Page 143 of Caged

Home. Jay had only stayed over three nights, but my apartment already felt like our home.

Seven Weeks Later

Cate

Seven weeks. That was how long Jaden and I had been together when I attended Jamie and Emily’s wedding as his plus one. I’d received an invitation in my own right, but didn’t need it.

Jay spent more nights at my place than he did at Jamie, forcing me to remind myself I loved him as I adjusted to having his stuff everywhere. He wasn’t messy, per se, he just didn’t put things were I would put them. Jay reminded me every day that I didn’t need to be perfect to be loved.

Luckily, the therapist I was seeing for my captivity trauma was also helping me deal with my compulsive need to control everything reminded me of the same thing.

I was getting better, but still got frustrated when it seemed like he wasn’t trying.

Jay’d remind me it was an adjustment for him too, often saying, “It’s not easy living with someoneso uptight.”

It always resulted in a fight. The fights always ended with Earth shattering makeup sex.

The sex. Sex with Jaden was everything I thought it’d be.And more. He was possessive and controlling, and I found I liked giving up control when I trusted the man I gave it to. Not that I didn’t occasionally take charge,I am who I am, after all.

Those thoughts were why I was blushing and had an ear-to-ear smile plastered on my face when I walked into Emily’s bridal room in the church.

“Oh, I know what you’re thinking about,” Ashley greeted me with a mimosa.

I laughed. I’d learned it was better to not respond at all if I wanted Ashley to give up on a topic.

“Cate,” Emily got up and hugged me. “I’m glad you’re here.” Another change, everyone called me Cate outside the office.

“Me, too.” I made my way around the room, hugging the women gathered with Emily. Meg, Mary, and the only Sheppard sister, Madi. Jay was right; I loved her. And Emily’s mom, Anne.

“You look gorgeous,” I said when I got back around to Emily. This was the first time I’d seen her in the white silk, spaghetti strap dress since she’d had it altered. “Where’s the train?”

“Oh, I’m not putting it on until the last minute so I don’t rip it.”

Ashley, Meg, and Madi wore dresses in matching shades of baby blue. Ashley’s low-cut, figure-hugging dress showedoff her athletic figure. Madi’s dress had a similar style but was more modest, and the color brought out the flecks of blue in her hazel eyes. Meg’s dress showed off her barely-there baby bump.

I thought back to the shopping trip when I’d made the mistake of letting Jay help me pick out a dress. His first choice got an instant veto; it was a strappy, second-skin red mini dress. Not only was it inappropriate for a wedding, but there was no way in hell I’d ever leave the house in it.

When he bought it anyway, he said, “It’s a good thing you won’t leave the house, I’d have to gouge the eyes out of any man who looked at you.”

The first time I wore it, he scooped me up and carried me to the bedroom. He insisted I wear it, devouring me with his eyes while he slowly took his clothes off.

“Earth to Cate,” Mary said, waving her hand in front of my face.

“Sorry, I was just…” Heat crept up my cheeks.Thinking about having sex with your son.I finished my mimosa in one gulp.

While the stylist did Emily’s hair, Madi said I should go back to using Max.

“Why?” I asked. When I looked around, I felt like the only one who wasn’t in on the joke.

“Because, then all my brothers will be with women who have M names.”

I looked at the bride to be. “Emily doesn’t start with M.”

“No, but everyone calls her Em, which is basically just the letter,” Meg said.

It made sense, and I was a little embarrassed it took me so long to see it.

“You can call me Max if you want. Or Maxwell. That’s what the guys call me at work.”

---