Page 59 of Cage

My eyes widen like a deer in the headlights. “Um, please, with whipped cream and chocolate on top?”

He snorts and winks at me. “Perfect. Just the right amount of sugar from two sweet girls. Go potty and wash your hands first, then we can go outside.”

Heat spreads over me. These men say things like that so nonchalantly, yet my cheeks burn up over being told to go potty. It’s wild how those words and the way he says it makes me feel so Little.

Rowie lets me go potty first. As I pull down my leggings and cotton panties, which go up to my belly button and have tiny dragons on them, I wonder what it would be like to live like this all the time. It’s wishful thinking. I know that. But what if I never had to leave this perfect ranch? Or see a stupid big city again? Or my father?

That last thought doesn’t make me as sad as I would have thought. He said things would be different when I return home, but will they really? Will he sit down for meals with me, celebrate holidays like most people do, or teach me something that a dad knows how to do? Cage would do all of that for me. I’m not so sure about my father, though. He hasn’t exactly given me many reasons to have much faith in him over the years.

I touch the cool metal of the necklace he gave me and sigh. Another problem to deal with at another time. For now, I get to go play with my new best friend.

When I come out, Rowie goes in as Jasper approaches. “Did you wash your hands?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“With soap?”

Of course I did. And I’m sure he knows it. But that follow-up question in the Daddyish tone he’s using has me feeling so dang small.

“Uh-huh. Wanna smell?” I hold my hand up for him, and without hesitating, Jasper grabs it and sniffs.

“Good girl. I’m so proud of you.”

And just like that, I’m goo for Jasper. The man is scary-looking. And most people probably tremble when he even glances in their direction. Most people are idiots. I can see the man underneath the terrifying exterior. At least, I think I can. There’s kindness in those tired eyes of his.

As soon as Rowie exits and sticks her hands in Jasper’s face for him to sniff as well, we all go outside. Rowie and I skip happily toward the playground while Jasper follows.

“Be careful!” he calls. “No running.”

I giggle because I’m starting to believe Cage when he says his brothers are just as overprotective as he is.

“Don’t worry. We won’t have any fun,” I reply sassily.

Jasper blinks several times. I think I’ve stunned him. Heck, I’ve sort of surprised myself. It’s one thing to be sassy with Cage, but I don’t know his brothers well yet. I don’t want to piss them off.

Then, the slightest smile spreads on his lips as he narrows his gaze. “Watch it, brat. I have a text from Cage saying I can punish you if you’re naughty. I’d hate to start taking away Good Girl Points.”

My mouth drops open. I turn around to face him, planting my hands on my hips. I’m not sure what’s gotten into me, but it’s a lot of fun.

“That is so mean.” I huff. “I can’t believe you would do that. I’ve been so nice to you.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Better believe it, Little girl. Now, go have fun.”

I grin and stick my tongue out at him, then join Rowie on the play structure, where she’s already about to take her first ride down the slide.

The warm breeze is perfect for this today. All around us is nothing but brilliant green trees that line the mountain and make it the beautiful forest it is. What would it be like to be herein the winter? I bet it snows a lot. The pretty kind of snow. Not the kind in DC that immediately turns to gray slush and soaks my feet.

Rowie and I take turns going down the slide, giggling the entire time. I can’t remember going to a park when I was growing up. Yet these guys built one for her right in her backyard. I guess it’s true when they say if they wanted to, they would. I guess that even goes for parents. And obviously, my father didn’t want to. Or he just doesn’t care.

Shaking my head, I push those thoughts aside. Nope. Not letting him ruin this time for me. This is my time to be me. To be Little. I clap for Rowie when she does a flip on one of the bars, at the same time, Jasper yells for her to be careful. Sheesh. A little overprotective. It’s sweet, though.

After we’ve climbed and slid for nearly an hour, I eye the swings. As though Rowie already knows, she grabs my hand, and together, like best friends, we both climb onto one and start kicking our feet. Jasper is close by talking to another one of Cage’s brothers. Creed, I think. There’s just so many of them. I don’t know if I’ll ever get all their names straight.

“I need to get something to drink,” Rowie announces as she jumps from the swing. “Be right back. I’ll bring you some juice, too.”

Wrapping my fingers around the chain on either side of me, I glide through the air with my braids, which Cage did this morning for me, swinging along with me. If my smile gets any bigger, it might split my face in half, but I don’t care. I feel so free. So happy.

Almost as soon as that thought comes, it leaves as something pinches me.

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