Page 19 of Beyond the Cage

“I was hoping”—he raises his shoulders—“we could give us another try.”

“Us? There is no ‘us’.”

“Come on. I know you remember how good it was between us.”

He gently trails his fingers down my arm and…I feel nothing. Studying him closely, I remember a time when I thought he was the world – cute, smart, kind, caring. Now, I feel nothing but contempt. He’s still cute – peanut butter skin, dark brown eyes, nice body. But he’s a jerk, and that’s why I broke up with him.

“It was. But that ship has sailed and sunk to the deepest, darkest, most unreachable depths of the ocean.”

“Don’t tell me this is about that beast in there.” He chuckles and jerks his head toward the door.

“Beast? You willneverbe a fraction of the man he is.”

He gives me an arrogant smile. “Man? More like The Hulk.”

His conceit irks me. I don’t condone fighting, but I think I’d love to see Cameron kick his ass. I fold my arms under my breasts and stare at him with disdain.

“Wanna see Hulk smash?”

His smile fades and he squares his shoulders. “Fine. Just don’t come running to me when he gets tired of you.”

“Don’t worry. I willnevercome running to you for anything.”

He walks off sulking and I make my way inside, knowing I’ll have to give Cameron an explanation. As soon as I look at him, I see the question in his eyes, so I take a deep breath and join him on the couch.

“That was Jamal. My ex.”

The raised brow. He probably wants to know what the douchebag wanted.

“He wanted to get back together.”

His gaze drops and he stares at the floor, a grim expression on his face.

“I told him there was no way that’s happening,” I continue. “We dated for six months before I found out he had a girlfriend at NYU and thatIwas the other woman. Can you believe that? Me!”

His gaze remains fixed on the floor.

“Besides, I have my eye on this handsome,sexyMMA fighter.” There’s finally a hint of a smile on his lips so I climb up and sit astride him, snaking my arms around his neck. “He’s tall, built like a brick wall, and I hear he’s quite the sweet talker. Know him?”

His hands move over my thighs and rest on my hips before he finally gives me a smile and a nod.

“Great! Think you could introduce me to him?”

He bites into his bottom lip, and his palm connects with my ass in a playful smack.

“Ow!”

I’m wearing leggings, so it felt almost as if he hit my naked flesh. I love it but decide to keep that information to myself…for now. There’s relief in his eyes. Did he really think I was going back to that scum bucket? Even if Cameron wasn’t in the picture, Jamal couldn’t even get anywhere near the frame. With my hand on his cheek, I place a gentle kiss on his lips. Instantly, he takes over, deepening the kiss. This one is different. While being just as intense, it’s not demanding like the others; it’s passionate, but not urgent. His fingers creep under my top and up my back, caressing along my spine. My resulting shiver makes him moan.

“Ooh! Can I watch?” Chelsea’s excited voice comes from the doorway.

I turn to her, surprised I didn’t hear the door open.

“No, you cannot watch, you pervert.”

“Hey, you won’t let me join, so why not?”

I return my gaze to Cameron, checking for his reaction. Being such a man, he’s intrigued.