Page 15 of Follow Me to Your Heart

Since Cage was full of surprises, I figured it was time I returned the favor. He never failed to show me how much he cared, and I desired to do the same.

It was a Thursday afternoon. I was done with classes for the week, so I was getting my apartment together and packing for a weekend away to the cabins.

Cage had no idea what I was up to. All I told him was to be at my apartment by five so we could get on the road.

The cabins were about two hours away. I had someone getting everything set up for us to be ready by the time we got there.

I couldn’t wait. We wouldn’t have any reception which meant no interruptions, something we had more often than I liked.

Cage was trying to balance everything, so I tried not to complain, but us being together made it harder for me not to.

His wellbeing was my main concern. What he did was dangerous, not only to him but others around him.

I’d never tell him, but I worried about how it would affect me.

Regardless, deep in my heart, I knew Cage would do whatever to protect me.

A knock at my door brought a smile to my face. I skipped to it, wasting no time jumping into Kasey’s arms as I opened the door for him. It had been too long since I’d seen my brother, and I missed him something serious.

“What’s up, sis?”

“I missed you, Kasey.”

He placed me on my feet, kissed my forehead, and closed the door behind him. “I missed you too. We can’t go this long without seeing one another again. We’ve been busy, but we gotta make time for each other like we used to.”

“I agree.” Nema came running toward Kasey, sniffing him before rubbing her face against his leg. “She likes you which is a good thing since you agreed to keep her.”

Kasey bent over to pick Nema up and cradled her in his arms. “She better like me, or you’d be shit out of luck. So, tell me. What’s this impromptu trip about?”

“Well, . . . I know you’re not going to like this, but Cage and I are together now.”

Kasey’s bushy brows rose toward his crisp hairline. He ran his freckled hands over his auburn waves and loudly blew through his nostrils. “Korren.”

“I love him, Kasey.”

“I know. I been peeped game between the two of you. Truthfully, I’m surprised it’s taken this long for y’all to become a couple. I don’t know how to feel about it.”

“Be happy for me, please. I know Cage isn’t the ideal man you and Daddy have in mind. Hell, Alana too, but he’s who my soul wants. He’s who my soul is connected to.”

“You’re too young to know anything about soul connections.”

“Says the man who married his high school sweetheart.”

“Touché.”

“The only reason the three of you disapprove of me being with Cage is because of what he does.”

Close on my heels, Kasey placed Nema down and followed me to my room so I could finish packing. He leaned his six-two frame against the wall and intently watched me move around the room.

After a few minutes of silence, Kasey expressed, “I don’t doubt that Cage is a good fit for you. It’s obvious to anyone with eyes he loves and adores you, but his lifestyle isn’t something I want you caught up in.”

“I don’t want to be caught up in it either. Trust me, I disapprove of what he does just as much as you do, but I also know it doesn’t define him.”

“I guess you’re right about that.”

“I am.”

Slowly, Kasey nodded his head and changed the subject. “I talked to Mom on the way over here.”

“Oh.” I rolled my eyes, causing Kasey to laugh.

“She wants to meet with us when you get back.”

“For what?”

“Who knows. I told her I’d talk to you about it and let her know, but I didn’t think you would because you’re still upset with her.”

“You know me so well.”

“I do, so if you don’t want to, don’t. I love Mom. I do, but she’s a handful to deal with. She wants things her way or no way. Life doesn’t work like that, especially when you have kids.”

“Exactly. She’s too self-centered to realize it.”

Kasey nodded in agreement. “You know she’s going to flip her shit when she finds out you’re dating Cage.”

“And I can’t wait.”

The two of us shared a laugh and caught up until Cage arrived twenty minutes later.

I didn’t have a chance to greet him as Kasey took charge and pulled Cage outside to talk.

My heart palpitated thinking of how their conversation would go, but I was distracted when I received a text from Sienna asking to meet up and talk.

I reread the message a few times, debating on whether I wanted to respond or not.

She’d hurt me, deeply, but she deserved for me to hear her out.

I replied, asking her when just as I heard Kasey and Cage coming in.

My body relaxed hearing them laughing and talking. I rounded the corner, and every part of me instantly connected with Cage. His soul tugged at mine, silently begging to invade his personal space, but I had to play it cool. I didn’t want to do too much in front of Kasey.

“Well, I’ll let the two of you hit the road. Is everything that Nema needs in this bag?” Kasey asked as he gathered up Nema and her bag.

“Yes, it is.” I walked Kasey to the door and gave Nema kisses. “Take care of my baby.”

“She’s yours, so you know I am. Think about what I said and let me know when you get back.”

“I will. Thank you again, Kasey. I love you.”

“I love you more. Cage, take care of my sister, or we’re going to have some problems.”

“Don’t worry. She’s the safest when she’s with me.”

And I was. No one else would believe it, but I did.

The second Kasey was gone, I jumped into Cage’s arms and peppered kisses all over his face.

“Where was this energy in front of Kasey?” he teased, pecking my lips and squeezing my ass.

I moaned and grinded my hips against him. My head flung back when his mouth found my bare breasts underneath my crop top. He flicked his tongue over one of my nipples, opening the floodgates between my legs. Slowly, he walked us back to my room where he placed me on the bed.

“Do we have time for this?” he asked while removing my clothes.

“Of course.”

“Even if we didn’t, we were going to make time.”

“How you fall asleep on the trip you’re supposed to be taking me on?” Cage whispered in my ear before placing a kiss to it.

I yawned, playfully pushing him away as I stretched my body and opened my eyes.

We had made it to the mountains. The pictures I’d seen didn’t do the place any justice.

I hoped Cage packed some warm clothing like I told him to.

Fluffy, white snow covered the ground and the mountains behind our two-story cabin, something neither of us were used to.

We were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but trees and wildlife.

“I’m sorry, but it’s your fault.” I giggled.

“How so? Describe it to me in great detail.”

“You’re so nasty. You ready to go inside?”

Cage observed our surroundings. “I guess so.”

“It’s going to be fun, trust me. I know you’re a city boy, but being disconnected from everything won’t be as bad as you think.”

“I trust you, baby. Come on. Let’s go.”

I patiently waited for Cage to get our bags from the trunk before he opened the door for me.

Hand in hand, we carefully walked through the snow and inside the cabin.

Immediately, we were greeted with the scent of cedar and oak.

The fireplace was lit, and I was more than pleased with the layout of everything.

Big balloons that spelled out ‘thank you’ were on the far wall, next to a wooden dining room table set for two.

The table held a basket filled with Cage’s favorite things.

Off to the side, in the living room area, had our matching pajamas laid out on the chocolate, leather sectional along with a few games for us to play.

It was simple but meaningful, and I couldn’t wait to see what the weekend held for us.

A smile danced on Cage’s lips as he turned around and locked his arm around my waist. With a gentle peck to my cheek, Cage expressed, “I’ve never had anyone do anything like this for me before. Thank you, baby. This is thoughtful as hell.”

“You’re thoughtful, babe. You go all out for everyone you love and care about. You deserve the same, and I plan to do that for you.”

“Can I be honest?”

“That’s all I ever want you to be.”

Cage released me and trekked over to the table, picking up the bottle of brown.

Closely, I watched him go to the small kitchen to wash two glasses, fill them with ice, then pour the liquor on top.

The warmth from the liquor connecting with the frozen water created a smoky effect.

Cage held a glass out to me. I strutted over to him and eagerly took it.

Eyes connected, we clinked glasses, and I took a sip. “I’m waiting, babe.”

“With the shit I do, I don’t feel like I deserve any good,” Cage revealed, downing the rest of his liquor and pouring more. “You know the fucked up shit I’ve done.”

“I do, and that doesn’t define you. You know the dark place you go to whenever you have to?

Some men in your predicament, like Red, it doesn’t even faze them.

It’s simply a part of the job. For you, it’s deeper than that.

Your reasoning for starting was deeper than most. Your reasoning for getting out should be the same reason you got in. ”

“You’re right. What if I told you I was working on getting out?”

With expanded irises, I set my glass down on the table and stood in front of Cage. I bounced on my toes, feeling my cheeks become sore from how hard I smiled. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. I don’t want to speak on what it is, but just know I got something in motion. I want it all to work out before telling you exactly what it is.”

“Whatever it is, know I’m proud of you for doing it. Know I’m supporting you every step of the way. You’re smart, Cage. You’re capable of doing any and everything you put your mind to.”

“Thank you for believing in me, baby. All these years, you’ve been one of the only people to see potential in me outside of the streets. You don’t know how good that makes me feel.”

I melted into Cage’s embrace. Head resting on his shoulder, I draped my arms around his torso and inhaled his comforting scent. “I’ve seen it in you since we were kids. I know life didn’t play out as we expected, but it doesn’t mean things can’t change for the better.”

“Just like having you in my life as my girl. When we were kids, I envisioned how we would be when we got older.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah.” His chest bounced against mine as he laughed. “I knew we would be together.”

“I did too.”

Cage tapped the top of my ass, and I peered at him. His pink flesh swept across his lips before he stated, “Say what’s on your heart, KoKo.”

It was wild how well we knew one another. His hands slowly ran up and down my back. With my eyes closed, I pressed my forehead against his. We stood there in silence while I found the right words to say.

Barely above a whisper, I pleaded, “Don’t hurt me, Cage.”

“Why would I do that when I can’t imagine my life without you?”

“I can’t imagine life without you either. I never try to, but I can’t act like this isn’t scary for me.”

“Life is scary. We never know what’s going to happen, but one thing I remember my mama always telling me was we needed to walk through life by faith.”

“Not by sight,” I finished, smiling. “You’re right. Thanks for the reminder. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being for me.”

Cage’s hands bypassed my sweatpants, gripping my bare ass with one hand while sliding his other to my mound. I parted my legs to allow his fingers access inside my wetness.

“Let me show you how much we appreciate you, baby.”