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I point over his shoulder. “I usually eat at the breakfast bar,” I explain. I feel ridiculously self-conscious about my place now. Usually, when Amberley turns up, I feel relaxed and cosy, but with him, not so much. I can guarantee his furnishings aren’t from bargain buckets.
Frowning even further, so much so his face contorts as he cranes his neck and looks into the bathroom, “So where’s your bedroom?” he murmurs, painfully confused.
“You can’t ask that!” Perry barks out a laugh, and my cheeks flame hotly. Cain’s do too. I’m glad Perry picked him up for prying. It’s nice to see him looking uncomfortable for once.
“You’re sitting in it,” I reply dryly and shove a mouthful of cool rice in my mouth. No more questions, please.
“What?” Cain and Perry say at once.
“Well, you’re sitting on it.” I point to the sofa. “It’s a pull-out.” I shrug and drop my head, hating the look of shock on Cain's face. Is he so silver-spoon-fed that he doesn’t realise how us mere mortals live? Welcome to the real world, moneybags.
“Babe, we need to get you in better digs,” Perry mutters.
“Why? Don’t you like slumming it?” I grin. My face, however, is glowing like hot glass. I knew they’d hate it. I did try to warn them. I avoid Cain’s gaze. I don’t wish to witness the pity pouring off of him. I’m sure all of this only lowers his opinion of me further.
“I don’t mean to offend you, but wouldn’t you prefer having a separate bedroom?” Perry wonders, picking some food up and biting into it heartily.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” I confess, flicking a look at Cain, who is watching me quietly. Oh god, he thinks I’m a pitiful mess.
“Why not?”
“Can’t afford it, so there’s no point,” I admit with a shrug. “Anyway,” I say chirpily, hoping to change the conversation. My damn eyes keep flicking to the athletic frame spread out on my sofa, so I look quickly at Perry. “Tell me about this new venture. Are you planning to open more clubs, or is BANK it for now?” I wriggle, getting comfy, cross my legs and dig my chopsticks in the carton to get some beef out.
“BANK for now, but I plan to open more in the future,” he tells me. Cain chews his food, soberly watching me over the short space between us. I have to admit, I never quite imagined seeing him in my little apartment—TheCain Carson-Ivory—mogul extraordinaire with his knees almost up to his ears, eating cold Thai in my poky London flat. I can’t help the grin.
“Something funny?” His deep command rips my head up from where it was choosing a piece of beef. Widening my eyes, I look at Perry for help, but he is grinning too—maybe he knew what I was thinking.
“Not really. Not for you two anyway,” I muse.
Cain opens his mouth to retort, but his phone rings. He stands quickly, nearly dropping Thai all over the floor. “Fuck sake,” he spits and yanks his phone, dropping it in the process. It slides across the floor to me, flashing wildly, ringing like a gong through the quiet shell that is my flat. The name Kat dances on the screen. Leaning forward, I pick it up and hold it out, but to my surprise, he snatches it and shoots Perry an aggravated look. He really didn’t want to come here tonight—that much was obvious. At least Perry will get the brunt of some of his anger, and not just me.
“I’ll swing by shortly,” he says, checking his gold watch. “Soon, Kat. You’ll know when I’m there,” he delivers hotly. He’s staring at me. Staring with eyes that are deepening to a cobalt blue. A tinkle of a laugh on the other end makes my teeth grind. So, he can be accommodating, then? Why not with me? Unexplainable hurt lances my chest. Knowing he dislikes me bothers me to no end. He disconnects and lowers the phone, and I lift my brow. “What?” he snaps.
“I was just wondering why I get Miserable Cain and others get a more placid version.” I nod at his phone, and Perry snorts. Cain snaps a look at him, and he shovels a load of rice in his mouth and grins. He’s such a child at times. I laugh inwardly until Cain replies.
“There is nothing placid about me,” Cain drawls.
“Well, from what I get to experience, there’s nothing nice either,” I say candidly.
“You remember I’m your boss, right?” he growls ominously.
“You remember you’re in my house, right?” I snap back.
“Okaaay. Let’s take a breather,” Perry interrupts. “Well, that was a new record.” He cheers. “I think you managed at least half an hour before you started to argue,” he informs us.
“Shut up.” I huff, eyeing Cain, who is leaning back on my sofa, glaring at me with a clenched jaw, whilst Perry mutters something unintelligible about us being like a married couple and unbearable sexual tension. Cain pales, and I bare my teeth at Perry. This has absolutely gone too far. They need to leave. Or Cain does. “Whilst this has been fun. I’m ready to pull out my shit couch, in my shit flat, so if you don’t mind.” I sigh, giving them both a pointed look. Cain's face splits into a wide smile, and I gasp inaudibly, sucker punched by how completely approachable he looks—how stupidly attractive he is with a smile on his face. On a light shake of my shocked head, I drop my gaze and close up my food carton.
“For someone who works in hospitality, you’re a poor host,” Cain muses, tugging his shirt back up the short way it has slid down his forearms. I stare at him, wanting to say something equally cutting back, but I haven’t got the energy to fight with him.
“Okay,” I murmur, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with him. He frowns at me, and I get up, picking up the few empty cartons Perry placed on the coffee table and taking them to the bin. I hold up Cain’s suit jacket. “Goodnight.” I offer my most insincere smile. I really don’t like myself when I’m around him. I get claws.
Cain's jaw flexes, and he yanks the coat out of my hand and strides towards the door, leaving Perry behind. “That went well,” my new friend muses. “Night, alien.”
Cain stops and looks around my place, waiting for Perry. His gaze falls to my calendar, and my eyes widen as he leans in and reads some of the notes. With an angry frown, he looks back at me, and I just know he has read the ‘Cain is a prick’ note I jotted after my accident.
“Let's go!” Cain snaps. I try to apologise, but he is already storming out of the door.
“Like I said, it's best we keep our distance.” I huff to Perry as I let him out and shut the door, glad to be free from Cain’s constant disregard. I pick up the pen and scribble over the comment on my calendar.
