Code Name - Rook (Jameson Force Security 6)

Much.

“I lived in Vegas before Pittsburgh,” he finally says, offering nothing more.

“What did you do there?”

“Same thing I’m doing now,” he replies with a smile.

I sip at my cocoa, mulling over his job. I know little about it other than he works at a dealership in McKeesport, just south of Pittsburgh. He told me he doesn’t necessarily like the work, and I haven’t pushed. We’ve had so many other things to talk about in the short time we’ve been seeing each other.

Still, I can’t help but ask, “Why do you sell cars if you’re not passionate about it?”

Cage’s gaze is focused on the cityscape as he ponders my question. When he turns, I can tell by his expression he doesn’t have a clear answer. “Not everyone is as fortunate as you to have something they feel strongly about as their profession. In fact, I’d say that applies to the vast majority.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to stay somewhere you don’t like,” I press.

“And I don’t intend to,” he replies, taking the cup of cocoa from me. “This is just temporary until I can get my footing.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you get your footing?”

I had not meant to say that. It’s something someone would offer to a person they were extremely serious about, and I’m not that serious about Cage.

Not really.

I mean… I like him.

More than I can recall ever liking a man I’ve dated before. I know this because I get a thrill every time he smiles at me, or my belly gets flutters when he touches me in affection. I get lost talking to him because everything he says is interesting and meaningful, and he really listens when I talk.

He makes me laugh.

He makes my body do things I never knew it could do.

It’s only been ten days, but I have to admit, I’m hoping this could be more.

We share another cup of hot chocolate. The silence isn’t awkward. Instead, we let ourselves be captivated by the gorgeous scenery and because it’s cold, we snuggle together.

“This is easy,” Cage says, breaking the silence.

I have to lean slightly away from him, tip my face to give him my attention. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, being with you is easy.”

Hmmm. Not sure how to take that. He must see my confusion because he laughs, leaning in to give me a kiss.

When he pulls away, he assures me. “That’s a compliment. I always sort of thought dating was a burden, and with you, it’s anything but.”

I frown slightly, wondering how we’ve never really talked about this. “Have you not dated before?”

Which is ridiculous. He’s two years older than me. At twenty-eight, surely he’s had relationships.

“Not really,” he admits.

“Aaahhh,” I drawl in understanding, smirking. “You’re a playboy.”

He doesn’t smile back, but rather tips his head to the side. “Would it turn you off to know that about me? That I’ve never, ever wanted to devote my time to one woman before? Or that I prefer one-night stands?”

“Then why are you doing exactly the opposite of what you’re comfortable with?” I ask, my heart sinking a bit. I feel like this is the inevitable start of the end between us.

Cage shrugs, his gloved hand coming to the nape of my neck. He squeezes slightly, a silent command to keep my attention on him. “I have no clue,” he admits. “I just know that being with you is so effortless I have no interest in the former way I approached how I spent my free time with women.”

“Does it help to know I feel the same way about you?” I whisper, afraid that might scare him a bit. Clearly, he’s out of his element, trying to forge a relationship when he’s never done it before.

“A little,” he replies somberly. “And it also scares the shit out of me. I’ve never been beholden to a woman before. It’s a huge responsibility, and I don’t want to fuck it up or hurt you. I can’t say I won’t get freaked or spooked at some point. Because while this is effortless, there’s a part that seems like a burden, too.”

Ouch.

That hurts.

But, at this moment, I know Cage is being one-hundred percent honest with me. Rather than scare me in return, it actually makes me feel safe. He’s clearly laid out there’s a risk if we continue forward, but that what we have is also good to us both.

He’s definitely a gamble.

I hold my gloved hand out, palm up. Cage doesn’t hesitate, moving his from my neck down to take mine. Our fingers wrap around each other. “Let’s just keep going as we are,” I suggest. “No pressure. Enjoy what we have. If you get spooked, I might try to talk you off the ledge. If I can’t do that, then I will just have to chalk it up to having a great experience with a great guy.”