Page 45 of Up in Flames

A Week Later

The next week is filled with days of me staring blankly at my open laptop, waiting for inspiration to come. It never does. Nighttime is spent either crying or getting so angry I practice my punching skills on my pillows that still smell like him. I wear his leather jacket to feel closer to him, but all of it is a useless attempt to make me feel better. I still can’t fathom why one man, in such a short time, can have such an impact on my emotional well-being.

Joey tries to cheer me up in her usual way of idiocy, but nothing works.

It’s Saturday, and my inspiration is seriously lacking. I need to get my creative juices flowing again soon, or my mojo for this book will be long gone. Suddenly, an idea strikes, and I decide to go back to the place where inspiration first hit me.

Packing up my laptop, I make my way to my Thunderbird. Swallowing hard, I glance over my shoulder to see Cain’s Impala isn’t here. Gnawing on my bottom lip, I briefly wonder where he is but then push that thought from my mind as I hop into my car and pull out onto the street. Feeling the giant white steering wheel in my grip, I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself while an incredible coldness seeps into my bones. I’m unsure if that’s from my mood or the weather as I drive the short distance to the Anna T. Jordan Community Park.

Pulling into the same space as last Saturday, I park Gertie and hop out.

The day is a mild temperature for late autumn, but even so, I’m rugged up and wearing a jacket, scarf, and beanie to keep me comfortable and warm, considering I won’t have the warmth of Cain to keep me cozy here today.

I begin the walk to the tree behind the life-size airplane they have on display. My feet scuff along the grass, my head down, watching stray stones roll along the ground as I kick them.

Slowly, I glance up, and my eyes lead me to the tree—our tree.

To my surprise, someone is sitting under it, and my body halts momentarily, hesitating to make out who it is, trying not to fill myself with hope. My breathing escalates as I take a step closer.

Cain looks up and hesitates but smiles as he pats his hand on the red and white checkered blanket he’s sitting on. A wave of excitement rushes over me, and I try to hide my smile. My muscles physically relax from the tension they’ve been holding since I last saw him. A swarm of butterflies erupts in my stomach as I walk toward him, not knowing how this interaction will go.

“I was hoping you would come,” Cain states as he watches me, his eyes intense and his posture stiff.

Biting on my bottom lip, I inhale sharply at his deep, soothing voice and sit on the blanket next to him. He looks at me through his aviator sunglasses.

“Why are you here?” It comes out more abruptly than I was aiming for.

He goes to say something but quickly stops himself. Then he swallows hard, rubbing his chin, and clenches his jaw like he’s struggling to say what he needs to.

Sighing, I turn away from him, take my laptop from my bag, and place it on the blanket.

“I missed you,” he murmurs.

The air around me pops and fizzes with an electrical surge. My breath catches as Cain leans in close.“I mean, reallymissed you. I couldn’t function all week.” His nose nuzzles behind my ear, causing my eyes to close and welcome his touch. As he kisses behind my ear, it sends a shock wave of tingles straight between my legs as he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling my back closer to him.

I gasp at the force of his movements, but my eyes stay shut as he takes control of my body. He’s so amazingly good at making me weak around him without me even realizing he’s doing it.

His hand slides from my stomach, stopping just above my clit, and he presses firmly. My breathing hitches, my eyes still closed as his nose nuzzles into the back of my neck, behind my ear. He’s so sweet, and I can’t keep my thoughts under control.

“I’m sorry for walking out on you like that. I was… angry. I thought you belonged to me, and then when I found out you didn’t, it killed me, Makaylie.” He growls out the words like he does when he’s angry as his hand moves down, cupping my pussy.

I press against him with a slight moan, not even caring that we’re in a public park, as he moves his hand from me, sliding it back up around my tummy, and he pulls me on his lap. His hard cock is evident through his jeans as I sit on him and pant for breath. I can’t help myself as I press my ass down onto his cock to get some friction. He lets out a small grunt as I rock my hips back and forth.

“I do belong to you,” I murmur through staggered breaths.

His head shoots up from my neck, and his hand moves from my stomach to my face. He grabs my chin and turns my head forcefully to look at him. His eyes bore into mine intently.

“What about Joey?”

“Joey is my roommate and my best friend. There’s nothing to be jealous of Cain. I’m yours if you will have me?”

His breathing becomes labored. “And what of my controlling ways?”

“Well, that’s something we’ll have to work on together, okay?”

He chuckles. “Right,” he replies, leaning in and kissing my lips softly. His tongue finds mine, and that undeniable chemistry surges between us. I move in his grip and turn on his lap to face him in a monkey-like grip as I kiss him with all I can manage. Again, not caring that we’re in a public place, and everyone can see us leaning against a tree, making out like no one is watching.

Eventually, I come up for air and part my lips from his when I need to actually breathe. “Did you know I was going to be here?”

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