Page 23 of Caged By the Stranger
He really isn’t glamorous at all. He’s always clean and well put together, but now that I know the extent of his wealth, I’m a bit surprised to find he doesn’t flaunt it more in his appearance. The key on his chain isn’t an adornment. It’s just a plain metal key and isn’t even affixed to an eyelet. It’s almost like how guys keep one for a gym locker.
“That’s not what I meant,” Carmen chides, “but, fine, since we’re on Charlie’s boring topic,” she pauses, casting an eye roll my way. Like I give a damn about this stupid game. “What’s with the key? Does it unlock a safe full of pirate treasure on the yacht, or is it for something boring like life preservers?”
“Your priorities amaze me, Carmen.” He chuckles, and I have to hold back a chuff at the way he’s humoring her playful nature. Taking a deep inhale, he casts his eyes toward the darkening evening sky overhead in thought. “It’s for something very special to me.”
I don’t understand the crypticism other than it seems like his MO. I couldn’t care less about their sophomoric game, but that gets Carmen sitting up straight.
“Okay. Color me intrigued! Go on. Special how? Like a family heirloom?”
Rory lets out a soft laugh. “You already used your question.”
“That was not an answer. And hardly a truth!”
“It wasn’t a lie,” he digresses.
Sighing dramatically, she rolls her eyes. “It’s for the life preservers. Isn’t it?”
“No. Those aren’t locked up.”
“Good to know, but you’ve got to give me more than that.”
“Truth or Riddle, huh? Did we just level up?”
“What else have we got to do?” she challenges airily, turning her palms up.
I realize it’s starting to look like I’ve been forgotten, so I plan my exit. I can just get out slowly and act like I’m going to head to the bar. Then I can slip back below deck while they’re babbling.
Biting his lower lip in thought, Rory swirls his drink. “It’s something I just had to have. The first time I saw it, I knew it was meant for me.”
“Hmm. Was it expensive?” Carmen ventures.
“It’s not something you can put a price on,” he counters, fiddling with the little key between his thumb and index fingers.
“But you keep it locked up…” she hums in thought. “Are you afraid it could be stolen?”
“No, that’s not possible. You can’t steal something that’s freely given.”
I don’t know why I haven’t gotten out yet, other than I’m growing curious as to what the fuck he’s talking about. Or maybe I’m just curious about how long it will take Carmen to give up on this stupid guessing game.
“So…it was a gift?”
“You could say that. It’s certainly the greatest one I’ve ever received.” His gaze flicks to mine as he adds, “It’s a huge compliment to be given such a gift.”
Letting go of the key, he lazily extends his arm across the edge of the tub. If I look away, I’ll look like a guilty man who was recently seen in a cock cage, so I hold his stare even though it makes me want to squirm. He said those words earlier today when he was talking about cages. It feels like…he’s taunting me.
“Can we see it?”
A hint of a smile plays at the corner of his mouth as he glances down at his drink. “No. Afraid not. I don’t plan on ever sharing it with anyone.”
I don’t like the insinuations he’s making about our conversation from earlier today. Something he won’t share with anyone? Yeah, I’m not being paranoid. He’s fucking with me. Now, I am curious. What the fuck is that key for?
“Oh, I’m gonna figure this out. I’m not giving up,” Carmen mumbles. “Is it on this yacht?”
“At the moment,” he murmurs and then his eyes meet mine, “yes.”
There’s something heated about his stare. Combined with that one little word of affirmation he just uttered, it has me gasping. My lungs are suddenly heavy.
No. That’snotwhat he means.
