Page 68 of Beyond the Cage

Is there a better way to end a day than being wrapped in his arms?

Nope.

CHAPTER 17

Come live in my heart and pay no rent. – Samuel Lover

As we pull up to the office building, I let out a heavy sigh. Over the last month since we’ve been together, he’s dragged me to every business meeting he’s had. No matter how much I protest, he doesn’t listen. I keep quiet as we enter the elevator and he presses the button for the fifteenth floor. When we exit, he leads me to a door with a sign that reads ‘Michael Ross: Certified Accountant’. We’re greeted by a receptionist who tells Cameron to go right in.

“Will you be long?” I ask.

With his hand at the small of my back, he nudges me forward. I don’t know why he chooses to involve me in these matters, because I have no desire to know about his finances. The man behind the desk stands when we enter.

“Mr. Jackson! Come in, come in.”

I give him a polite smile as he extends his hand. “Hello.”

“Jasmine, pleasure to meet you. Michael Ross,” he introduces himself.

Why do all these people know me but I don’t know them?“Nice to meet you.”

“Please…sit.” He motions to the chairs in front of his desk. “Your lawyer sent the papers over. Everything is in order. I just need your signature…here,” Ross addresses Cameron, handing him the documents and indicating where to sign.

“Good…and Jasmine, you sign right here.”

Shocked, I jerk my head in Ross’ direction. “Why would you needmysignature?”

He glances nervously at Cameron.

“What has he done now?” I ask.

“Mr. Jackson has arranged a monthly allowance for you.”

What? I turn to him, my anger slowly rising. “An allowance? What am I, ten?”

“Jasmine –”

“No. I don’t want your money,” I state, ignoring Ross.

“Why don’t I give you a few minutes –?”

“Why? Why would you do this?” I start pacing the room.

He looks to Ross for help.

“He just wants to take care of you, Jasmine. Especially in the event that something happens to him.”

“He’s not my father. He doesn’t need totake careof me.”

Cameron jumps out of his chair and grabs my shoulders to stop my pacing. I hold his gaze, indignation coursing through me. When the door opens and clicks closed, I realize Mr. Ross has run for cover. Cameron leads me back to his chair, and pulls me onto his lap. I cross my arms on my chest and stare at the ceiling. When he touches my cheek, I shift my gaze to him warily.Talk to me. Say something…anything!He just sits there, giving me puppy dog eyes.

“Cameron…I’m not interested in how much money you have, and I certainly don’t want you throwing it at me.”

He sighs, shaking his head.

“That’s not it? Then what? I don’t need anything…nothing that warrants anallowance.”

The look in his eyes brings Ross’s words back to me – ‘he just wants to take care of you, Jasmine’.