Page 26 of Cage
My answer obviously amuses him because the corners of his lips twitch.
“Stop trying to dodge my question, firefly.”
I sigh, running my fingers over the hem of the sweatshirt he gave me to wear. It’s so big and warm. It smells like him, too. I never want to take it off. That would probably be weird, though.
“Yes. I’m Little.” My voice is so quiet that I’m not sure he hears me.
“How long have you known?”
Using my thumb, I run it over my chin, fighting the urge to suck it. I’ve never spoken openly about this side of me.
“Look at me, Little one.”
I raise my eyes to meet his again.
“There we go.” He smiles, his eyes warm and approving. “That’s what I like to see. Those pretty blue eyes.”
His praise makes me smile, my heartrate calming even more.
“It’s okay to be yourself here. Understand me?”
I hear what he’s saying, but after being bullied for years because of who I am, showing the other side of me isn’t something I think I can do.
“Yeah. Okay.”
“I don’t like that you’re agreeing just to pacify me, firefly.” His tone is stern again, sending a shiver down my spine. “I can tell we’re going to have to go over your rules and make sure you have a good understanding of them.”
Letting out a very unladylike snort, I scrunch my nose. “You really have a thing about rules. Have you ever thought maybe there should be less of them?”
He stares at me for a second, then tips his head back and laughs. “Spoken like a true Little girl. Come on, firefly. You ready to eat?”
Warmth spreads through me, and I stand to follow him downstairs. Before we leave the room, he reaches back and slips his index finger into my palm.
“Remember, if you feel anxious, I’m right here.”
Looking down at where we’re connected, I close my hand around his finger. My entire body tingles with need, and as we make our way down the stairs, I walk funny as the wetness in my panties brushes against my bare lips.
The closer we get to the first floor, the tighter I hold onto him. Like an anchor.
Several of Cage’s brothers are already at the dinner table when we walk in, along with Rowena, who looks wide awake for someone who was sleeping twenty minutes ago. As soon as she sees me, her face lights up, and she waves enthusiastically.
“You’re here! I’m so happy,” Rowena says in a bubbly voice.
I grin back at her, all the remaining anxiety I had disappears into thin air. She seems so genuinely happy to see me, and I feel the same about her. Especially knowing she’s also a Little.
Cage leads me to a chair and pulls it out for me. As soon as I sit down, he pushes me in. I look around the room, but nobody seems to notice or care.
“I don’t want any broccoli. Who even eats broccoli with pizza?” Rowena makes a face and shakes her head. “No, thanks. I’ll pass.”.
“You’re having broccoli,” three different men say at the same time.
“This is a nightly conversation,” Cage tells me as he sits next to me. “Doesn’t matter what vegetable it is, Rowie never wants it.”
“Well, broccoli is gross,” I murmur. “Who wants to eat tiny green trees? That’s just silly. I’m convinced it’s the devil’s vegetable.”
Cage shoots me a look. “Nice try, firefly. You’re also eating the broccoli tonight.”
My shoulders slump, and I wrinkle my nose. “No thanks.”