Beyond The Cage (14 page)

“Jas, calm down,” Chels warns.

“I’m calm. Don’t I look calm?” I reply through clenched teeth.

“On the outside. But I’ve known you since before we were old enough for bras. You have a tendency to overreact.”

“You think I shouldn’t react at all? To
this
?” I ask in disbelief.

“They’re in public…and he’s just standing there.”

“Fine,” I reply, only to appease her. I am
not
letting this go.

I fix a smile on my face and approach them. He glances between me and the woman, confused by my smile. Once I’m at his side, I turn to the chit. Everything about her is fake – hair, lips, breasts, ass.
This is what he likes?

“Hello,” I greet her, my smile not faltering.

Her smile fades and she turns up her nose at me. I slip my arm through his and look up at him.

“You ready to go, baby?”

“And who are you supposed to be?” Chit asks.

I blink innocently at her and extend my hand. “Jasmine. Cameron’s girlfriend.”

Her eyes widen in shock and she looks from me to him and back. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in to his side.
Oh…
now
you choose to do something?
She looks down at my hand with a sneer, flips her hair, and marches off in a huff. I shrug him off and turn to him with an accusatory look.

“Who was that?”

He reaches for me but I step out of his reach. “Just take me home. I need to pick up Sparty.”

I walk away, not even checking to see if he’s behind me. Josie, a teenager in my building, agreed to watch Sparty whenever I need her. It’s costing me $10 an hour, but at least I know he’s safe.

“Jas!” Chels shouts after me.

“Come on, Chels, we’re leaving.”

“Hold up!”

I stop walking and turn to her.

She smiles and bites her bottom lip. “I’m getting a ride home.”

“From who?”

Cameron appears behind her, but I ignore him completely.

“Tony.”

“The trainer?”

I look to Cameron, hoping he can at least vouch for Tony, but he’s busy looking around the room.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask Chels.

“Jas, he’s hot!”

Cameron clenches his jaw and storms off. We watch as he makes his way over to Tony. We can’t hear what the other man is saying, but he looks petrified.

“I’ll be fine. I think Cameron just put the fear of God into him.”

“I still don’t like it but…okay. I’ll see you at home.”

I watch her walk away. When my eyes meet Cameron’s, I turn and head for the exit. He and Jared catch up to me at the Cayenne. He opens the door and I hop in, sliding to the far side. Without looking at him, I express my gratitude for what he did for Chelsea.

“Thank you. Can she trust this Tony guy?”

Begrudgingly, I turn to him to see his answer. He nods and I return to ignoring him. I cross my arms over my chest and look out the window the entire ride. He sits at the other end, doing the same. He wasn’t doing anything. Why am I so angry? Why do I feel so…jealous? I mean…look at him. Women are bound to throw themselves at him. It’s
his
reaction that really counts.
Is Chels right? Am I overreacting?

As soon as the car stops, I jump out, and head for Josie’s apartment. Her mother answers when I knock. He walks up behind me just as Josie is handing Sparty over to me.

“Thanks, Josie. He wasn’t any trouble, was he?”

“He’s an angel, Jas.”

I check the time to figure out how much I need to pay her. “Let’s just call it five hours, so $50. Thanks again.”

“No problem.”

“Pay her,” I tell him, my voice clipped. I leave them and head upstairs, stroking Sparty’s head. “
You
won’t cheat on me, will you, Sparty?” He whines and licks my hand. “I know.”

Leaving the door open, I take Spartacus over to his little bed. He curls up with his toy and promptly forgets about me.
Men, hmph!
I hear the door close behind me and I turn to face him.

“Do you know her?”

He nods.

“Did you fuck her?”

He looks me in the eyes and holds my stare. My heart rate increases. Hesitation. He’s fucking hesitating.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. – Lao-Tzu

It seems like an eternity before he finally nods.

“Please, tell me it was before me.”

He nods again.
Yes
. Thank, God.

“Do you want to fuck her now?” He grabs my hand and pulls me against him. “Don’t.”

I push at his chest but he only grips me tighter, guiding my hand to his crotch. My fingers meet a full-blown erection.

“Is that a ‘yes’?” He ignores me, sweeping me off my feet and heading for my bedroom. “Put me down. Do I look like I’m in the mood for sex?”

He lays me on the bed horizontally, spreads my legs, and steps between them. When he leans forward, I feel the full effect of his hard-on and it chips away at my resolve. I turn my head to the side to avoid his stare and hear him sigh in exasperation. If he thinks he can mollify me with sex, he better think again.

Then, his lips are on my neck. I gasp at the contact. As they move across my skin, my anger quickly melts away, and I whimper as his kisses become more aggressive. He moves to my lips, his tongue forcefully finding mine. I give in, wrapping my arms around his neck and sliding my fingers through his hair. The frenzy is back. I guess he wants to make up for last night. He pulls back, breathing heavily, staring at me like I’m the first woman he’s seen after a ten-year stint in prison. He curls his fingers in my top and rips it like a piece of paper, right down the middle.
Fuck! The man’s an animal!
While he drags his T-shirt over his head and drops it carelessly on the floor, I use the opportunity to scramble away from him.

“Wait.”

He continues as if I didn’t speak and begins to unbutton his shorts.

“I want…I
need
to talk to you.”

He sighs and sits on the bed, leaning on the headboard. Looking down at my unfortunate blouse, I shake my head and remove it, tossing it aside. I won’t have any clothes if he keeps this up.

“Cameron…” I take a deep breath. Maybe Chels was right, but I do need to get something off my chest. “About tonight…I overreacted. I’m sorry.” I climb on top of him and stare into his eyes. “It’s just…what would you have done if you’d found some guy pushing up on me?”

He clenches his jaw.

“Exactly. I mean…you’re…you. I know that kinda thing’s gonna happen, but…”

He tilts his head to the side and gently strokes my cheek with his thumb. I desperately try to blink back the tears.

“I don’t want to be hurt again. Jamal…I didn’t feel half of what I feel for you, and I just couldn’t…I don’t think I could handle it. I –”

He cradles my face, halting my rambling.

“Promise me. Promise me you won’t do what he did.” He tries to pull me down to him, but I resist. “
Promise
me.”

After he nods, I allow him to tuck my face into his neck, and he strokes my hair until I calm down. A promise is a comfort to a fool, I know. I’m certainly no fool but…I believe him. I trust him. He could have lied to me about the chit but he didn’t.

“You should probably go get ready if we’re still going to the club,” I say while sitting up. He traces my cleavage with his middle finger, indicating he’d rather do something else. “No. You never take me anywhere. I wanna go out.”

“Don’t you two think you should close the door?” Chels’ voice comes from the doorway.

I turn my head and look back at her as she enters, carrying Sparty. “Aren’t you the one who’s always begging to watch?”

“Ooh! Can I?” she asks with wide eyes.

“Sure. We’re done here.”

“Way to get a girl’s hopes up for nothing, Carter,” she says, deflated.

“I’m about to make up for it. Get your freakum dress out the closet…we’re getting our Beyoncé on tonight.”

With an excited grin, she jumps into bed with us. It quickly fades and she narrows her eyes, scrutinizing my face.

“Wait…have you been crying?” She turns angrily toward Cameron. “What the fuck did you do to her, Jackson?”

I smile fondly at her bravado and how protective she is. I know I would have done the same for her.

“I’m okay, Chels. Just a little emotional.”
And PMSing like a bitch, it seems
.

“Are you sure? ’Cause I’ll kick his ass.”

I chuckle right along with Cameron. That would be quite a fight. “Positive. A night out is just what I need.”

“Where we going?”

“The promoter tonight invited us to his club…Nick Hollis.”

“Nick Hollis?” she shrieks.

“You know him?”

“He is
the
fight promoter in Chicago. That means we’re going to Rebel!”

As Cameron climbs out of bed, I look to him for confirmation. He nods.

“I guess so.”

“It’s new, but it’s already one of the hottest clubs in town. Hard to get in…this is gonna be
epic
!” She bounces up and down.

Cameron drags his shirt over his head, points to his watch, then shows me two fingers.

“Two hours…got it. Oh, what are we going to do with Sparty? It’s too late to leave him with Josie.”

Cameron takes him from Chelsea’s arms and walks out.

“Come on, Carter…let’s plan our outfits.”

While she rummages through my closet, I head to the bathroom to dry shampoo my hair and blow it out. After my shower, I’ll straighten it with my flat iron.

“So…tell me about this Tony guy.”

“Ugh…waste of my time. He couldn’t even have a decent conversation. Maybe all guys should be like Cameron…just shut up and look pretty.”

“Be careful what you wish for, honey,” I warn.

As she bounces off to her room, she smiles. “Let’s hope there are better prospects at the club tonight.”

***

Exactly two hours later, there’s a knock at the door.

“Coming!” I shout as Chels and I look each other over.

“Damn, Carter. Jackson is one lucky man.”

I pull down the skirt to my black, backless, halter-top dress and give her a grateful smile. “And so will be the lucky fucker who ends up with you.”

She adjusts the long, silver necklace dangling between my breasts and the deep V neckline of my dress. She looks stunning in a white, backless, mini dress with a plunging neckline and front tie details across the hips.

“You’re smokin’, Tanner.”

“Thanks, boo!”

When I open the door, Cameron’s back is to us. He turns slowly and goes still. His eyes travel from top to bottom, drinking in every detail, and he swallows hard. I do the same, admiring him in his black blazer, crisp white shirt, and black slacks. I’ve never liked the ‘bed head’ look but it’s ultra-sexy on him. I wonder if we can skip the club and just adjourn to my bedroom. Shit. This happens every time I see him. No…I’m the one who wanted to go out. Besides, Chels is looking forward to it.

“Oh, look, we’re coordinated!”

When Chels speaks, he glances over at her and does a double-take. I giggle at his expression.

“Chels, I do believe Mr. Jackson thinks we look hot.”

“Why, thank you, Cameron. So do you. Tonight, you, sir, will be the envy of every straight man in Chicago.”

He grins in acknowledgement and motions for us to precede him. Chels and I walk arm in arm downstairs, and he leads us to the Mercedes. I’ve never seen him use it before, but it’s bigger than the Porsche so I guess that’s why he chose it tonight. It’s a particularly windy night so I hurry inside with his help, ending up between him and Chels. A wolf whistle comes from the front of the vehicle once we’re all settled.

“You two are going to do some serious damage tonight,” Jared remarks.

Chels giggles. “Thank you, Jared.”

For once, Jared isn’t driving. I look curiously at the man occupying the driver’s seat.

“That’s Gabe,” Jared says. “Gabe, meet Jasmine and Chelsea.”

In unison, we reply, “Hi, Gabe.”

“Good evening, ladies,” he replies in a deep voice.

How many people does he have working for him?
I can’t see Gabe’s face, but his hair is gorgeous – long, shiny, and jet black.

I turn to Cameron. He’s clenching his jaw and staring at my exposed thighs. There’s a lot for him to stare at. My dress is skin tight and barely mid-thigh in length. He looks…not angry, maybe…perturbed? I think it finally hit him just how revealing my dress is.

Placing my palm on his cheek, I whisper in his ear, “For your eyes only.”

I feel his smile against my cheek before he grasps my chin and guides my lips to his.

“Cut it out, you two. Consider the rest of us, will ya?” Chelsea says, annoyed.

She’s lucky I love her. I pull away from him and keep my hands to myself. “What did you do with Spartacus?” I ask Cameron.

“He’s with my wife,” Jared pipes up. “He’ll be fine.”

“I hope it’s not too much trouble.”

“She loves dogs. We have two. He’s no trouble at all.”

“Thank you…and tell her thanks for me.”

“No problem.”

When we pull up to the club, the line at the entrance extends down the street and around the corner. Chelsea was right about this place. Gabe stops the SUV and, before he hops out, Jared turns to us.

“Stay close to me or Mr. Jackson at all times.”

Chels and I turn to each other in confusion, but nod in agreement. Jared opens Cameron’s door and he steps out. He offers me his hand and I climb out carefully, aware of the limitations of my dress. When I climb out, he grabs the hem of my dress and pulls it down. I smile, shake my head, and step aside while he helps Chelsea out. The people waiting in line are chattering wildly and most of them have their phones trained on us. A few of the men call out to Cameron. He waves politely and places his hands at the small of our backs, leading us to the front of the line. The sudden flashes of light from cameras blind me, and I use my hand to block the onslaught. I had no idea he was this famous. I know he’s
known
. I just didn’t think he attracted paparazzi.

The man at the door moves aside instantly, letting us pass. I guess that’s a perk of being a celebrity. Cameron grasps my hand tightly as we weave through the crowd. Now I see why Jared told us to stay close, as everyone who recognizes Cameron converges on us, pulling him this way and that. A few guys even try to grab and/or grope me. Jared steps in, taking Chelsea’s hand. Cameron steps behind me and circles me protectively with his arms while Jared does the same with Chelsea. I look around in agitation, noticing some of the women are looking at us with something more than envy in their eyes. Is this what he endures whenever he’s in public? There must be a better way to do this. Nick needs to get his shit together. Why isn’t there a VIP entrance?

There may not be a VIP entrance, but it seems he spared no expense on the interior of the club. The place is huge; I can see two levels. The main dance floor is surrounded by four mini stages, each boasting a stripper pole. It seems they’re for patrons and not actual strippers. There’s a bigger stage to the front, which also houses the DJ booth. The bar is to the back, running the entire length of the wall. Colored strobe lights flash as dancers grind against each other, the air rank with alcohol and perspiration. We follow Jared up the stairs to a posh VIP section, then I breathe a sigh of relief. Cameron turns me around to face him, concern blanketing his features.

“I’m fine. You?”

He nods and glances over at Chelsea and Jared.

“Chels, you okay?” I ask.

“I’m good. Guess this is what happens when you hang out with a celebrity,” she replies excitedly.

“She’s fine,” I tell him.

The VIP level has several areas, separate but not separated. What is it with Nick and stripper poles? Each area has one right in the middle. Behind each pole, there’s a semi-circular table and a red couch of the same shape. It’s a very open design, and you can stand by the railings for a bird’s eye view of the main dance floor. As soon as we sit, two scantily clad ladies arrive with Methuselah-sized bottles of Moët and a tray of finger food. They fill our glasses and ask if we need anything else. Cameron shakes his head, dismissing them, and hands me and Chelsea our glasses. When he leans back against the couch, I follow, wedging myself in to his side. Chelsea walks over to the railing, unable to keep still. On my second glass of champagne, the music entices me to join her.

“About time you got here, Carter. I thought I’d have to dance by myself all night.”

The music is not too loud up here, so we can actually hear each other.

“I’m positive there are plenty of guys here who would oblige.”

Leaning on the railing, we observe the crowd below.

“Damn, baby, you got a phat ass,” some dickwad says behind us.

I close my eyes in annoyance before turning to the man who spoke. He wedges himself between me and Chelsea.