Excerpt of Uncaged by Katalina Leon

After closing the laptop, she glanced out the window. She should get away from the empty apartment for a while and take a walk. Her roommate, Alex stayed at her boyfriend’s until Sunday night. Saturday afternoons were so lonely. Knuckles rapped on the door. Startled, she jumped and ran to look through the peephole. Mitchell’s dark eyes gazed back at her. He smiled and waved. “Hold on!” With trembling hands, she unlatched the three locks her mother put in place for extra security. Mitchell stood on the second-floor balcony, looking shower fresh with damp hair brushed away from his face and a small package wrapped in silver paper clutched in his hands. Taking hold of his wrist, she gave a gentle tug. “Come in.” He entered. “Am I interrupting?” “No.” Shutting the door, she drew the latch and turned to drink in the vision. He looked so handsome in a blue- plaid shirt that complimented the indigo undertones of his black hair. His eyes sparkled. The line of his mouth tensed as if suppressing a smile or laugh. Fumbling with the package in his hands, he appeared nervous. “You found me.” He nodded. An indecipherable variety of emotions welled beneath the surface, threatening to boil. “What are you doing in Sioux Falls?”?“Buying a water heater,” his voice shook as he said it. “It’s a long drive for something like that.”? Stepping toward her, he thrust the package into her hands. “For you.” With care, she tore the edge of the paper free and saw a book. Who’s Who in Doctor Who; An Ardent Fan’s Guide To All Things Whovian. He looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I bought it.” She smiled until her cheeks ached. “I’ll read it. Thank you, Mitchell.” He dipped his chin and drew a deep breath. “Christy, I want you to know I fall asleep thinking of you and you’re the first thing I think about when I open my eyes.” “Really?” His gaze locked to hers. The innocence in his eyes melted, instantly replaced with fierce passion. “I know it’s selfish and wrong, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to stay away from you.” Stunned, she stared at the soft shadows on his face. He stepped closer. “I’ll be your friend, protector, lover or whatever you wish. I’ll even wait for you if that’s what you want. I needed to say this face-to-face.” Stroking her fingertips across his temple, she couldn’t hold back. She leaped into his arms. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she gave him a bear hug and squealed with joy. Laughing, he turned in a slow circle. “I’m so happy to see you.” She planted a flurry of kisses against mouth, jawline, and throat. The buttons on his shirt were plucked free and a patch of silky hair fondled. “Take me to bed.”“What?” he sounded breathless. “You’re not the only one who falls asleep with someone on their mind. I want to spend the rest of the weekend with you behind locked doors.” He froze. “Christy, are you sure? I didn’t come here to pressure you.” She skimmed her hands across his chest. “Mitchell, I’m absolutely sure.” “I won’t argue.” He motioned toward the two bedroom doors. “Which room is yours?” Both doors were open. “Take a guess.” “I see a lot of orange in the room on the right.” “It’s not orange; it’s saffron. That’s my Bollywood decor. Good guess.” Carrying her into the bedroom, he kicked the door shut. “Where’s your roommate?” “Gone until Sunday.” “Lucky us.” He dropped her lightly onto the mattress then finished unbuttoning his shirt and shed it. In a flash, he stripped his boots and belt away, kicking everything aside. Reaching for the top snap on his jeans, she unfastened it. “I thought I’d have to have to come to you.” “Here I am.”?“Open the nightstand drawer.”?Leaning over, he pulled the drawer open. “How many lip balms can one person use?” “That’s only half my collection. The rest are in the bathroom.” “Ah-ha.” He picked up a box of condoms that came in bright colors and read it aloud, “Tropical Temptations. Wild guess, we use the orange one first?” She tugged the hoodie over her head, revealing lots of skin and a lacy pink bra. “It’s saffron, and yes.” He set the box on the nightstand, drew the bed covers aside, and motioned for her to climb beneath. Not feeling particularly graceful, she rolled under the covers and wriggled her yoga pants down her legs, tossing them aside. He slid into bed beside her with his feet hanging over the end. With a gentle touch, he cupped her face in his hands and gazed at her. “I know in the past you were.... Not treated—” “Abused. It’s okay to say it.” “I care about you. You’d tell me, wouldn’t you, if you wanted me to stop?” “For years, I felt broken. I worried I might panic or feel shame when someone touched me. In your bed, I felt safe, loved...and fixed. Mitchell, I know I’m ready, and it has to be you.” He wrapped his arms around her and drew her against his chest. “I drove myself crazy all week, thinking about you dating other guys, or God forbid, one of them taking my place next to you in—” “Hush.” She held a finger to his lips. Pulling her beneath him, he rested his weight on his elbows and leaned close to kiss her lips. A look of pure love softened his face. “Christy, my heart’s wide open.”