Page 10 of Beyond the Cage
“Let me guess. You’re not into PDA?”
He shakes his head.
“Well, I am, and since it seems you plan on spending time with me, you better get used to it.”
He smiles and his fingers curl around mine.
“Good boy.”
When we reach his motorcycle, I realize he wants me to sit in front again.Oh, no, you don’t, mister.Not after what he did to me this morning. A tiny shiver races down my spine as I recall his fingers on my skin.
“No. I wanna sit on the back.” He gives me a knowing smile. “Hand me my bag.”
He places his helmet on my head before he climbs on, extending his hand to help me up. Seated, I wrap my arms around his waist and smile. It’s my turn now. Once we’re off the campus, I lift his shirt and place both hands on his stomach. His entire body goes rigid. Slowly, I move my hands, trailing my fingers up and down the hills and valleys of his abs. His muscles jump beneath my fingertips and I grin in triumph. Then again, maybe I shouldn’t be distracting him. He just feels so good! I skim my nails across his stomach and that’s when he grabs my hand.Uh-oh.Playtime’s over.I remove my hands and place them at his sides. A few minutes later, he turns into my apartment complex, confusing the hell out of me.I thought we were going to lunch?When he stops, I climb down and remove my helmet.
“You promised me lunch, mister…and I’m hungry.”
“K.O., my man!”
We both look toward the voice. A delivery guy, who looks my age, walks up carrying a plastic bag with food containers inside. I look back to Cameron with a raised brow. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wad of cash, peels off a few bills, then hands them to the guy.
“Thanks, man,” he says with a grin, stuffing the cash in his pocket. As he walks away, he tips his hat to me. “Have a nice day.”
“Thank you. You, too.” I smile at Cameron as he motions for me to precede him. “Aren’tyouslick?”
With a grin, he curls his arm around my shoulder and we make our way upstairs. Inside the apartment, I point to the coffee table.
“You can set up over there. Can I get you something to drink…juice, water?”
He nods and I roll my eyes. “Juice?” This time, he shakes his head. “Water it is, then.”
How does this man function in society without talking? Sign language? I’m already getting frustrated with it and I’ve only known him a day. I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and head over to him. He’s removed his jacket and is stretched out on the floor, his back against the couch. He bought me a chicken Caesar salad, and in his boxes—yes, plural—I see steak, potatoes, asparagus, and fruit salad.
“Do you know sign language?”
He shakes his head. There goes that theory. We eat in silence for a while until I can’t take it anymore.
“You know, on my first dates we usually talk…get to know each other better.”
He throws a glance my way and gives me the ‘be my guest’ gesture.
“Okay, let’s see. First of all, last name’s Carter. I’m twenty-two, my birthday’s September twenty-fifth, so that makes me a Libra. I’m a senior, pre-med, majoring in Biological Sciences, and Chemistry. My favorite color is green, and I like music and long walks on the beach. Your turn.”
All I get is a smile.You know what? Two can play this game.I concentrate on my salad, which is delicious, and ignore him completely. After a while, he touches my arm and I look over at him. His brow is creased with worry.What’s wrong? You want to know what’s wrong?I shrug. His frown deepens and I raise a brow at him.Trying to figure me out, huh?He sighs in exasperation and I smile.Don’t like the taste of your own medicine?I clear the remnants of our lunch and take it to the kitchen. When I turn around, he’s standing there staring at me. In dramatic fashion, I flip my hair and walk off to my bedroom.
I have no more classes today but I need to change for work, so I close my door and wiggle out of my jeans. While I’m searching my closet, the door opens and he steps inside.
I try to cover myself, but what’s the point? He’s already seen me. Not to mention he’s seen a whole lot more.
“Don’t you knock?”
Oh, crap. That ‘melt my panties’ look is in his eyes again. I place my hands on my hips, determined not to fall for it.
“What? See something you like?” I ask sardonically. He takes a step forward, but I stop him in his tracks. “Too bad you can’ttellme what it is.”
I grab a pair of pants but before I can put them on, he’s right in front of me.
“What?” I ask in frustration.
