Page 12 of Beyond the Cage

I walk him to the door, sulking the whole way, even though I know it’s for the best. What’s the point of keeping him here? That would only be torture for the both of us. He stops at the door and turns around, so I quickly fix a smile on my lips. As he runs his hand through my hair, his eyes roam my face. He’s looking at me with such…adoration. I can’t deal with it, especially in my ‘post mind-boggling orgasm’ state. Stepping forward, I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his chest. He curls an arm around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head. Taking a deep breath, I commit his scent to memory. I don’t think I’ve ever been this attracted to a man before. This is definitely the shit they write about in romance novels.

“Okay, go.”

Before I do something I shouldn’t. He nods, turns, and disappears around the corner. Shaking the cobwebs out of my brain, I head back to my room because I need to get ready. Three days a week, I work down at Dr. Jensen’s doing office work and generally helping him out. I don’t really need the job, but it’ll look good on my résumé; plus, I don’t want to have to hit up my parents for money when I want something. Chels and I both work to help out with expenses since our parents share the rent for our apartment. She’s an Economics major and works in the school’s Bursar’s office.

Checking the time, I realize I need to get a move on. First, I need to get out of these wet panties…andtake a shower.

***

When I arrive home from work, Chels is eagerly waiting for me.

“How was yourlunch?” she asks, waggling her brows.

Why does she have to make it sound so dirty?Well…it was alittledirty.

“Good. I had a delicious chicken Caesar.”

“Spill the beans, Carter. Did you…?”

“No, we didn’t. Well, I did…he didn’t.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

When I tell her what happened, she grins at me. “Well, now you have to! Can you imagine what the real thing will be like?” she squeals.

“I don’t have that luxury right now. I have to study…and so do you.” I give her a pointed stare and she rolls her eyes at me.

“Okay, Mom.”

As I walk to my room, I pull my phone out of my pocket and text Cameron.

Jasmine: Don’t think you’re off the hook, mister. You owe me some info. I deserve to know something about the man who just gave me the most amazing orgasm I’ve ever had ;).

A few minutes later, a reply comes in.

Cameron: 34, July 25, Leo, mixed martial artist, blue. I like fighting and…you.

Wow! Just…wow! He likes me. Well, I knew that, but at least now I have some sort of acknowledgement. And he’s a Leo – a lion, just like I thought. Great! Leos and Libras are very compatible. Thirty-four…that’s quite an age gap. Well, what does it matter, anyway? It’s a little late. I’m hooked. I’ll have to wait and see if he can reel me in.

Jasmine: Wow…actual words!!! Thank you. I guess you already know that I like you, too :).

Okay, enough. I silence my phone and try to get into a studying mood. Grabbing my Physiology textbook, I put him out of my mind and get down to business.

CHAPTER 4

The mark of a true crush…is that you fall in love first and grope for reasons afterward. – Shana Alexander

I pick up my vibrating phone and try to hide a giddy smile when I see the name of the person texting me. Cameron. We’ve been texting every day this last week, but he’s been out of town so I haven’t seen him. He returned late last night, and I woke up to a text saying he was back. Professor Walton’s voice becomes background noise as I read his message.

Cameron: Hey, pretty lady.

Jasmine: Hey, handsome :). What’s up?

Cameron: Up? You really want to know?

Jasmine: Yes, please.

Cameron: Only if you promise to put it down.