I gave a final index-finger wave. It was obvious I’d already made myself right at home. Cage retrieved my leg, bra, and the rest of my clothes then carried them to the bedroom while Rob and his shaving kit escaped up the stairs.
“I’m calling a cab, staying at a hotel, and getting a flight home in the morning. I like you so this really sucks, but we’re done because I can never face your family again, and I just don’t think you want to waste time on a girl you will never be able to bring home. Thank you for coming to China. Best kiss ever. I wish you luck and happiness in your life. It’s been nice knowing ya.”
Cage bit back his smirk, making a shitty effort to act serious. “I… I don’t think they even noticed anything out of the ordinary.”
“Says the fully-clothed god that everyone in this house pays homage to on these walls. But then there’s the naked woman who no one has seen or even heard of before today, just sitting on the couch with like…” I looked down at the blanket “…six measly strands of yarn wrapped around her naked body. Your sisters are going to need therapy. They’re going to have nightmares about body parts just… lying around the house. Your mom has to think I’m a complete slut trying to seduce her son. Probably thinks I’m some disabled gold digger. And don’t even get me started on what Rob must be thinking…”
“Well, let’s do this, then.” He scooped me up, yarn and all.
“Do what?”
“Fuck you senseless while we wait for your cab.”
“Stop mocking me.”
Cage deposited me on his bed then shut the door—and locked it. “First, don’t ever call yourself disabled. You’re the least disabled person I know.” He shrugged off his shirt. I didn’t object. “Second, in case you missed the Cage Monaghan ‘shrine’ out there, my mom thinks too highly of me to ever believe I would bring a gold digger home to meet her.”
I waited. He didn’t say anymore and just stood at the foot of his bed.
“Is there a third?”
He shook his head. “As you were.”
My eyes flitted side to side. What was I missing? “As I was what?”
“Before we were interrupted you were unfastening my pants like you had a mission—a plan. Continue on.”
My smile faded. I didn’t want it to, but feelings were precarious little creatures that swooped in at the worst possible time and insisted on having their way.
“Hey…” Cage sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me and my blankie in for a hug. “What’s wrong?”
“Dammit, nothing.” I swatted the tears from my cheeks.
“Doesn’t look like nothing.” He leaned back and tipped my chin up with his finger.
I sniffled and laughed at the stupid timing of it. “Sorry, I can’t believe you just offered yourself up to me and I started crying. It’s just…” The tip of my tongue rolled along the corner of my mouth as I looked up and blinked away more tears. “I’m not one to work that hard to impress anyone. I had to let that go after my accident.Itwas my biggest disability fora long time, but I want your family to like me because…” I sucked in a shaky breath.
“Because?” he whispered.
My gaze locked to his. “Because I kinda like you—a lot.”
The intensity in his eyes broke through all the bullshit, all the self-preservation, and it was him looking at me with my heart, once again, offered up on a silver platter.
After a slow nod for his response to me, he stood and removed the rest of his clothes. I said too much. Stupid blabbering mouth of mine. He wanted sex and I gave him an episode of Oprah. Not cool of me. Not cool at all. In an effort to redeem myself, I tossed the blanket on the floor and offered him my body instead of my heart. He took it again and again, but not once did he say anything to me. Our soft moans were the only sounds that filled the air.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SAY IT WITH A TAMPON
Crinkle.Thump. Thump.Crinkle. Thump.
“Trzy…” I mumbled. “Not now.” I rolled over and that’s when the bed didn’t feel familiar and my brain jump-started. I peeled open one eye and then the other. “Cage?”
“Good morning. You talk in your sleep.” He stood at the end of the bed with his hands shoved into his pockets.
“I don’t.” I rubbed my eyes.
“You do.”
