Page 36 of Caged By the Stranger (Bad Decisions #1)

Rory

Swiping the key card over the lock, I push the hotel suite door open.

My lungs are burning in anticipation of what I’ll find.

I know Europeans eat dinner and stay out later than the average American, but it’s already midnight.

Knowing Charlie, he’s probably already tucked into bed, despite my encouragement to go out and enjoy his victory.

The flight I caught couldn’t get here fast enough, but it was the best I could do when I only got confirmation from legal this morning that the sale was officially going through today.

Dexter’s always been difficult to get to pin down dates, ever distracted by his whimsies and making plans last minute.

I don’t envy whatever Charlie had to go through to undertake this task.

Easing into the room, I find myself smiling at the dimly lit space.

Only one bedside lamp on in the entire penthouse suite—yeah, Charlie is definitely here.

Lowering my bag from my shoulder, I set it down quietly on the bench by the doorway when I hear noise from the bathroom.

A flicker of anxiety pulses through my veins as I wait for him to emerge.

Is this how he felt each time we were together?

I couldn’t stay away any longer. Charlie has more layers than I realized.

Asking me to hold the key for him, single-handedly brokering the largest confectionery acquisition in history—he amazes me at every turn.

I didn’t delude myself into thinking I’d get a call or message from him.

Well, maybe I did, but each time I longed to hear his voice or see his face, I reminded myself that he gave me that key before he left.

He was on a much-needed journey of self-discovery that would have been wrong of me to interrupt.

My pulse is skittering erratically, waiting to see where the journey took him, but I couldn’t fight my selfishness today.

I need to see his face and congratulate him in person.

He steps out of the bathroom, barefoot in a white robe.

Hair damp from a shower, his profile somber, the sight of him steals my breath and eases the weeks of longing in my chest. I adjust my grip on the flower bouquet in my hand so that the crinkle of their plastic sleeve will alert him to my presence.

He gives a start and turns toward me. Those bright blue eyes, wide in surprise, have dark circles under them and a hint of red to his whites. I want to go to him and tell him I’m a cure for sleepless nights, but hold myself back.

“Rory…” he stammers, leaving his jaw hanging open.

I can’t fight my smile. “You did it.”

The corner of his mouth ticks up, and he tucks his robe tighter around him, looking adorably self-conscious. “Um. Yeah. I did.”

Stepping closer, I hold out the roses and drink him in. He looks at them like they’re made of glass, taking them from me as though he’s not sure he should.

“What…what are you doing here?”

Does he realize it’s the first time he’s looked at me while speaking since that first day on the yacht? It tells me everything I need to know—there’s still hope.

“Did you think I could stand the thought of you here all alone with how fucking proud I am of you after what you just pulled off?”

His cheeks go pink, and his gaze drops immediately to the flowers.

When his teeth bite into his lower lip, I cup his face and brush his cheek with my thumb, hoping he’ll stop abusing himself over one well-deserved little compliment.

“The way you blush for me will never get old. I don’t even want to know if that means no one’s ever told you all the wonderful things you need to hear. ”

His chest heaves on a gasp, but his eyes come back to me. “You…you gave me twenty percent.”

There’s a lost, vulnerable look in his expression that’s a veritable magnet to my heart. Leaning in, I brush my lips over his and murmur. “I should have given you more.”

“What? Why?”

“It was your deal, Charlie. I don’t need the money.

” I can’t remember the last time I felt self-conscious around someone, but maybe that’s what he needs to see.

Moving my hands to his hips, I draw closer and press another kiss to the corner of his mouth, still in awe that he’s letting me.

“I was being selfish because I was worried that if I gave you more, you might quit on me.”

He scoffs and his face goes bright red, but he doesn’t move away. Reaching one hand up, he strokes one of the flower buds with his thumb and mumbles, “Twenty percent isn’t selfish.”

I watch his nervous reverence of the flowers, and the way he can’t bring himself to look at me after that veiled compliment. My heart skips a beat, hoping it means what I think it does.

“You gave me something before you left. Can you tell me why?” I ask delicately.

That has his gaze flicking to mine. The fear is back, and I hate myself for causing it, but I have to try. I have faith in him. I know he can do it.

“I…I just…”

“What?”

“I…needed to…” His gaze canvases my face like he’s praying I’ll provide him with the answer.

“Needed what, Charlie?”

Cheeks ruddy, he lets out a breath like he was holding it. “ You. ”

I can’t believe how much I’ve been waiting and wishing to hear that. Kneading the fabric at his hips, I try to gather my composure. We’re not quite finished yet.

“ Needed me or wanted me?”

“I…wanted you with me,” he stammers, but then lets out in a rush as his gaze darts around the room, “I…I don’t know why. I just—”

Angling his chin back to face me, I whisper, “I think I do.”

The way he blinks at me in confusion is so fucking pure and sad at the same time. “Why?” he asks, sounding like he’s completely lost.

Oh, Charlie. My sweet Charlie.

Lowering my hands to the tie on his robe, I tug it open. My shiny gift reveals itself when the two sections part.

“Ask me to stay first,” I tell his neck, brushing my lips over his pulse. It flutters under my touch. I can practically hear him blushing, so I play unfair and add, “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“You…of course you can stay. You’re paying for the room.”

I have to bite the inside of my cheek, so I don’t laugh. Dropping to my knees, I draw the chain out from underneath my shirt and unlock him. Next, I set the combination and gently slide the cage off him. When I lean to the side and set it on the nightstand, I catch his wary expression.

“You don’t need this,” I assure him, getting to my feet even as he covers himself with his robe.

“But what if…. what if I can’t?” He fidgets, shifting from foot to foot. “What if it’s not the same?”

“It probably won’t be the same. It’ll be better.”

The doubtful look he makes has me wanting to wrap him in my arms, laugh, and just get to showing him. Instead, I cup his chin and smile, my heart hammering against my ribs. “Do you know why?”

Lower lip slightly protruding, he shakes his head. There’s a furrow in his brow above the confusion in his eyes that has my heart breaking for him. Here goes everything.

“Because you love me.”

A soft sound of disbelief comes out on a puff of air as his lips part. His breathing immediately goes ragged as his gaze pings all over my face. My God, I am officially the happiest fucking man alive.

“Don’t you, Charlie?”

Swallowing, he takes a wobbly step back, looking like he’s about to hyperventilate.

I could play his knock and answer game longer—wait for him to come to my house each time he can no longer fight his demons—but life is so short.

And maybe sometimes people need a little help to figure out what they already know deep down.

Reaching out, I grab his hand and follow him.

“And it’s good that you do,” I continue, “so I’m not the only one in love.”

He ceases his retreat the second my words are out. He looks like someone just splashed him with a bucket of cold water.

“You…you love me?”

Now, I do laugh, taking his face in my hands and giving him a little shake. “God, how could you not know?”

His eyes shift back and forth as though he’s looking for some kind of doubt. Typical Charlie. I hear the crinkle of plastic, and the flowers fall to the floor. The next thing I know, his fists are gripping my collar, and he’s yanking me to him.

I wouldn’t call what he does kissing. It’s more like an attack.

His tongue delves deep inside my mouth, battling with mine.

He whimpers and moves his arms around behind my neck, clinging to me like he’s worried I’ll disappear.

I slip my hands inside his robe and rake them down his back until I have two handfuls of his warm, soft flesh, cupping his ass, and pulling him tight against me.

I kept thinking I had faith he’d come around and would realize what’s been building between us, but it’s now that I see just how silently fretful I’ve been over being wrong. I’ve never had my heart broken, but I think missing out on winning Charlie would have done the trick.

“ Yes , I love you,” I rasp, tearing my mouth away from his to pepper his face. “I think I have since the second I saw you.”

Panting, his cheeks bloom again. He lowers his gaze and hands to my chest as though he’s not sure what to do next.

Placing mine on top of his hands, I guide them to my belt.

He sneaks a glance at me, but then licks his lips.

He can broker all the deals he wants for me, but seeing that I’m something he’s unable to resist is a far better gift.

When I draw my shirt over my head, I feel him start undoing my belt. He flashes me a shy smile. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen and felt. Running my palms up his chest, I slip the robe from his shoulders as my pants fall to the floor. I kick my shoes and socks off and then turn back the covers.