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But Cage had his own problems right now.
“Can you call me back when you’ve got something?”
“Yep. They’ve got some security on this system, and there’s the translation problem, but it should only be a couple of hours.”
“Thanks, Trees. I owe you big.”
“Maybe you can make your brother introduce me to some women in this godforsaken town. I just moved to Lafayette. All the good ones seem to be taken, and my dick is damn tired of my hand.”
Cage laughed. “I’ll twist my little brother’s arm, and we’ll work something out.”
They ended the call, then Cage strolled to the front desk and asked for the manager. After some backing and forthing, along with a good, old-fashioned bribe, the suit blabbed that Miguel’s shift ended in another three hours. Good to know when the pouty little bitch would have free time to make mayhem. He was coming for Karis, no doubt. Cage was determined to be waiting.
* * *
Still standing at the fountain, Karis watched Cage stroll back toward her. What the hell was he up to? It was something, given that swagger. He thought he had everything under control. He’d taken charge of the situation because he was the man and he intended to protect her.
It was actually kind of sweet.
“Hey,” she murmured as he approached.
He winked. “You ready to head upstairs?”
Though her heart was pounding, she raised a brow at him. “For a rousing game of Charades?”
“That what you want?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Putting this back on me? Okay, I’ll be brave. Not really.”
“Good.” He pulled her close, and she melted against him. “I promise, I won’t leave you guessing what I want.”
When he all but yanked her toward the elevator, Karis had to suppress a laugh. She felt lighter than she had in…well, since the start of the new year.
She’d begun January first full of hope and lightness—and impatience for Cage to call again. Seeing him with Madison a few days later had been the worst shock. Wondering if only she had felt the earth move between them had filled Karis with pain. After his explanation today, she understood where he’d been coming from. No, she didn’t like that he’d touched the blonde again, but weirdly she understood his act of compassion. People wanted comfort in times of loss. Besides, she and Cage hadn’t made each other any promises of exclusivity during their one night together.
Sure, he could be lying about the whole thing. Men did that. But Cage was so much like his true-blue brother that Karis didn’t think so.
She pressed the call button. “Jolie could have simply overnighted the picture to me, you know.”
He shook his head, the mussed tousle of his hair so sexy. “I was with Cutter when Jolie called him for help. My brother was actually going to come to your rescue.” Cage grimaced. “I insisted on coming instead. I never told him what happened between us that night…but he’s a smart guy. After he warned me that I’d better bring you back in one piece and not to break your heart, he helped me book the next flight out.”
Cage had come for her, seemingly to make things right between them. Karis couldn’t think of a single time a man had gone so far out of his way simply to make her life better, keep her safe, or give her a reason to smile.
She slanted him a glance, feeling as if she glowed from within—like her happiness. “Thanks.”
The elevator opened with a ding. A family stepped out. She and Cage eased in, totally alone.
“Did you miss me?” he asked as they started to ascend. “Because I missed you like hell.”
Once given, Karis knew she couldn’t take her answer back. She would be exposing her heart. “I thought about you a lot.”
“Ditto, cupcake.”
He grabbed her hand as the elevator stopped at their floor. Together, they raced to her room. She felt excitement dancing between them. It gripped her stomach. The ache between her legs swelled.
As he inserted the key in the lock, he studied her. “You need anything? Another drink? A shower? A minute to enjoy the sunset?”
She frowned. Was he trying to distract her because he didn’t want to have sex with her after all? “No.”
