CAGED (Mackenzie Grey #2) by Karina Espinosa Page B

Bash, Jonah wasn’t afraid to tell me how he felt, even if it was too intense for me.
    “So what’s been new? Any special girl in your life?” I asked, my smile felt tight on my face. Did I really want to know? Probably not, but I couldn’t help but ask.
    He whispered, “You know there will never be anyone else for me.”
    Part of me was disappointed that he hadn’t moved on, but another part of me felt relief. I knew it was wrong and I hated feeling this conflicted, it wasn’t fair to him. “Are you planning on spending the night?” I changed the subject.
    “If it’s alright with you,” he said.
    I tilted my head. “Of course you can, Jonah.”
    He smiled. “Thanks, I’ll grab a blanket and pillow from the closet.”
    I had been on my way to my bedroom when I stilled. “This isn’t your first time sleeping over, is it?”
    I could see a small blush creep up his neck as he looked away. “Uh…no.”
    “And where did you sleep?” I asked, trying very hard not to laugh at his bashfulness.
    He cleared his throat, still avoiding eye contact. “Your room.”
    “Figured,” I nodded. “Well come on then, it’s not like we’ve never shared a bed.”
    I knew I was sending him through an emotional roller coaster. It had been just a year ago that I could barely look at him—or Bash for that matter—without my ovaries going into overdrive. I had been trying to get over my ex, James, and wasn’t ready to get physical with anyone. And these wolves are the definition of physical. There were nights I dreamt about Bash and I at the library, or that heart stopping kiss Jonah gave me in the middle of the street. Both men vied for my attention and I couldn’t choose either one. But now? Things were different—I’d like to think I’ve grown up a bit.
    Everything in my room was as if I’d never left. My laptop sat on my desk, waiting for me to log on and Skype my brother, Ollie—but that would have to wait.
    I began to pull off my t-shirt when Jonah walked in. Although my back was to him as I rummaged through my closet, I could feel his heat enter the room. I unbuckled my jeans when he knocked on the door frame.
    “Just come in,” I said over my shoulder. “I’m looking for some jammies.”
    As soon as I found a pair of sweat pants and my Nirvana t-shirt, I changed without a care that Jonah might be watching. That modesty ship had sailed.
    He closed the bedroom door and peeled off his flannel shirt. I could feel the familiar blush that used to creep up whenever I was around him. Bringing memories of when I first met the Pack—or more like when they had kidnapped me.
    “Haven’t you ever heard of an undershirt?” I joked, repeating what I had said the first time I saw him shirtless.
    “You’re a real smartass, Mackenzie Grey,” he balled up his shirt and threw it at me. I caught it before it hit my face, and I took a whiff of his scent. That woodsy smell was something I missed.
    I slid on his flannel shirt and then climbed into bed. “What do you think? Real 90’s grunge?”
    He chuckled. “I’m glad you haven’t lost your sense of humor.” He laid on his side, facing me.
    “Do you believe I could ever be anything but sarcastic? It’s so ingrained in me, I’ll be ninety years old and still annoying the shit out of Bash,” I laughed.
    Jonah barely smiled as his brown eyes drilled into me. “Mackenzie?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Why are you here?”
    “Ya know,” I started, “I’m beginning to get the feeling you guys don’t want me around.”
    He shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. I’m ecstatic you’re here, Kenz, but I also know you weren’t struggling wherever you were. So it begs the question, why the hell would you come back?”
    I paused for a moment before answering. I had to be careful with what I said. The last thing I wanted to do was implicate Bash or Jonah in anything I did.
    “I have some business to take care of,” I said. “And I won’t expand beyond that.”
    He