Page 24 of Up in Flames

“You do,” he murmurs, kissing under my ear again. His hand ventures from my waist to a picnic basket sitting next to him, and he pulls out a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne and then a tray of strawberries, followed by cheeses, crackers, and other delicacies. Great food for snacking on while writing.

This man has thought of everything.

“Why non-alcoholic champagne?” I ask, and he smiles, but it’s weak. I will have to store that in the memory bank for later.

“We’re both driving home. Can’t drink and drive. You know how it goes,” Cain replies, though his voice is weaker. He’s right. Drinking and driving is never a good idea, even if you’re about to stuff yourself full of brie and strawberries.

“Here, lean back into me, and I’ll pass goodies to you so you can concentrate on your writing.”

“Why is it so important to you that I write?”

He kisses my cheek and smiles. “Because I want you to succeed in your dreams and achieve everything you want in life. If writing makes you happy, I will help any way I can.”

Oh my God! What a sweetheart.

He’s known me for a couple of weeks and says something like that.

This man is a keeper.

We spend the afternoon with me cuddling into his front with my back as I type frantically to get all my thoughts down. The words flow effortlessly onto the screen, and his calming energy and the incredible surroundings bring new life to the pages. Fresh air, teamed with the ambiance of having Cain behind me as support, is not only heightening my creativity but also soothing and helping me to relax. And in a world full of chaos and hectic lifestyles, it’s extremely nice to sit and be one with nature and not have to think about anything other than the fictional world I am creating.

He’s right—Cain is my muse!

I’ve been struggling to start this story for over a year, but suddenly, with him here today, the ideas keep flowing. He peeks over my shoulder every now and then to try and read what I’m typing, but I quickly shoo him away.

“You can read it when it is done,” I scold, and he chuckles as he rests back against the tree, his arms wrapping around my waist again. For some reason, which I can’t quite understand, he wants to be with me like this for hours. He’s doing nothing but sitting on the ground, holding and feeding me while I work. I’m sure he must be ridiculously bored, especially a man who is more than obviously smart and must be busy with his work.

“We can go anytime you want. You don’t have to sit here while I type and ignore you,” I tell him happily.

“Are you inspired?” he asks.

“Yeah, this whole environment is great.”

“Then we stay. As long as you’re happy and enjoying our afternoon together while finding the flow you need, I’m only too happy to sit with you between my legs. I’m not bored. I enjoy seeing you in your element, and watching you happy makes me happy.”

I look over my shoulder, and Cain appears genuinely content, so I don’t question him further. Instead, I plant a chaste kiss on his lips, turn back, and continue writing.

I’m lost in my words for the next couple of hours when suddenly, Cain’s cell rings, breaking me from my momentum. “Fuck. Sorry, little dove. It can go to voicemail.”

I turn back, looking at him with a smile. “Don’t be silly. You can answer it.” He narrows his eyes on me like he is unsure, and I let out a snort, bumping into his chest. “Cain, answer your damn phone.”

He pulls his cell out of his jeans pocket and swipes to answer, “Yeah?”

I can’t hear the other person, but Cain tenses behind me, his muscles stiffening. “Are youfuckingkidding me?”

He runs his fingers through his hair while his voice drops an octave. “Don’t do anything. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” His tone is angry, irate, and filled with irritation as he ends the call.

I try not to react to the hostility rolling off him and focus on my laptop as he lets out a long exhale, shoving his cell back into his jeans. He slowly wraps his arms around my waist, holding me to him. His chin drops to my shoulder as his breath whispers on my skin. “I’m sorry, Makaylie. I have to go to work for a little bit—”

“It’s okay, we can go—”

“No, you stay here. Keep working. You were in the zone. I’ll come back and get you when I am done. Thiswon’ttake long.”

Turning my head to the side just a little, I move my mouth to meet his in a kiss. He pushes back, a little more forceful than I’m used to from him. He is needy, and it feels like another side of him is coming out—that dark and dangerous side he warned me about. Instead of making me cautious, my hand slides up, running into his hair, gripping tight, and deepening the kiss.

I don’t know what it is about this darker side of Cain, but it draws me in like a moth to a flame.

A low growl reverbs from deep in his chest as he slowly pulls back from me, his arms tightening around my waist and gently edging me away from him. “If I don’t leave now, I will end up doing very bad things to you in this park, and there are kids around. I don’t want to be held responsible for mentally scarring them.”

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