Page 57 of Caged By the Stranger
His eyes are like an eclipse. I am completely lost in them over those two whispered words.
Mine.
Mine.
Mine.
I don’t even realize I’m murmuring it aloud until I catch his repeated, “Yours. Yours,” with each slap of my hips.
He raises his other leg, gripping the back of his thigh like he wants more of me. I hook his other foot over my shoulder, nearly bending him in half.
I missed him too much. Wanted the assurance he just gave me too much. The pressure in my cock sends off a flare down mylegs all the way to my toes. The next thing I know, I’m helpless to stop the onslaught of my release.
I groan in apology, dropping my forehead to his. Twitching with each pulse, I can barely breathe. Digging his fingers into the back of my shoulder, he makes a sound of beautiful anguish and spasms around me. The added stimulation is almost too much, squeezing me when I’m already on another plane.
His slick cock slides against my stomach with my staggered thrusts; a last-ditch effort to see him to where he needs to be. No metal. No cage. Just Charlie coming between us because of how I make him feel. I am so fucking glad I got on that flight.
I help his legs drop from my shoulders and roll like a felled tree to the side. Panting, I stagger to the bathroom and bring back a towel, blinking through my hazy vision. His stomach is rising and falling with labored breaths. His arms are dead at his sides as he eyes me with droopy lids. I can’t believe I’m going to get to see that sight again and again.
Taking the towel from me, he swipes at the mess we made as I slip back under the covers. “I don’t think I’ve ever made an effort to help anyone clean up the way you do,” he mumbles off-handedly, tossing the towel to the floor on his side.
Reaching across him, I snake my arm around his waist, pulling him closer. His gaze travels over the sight of me in the bed, and he wets his lips. Probably another first for him, I assume. I refuse to let him go, though. Stretching back, I flick the switch on the bedside lamp, hoping that will help him stay in his happy place.
“Don’t worry,” I assure him, tugging the blankets up around us. “I’ll treat you better than Charlie North.”
It was meant to be a playful comment, but his silence stretches in the darkness. He feels tense against me, but then his hand comes up and rests on my forearm. His thumb rakes over the hair there, and he sighs.
“How could I not know what the hell I was doing all these years until you came along?”
The way he murmurs the words and lets out a scoff, I don’t think he’s expecting an answer. I wait a second to let him absorb his chastisement, pressing a kiss to the top of his shoulder.
“I thought I had it all figured out,” he mumbles.
That makes me chuckle. I feel his head turn toward me on the pillow. I can just imagine that severe brow of his, ready to go on the defensive.
“You’re not the only one, Charlie. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I thought I did, too. I think a lot of people think they have it figured out. There’s no room for disappointment when you do. It makes us feel safe.”
Slowly, he turns to his side to face me. His fingertips touch my chest and stay there, tracing small circles over my heart.
“I don’t want to feel safe,” he whispers. “I…I want to be happy.”
I squeeze him tighter and cup his cheek. For once, I’m glad the lights are off. If I saw his face right now, it would probably do me in.
“Tell me how and I’ll make it happen.”
When my thumb traces the corner of his mouth, I feel his lips tick up against my touch. “You already have.”
His hand moves, slipping around my waist. As he hugs me close to him and sighs a contented sound, I can feel a smile on my own face.
He rests his head under my chin, burrowing into me. His lips brush against my chest. I barely hear it, but I’ll remember it forever. “Thank you for coming. I…I really missed you.”
I suck in a breath. My heart thumps hard against my ribs. In Charlie-language, I’m pretty sure that means,‘I love you too.’
There are no more games. No tests. No fear that can’t be overcome. Just a lightness that makes my soul feel like it’sfloating on air. Pressing my lips to his forehead, I leave a lingering kiss there. A small thank you. Sliding my hand down to his hip, I drag his thigh over mine and settle my leg between his. And that’s how I fall asleep, wrapped up in the man who surprised me in a world where I thought nothing could surprise me anymore.
EPILOGUE
Charlie - Seven months later
