Page 13 of Caged Heat

“Yeah.” The word came out in a breathy moan that I couldn’t stop.

“The things I want to do to you, Ella,” he groaned.

My breath hitched as my pulse spiked. I craved and feared whatever they were.

The waiter returned with our drinks and food, breaking up the moment and giving me a little space. The band was decent, helping to settle the atmosphere as we ate and drank, sticking to safer topics. When the food was cleared away, Jackson pulled me closer to him, our bodies melting into one another. His hand trailed up and down my arm, slowly at first. Then, occasionally, his thumb brushed against my nipple, sending heat through me. His other hand started the same process up my leg, briefly grazing my pussy with his soft touch.

Before long, I was no longer paying attention to the music or anyone around us. It was only Jackson’s hands and how he touched me, and it wasn’t even overly sexual. His simple brushes had my body so wound up; I was ready to explode, my panties drenched. When he turned my head toward his, our gazes locked as the air between us stilled. He cupped my jaw, his thumb grazing over my cheek in a soft caress. That alone would've done it if I hadn’t already lost my breath. Everything outside of the space between us disappeared, our two hearts beating as one as we stared at one another.

“Happy Birthday, Ella.” Jackson leaned forward, sealing his lips to mine and irrevocably changing me from that point forward.

CHAPTER FIVE

ELEANOR

My head felt light as dizziness overtook me. Jackson’s tongue tangled with mine, sending tiny jolts of electricity through me. I’d never felt this buzzed from a kiss, and I didn’t think it was because I hadn’t had a proper one in over twenty years.

Chris had been my first love, and with that came all the things you expect from two teenagers without a clue. But Jackson kissed like a man full of passion and confidence. His pillowy lips pressed against me, eliciting a gasp as their silky smoothness sent heat waves to the pit of my belly. His hand held my face firmly, offering me comfort and support as he did exactly as he promised and explored me like I was a hidden treasure he’d spent his whole life searching for.

“Holy fuck, Ella. You taste divine,” he whispered, pulling away for a second before turning my head and suctioning our lips back together. His tongue caressed mine decadently like I was his favorite chocolate treat, and he wanted to savor me. It was a smooth glide over mine, his thumbs swooping over my cheeks and neck as he continued maneuvering me where he wanted. I was so lost to his touch and kiss, unable to process anything else around me.

“I want you so bad, Ella. I want to explore you and worship every inch of you. Please tell me that you want that too?”

“Yes,” I moaned before knowing what I was saying. But it wasn’t a lie. I did want that with him. It should’ve scared me or made me pause to hear myself so easily enraptured by a man I’d met mere hours ago. But despite those reasons, I still wanted to say yes. For once to only think about myself and not anyone else. To choose me and my desires.

And I desired Jackson. He was younger and all wrong for me, but I couldn’t deny our chemistry or connection. Even if it was only one night, I knew I needed this in order to move forward. I didn’t want to live my life one second longer being scared of what life had to give me. Instead, I wanted to take.

“Take me home,” I demanded, removing the question from the equation. If I stayed focused on the prize, I wouldn’t lose sight of where I was going.

“Are you sure? And after saying that, I want to slap myself for questioning it. But I’m a big believer in enthusiastic consent, and I don’t want you to feel pressured. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but I can go home alone, and we can keep talking and getting to know one another. Like, what’s your degree, and what kind of job do you have?”

“As much as I appreciate you being a gentleman, Jackson, I’d really rather you do everything nice guys aren’t supposed to know how to do. Is that enthusiastic enough for you?”

“That’s the hottest thing anyone has ever said to me.” His brown eyes were blown, the color barely visible as I stared into his eyes. “One second.”

He slid out of the booth and pulled his wallet from his pants, placing some money onto the top before he offered me his hand. It was at that moment the rest of the bar came back into focus. The crowd was more active now, with couples dancing to the band as they played on the stage.

Placing my fingers into his, I allowed him to pull me from the booth and into his arms. My heart skipped a beat before taking off rapidly as we stared at one another. One second we were standing there, promises of all the things to come hanging between us, and the next, we were moving through the bar and out the door.

“Do you want to follow me?” he asked, hesitating as he approached the parking lot.

“Yeah.”

Jackson stared at my face for a second, calculating something before he nodded and kissed me briefly before walking me to my car.

“I’m in the Tesla.” He pointed to the silver car parked a few rows over, and I slightly nodded that I would follow him. Internally, I wondered exactly what job he was so good at to own such a nice car, but I kept the inquiry to myself. I was pretty sure one-night stands weren’t meant to share what tax bracket they were in.

Climbing into my car, I waited for him to pull out of his space and followed behind, giving myself a pep talk the whole way there that I could do this. Now that the lust-filled haze had been lifted, anxiety crept in. I was in the middle of debating which would be worse—going through with it or leaving—when he pulled into a lot for the newer townhomes on the north side of town.

“You want this. It’s going to be fine. Great, even.”

Feeling properly motivated, I climbed out of my car and met Jackson on the sidewalk, where he waited for me.

“Part of me worried you wouldn’t follow me here,” he admitted, taking my hand and leading me up the stairs of the closest home.

“Part of me debated.”

“And in the end?” he asked, turning slightly as he unlocked the door.

---