Page 5 of Beyond the Cage

As I’m drying my face, she walks back in with a confused frown.

“Umm…Jas…I think it’s for you.”

“Who is it?”

I walk into the living room and almost have a heart attack when I see the person waiting for me.

“What areyoudoing here?”

CHAPTER 2

Some warriors look fierce but are mild. Some seem timid but are vicious. Look beyond appearances, position yourself for the advantage. – Deng Ming-Dao

“I just remembered I have this…uh…thing,” Chelsea stammers. “I’m just gonna go.”

Chelsea, don’t you dare leave!I shoot her a deadly glare. She turns on her heels and races out the door.Fuck!I take a deep breath and turn back to my…visitor.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Jackson?”

He smiles…a stunning, sexy, heart-melting smile. No.No melting, Jas!

Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a Kit Kat bar.MyKit Kat. I guess I left it back there when I bolted.

“Youdid notcome here to return a chocolate bar.”

He shakes his head and steps forward.

“Wait…how did you even find me?”

He looks away awkwardly and scratches the back of his head.

“Did…did youfollowme?”

I take a cautious step back, keeping my eyes on him.He’s a goddamned stalker and Chelsea left me here with him all alone! Oh, God! If I can just get to my bedroom…wait…what good would that do? He can easily break the door down.Watching me, he calmly reaches into his pocket. I get ready to run, but it’s a piece of paper he comes up with. He extends it to me, raising his free hand in a motion of surrender.Fuck, man. Why won’t he just talk?

I take the proffered paper and step back a safe distance.Safe. Yeah, right. As long as we’re in the same time zone, I’m not safe from him. Reading it, I see it’s Chelsea’s information from when she purchased the tickets – name, address, the works. Well, that explainshowhe found me. Now for thewhy.

“Okay. Why?”

He raises an inquiring brow.

“Why are you here?”

He extends his hand once more and points to me.

“What about me?”

Turning his palm to the ceiling, he motions with four fingers for me to come to him. I don’t want to, but I feel the need to do it anyway.Fuck! I hope I don’t regret this.Taking tentative steps, I make my way toward him. When I stop a few feet away, he quickly closes the gap between us.Oh, God, I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die!I close my eyes, trying to control my heavy breathing. He grasps my chin, gently tilting my head up. The soft touch prompts me to open my eyes. He has the same look in his that he had after our first kiss. My fear dissipates and I’m transported back to the arena, to his room, and being in his arms. That’s when it hits me. This man enjoyed kissing me so much, he tracked me down. It’s hot as hell.

“Why are you here?” I repeat.

My voice is breathless and shaky. That isnotcaused by fear. Gently, he runs his thumb across my lips.

“My lips?”

He nods. I lick them involuntarily and my tongue touches his thumb. At the contact, he gasps. Wow…I’m actually affecting him.Okay…let’s play.

“You came here for another kiss?”