting Cash let loose on him, admitting his feelings this way with no idea how I felt. How could I not love him? Damn him.

  “Cage, we met briefly earlier,” Maisie stepped in front of Cash once again, ignoring his glare, “Maisie Dixon. The brute with your blood on his fists is Cash; the voyeur who enjoyed the beating is Colton.” Sadie stepped up next, beaming bright like always.

  “That makes me Sadie Dixon. The voyeur is mine. Glad you came, darlin’.” Then, true to Sawyer nature, the family was the most loving in town, the girls took turns hugging him and planting a kiss on his good cheek.

  “Pleasure, ladies.” Cage put his hand back out and Colton stepped up, eyeing him before taking it, and pumping twice.

  “Despite it all, nice to meet you, Cage.” Stepping back, he made a point of knocking into Cash, spurring him on.

  “Can’t say it’s nice to meet you,” Cash crossed his beefy arms over his chest, “I will say you hurt her again, like she said, we got plenty of land to bury you in. Maisie.” He ignored Cage’s hand and hooked his own around Maisie s neck, leading her from the room.

  Colton offered a smile as way of an apology and then led Sadie out too, kissing the top of my head and whispering another apology as he went. Colton was always the tie breaker, the mediator, and although he wasn’t the same after his tour overseas, that was still true.

  The room went quiet and I started to panic a little; they would be heading home and I’d be alone with Cage. That meant we had to talk, had to deal with us. It scared the shit out of me.

  The others weren’t a buffer anymore; they would be back to take care of the farm, but mostly it would be just us. I wanted time with him. I wanted him to make me understand what he had done. Try to make him understand why I had fled.

  “Relax, Sugar,” Cage spoke gently, twisting to face me, his hands coming up to cup my jaw, “I can feel you losing your shit. Look at me, Charli.” I obeyed, as it seemed I always did when he used that voice on me.

  “We need to talk. I still...there’s so much still.” Tears flooded my eyes when I saw the warmth, the emotion in his beautiful eyes.

  “Sugar, I know. I got all the time we need to fix this. Which is what we do. We fix this and we get past it. Because I won’t go back without knowing you’re coming home to me. You get me?” Cage smiled and moved closer, letting me fall against his firm chest, my lungs filling with his scent.

  “I got you, baby.” Cage’s eyes lit up with hope, with love and he bent his head slowly.

  “I love you baby. I always have. I always will. I need you Sugar. I don’t breathe the same without you. I don’t see the world the same without you. I am here to fix the damage I did and bring you home where you belong.” His nose touched to mine as he took a shaky breath, his words thick with emotion.

  “Cage....take me someplace?” I wanted to give him the words too. To tell him how much I loved him, but it had to wait. I had truths to reveal.

  “Wherever you want, baby. Give me some Sugar.” I laughed and pressed close, gently, kissing him softly, whimpering when he deepened it.

  “It hurts but it feels so damn good to taste you, Sugar. Come on now.” Taking my hand, he led me outside and to the blazer.

  Climbing in, I was smirking about that; he had hidden himself in the barn, with the aid of Maisie I was certain, waiting for the right time. The chance to let me know he was here. That he had chased me like he promised. That he wouldn’t give up, even if he was the one who had done the damage.

  Which meant some of my fears were already washed away. It made no sense if he wanted Ariel or anything else really, for him to come all this way and take that beating and not know if I even wanted him back. No, as Cage climbed in beside me and took my hand, like it was so natural, I knew he was here for the right reasons.

  Cage was here to fight for us. I think I was ready to fight too.

  1

  We were sitting by the river for a while, quiet in the warm sun as cool winds kicked up off the water. Cage drove in silence as I directed him to the spot I mentioned once before. Where most celebrations took place in my tiny town. Fourth of July and Memorial Day; any excuse for people to drink, set things on fire and eat by the water.

  Now it was quiet, cleaned up from any recent festivities, though a huge black circle where a bonfire had been charred the sand. Cage led me down to the water as if he knew the way, clutching his ribs with one hand, mine with the other. I sat down with my feet in the wet sand, the bottoms of my jeans getting soaked. Cage fell in beside me, patient before I finally spoke.

  “My mama lied. Cancer was killing her for half my life. The boys knew. Daddy knew. Sadie and Maisie knew. I hated them for a while because they lied for her; their mama is a nurse and got close to mine while she did treatments. They didn’t know I was the only fucking soul in town who didn’t know. Oh I’m sure other people didn’t know but...we were close, me and my mama. I thought...she could have told me and gave me time to prepare. To know I was losing her. Instead I found out weeks before she was gone. They said it was to protect me,” I laughed harshly and Cage shifted closer, hand dropping to my thigh, his head dipping to kiss my shoulder.

  “Then my daddy. For about half of the time my mama was dying, he was building a new life. He loved her so much, but somehow he knew the battle she fought wouldn’t matter. He knew she was using borrowed time. New wife, new job, new city, new home. He left two days after we buried her. Told me I was so much like her, looked too much like her for him to be able to stay anymore. Years...for years he stood and held her hand then went home to another woman.” Now he moved into me, tugging my side into his chest and pressing his mouth to my ear.

  “I’m so sorry baby. If I met your father, I might kill him. Marriage, it means something when you say those vows. Through sickness and health. It matters. When you raise children you owe them better than that. He’s a coward.” I moved into him, needing the strength he was offering, knowing there was still more to admit. So much more.

  “It came out of nowhere. I graduated and within a month, mama was gone, daddy was gone, I was engaged, then all alone. The boys were with Tucker when he joined the army. More lies. I never knew they wanted that, but they wanted out of this town. Even if just to get away from losing mom. Tucker...never once did he say the army was something he might consider. He put a ring on my finger, asked me in front of all our families and friends. He knew I had to say yes. Even though by then, we both knew....” Cage went stiff and I knew it must hurt him to hear me talk about my past. One he didn’t fully understand. Because of my own lies.

  “Did you not want to say yes?” The small flicker of hope in his voice broke my heart; he had no idea.

  “No. I... didn’t have a choice then...Tucker....I loved him. So much. He was
my best friend,” Cage shifted away a little so I twisted to face him in the warm sunlight, “baby look at me. No one knows my truths. Not all of them. Because my truths are tangled up with Trucker's. I couldn’t.... even after....” Cage watched me, sadness darkening his lovely eyes before he looked away.

  “You feel guilty for living when he doesn’t get to.” His eyes were on the water and I knew he thought Tucker was a ghost he had to fight.

  “Yes. Not guilty enough not to live though. Before he died, he sent me a letter; I opened it last night finally. It’s not just for me; it’s for Cash and Colton, for his family. His truth. Tucker joined the army to get out of this god damned town, and to take me with. Once he got out, he got to live his truth a little. Taking me with might have happened one day, but we never would have had the wedding this entire town was waiting on.” My breath was tight in my chest and my heart pounded. I was going to be free finally.

  “Why? You loved him...he clearly loved you.” Tears were thick in his eyes and I hated hurting him, but knew he had to know it all.

  “Oh, baby I did love him. I loved Tucker for half my life. Look at me, baby,” Cage swiped away tears with his thumbs, “not like this. Nothing like this, Cage.”

  “It kills me you wanted to marry someone else before me.” I laughed, moving to touch my forehead to his, my lips to his, my hands cradling his jaw.

  “Cage....I was never going to marry Tucker. He was not the great love of my life. Not my forever. Tucker did not love me the way you do. He could never. Not just because he was not my forever, like you are. Not because I could never love him the way I love you. Because....I could never be what he needed me to be. He lied to himself, to me, to the entire fucking town for years. I always wondered. He did not touch me like he wanted me. Just like he thought he should,” Once I realized that I resented him but not anymore.

  “Tucker could never touch me and set me on fire the way you do. Look at me and make me want him. I loved him like you love Gigi or Regan or Tegan. Maybe even Finn. He loved me like Colton and Cash love me. Tucker fell in love fast with a sweet, handsome, and very out man he met at boot camp,” Cage’s eyes were still wet, and it was not lost on me I had told him I loved him, and not the way I had always thought I might.