Caged (Defiant Kings, #1)

by Bella Matthews

“What’s wrong?” “Nothing . . .” She gives me the look—the one only your best friend can give you because words aren’t even needed. “I don’t know, D. Everything?” I’m not even sure why I called her, but I need to figure this out. “You made it one whole night, huh?” She gets up and tells her husband she’ll be back. “What did he do?” Daphne knows me better than anyone in the world, and I love her for it. She was the first person I ever let in who wasn’t Brandon. I trust her with my life, and because of her, I’ve got a tribe of women who surround me and support me. But it took a long time for me to feel that level of comfort. And I don’t know if I’m capable of giving anyone else that same kind of trust. Because I’m broken. “He didn’t do anything, D. It’s me. You know Hudson. He’s a touchy-feely kind of guy, and—” She cuts me off, “And you’re not a touchy kind of girl.” “Exactly.” I hesitate, before adding, “But what if I want to be?” Daphne sits down on her couch and wraps a blanket around her shoulders. “Do you?” My heart squeezes at the hesitancy in her voice, like I’m a deer caught in headlights she’s expecting to bolt. “I’m going to ask you something, Mads, and I don’t want you to get mad at me.” “I won’t get mad, D.” “Do you just want to be touched, or do you want Hudson to touch you? There’s a big difference between the two, and I want you to really think about the answer.” I sit up in bed, bringing my knees up to my chest and wrap an arm around them, really considering ...