Caged (Bound by Cage Book 1)

by Brittany Crowley

  “I’m glad you said that because I packed us a picnic.” I look to where there is a picnic basket and a folded up blanket on a table. I’m in awe, nobody’s ever packed me a picnic before, and it might be the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me and on a first date no less.

  “You packed me a picnic?” I ask when we stop. “You’re really pulling out the big guns for a first date.”

  He grabs the basket and blanket without letting go of my hand and walks me to the Octagon. We enter and go inside, then he lays out the blanket and puts the picnic basket down. Pulling me close, he puts his hands around my waist. “I was challenged to woo you baby, consider yourself wooed.”

  I really like him calling me baby, more than I should. I need to slow down my hormones before I jump him, this is only our first date and in the back of my mind I’m still thinking about all the supermodels he has dated.

  “Why did you get so serious all of a sudden?” He asks me. He must have seen it written all over my face and I suddenly feel the need to come clean about searching him on the internet.

  “I may have done an internet search on your name last night. My friend was gushing about you and what a big deal you were, so I felt the need to look into it. I got to look through page after page of super models on your arm. I was just thinking you may be wooing me but I really need to step up my game to make an impression on you,” I look down at my hands. I can’t believe I’m being this honest with him but I feel like I need to be straight-forward.

  Putting two fingers under my chin he lifts it so he can look in my eyes. “I’m not going to lie. When I first got into fighting I took what was thrown at me. I was with a lot of women and I went to lots of parties, but when I realized I was going somewhere in this business, it really had me thinking. I didn’t want any of that to be what I was known for. I want to be known for who I am in this Octagon, not in the tabloids. I stopped partying and dating the easy women and focused more on my career and here I am, about to be in the biggest fight of my career,” he stares into my eyes and I can see the sincerity of his words.

  “Why me then. Why add a distraction when you have the biggest fight of your life coming up?” It’s a legit question and I will not be the reason he loses. This man is a hero to many, apparently including my dad.

  “I just know that if I don’t pursue this, you, that I will regret it.”

  Then he goes in for the kiss taking my breath away. His lips meet mine and I know that this is the kiss, the one that changes everything. He runs his tongue along the seam of my lips, begging for entry and I open my mouth willingly. His tongue dives in as he devours my mouth and I kiss him just as passionately back. I slide my fingers into his hair trying to pull him closer. This feels so right. I have to squeeze my legs together to stifle the ache that is building, as his hands slide down to my ass and cup it. This kiss is everything. I slide my hands down to the bottom of his shirt and place my hands on the bare skin of his stomach, I don’t even realize when a moan slips out of my mouth and he pulls back leaving our foreheads touching while we’re both breathing heavy.

  “Wow,” that’s all I have, I have never been kissed like that before. He doesn’t know it, but he just ruined me for all other men.

  “Wow,” he says back.

  “Can I just see something really quick?” I ask.

  He nods, so I lift his tee shirt over his head. I stare at his body for what feels like an hour but really, it’s just minutes. It’s even better than I thought it would be. He has strong muscular arms wrapped in ink, a defined chest, slim waist with a sexy as hell six pack, and holy shit, he has a V that leads down into his jeans. I hope I’m not drooling.

  I look up into his eyes. “I told myself I would do a search to see what you were hiding under your shirt later, but I figured YOLO and seized the moment,” I give him a shy smile then look at the ground.

  He starts laughing. “Well? Do I measure up to what you’ve fantasized about?”

  “Cocky again are we? Assuming I actually fantasize about your hot sexy bod, yes, you Mr. Cage are sexy as sin.”

  He clears his throat slightly uncomfortable and says “let’s get some food gorgeous.”

  He puts his shirt back on and I can’t help but feel disappointed, something so beautiful shouldn’t be covered up. He sees me watching him and winks, I just shrug my shoulders. After we sit down he pulls out a couple of sandwiches, a salad, some fruit and a bottle of wine.

  “I should start by saying I am on food restriction being this close to the fight, so the salad is for me. I picked up a couple types of sandwiches figuring you can pick the one you like and the wine is also for you. My trainer will kick my ass if I drink anything other than water.”

  I pick the Turkey and cheese sandwich and some fruit. I look over to him and he is wolfing down his salad. His choice of no salad dressing has me scrunching up my nose in disgust.

  “What? Do I have something on my face?”

  “Just a plain salad? Who the hell doesn’t eat dressing on their salad? You can’t trust a person that eats a dry salad,” I joke making him laugh.

  “Hey there’s chicken in here too! My nutritionist gives me a very strict list of what to eat and when. I do as I’m told and it usually works out in the end, the end being annihilating my opponent. Plus, it’s only when I’m preparing for a fight,” he gives me a cocky smile and dives back into his salad, exaggerating each bite he takes.

  I whistle. “A nutritionist, I didn’t know I was dining with the rich and famous. I would have worn my tiara,” I laugh at my own joke.

  “That’s right. I can’t impress you with my celebrity status, not that having a nutritionist is a big splurge. Lucky for you, I couldn’t care less about it. And for what it’s worth I think you look beautiful, I love that you could care less about materialistic things.”

  “You already impress me without even knowing about that part of your life. I can’t picture you being like that, driving around in a Ferrari, making it rain at the club. And for the record I am a female, I definitely love some materialistic things, look at these shoes! 60 bucks! I too, am a big spender,” I laugh.

  “I don’t know if I can compete with that kind of money Miss Jenks,” he laughs, “and let me set the record straight, I don’t ‘make it rain,’ he uses air quotes “in the club. What celebrities are you reading about? I’m a fighter not a rapper,” he laughs at me.

  “You seem wicked young to be as accomplished as you are. How old are you?

  “First off, your Boston accent is the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. I am 26 and I can say the same about you. You own a successful bar at the ripe age of….” he waits for me to answer.

  “I’m 24, but if it wasn’t for my aunt leaving it to me after she passed away, I don’t think I’d be where I am right now.” It’s the truth. I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t inherited her shop.

  We continue to eat while we talk. I learn that he visits his mom as much as possible and when he decided to move to Massachusetts, he bought her a house so she could move up here too. He has three younger brothers who are all currently tying up loose ends so they can move up here as well. His dad died when he was young, making me feel comfortable with telling him about my mom; it was just another thing we had in common. He also has a dog named Daisy that you can tell he loves so much. I can’t help it, the more I find out about him the more I like him.

  I look at the clock and realize it’s past midnight. “Where did the time go?” I question on a yawn.

  “Seems I lose track of time when I’m with you. Saying that out loud sounded way more cheesier than it did when I thought it. I swear I’m a badass fighter,” he laughs as he packs up the picnic basket and grabs the blanket. We exit the Octagon and put them back on the table.

  “I hate to end this wonderful night but I have training bright and early. I’ll drive you home, no girl of mine is walking home at this hour.”

  I roll my eyes but nod my head smiling.

  *****<
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  We pull up to my house and he cuts the engine. Not wasting any time, he drags me across the console causing me to straddle his lap and slams his mouth against mine. This kiss has so much hunger and passion in it. His tongue enters my mouth and I moan, battling back with my own. Feeling bold, I bite his bottom lip eliciting a growl from Zander that makes my panties wet.

  I start to grind my hips into him, gasping loudly from the sensation. If what I feel is any indication, he is massive. Thank god he wasn’t lying about the whole nine inches thing.

  Rocking into him, he’s hitting me right where I need him most. I can’t believe I’m dry humping him like a teenager, but I can’t help myself. It has been far too long since I’ve been with a man, and even then it was mediocre at best. I moan out his name when he starts thrusting up into me. Feeling the pressure building, he knows I’m close by the frantic pace of my hips. Needing to quench this ache that’s continuing to grow, I arch my back towards the steering wheel.

  Zander slowly starts lifting my sweater until it’s over my head, throwing it in the back seat. There’s no way to describe how his hands feel on my skin as he continues moving them to brush just underneath my breasts. I moan again, urging him on. He takes that as an invitation and cups me, dipping his head lower to bite my nipple through the thin material of my bra. Never have I been more turned on in my life. Pulling the cups down, he makes his way to my other breast while continuing to work the other with his hand. Circling his tongue around the tip, he pulls it into his mouth and sucks hard. Holy shit! I’m not going to last much longer.

  “Ohhhhhhh” is all I can get out. I don’t ever want him to stop.

  Shifting his hips causes me to lose all control as I tumble over the edge, yelling out his name. Zander doesn’t stop rocking his hips until the tremors in my body subside. I lay there with my head on his chest for a few minutes while he rubs my back.

  Leaning back, I look at him, both of us breathing heavy. “Holy shit. Did I just dry hump you? Like literally dry humped you. I’m sorry, I was in the moment and now you probably think I’m-” he cuts me off before I can finish.

  “Baby, that was fucking hot,” he says making me laugh. I look down still embarrassed I got so out of control. This is only our first date for crying out loud and the last thing I wanted was to come off desperate.

  He puts his forehead to mine. “You don’t ever need to feel embarrassed around me. That was sexy as hell, taking what you needed from me,” a blush creeps up my face.

  I grab my sweater from the back seat and jump over the console. I turn to him and look shyly in his eyes. “Tonight was great Zander. You definitely passed the challenge, I have officially been wooed.”

  “Oh baby, don’t think it will ever end. A woman like you…you’re different and you deserve all the hearts and flowers. What time do you get off of work tomorrow?” he asks.

  “I open so I will be out by seven.”

  He leans over the console and plants a quick kiss on my lips. “I’ll be there to pick you up.”

  I nod my head with a smile on my face as I go to open the door. As I’m getting out I feel a SMACK on my ass. I yelp out loud then turn around finding him staring at me with such hunger in his eyes. I just had an amazing orgasm yet the ache between my legs returns.

  I blow him a kiss and in return receive the crooked smile. In true gentlemen fashion, he waits until I get in the door before he drives away. Walking into the living room I see Ashlyn sleeping on the couch so I shut the TV off causing her to stir.

  “How was your date?” she asks groggily.

  I sigh. “I am in so much trouble Ash,” I say as I walk to my bedroom.

  I have just finished taking off my shoes when my phone chimes with a text message. My heart begins to race almost certain who it’s from.

  My Sexy Fighter: Sweet dreams beautiful. xx

  I have barely known this guy for 24 hours and I already feel myself falling for him. It makes me nervous. Especially that there’s a whole other side to his life that I know nothing about. I send him back a text saying good night and lay in my bed.

  How did I get here? I am just a bar owner from Massachusetts. Dating a celebrity fighter does not happen to girls like me. I don’t know what I did in a past life to deserve this, but I am going to enjoy him and soak up as much of him as I can.

  Drifting off to sleep, I dream of my sexy fighter and his hungry eyes looking over me.

  CHAPTER 6

  I haven’t seen Zander since that night at the gym three days ago. I didn’t get to see him the following night because his mom needed his help. Since then he has been busy training and I have been working nights so our schedules haven’t matched up. Texting each other like crazy has gotten me through not seeing him again and I’m actually learning quite a bit about him. Rolling over to stretch I get that familiar feeling someone is watching me.

  “What the hell Ashlyn? Knock on the door every once in a while,” I mumble. I don’t know why I even bother, on the mornings we run, I always find her in my room ready to wake me up.

  “Whatever. I came to tell you I can’t run this morning. I woke up feeling like shit so I have to skip.” She looks horrible, must be a migraine. When she overdoes it she always ends up with a migraine, it’s her body’s way of telling her to slow the fuck down. I know the drill, a little R&R for the day will fix her right up.

  “Do you need me to do anything?”

  “Can you actually run to the store and get me some soup and Gatorade?”

  “You’re lucky I love you. Let me just throw some clothes on then I’ll walk to the store,” she comes over and gives me a hug “you’re my bestest friend ever!”

  You may be wondering why I walk everywhere. I’m not a hippy but I believe in reducing my carbon footprint. Everything I need is in walking distance and if I need to go somewhere far I use Ash’s car. It’s worked out pretty well for me so far.

  I throw on some yoga pants and a tank top. It’s 7:30 am, I’m not trying to impress anyone. There will barely be anyone up at this time, let alone at the store.

  I walk the eight minutes to the grocery store and grab a cart. As I’m going through the aisles, I’m picking up a few things that I need as well. When I reach the cash register, I’m really wishing that I took Ashlyn’s car. Oh well, at least we live kind of close.

  I am carrying all the bags like a pack mule back to my house when a familiar black truck pulls up next to me. Zander hops out and runs around to grab some of my bags.

  He ducks down and kisses my cheek. “What on earth are you doing baby? You could have called me for a ride to the store.”

  I explain how I only went for Gatorade and soup for Ashlyn but forgot I needed some things as well.

  “Where are you going anyways? It’s still pretty early,” I say as I jump up in his truck.

  “I was heading home from my work out. Lucky for you this is my route home,” he closes my door and walks around and slides in on his side. Starting the truck, he reaches over for my hand and links our fingers together.

  “Wait, you already finished your workout, what time do you start training?” I ask flabbergasted.

  “My first workout of the day starts at 5:30am. I usually go for a run then do some weight training. My next session usually starts around noon.”

  He drives to my house without needing any directions even though he’s only been there in the dark. Before we get out he asks me if I want to get some breakfast with him after and I agree. I haven’t seen him in a few days and breakfast sounds perfect. We bring all of the groceries in and I put them away, then I check on Ashlyn to make sure she is okay. When l tell her I’m leaving for a little bit she mumbles her understanding in her pillow before she starts snoring again. Laughing I close her door and head back out to Zander.

  “Okay I’m all yours,” I say as I grab my bag.

  Coming up to me he pulls me into a hug and rests is hands on the small of my back. I look up at him and he lowers his head and places his lips
on mine. It’s a brief kiss but it still has a crazy effect on me.

  “Good morning baby, now get that fine ass in my truck,” dropping his hands he squeezes my ass then lets me go. I feel like I’m walking on air as we make our way to his truck.

  I can’t help but smile. Best morning ever.

  *****

  We drive for five minutes before we pull into a driveway and park. I look at the house in front of me, it’s beautiful and not at all what I would picture a rich fighter owning. It’s a big sage green colonial with a three car garage. I look over to Zander with a puzzled expression on my face.

  “I guess I should have mentioned I want to cook you breakfast… at my house,” he says with a shy smile. I smile back and give his hand a reassuring squeeze. We get out and walk up to his house.

  After we walk through the door he steers me into the kitchen and has me take a seat on a stool at the island. In my quick perusal I notice that the place is sparsely furnished and has no décor on the walls at all. Definitely a guy’s house I think to myself. Watching him he starts moving around the kitchen beginning to work his magic.

  “You know I can’t eat anything good. I usually make myself a veggie omelet if you’re good with that?” he has a huge smile on his face as he says it, like he’s proud to show me his cooking skills.

  “I’m fine with that. I hold my food to a high standard, are you sure you’re up for the challenge?”

  “Oh, I’m always up for the challenge around you baby,” turning around he begins to crack the eggs and chop up some veggies.

  “Then by all means, wow me with your cooking skills Mr. Cage. Just know, Ashlyn is a chef, so I’m a tough critic.” I try to keep a straight face and fail miserably, letting out a huge smile.

  Ten minutes later, he places the omelet in front of me. It smells absolutely delicious and I dive in taking a bite, moaning as it hits my tongue. I go in for another bite, then another. He gives Ashlyn a run for her money when it comes to this omelet. I make a note to mess with her later.