Page 87 of Caged Bliss

“Nothing.” He pushes open the door. “Honestly, it’s not even furnished.”

He’s right. Inside, it’s a blank slate. The floors are all hard wood and the style is modern minimalist. The kitchen has granite counters and gourmet appliances, and the back yard has a gorgeous little sitting area with a fire pit and a decorative pond. I can picture sitting back here and watching the water burble down the small waterfall.

“Lots of potential,” I say back inside. I lean up against the island and start picturing where I’d put the couches, the lamps, the end tables, what I’d hang on the walls, put on shelves, everything.

“I’m happy you say that, because I want to make you an offer.” He leans next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “What if you lived here? And what if, after all this is over, Serena came to stay here, too?”

I pull back and stare at him. I’m not even sure what to say—the idea of living with Serena is incredibly tempting.

But it doesn’t feel right.

A few weeks ago, I would’ve jumped at this chance. Heck, I would’ve begged to be able to stay in a nice house with my sister where I could keep a close eye on her and help her stay sober. Except now the opportunity is in front of me and I don’t feel that excitement.

“I’m really, really grateful,” I say and he tilts his head, looking more curious than upset. “But, I mean?—”

“What’s wrong? Do you hate the house?”

I shake my head and walk away from him. My footsteps echo in the empty room, and when I turn back, he’s right where I left him. But he doesn’t seem angry.

“The house is gorgeous. Honestly, I love it.”

“I’d pay for the furniture. Hell, I’d pay for whatever you need. You wouldn’t have to worry about that.”

I blink back tears and shake my head. “That’s not the problem.”

“It wouldn’t have to be permanent. The two of you could move out after Serena’s back on her feet if that’s what you wanted.”

“No, Angelo?—”

“And there are other houses. Most of them have furniture, but they can be changed if you prefer it some other way. There are options.”

“Angelo, listen. I don’t want to live with Serena. I want to live with you.”

That takes him by surprise, although I don’t know why it would.

“Are you sure?” he asks softly.

“Things are good between us. I mean, they’re really good, and I don’t want to stop what we’ve been doing. I know, I know, that makes me a shitty sister, and I hate myself for it?—”

“Don’t do that,” he says, voice firm. “Don’t beat yourself up just because you want to have a life.”

I spread my hands in surrender. “I know, you’re right, and here I am admitting it. I want to live with you. Serena can stay here, that’d be amazing and so generous, but I want to live with you.”

He comes to me then. I take a step back, but he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in close, and he buries my mouth with his. I sink into that kiss, not sure what it means and not caring, because it feels so good to have him tasting me like this, drinking me in, feasting on me. I’ve been vulnerable with him already today—what’s one more time?—and he rewards me with a low, hungry groan.

“I want that too, but I didn’t want to push,” he whispers. “I wanted to give you an option. One more chance to have your own space. Because soon I won’t feel generous anymore and I won’t let you out of my sight.”

“That’s what I want.” I kiss him. “I don’t need space anymore.”

Another kiss. This one’s deeper and slower, and soon he’s pushing me against the wall and taking off my clothes, and I sleep with him in the middle of the echoing room, not caring if anyone can hear, not caring about anything in the world but him.

Chapter 44

Angelo

Ileave early the next morning. She barely stirs when I kiss her goodbye. “I’ll be back soon, I promise,” I whisper and drive in the predawn hours out to the butcher shop. I’m thinking about Claudia the whole way: about fucking her in that empty house, about telling her how much I want to be with her, about the future we can have together.

Assuming I come through this alive.

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