Page 71 of Caged Bliss

“That’s good. I mean, mostly everyone’s nice there.”

“Mostly?” I pull her against me. “Was someone mean to my girl?”

She laughs and pushes me away. “It’s not like that.”

“Come on, baby, give me a name.”

“Kayla. But honestly?—”

“That bitch is fired.” I grin viciously. “And I’m giving her a terrible recommendation.”

Claudia laughs, shaking her head, and tries to convince me not to be vindictive, but fuck that. Her enemies are my enemies now.

“I think I’m done working there,” she says as I put an arm across her shoulders. “I mean, I never really liked it anyway.”

“You can stay, you can go, but you’re not allowed to dance in that fucking cage ever again. I will not have my woman ogled at by rich assholes.”

“Oh, yeah? What if I want to be ogled?”

“Then I’ll lock you in your room until you learn to be a good girl.”

“You’re such a prick.” She’s smiling at me, and I’m smiling back, and I lean down to kiss her.

“No, baby, just a little possessive.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be confident and sure of yourself?”

“I’m both of those things. And I also can’t stand the thought of another man getting anywhere near you, so here we are.”

“Luckily, I’m done with the nightclub scene.” She elbows my side gently and leans her head on my shoulder. “Now I have to figure out what’s next.”

“You don’t need to rush.”

“I mean, I need a job if I’m going to pay rent.”

I pause and pull her close. I stoop down and kiss her softly. “You don’t have to pay me rent.”

“I’m not living with you forever, remember? This is supposed to just be until we find Tommy and I’m not in danger anymore.”

“What if it’s for longer?” I tilt my head, studying her reaction. She chews her lip, but doesn’t seem upset. “You could stay, if you wanted.”

“And what would that mean for us?” She presses her palms against my chest. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

“Let’s stop pretending like this isn’t something.” I brush my hand against her cheek and kiss her. “I want you all to myself, Claudia. So yes, I’m asking you to move in, and I’m telling you that we’re together.”

She struggles not to smile and it’s the sexiest goddamn thing I’ve ever seen in my life. “I guess I could make that work.”

I let out a soft growl. “Don’t play around right now.”

“Fine. Okay. We’re together.”

“And you’re moving in with me.”

“We’ll see.” She’s grinning openly, and now I know she’s fucking with me for fun. “You’ll have to earn it.”

“I think I know how I can start.” I grab her hand and drag her back to my place. She laughs, hurrying to keep up, but we get intercepted on our way to fucking like crazed, sex-addicted maniacs by my mother.

Which really dampens the sexual tension.

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