Page 32 of Uncaged Obsessions

I look up to see Adam hasn’t moved other than the fact that his eyes are open.

“Just looking at you,” I tell him honestly, settling back down, facing him, still not touching, though I want to rest my hand on his chest and trace the muscles and ink.

“You look like you want to do more than just look,” he comments.

I shrug, but then get bold when I ask, “Can I?”

He hesitates, and my shoulders drop slightly.

“Why?” My voice is soft.

He looks over my other shoulder at the sleeping Caine, and then to the other side of him to where Drew is sleeping.

“Come with me,” he offers and I nod easily.

As carefully as possible, we sneak out of the large bed in Caine’s house, and I’m not exactly sure why we ended up here but I’m glad we aren’t at my house. I don’t know how I’ll feel stepping foot in there again, though I know I need to.

Adam leads us outside to the backyard, and I didn’t notice the blanket he must have grabbed along the way until I sit on the bench, pulling my legs up to my chest, trying to stay warm from the chill in the air.

He wraps the soft fabric around my shoulders and I send up a thankful look to him when he sits down next to me. Neither of us say anything right away, but he does take my hand in his, wrapping our fingers together while I lean into him. I love how each of these men make me feel, and Adam is an expert at making me feel at peace.

“I struggle with being touched,” he states, and I just listen, not wanting him to tell me more than he’s comfortable with. But he continues. “I never knew my parents. I was raised in foster homes until I aged out.”

I squeeze his hand tightly, silently encouraging him, but not wanting to ruin the moment.

“I don’t think I was hugged until I was an adult.” He pauses. “Even then I can count on one hand how many times I have been.”

“Me too,” I whisper softly, not wanting him to stop, but realizing that we have this messed up thing in common. I may not have grown up in foster homes, and unfortunately, I do know my parents. However, my home still lacked the love and comfort that his did as well.

“I think I just grew used to not being touched. I wanted to be in charge in any intimate situation, and that turned into removing the hands that would try and touch my chest. Tying them up, holding them down, and avoiding eye contact. Sex has always just been sex.”

I nod, listening as he continues. “It’s not that I don’t want you to touch me. I do.”

I squeeze his hand tighter. “I understand.”

“We can try… We can work on it.” He turns to look at me and I see the desperation in his gaze. “I want to be better for you.”

My jaw drops slightly at his honesty, not expecting him to be this vulnerable with me.

“You already are,” I tell him. “My life before I came here was awful, and you guys have already been better for me than anyone else in my life.”

“You’ve changed our lives too, baby girl, and I don’t think you understand just how much.”

“Me too.” I rest my head against him again, wanting the connection. Wanting to just feel close to him.

“We were never going to give up trying to find you,” he whispers.

“I wasn’t going to give up trying to get back to you guys either.”

CHAPTER 20

CAINE

Iwake up and find that Max isn’t next to me anymore. I react quickly, jumping out of bed, needing to find her. I immediately worry that she’s gone again. That she ran off or was taken. I need to see her. I need to keep my eyes on her at all times.

Racing out of the room, I look around until I see the flash of red hair outside sitting on the bench with Adam. I breathe out a sigh of relief, but also annoyance because she should be in bed with me right now, not outside with him.

I push the sliding glass door open and they both look back at me. The cold air hitting my bare chest doesn’t even phase me.

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