Page 17 of Mysterious Mate

“Status report,” he called out.

“All clear,” Davis replied. “Casualties are minimal on our side. They won’t be coming back anytime soon.”

Cage nodded, relief washing over him. Maybe Carlyle’s men wouldn’t be soon returning, but he had no doubt that at some point the Shadow League would mount their own assault.

“Good work, everyone. Let’s secure the area and tend to the wounded.”

As his team moved to clean up and secure the fortress, Cage made his way back to the command center. He needed to check on Willow, to make sure she was safe. His heart pounded in his chest as he moved toward the main house.

“Jones?”

“We’re good, sir. She’s pretty antsy. I’m going to bring her up.”

“I’ll be with you in just a bit.”

When he entered the main house, she was there, sitting on the edge of her couch, her face pale but determined. She stood up as he entered. “Cage, are you okay? Your men?”

“We’re all good; minor casualties. Thank you for your concern,” Cage said, running his hand through his hair. “It’s over. You’re safe.”

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and fear. “While I certainly appreciate that, I would have been very upset if anyone had been seriously injured on my account.” She shook her head. “I never should have started this. I should have either just stayed or disappeared.”

“Neither of those were options. Frank would never have wanted you to see him in a weak position, and the League would have wanted you dead. No. You did the only thing you could, and it took guts to do it,” he replied. “You need to stay alive. You’re important.”

She leaned into him, her body trembling slightly. “I was so scared. Not for me, but for all of you.”

Cage nodded, his resolve hardening. He would keep her alive. Willow Carlyle was not at all what he or anyone else thought. Frank Carlyle had crossed a line today. This wasn’t just an attack; it was a declaration of war. And Cage was determined to end it and ensure Willow didn’t need to worry about a divorce. She’d be much better off as a widow.

CHAPTER 10

WILLOW

Willow knew that Cage would never come right out and tell her if he was an assassin or not, but he and his men had protected her. He wouldn’t do that if he was going to try and kill her, would he? How would she even ask him that? Point blank? ‘So, tell me, Cage, are you a highly paid assassin sent here to murder me and if so, who’s paying you? And when is it likely to happen—before or after you fuck me like a porn star?’ Good god, I need to get over myself.

Even if he was a stone-cold killer, he'd never admit it, and if he was, she doubted she'd ever see death coming. It was a dark thought that lingered at the back of her mind, surfacing at odd moments, but she tried to push it away and continued to remind herself that he and his men had put their lives on the line for her. Her mind was filled with far too many erotic thoughts and images to continue to think along those lines. And yet… She was becoming obsessed with him, but she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

Her fears about her own sanity started to diminish as well. Cage was an attractive man, and her body knew it. That’s all it was—a physical and hormonal reaction to a gorgeous hunk of an alpha male. The way he seemed to lead without expending any effort only added to his allure. Besides, he was very protective of her. When the elite soldiers who were outside the castle walls got too near, male or female, he stepped in their way. When one seemed to ogle her by the pool, Cage had sharp words for the man and sent him running.

That made her smirk. But then she wondered why he was bothering. If he wasn’t going to touch her, who was he to stop her from having another man in her bed? Not that she wanted anyone but him, but that wasn’t the point. She attempted to flirt half-heartedly with one of the soldiers to try and goad Cage into doing something; anything.

She supposed in a way it had. Cage would allow no one—security detail or soldier—by the pool at all when Willow was out there. Cage stood with his back to the wall, just right of the gate, not ten feet away from her. Willow was fairly certain he was watching her. His face was pointed in her direction, but he’d found some very dark, mirrored sunglasses that hid his eyes completely.

She almost wondered if he was watching her to memorize how she looked in her swimming suit. She was on the lounger, flat on her stomach, and decided to turn over. As she did so, her top moved, and her breasts were exposed. She looked right at Cage and saw only one movement—he licked his lips. Otherwise, he was rock solid and still. She pulled at the top to cover herself, but it gave her an idea. Maybe she could taunt him into making a move?

The idea that he was watching her but not moving was hot. How long would he stay still? How long would he watch her? It sparked new fantasies, fantasies she could never act out. Or could she? Willow knew she was losing it, but that didn’t stop her from thinking and wondering. She’d never been an exhibitionist—okay, except for that day when she’d masturbated where anyone could see her—but the idea of putting on a show sent warmth straight to her core. She wanted Cage in a way that was truly insane.

The days continued to pass, each one blurring into the next as the heat of the sun and the rhythm of the waves became her only constant companions. Teams of soldiers came and went outside the castle walls, and Cage rotated the positions of those on the security detail. Cage’s presence was a steady pulse in her life, a reminder of both safety and the tantalizing unknown.

She found herself constantly aware of him, his movements, his expressions—those that she could read, anyway. He was like the fortress itself, impenetrable and unyielding, but every now and then, she caught glimpses of something else. Something raw and untamed beneath the surface.

One afternoon, as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden hue over everything, Willow decided to test the boundaries a little further. She lounged by the pool, wearing a different bathing suit that left little to the imagination. It had a deep plunge in the front, an open back, and fabric that clung to her every curve, but in a good way. She could feel Cage’s eyes on her, even though he stood stoically by the gate, seemingly disinterested.

Willow stretched languidly, arching her back in a way that she knew showcased her figure. She knew because she used to study videos of how to make herself alluring to her husband. When she realized Frank had never really been interested in her sexually, she’d given up. But maybe all those videos would now come in handy. She glanced over at Cage and saw his jaw clench, a muscle twitching as he fought to maintain his composure. She kept her face a mask, but inside she grinned like the Cheshire cat. The sight sent a thrill through her, and she decided to push teasing Cage just a little bit more.

She stood up slowly, making sure to draw out the movement, and walked to the edge of the pool. She dipped a toe in, shivering slightly at the coolness of the water, then turned back to look at Cage. His sunglasses were still on, but she could feel the intensity of his gaze.

Willow’s heart pounded as she took a step forward, her body swaying slightly. She let her hands trail over her hips, adjusting the swimming suit that had shifted just a bit. Cage’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she could see the effort it took for him to remain still.

“Cage,” she called out, her voice soft but carrying across the stillness of the afternoon. “Could you help me with something?”

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