Read Taking Tessa for Free Online

Truth is, sweetheart…" He nestled his nose against my cheek. "I'd rather be cooking with you than be served by you any day."
    My heart stumbled a few beats. Had I been dropped in some fantasy? How was it that the cop who had shown up at my door that night turned out to be the kindest, most devilishly handsome man to walk the face of the earth? Here he was, buying me fancy clothes and phones, but the best part was that Cage made me feel happy and safe.
    I sighed, giving up the obsessive worrying, and snuggled a little closer into his body, enjoying the comfort his warmth brought. "You know, you're going to have to teach me how to use that phone."
    "I look forward to it." He popped a kiss on my forehead before releasing me and sauntering across the kitchen. "Let's tackle these omelets first."
    I grinned, feeling as light as air, before joining him at the counter, brushing against his arm as we worked, cracking eggs and shredding cheese together. Perfect. Cage West was nothing short of perfect.
    Later that afternoon, after we'd enjoyed omelets and he'd given me a crash course in how to use my phone, we sat on his front porch, lemonade in hand as the world passed by. I was worried about how much time Cage was spending with me—surely he had a life he had to get back to?—but he assured me that he had some personal days, and his captain had told him it was fine. I wasn't sure about him dropping all his work to take care of me, but I was grateful for it.
    "I love this. Moments like these make me so happy." I couldn't keep the smile from biting at my cheeks.
    "I love making you happy," Cage added, his fingers threaded with mine and he pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles.
    "You never told me, what brought you to the house that night?"
    "Got a call from a neighbor. They suspected a young woman had been abducted and was being held against her will."
    I nodded, processing the words. "I bet it's because we had that fight on the back porch. He was so loud, I'm not surprised someone heard. Thank God someone heard."
    "You know, I had every intention of bringing you back to the station that night. Asking you a few questions, getting a report written up, but when I looked into those pretty green eyes welling with tears... Let's just say you've got me wrapped around your finger, little lamb." He stroked a thumb across my cheek, causing a shiver to ripple through my body.
    "But I can't... I'm not enough. I'll never be enough. I'll always be the broken, damaged girl you rescued one night."
    "You're so much more. You're the only woman who's ever made me feel a goddamn thing, Tessa. Before you, I existed in a gray area, no excitement, no passion, no laughter. And I didn't think I wanted more, I didn't see the problem with it, but then you looked up at me with those big eyes... You're the person I've been waiting for."
    "Cage..."
    "I'm a man of morals, I live by my word, and I take care of the things I love. I call it like I see it, Tessa, and when I look at you I see everything I've been missing."
    My heart thundered a thousand too many beats a second. "I've never felt this way either."
    "Tessa, I swear. I've spent hours wondering how to do this. I don't want to push you. I know you're dealing with so much, but if you let me, I'll help you, and I'll damn sure make certain you're safe. I swear on my life, I can protect you and take care of you, Tessa, and I'll never hold you down against your will, like you've been all you life."
    "Cage…" I breathed, my fingers dusting up his forearm as I physically restrained myself from launching into his lap and wrapping my arms around his body.
    "Detective West!" a voice bellowed from the street, a car door slamming right behind it.
    I jerked, instantly terrified. A man was walking up the driveway, the badge pinned to his chest announcing that he was an officer.
    "Carson, what're you doing here?" Cage squeezed my hand for a moment as if in silent support before dropping it and standing.
    "Following up on