Page 40 of Caged By the Stranger (Bad Decisions #1)

“I…have no idea. As far as I knew, they were still together.”

Sighing, she uncovers some of the dishes on the fold-out table and shakes her head. “Not that there was anything wrong with Amy, but this one does seem a little nicer.”

Amy had a dramatic flair to her that was tedious at times.

She looked high-maintenance if you ask me.

I don’t know what my brother’s type is, but I didn’t think he’d go for someone who makes demands on him.

I suspected he only tolerated it because she’s his boss’ daughter.

I wonder how his employment is going to work out if he did her dirty.

Someone slaps me on the shoulder. I find Miles panting at my side, his sweatshirt stained with circles of perspiration underneath his armpits. “Your dude is an all-star, bro. Bring him back any time.”

The words make pride bloom in my chest even as my face heats over hearing one of my brothers dole out acceptance.

I find Rory sauntering over to me, peeling his own shirt over his head.

It makes the bottom of his undershirt ride up, revealing a hint of his happy trail.

The hair there is sweat-soaked to his abdomen and makes me think of some of the nights our lovemaking was so heated and endless, we both ended up dripping from head to toe.

I lick my lips, unable to help myself.

“Get a grip, Charlie,” Shane mutters at my side. “The fucking kids are here. Don’t be sick.”

Whipping my head around, I resent the way he’s not even looking at me as he says it.

His gaze is fixed on the array of food on the table.

I’ve accepted over the years that we’re a bit of a dysfunctional, somewhat broken family.

It’s why I tolerate more things than I would at work or in public.

I don’t ever want to be the one to start trouble, especially with my mom around.

She worked too hard taking care of us when I was growing up.

But I can’t let it go this time. Rory means too much to me.

I’m not ashamed of him or of how I feel about him.

I put myself through a lot of misery, living with my head under a rock because of people like Shane and his comments.

I’m not going to do it anymore. I like being…

free. Rory showed me how to do that, and I refuse to tolerate anyone who disrespects the man that gave me that gift. Shane needs to know that.

“I’m looking at the man I love. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re worried about the kids seeing something inappropriate, then maybe you shouldn’t have had your hand on Clarissa’s ass a moment ago…or is it Amy? Sorry, it’s hard to keep track.”

It’s now that I realize he looks a little worse for wear, as though he hasn’t slept well or is possibly hungover. There are dark circles underneath his eyes, and he looks a little thinner than the last time I saw him.

Nostrils flaring, he glares at me. “You know what I meant. You practically drool all over the guy.”

Taking a step forward, I get in his space, even though I’m trembling. “I do. Just the sight of him makes my mouth water. Maybe he’s right,” I venture, giving my rock-solid brother—who could physically kick my ass—a once over, unafraid of his strength for once. “Maybe you’re jealous.”

He scoffs, and Rory appears at my side just then. Slinking an arm around my waist, he slides in close and gives me a kiss on the cheek. He’s panting and smells like sweat—all man. More of a man than my dumb-ass brother standing in front of me right now.

“Everything all right?” he asks, and I smile at his veiled protectiveness.

“Yeah. I was just telling Shane that we’d love to go out to dinner with him sometime.”

“Oh, yeah, Shane. That’d be great,” Rory enthuses, sounding genuine as always.

He slaps Shane on the shoulder, and I take probably too much joy in watching my brother flinch as his face goes red.

“We can get drinks afterward, maybe introduce you to some of my friends. There are a few of them that would love you.”

“Fuck off,” Shane mutters under his breath and turns on his heel.

He barks at Clarissa on his way toward the house that they’re leaving.

Jesus. What an asshole. Heaving a sigh, I’m not overjoyed by the possibility that I’ve just killed whatever relationship I have with my older brother, but I feel like a weight has lifted.

You can’t kill something that wasn’t breathing the right kind of life. It’s on Shane to repair this, not me.

Arms circle around my waist from behind. Rory nuzzles the side of my face with his. “I take it that means we won’t be having dinner with Shane?”

Snorting, I shake my head. Leaning back into him, I let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. He was being a dick, and I lost my temper.”

Turning me around to face him, he studies my face curiously. “You don’t sound sorry.”

“To you I am, not to him,” I murmur, tugging at a lock of his hair.

I’m aware my other brothers are still here, as well as my mom and my nephews. I don’t think I’ve ever done PDA in front of them with anyone, but I need it right now.

Brows quirking, he smirks. It’s such a good look on him. It highlights that spark of life in him that feeds my soul. “Now, I’m sorry I missed it. Did you just defend my honor?”

“Something like that,” I mutter, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his shoulder.

“I don’t even know what was said, but I bet it was hot,” he mumbles against my neck.

Chuckling, I draw back and kiss the playful look right off his face. I can’t help but feel proud that he’s proud of me for standing up for us.

I hear a wolf whistle. It’s followed by Brett yelling, “Get a room!”

I pull back and find Miles and my nephews snickering. My mother has a loving look on her face, and then swats a hand at Brett as she takes a seat by him.

Rory hums near my ear. It’s a naughty-sounding hum. “Now there’s an idea.”

As we join what remains of my family for lunch, I can’t help but laugh at his suggestion. I don’t know if he’s referring to the room at his club or that hotel room in Bordeaux, but I count my blessings that both had a part in getting me the man at my side.

Later that night, when we’re in bed, I take in the sight beneath me as I slide down on his cock.

I will never get over the contrast of doing this with the image I once had of the kind of man he was.

A stack of books is on his nightstand, along with his reading glasses, as always.

I can’t count how many times I’ve seen his sleepy eyes nodding off to a book in bed.

Peaceful nights where we’ve done nothing more than just cuddle and snore.

But not tonight. Tonight, I need him. Need him like this.

I’m fucking exhausted. We stayed at Miles’ house way longer than we had planned to. Who knew that Shane’s leaving would clear the air for more than just me? I’ve never laughed so hard or had such a good time. Maybe it was because Rory was there, and they love him—and I love him.

Maybe it’s because I’m different now that I’m with him—the man I never knew I could be.

On the drive home, we joked about getting a room but decided that we both prefer the comfort and familiarity of our big platform bed.

It has too many memories in it not to be cherished.

One more of the simplistic things I like about Rory.

He has the means to go and do whatever he wants, but he prefers evenings at home with me.

Reaching out, he exhales and gives my cock a languid stroke. I love the look in his eyes when he does that and the way he seems entranced by the sight of our connection when I ride him.

Smiling up at me, he gives my tip a squeeze that makes me groan. “You don’t look as tired as you said you were.”

Snickering, I close my eyes to focus on the pleasure. If he gets me laughing, I’ll never get off.

“I am,” I pant, “but I wasn’t going to go to bed until you fucked me.”

“Hm. Kind of looks like you’re fucking me right now.”

Scoffing, I flash him a look, still hating the way he can get me to blush. “Because you made me.”

He didn’t. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who rolled us over and climbed on top of him. The smirk on his face says he knows it.

Stretching his arms above his head and slipping them under the pillow, he sighs and closes his eyes. “I’m tired too. What can I say?”

As my thighs burn from bouncing up and down in my crouched position over him, I wait for him to open his eyes again. He doesn’t, though.

Is he serious?

Scoffing, I tighten my grip on the headboard and lean in. “Playing possum isn’t a kink of mine. I can assure you of that.”

Stillness. A smirk. Nothing more.

Chuckling, I dig my hand into his hair and press a kiss to his mouth. His lips move, and his tongue slides along mine. When I pull back, though, his eyes are still closed.

“Oh, my God. Knock it off.”

“What?” he asks innocently.

“Open your eyes.”

“Why? I told you I’m tired. You’re doing a great job, handsome. Keep up the good work.”

I may hurt him. I give his hair a tug and try not to laugh. “You’re hilarious. Open your fucking eyes when your cock is in me.”

His lids flare open then. I don’t know why, but it gives me a flutter of butterflies in my stomach like the first few times we were together.

“You like when I look at you while my cock is in you?”

I swallow against a thick sensation in my throat. My cock bobs in the air, untouched now with his hand not on it anymore. Taking a slide up, I watch his pupils. When I slide back down, his lids droop slightly, his eyes looking glazed over.

“You know I do,” I whisper.

Smiling, he grips my hips and rises into a sitting position. “Hm. I’m suddenly very awake.”

Snickering, I shake my head at him and snake my arms around his shoulders. He helps resituate my legs, wrapping them around him.

Planting one hand on the mattress, he cups the other underneath my ass and helps me resume my movements. His head leans in, and he murmurs, “I see you even in my sleep. You know that, right?”

The things this man says, coupled with the way I can take him so deep right now, make my head spin. I leverage my feet against the mattress, riding him with as much gusto as I can for his thrilling words.

“You’re a dream that never ends, Charlie. I don’t ever want to wake up.”

Maybe it was today—the shitshow with my brother Shane.

Or the way Rory let me handle my own battle because he always finds a way of making me brave enough to do things on my own.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t said the words enough or that it was a long journey to get me to where I am right now, but I sputter against a sob.

I’m so happy and so grateful that I’m literally crying.

“I love you,” I blubber, cupping his head and pouring all my emotions into a kiss. “I love you so much, Rory.”

The next thing I know, my back is being gently lowered to the mattress. My face is being peppered with slow, soft kisses. Thumbs are wiping my tears. When I blink, I see Rory staring down at me. His eyes are misty, and his face is pure affection.

“And I love you, too,” he whispers, dusting his lips over mine.

“Can we go on your yacht next week? Just…get away from everything and go?”

He blinks at me, looking confused. His cock is still inside me, and while we’ve had conversations during sex before, I realize this is out of the blue.

“I…want a do-over,” I tell him, stroking his cheek. “I was a mess when we were on it the first time.”

Frowning, he rubs his thumb beneath my lower lip and cups my chin.

“We don’t get do-overs, babe. That’s not how life works.

I know it may have seemed messy and complicated—I was a complete savage,” he adds, looking guilty.

“But I don’t want a do-over. I may not have gotten you if it had gone any differently, but,” he continues, giving me a soft peck, “I’ll take you. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

As soon as the words are out, I know he’s right.

My heart feels like it’s being squeezed, and my lip starts trembling.

I nod and pull him down for a kiss. I wouldn’t risk a do-over either.

But I will make sure he has the time of his life, and I won’t hold back.

I’m never going to hold anything back ever again.

I don’t let him go, holding him there, deepening our kiss as I rock my hips up into him.

He makes a noise against my mouth like he’s now sharing this rabid desperation inside me, the kind where we can’t get close enough.

Drawing my legs up around him, I sink into the pillows as he makes love to me.

Slow, steady, hungry, grateful, perfect.

He once told me a piece of ludicrous filth—that my ass and cock were made for him. Granted, I like the thought, but I’m a hundred percent certain now that this man in his entirety—his heart, his mind, body, and soul—was made just for me.

I was living in a cage my entire life before he came along. The key I thought I needed months ago turned out to be Rory’s love. It’s one I never plan on handing back to him.