Page 68 of Caged Heat

Over the next few hours, the team wined and dined the five of us, pulling out all the stops. It was the best steak I’d ever eaten, and the overall mood was light and fun. I could see Jackson fitting in well with this company, and if what they were promising was true, he’d be the next MMA star.

Once dinner was done, Steph and I said our goodbyes and promised to make dinner plans with my mom soon.

“You going to ask her?” Mom asked as she hugged me.

“That’s the plan.”

She kissed my cheek. “She’s ready, honey.”

I nodded and squeezed her hand bye, pulling Steph away from her uncle and cousin.

“I can’t believe my cousin is going to be famous,” she said as we walked out.

“If he wants it. I’m not sure he does.”

“Nonsense. He does. He just doesn’t want things to fall back on Ele.”

“Hm. That’s nice of him, and I respect that, but my mom knows how to take care of herself.”

“I know. Ele’s a badass. Jackson’s just schmoopy and in love.”

“Schmoopy.” I laughed.

“Yeah. Thought I’d give it a try. Didn’t like it.” She huffed a laugh, smiling over at me. I pressed her against the car door, taking her face into my hands.

“You make me schmoopy.”

“Ew gross. Take it back,” she teased.

I left wet kisses all over her face and neck until she couldn’t stop laughing at me. “God, you’re a dork.”

“Maybe. But I’m yours,” I said, staring into her eyes.

“Yeah, you are.” She held my stare, the air between us thick with love. I’d wanted to tell her, but I wasn’t sure she was ready, considering we were still FAO-shipping it.

“Come on, let’s head home. I have the day off tomorrow and want to spend it with you.”

“You spoil me, Mack Risgby-Ellis.”

“You’re worth spoiling, Stephanie Hartley.”

The ride to my house was quiet. Both of us let the radio play and did not fill the space with words. There were things we needed to say, but while I was driving, was not the time.

Letting us into the house, I turned on the lights and dropped my keys and wallet onto the table in the entryway. Steph kicked off her shoes and sat her purse next to my stuff. I loved how her stuff looked mixed with mine. Over the past two months, she’d been leaving more and more of it here. I’d made her room in the closet and drawers, wanting her to feel like this was her place, even if she wouldn’t say it.

The only time she stayed here when I wasn’t was during finals, and that had only been because she wanted a quiet place to study. But I was hopeful she was ready to take that next step. The key I made for her was burning a hole in my pocket.

The second I entered the bedroom, she pushed me onto the bed and straddled my lap. Her red dress rose up her thighs, exposing her creamy skin to me. Her kiss took my breath away, sending my lust skyrocketing as she devoured my mouth and took control.

Running my hands up her back, I found her zipper and lowered it. I tore myself away from her kiss so I could watch the fabric as it fell away, revealing her beautiful body to me.

“God, Steph. You’re so stunning.”

She smiled, kissing my neck and working her fingers on my shirt. In a coordinated effort, we discarded all the barriers between us until we were both naked. Steph’s hands ran over me, and my cock leaked at her touch. She lifted, positioning me at her center.

“Fuck. Wait,” I cursed, gripping her hips.

“No.” Her eyes were fierce as she lowered herself onto me.

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