Page 5 of Caged Heat

Jackson: Okay, your turn Ella. Don’t think; just let your fingers do the talking.

I smiled despite myself. I hadn’t been to the county fair in years. Mack had loved it as a kid, and when I’d get the rare day off, we’d go and do all the things he mentioned, like there weren’t a million problems waiting for me at home.

Eleanor: The fair sounds nice, actually. I haven’t been in a while.

Jackson: Fine. I guess I can share my activity with you, especially if it means we get to do it together. Would you let me kiss you at the top of the Ferris Wheel, Ella?

I sucked in a breath, my cheeks heating. It was only a request for a kiss, but no one had done that much to me in two decades. The loudness of the bar swelled around me, and I no longer felt comfortable sitting here and talking to him. Because yeah, I wanted to keep talking to him, despite all the reasons I shouldn’t. Glancing around, my eyes snagged on my grumpy boss’s intense sage green eyes. Well, former boss. My last shift at Bottle Grounds was last night.

August leaned against the door frame that led to the back office and break room. His tattooed arms were crossed against his chest, his corded muscles on full display. His eyes didn’t sway from me, the intensity of his gaze had me shifting. He’d never stared at me that way before. Or at least I hadn’t noticed.

Taking him in, I noticed how his raven hair was mussed, like he’d been running his hands through it, sticking up in some sections. His thick beard covered most of his face, adding to his customary frown and dour expression. Only the slight peppering of gray in his beard gave away his age. Though, I didn’t know the exact number.

August’s vintage t-shirt clung to his hard-worn muscles, his dark jeans tight against his thighs. Rumor was that he used to be a fighter back in the day, and I could believe it. He had the look of a man that had been in the ring, his nose slightly crooked like it had been broken a few too many times, and his knuckles scarred. But even knowing that, August didn’t give off aggressive vibes. He’d always been kind to me in the few words he’d spoken and understood when I needed time off for Mack or school.

But this… the way he was looking at me now was new.

Desire pooled in my belly; the air between us felt alive as it fizzled with the energy connecting our eyes. Bottle Grounds had been explosive with noise a minute ago, but now it barely registered in the background. The air felt warmer around me, my skin heating as I held this man’s eyes. A million conversations seemed to pass between us in a matter of seconds, overwhelming me as I tried to make sense of this. What was happening?

My phone vibrated in my hand again, and it startled me, breaking the intense eye contact I held with August. A new notification appeared on my home screen, reminding me I’d been in mid-conversation with Jackson. Looking back up, August no longer stood in the doorway. Heavy disappointment settled onto my shoulders.

I must have misinterpreted the connection and fabricated it in my mind, the sun melting the barrier between my desire and common sense. I was seeing every man as interested in me when years of loneliness proved that was far from the truth.

Sliding off the stool, I waved bye and quickly exited the bar to return to my car. Shutting the door, my body relaxed as I closed out the rest of the world and pushed the earlier moment to the back of my mind. My phone vibrated again, the notifications appearing on my screen. And as much as I hated it, I got a little burst of excitement at the sight of them this time.

“Stupid app.” Rolling my eyes at myself, I clicked on them, opening the conversation back up.

Jackson: Okay, I can take the hint. I need to work harder for your kiss. Duly noted. In fact, I like that. Make me work for it, Ella.

Jackson: I’m going to go out on a limb here, but any chance you’d be willing to meet me in person? I know that’s kind of fast, and I get it if you don’t want to. We just met and barely know one another.

Jackson: But if I’m honest, I hate these apps. I’d much rather meet in person and get an authentic feel for someone. Plus, I’m better one on one. I don’t tend to ramble as much.

Jackson: Okay, that’s probably a lie. I’m a bit of a talker, but that’s beside the point.

Jackson: So, Ella, want to go on a date with me tonight?

I sucked in a breath. Was it too soon? I didn’t honestly know the typical protocol for these apps. I personally liked the idea of getting to know him in person. Shit. Was I seriously considering meeting him? He was twelve years younger than me, for crying out loud!

Eleanor: You do know I’m older than you, right?

Jackson: What I know about you, the beautiful Ella, is that you intrigue me. And as cliche as it might sound… you’re not like the other women on here. So what if you’re older. It doesn’t bother me. Does it you?

Eleanor: Yes. I have a son.

Jackson: Cool. I love kids.

Eleanor: He’s 24.

Jackson: Sweet. I don’t have to worry about changing diapers.

Eleanor: I seriously don’t know how to take you, Jackson.

Jackson: Go on a date with me before you make up your mind.

Jackson: Please, Ella.

I bit my lip as I debated. What could it hurt to go out with him? One date wouldn’t hurt me. And despite the fact he was barely older than my son, I did find him attractive, and he’d made me laugh. That was more than men my age had done in years. Perhaps I needed to think about this differently. It had been so long since I’d been out, so I could think of Jackson as my test drive—the first pancake, so to speak.

---