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I really wanted that spicy beef dish, and I flick my eyes back at the table, annoyed. Although, I’m more annoyed at myself for hightailing it out of there. Why couldn’t I just dig my heels in and force myself to get through the rest of the evening with Cain in attendance? After witnessing him quite happily take my seat and food, I have come to the very obvious conclusion that he isn’t a gentleman in the slightest. Frowning, I quicken my strides, desperate to put space between us. I wish I had stood my ground with him, at the very least. When I’d bumped my head, it was second nature to snipe back at him, but perhaps that’s because I wasn’t feeling myself.
“Alien!” Perry's voice sings songs beside me. I jump with a yelp, too lost in thought to hear him pull up. Laughing, I stick my tongue out at him when his deep chuckle carries through the streets, then I stop when I catch sight of my boss in the passenger seat. “Get in.” Perry nods to the back. With Cain inside—no thanks.
“It’s okay. I don’t mind walking,” I reply, staring straight at Cain, conveying my own dislike. Like I’d want to get in the car with him? Is Perry mad?
“You’re not walking!” Cain’s deeper and less patient voice whips out.
“Excuse me?” I splutter.
“We have your food. At least let me drop you off so you can eat,” Perry suggests. “Come on. It'll take fifteen minutes, tops. Then you’ll be home.” I eye them both, and Cain's head drops back in annoyance. My gut twists at his obvious irritation. Everyone likes me—why not him—what did I do? I mean, apart from the puked-on shoes and calling him a prick? I hesitate and look down the street as it begins to drizzle. To save further argument or embarrassment, I agree to get in.
“Do you remember my address?” I ask.
“Why would he?” Cain asks slowly, turning to Perry.
“He gave me a lift the other day,” I say quietly, my voice drifting off when Cain's cruel stare pins me to the back seat.
“All in a day's work.” Perry winks at Cain, who grunts ogre-like up front. Why is he so miserable all the time? I keep quiet for the remainder of the journey. Both men are chatting, and with the music and their low rumbles, I can’t make out what they are saying, so I don’t bother joining in. “Here we are,” Perry says, bringing my head up.
“Thanks.” Cain leans to check out the building, and his lip curls. Snob. When they don’t mention my food, I opt to leave it and cross the road towards my flat, but the doors clunk shut and both men walk towards me. “What's going on?” I ask Perry, knowing I won’t get an answer from my boss.
“We’re coming up. Dinner.” Perry widens his eyes and lifts the cartons.
“No,” I blurt.
“What do you mean, no?” Cain snaps, lifting his brow and towering over me.
“I just mean, I’d rather you didn’t,” I squeak, my eyes bouncing between both of them.
“Tough. We’re hungry, and we’re coming up,” Perry argues in a more reasonable manner. Cain, on the other hand, looks like he is ready to put his fist through the nearest windscreen.
“There isn’t much room,” I explain. Shit, did I put my pyjamas away this morning? I rack my brain, trying to remember where I put them. Please say I did—they are my ugliest ones.
“I gave you a lift. We’re coming up,” Perry tells me forcefully and heads towards my apartment, with Cain’s taller frame following closely behind him. I get a waft of aftershave and bite my lip. I watch his wide shoulders and lean body walk with confidence towards my dingy place. Why can’t he be unattractive?
“People will talk,” I say, hoping they will leave.
“So,” Cain laughs.
“I’ve already had comments about staying in the hotel overnight,” I say quietly. “I don’t want to add to the gossip.”
“It’s not gossip. It’s true,” Perry comments on a laugh and pushes his way in as I grumble at the back. “Lead the way. I’m starving,” he sings. Groaning, I walk ahead, and we take the four flights up to my flat. I’m grateful that the less savoury occupants don’t make themselves known.
“What’s wrong with the elevator?” Perry pants. Not so fit, Mr I-own-a-string-of-gyms. I smirk at his shallow gasps.
Shrugging, I suck in a lungful of air, feeling a little out of breath too. “It’s not worked since I moved in,” I tell him over my shoulder and see Cain staring around the place in disgust. I stop at the top step and wait for him to look up, and when he does, his lips flatten. “If this place isn’t to your liking, feel free to leave,” I say, pointing back the way he came.
“Or you could let us in so we can eat our dinner,” he says snarkily. Perry chews his lip, and his eyes twinkle at me. He enjoys watching Cain and me butt heads. Gritting my teeth, I inhale deeply, praying to some higher being to give me strength.
I look at Perry. “You’re not off the hook,” I mutter and unlock the door, letting us in.
“Yeah, yeah.” He pecks my cheek, shocking me, and my eyes fly to Cain, who bares his teeth and looks around the room with a sharp and disdainful sweep.
“You weren’t kidding when you said there was no room,” he murmurs dryly, slipping his coat off to reveal a crisp white shirt rolled up to his forearms. I glance away and then begin rushing about, sorting room for us to sit. I stuff my pyjamas in the small sideboard I have and throw most of the cushions on the floor for me to sit on, and motion for them to sit on the sofa. God, this is awkward.
“I’ll grab some plates,” I breathe. They fill the small two-seat sofa, and I refrain from laughing when Cain grumbles. Ha! I hope he is uncomfortable. With any luck, he’ll get the TV remote wedged up his arse. Hopefully, it will dislodge the stick stuck up there. “Here we go,” I hand out plates, and Perry starts distributing food for us all.
“Where’s your dining table?” Cain questions, looking around the small room. His brow is furrowed, and his lips are flat.
