Page 21 of Beyond the Cage

“Where do you live?”

Wagging his finger, he gives me a ‘naughty girl’ stare.

“Ugh!” I reach down, remove a sock, and throw it on the floor. “What?” I shrug. “I didn’t saywhatI would remove.”

He taps on the keys – ‘Here in Evanston.’

Keeping up my end of the bargain, I remove my other sock. “What’s your family like?”

‘2 brothers, 1 sister.’

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

He points to my top. I sigh and move to my knees. Facing him, I pull my top over my head and toss it aside.

“Happy?” I ask.

‘Very,’ he types out.

Okay…just one more question. I amnotgetting naked. What do I ask? Licking his lips, he stares at me expectantly and snaps the waistband of my leggings.

“Wait a minute. I’m thinking.”

He points to the last thing he typed, and then to my leggings.

“You cheater!” I exclaim, realizing he’s referring to when I asked if he’s happy. “That doesn’t count.”

He shrugs as if to say it’s not his fault, and motions for me to get on with removing my clothes.

“No way. My game, my rules, and I say it doesn’t count.”

He raises his arms in surrender and waits for my next question. Talking about games gives me an idea.

“What was your childhood like?”

Uh-oh…obviously a sore subject. The veins in his neck are starting to bulge out. With a vehement shake of his head, he hands me the laptop. I guess our game is over.

“What is it?” I ask.

He springs out of bed and heads for the door.

“Wait!” He stops but doesn’t turn around. “Come back. Please.”

Taking a deep breath, he faces me and I stretch my arms out to him. When he returns to the bed, I straddle him once more.

“I’m sorry. No more questions today.”

I resume my earlier position, my head on his chest. His arms curl around me and he sighs.Me and my big mouth. What could have happened to him? Is it why he doesn’t talk?

Leave it alone, Jas. Just leave it alone.

CHAPTER 6

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body. – H.L. Mencken

I slap Chelsea’s hand away, but she shakes me again. What the fuck? It’s not time to wake up yet.

“Quit it, Chels,” I mumble in irritation.