Amplify

  "I learned to play when I was about seven or eight. I had only one close friend, Billy Meyer. His family was great. Typical all-American family with 2.5 kids, a dog, and a white picket fence. Anyway, his dad was a songwriter and he was playing guitar one day. Billy went and started playing the piano. That’s when Billy’s dad called me over and showed me how to play a guitar. We started having regular lessons three, four times a week. I couldn’t take my guitar home, the one Mr. Meyer gave me. My old man would have sold it for smack. So I left it there and went there every day. Billy and I learned how to play some really great music together. Then my mom died. I stayed with them a couple of weeks but I didn’t want to keep mooching off them so I just packed up my shit and left," he tells me, then goes quiet.

  "I bet Billy was really sad when you left."

  Cage nods. "I was too."

  I narrow my eyes and he grins.

  "You’re talking about Billy Meyer from Caving In. And his dad, Steven Meyer? Holy hell. It’s no wonder you went into the music business. That’s some role model you had," I shake my head.

  "I was lucky."

  "God. Even with all the shit you’ve been through, how shitty your dad made your life and your mom’s, you can sit here and say you were lucky. I have never met anyone like you. You’re always so positive. How do you do it? Don’t you ever just want to throw shit and scream or give up?" I ask, knowing I want to do all of those things more often than not.

  "There was a time when I did. Then I figured out it didn’t really pay. Wasting your time on all that negative shit will just bring you down. But then again, I didn’t experience what you did, Fee. If someone had murdered my parents, I can guarantee I’d be exactly where you are."

  "Where is it that you think I am?"

  "Wanting revenge. Wanting to see those murdering fuckers get what’s coming to them. They didn’t only take your parents’ lives that day, they also stole yours. I understand why you’d want to take theirs," he nods.

  "Is there anything about me you don’t ‘get’?"

  He smiles and shakes his head. "Nope."

  "Where did you go after you left the Meyers?" I ask, more than a little curious to find out the entire story.

  "I lived on the streets, stayed in homeless shelters until they realized I wasn’t there with an adult and tried to involve protective services. No way in hell was I going into the system."

  I nod while he absently strums.

  "Then one day I happened upon a bunch of kids who didn’t have anywhere to go."

  "Like you," I muse.

  "Yes. Like me. Some had worse stories than I did and others just hated their parents. One day this older kid came around. He was maybe fifteen, sixteen, and he taught us how to steal." He meets my gaze. "I’m not particularly proud of this part of my life, but I did what I had to do to survive."

  I nod. "I understand."

  "We stole small things. Loaves of bread, jars of peanut butter—soap. Only things we needed. Then one day one of the little girls got sick. We didn’t have any money to buy her the medicine the doctor at the free clinic gave her."

  "Apparently, medicine wasn’t free?" I ask.

  "No. There were a lot of sick people around that time so they didn’t have any free samples of the antibiotics. So, I stepped up and told them I’d steal someone’s purse, someone who looked like they had a lot of money, and we’d be golden," he smirks.

  "Joan."

  He nods. "Joan. I almost had that purse but once she wrapped her hand around that strap, it was like trying to get a bone from a pitbull."

  I snicker. "I imagine it was."

  "I tried to run, but she grabbed my hoodie and asked me what I needed that was so important I needed to steal to get it. She thought it was drugs. I told her not the kind she thought. Intrigued, she asked what she could do to help. Not having much of a choice, I told her. Then I took her to the abandoned building where we were living. The other kids were so pissed—until she went to pick up the prescription and medications the girl needed. Her name eludes me. I can’t remember, but she was this cute little red-headed girl with an attitude a mile wide so when she said she was sick, we knew it was bad."

  "Go on," I encourage.

  "I don’t know how much Joan told you?" he asks.

  "Only that you two met when you tried to steal her purse," I answer.

  "Joan took in foster children. She cared for them in a way I never knew existed. Then she took in the six of us, making her total nine kids. We were so afraid we’d get shuffled around to some screwed up place where they’d beat or molest us, but Joan vowed she’d fight for us."

  "And did she?"

  "She did. Every one of us stayed with her until we came of age. All except one."

  "What do you mean? Did their parents come for them or something?" I ask.

  He smiles sadly. "No, nothing as happy as that. One of the guys got diagnosed with cancer. Leukemia."

  I gasp. "Like the Blush Baby."

  Cage nods. "Exactly like her. Joan couldn’t afford to not work while she had all of us there, but she needed to be home to care for him."

  I notice how he doesn’t cling to the names of these kids he survived with for so long and all I can think is it’s a self-defense mechanism to prevent him from getting too close.

  "That’s when you cashed in Uncle Ernesto’s card."

  "Yes. That’s when I used my ‘phone a friend’. Joan blew her top. God, was she mad."

  "I imagine she would be. We’re talking mobsters, mafia. Back then there were drugs in the business and God knows what else," I say.

  He nods. "I don’t know what made me different from the rest in the eyes of your grandpa or uncle, but I didn’t do much ‘dirty’ work. I think that’s the only reason Joan relented—that, and the money I brought in."

  "The boy? He didn’t make it?" I ask.

  Cage shakes his head. "No. He got so sick so fast, then his body rejected some of the meds, others were too strong, and others not strong enough. There just wasn’t enough time."

  "We’re going to make sure the Blush Baby has enough time, aren’t we?" I ask.

  He meets my gaze and smiles. "We are."

  I smile back, then lean forward and press my lips to his.

  "I love you, Cage."

  "Christ, it’s taken you long enough."

  I smirk.

  "I love you too, Fee."

  I nod.

  "I have a surprise for you," he says, changing the subject.

  "Another?"

  "Mhmm."

  "Wow. Lucky me," I grin. I sit back and watch him. He’s looking down and for just a second or two uncertainty flickers, but just as quickly as it appeared, it’s gone. Hmm.

  He begins to play.

  Remember that day in the rain

  I didn’t even know your name

  Remember that day in the sun

  I knew then and there you were the one

  You were so quiet and shy

  I saw your sadness and wondered why

  How could such a beautiful girl

  Be so unhappy with the world

  So I asked you why

  You began to cry

  I held you tight

  The feeling was oh-so right

  Go ahead and cry

  Let it out my beautiful girl

  Curse and damn this cold cruel world

  I’ll hold your hand

  I’ll be your man

  I’ll walk beside you through the rain

  I’ll carry you through the fire

  Always and forever yours I’ll be

  You told me your secrets

  And I told you mine

  I saw happiness in your eyes

  It was reflected in mine

  Whenever you smile, beautiful girl

  You light up my life

  Whenever you laugh, beautiful girl

  You make me smile

  With you I’m whole

  With you I’m free I love you completely
/>
  I’ll love you forever, beautiful Fee

  You’re my best friend

  You’re my lover

  You’re the one for me

  There will never be another

  You know what I say is true, beautiful girl

  Could I be those things for you?

  Would you love me for the rest of your life, beautiful girl

  Will you be my wife?

  I will love you and cherish you

  I will always be here to take care of you

  Not a day will go by that you’ll ever wonder

  How much I love you

  I love you, beautiful girl

  You’ll never have to guess

  Be my wife, beautiful girl Please say yes

  Please say yes, beautiful girl

  Please say yes

  While the last chord hums, tears stream down my cheeks while I smile at this incredible man. He loves me. Really loves me. That deep-down-to-your-soul love that I’ve always dreamed of, that I’ve always wanted—that I feel for him.

  "Yes."

  His grin lights up the room and he sets the guitar aside before pulling me onto his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck and breathe him in. I lean back and cup his cheeks in my hands. Then it’s my turn to sing.

  Nothing at all compares to you

  Love and affection in all you do

  You love me sweetly

  You love me completely

  Just as I love you

  In my heart, heart, heart

  I knew it from the start, start, start

  That I’d be yours and you’d be mine

  Nothing compares to the scent of you and pine

  Ohhh, you and pine.

  I’d be yours and you’d be mine

  I am yours and you are mine.

  "Fee," he says, his voice low and gravelly. "You undo me."

  "As you do me."

  He reaches into his pocket and my heart jumps. He pulls out a black ring box and my hands cover my mouth. The ring. It’s real.

  He opens the box and takes the ring out.

  "It’s beautiful." It’s a gorgeous princess cut diamond with so many tiny diamonds in the criss-crossing thin bands.

  "It reminded me of you," he says, taking my left hand and slipping the ring on. It fits perfectly. Of course it does.

  "Oh my," I say, looking from the ring to the man before me who has become my everything. "Do you think..." I start, then shake my head.

  "What, Fee?" he asks, kissing my cheek, then my nose, my forehead, my temple.

  "I was going to ask if you maybe wanted to get married before we get back, but then Mama Regina will be really pissed."

  He smiles softly. "We are getting married before we go back. All the arrangements have already been made."

  I gasp. "Really?" Happiness flows through me so much I can barely contain it.

  "Really."

  "I don’t have a dress."

  "Yes, you do," he says matter-of-factly. Then he starts kissing my neck and I lose concentration. What was I saying? Oh. Dress.

  "How do I have a dress?"

  He lifts his head, "Lucy," then resumes kissing me.

  "Lucy how?" I let out a moan when he hits that spot that drives me wild.

  "She ordered it. It’s being sent. They’ll all be here day after tomorrow for the wedding," he says before sealing my lips with his. He’s thought of everything. He is amazing. The tears start again and he looks up.

  "Fee," he whispers, his gaze locked with mine.

  "Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for everything. I love you to impossible limits," I tell him, sniffling.

  "Impossible, huh?"

  I nod.

  He takes my hand and puts it on his heart. "Feel that?" His heartbeat is fast and I can feel it against my hand.

  I nod.

  "It beats for you. It stopped when you left, Fee. It’s only now come to life again and when you’re around, I feel like it’ll explode."

  I nod and another tear slips out. "It’s... full. My heart feels like it’s overflowing but there’s always room for more love because each day I love you a little more."

  "God," he exhales and holds me tightly.

  "Make love to me, Cage."

  "Always."

  He kisses my lips softly, gently sipping at them, so tender I could cry again. This man is pouring everything he is into this kiss, everything he feels for me. The depth of his love matches mine for him.

  "I haven’t put the cream on your ass, babe," he remembers when he runs a hand over a bare cheek. "Is it sore?"

  I nod. "A bit."

  "Let me grab that," he says, lifting me off his lap and heading over to his toiletry bag. He has a jar and I raise a brow.

  "Did you plan to spank me?" I ask incredulously.

  "Hell yes, I did, Fee. Like I said, you’re lucky I’m not into the kinky belt shit or you’d have gotten more than a few whacks with mine."

  I bite my lip.

  "Does the idea of that turn you on?"

  "I don’t know. I think it’d hurt too much."

  "We could find a way to make sure it doesn’t, if that’s something you want to try."

  I look at him. "After my poor damaged ass heals, we can try that."

  "Jesus, Fee. You’re incredible."

  I shrug. "Not really. I just trust you to make me feel good, not hurt me."

  "Thank you for that."

  I nod.

  "Lay down on your stomach."

  I do as he instructs and he pulls the robe off of me.

  "I will never get used to how gorgeous you are."

  "Back atcha. You have to know you’re ridiculously hot. And now you’re mine."

  "That I am," he says and then he smoothes some cool cream onto my buttocks.

  "Oh, that feels so good. I didn’t realize how much they were stinging."

  "I’m sorry if I hurt you, Sera."

  I turn to look at him over my shoulder. "No. No, baby. You didn’t hurt me. I’d tell you and I honestly don’t think you could even if you wanted to—because, earlier, you really, really looked like you wanted to."

  He nods. "I did, but I never will."

  "I know." I lay back down and he continues working the cream in. His fingers dip between my cheeks and I gasp.

  "Relax, Fee. I won’t do anything you don’t want to."

  I nod again.

  His fingers are slippery and one of them probes that forbidden area. The taboo one that people say brings incredible amounts of pleasure but most are too afraid to venture to. Am I afraid to go there with the man that will, in a couple days, be my husband? I think about that for a minute and my answer is no.

  I have no fears anymore. No hesitation. Only love and acceptance and absolute, complete trust.

  When he presses his thumb slowly against the puckered hole, I stiffen. When his thumb breaches the barrier, I gasp. When he starts working it deeper inside me, I moan.

  Oh yes. I want this.

  Cage

  I Won’t Let You Go by James Morrison

  Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban

  SHE WANTS THIS.

  "How does that feel, Fee?"

  "Ummm," she moans out and I smirk.

  "Spread your legs a little more so I can see your pretty pink pussy," I coax and she immediately opens. Jesus. She’s already wet and wanting. I slowly remove my thumb from her ass and she whimpers. Later. I’m going to take her ass and make her mine completely. But now, I want to make love to her.

  "Turn over."

  She does as I say and I lean forward to suck one of her rosy pink nipples into my mouth. Her hands fly to my head and she tries to pull me closer.

  "Do you like when I suck your nipples, Fee?" I want to know everything. What she likes, what she doesn’t, what feels good, and what gets her purring.

  "Yes, don’t stop."

  "I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon." I suck her other nipple hard and deep into m
y mouth while my hand trails down to her pussy. I don’t waste time, I slide a finger inside her.

  "Ahh, yes," she moans.

  "You’re so wet and ready for me. Always so ready for me," I murmur, slipping another finger inside, feeling her walls clench down. She’s so damn tight. So tight.

  "Cage," she whispers.

  "What is it?"

  "I need you. I need you inside me now," she pleads.

  "You want my cock, baby?" I stroke it and she watches.

  She nods.

  "It’s yours," I whisper as I cover her body with mine, lining my dick up to her opening. She bends her legs and spreads them wider. I close my eyes. Jesus. She’s offering herself to me—it’s a humbling experience, one I will never take for granted.

  I slowly flex my hips and push inside.

  "Shit. You’re so wet and hot."

  Her nails dig into my shoulders. If she keeps up with those throaty little noises I’m going to come before I get fully inside her. Yeah, she’s that sexy.

  I look into her eyes, which have darkened to the color of rich, dark chocolate, and I get lost. Pulling her hands down off my shoulders, I thread her fingers through mine and brace them on either side of her head, slowly, my cock fills her, inch by inch until I’m as far as I can go.

  "You feel so fucking good," I tell her and kiss her lips tenderly. This woman is my life and I want her to know just how treasured she is.

  Slowly, so slowly, I roll my hips, thrusting in and out of her warmth, filling her with all of myself.

  "Cage," she sighs in pleasure, her eyes locked on mine.

  "God, I love you," I whisper.

  She smiles softly, a tear trailing down, her fingers tightening on mine.

  When her breath catches, I pick up the pace just a bit, keeping the rise to climax slow and steady.

  I kiss her lips tenderly then slip my tongue inside. She matches me as we lazily seek out one another, tongues touching and tangling, while my cock slides slowly in and out of her wet and warm pussy.

  "You’re so hard..." she pants. "It feels so good." When she clenches, her pussy walls tighten around me, hugging me tighter, and I let out a groan.

  "Jesus, Fee. I’m going to come so fucking hard," I tell her, moving faster once again. She starts lifting her hips, meeting my thrusts and it’s all I can do to hang on. She feels too good... warm, wet, tight, velvety, all surrounding my cock in a blissful sheath, making me impossibly hard as I fight not to come before she does.