Chapter 10

TEN

I t's been four days since I saw Kage—not that he hasn't tried.

He's knocked on my door every single day, texted, called, and sent presents, but I've pulled away. He's getting too close, and I've pulled back and protected myself like I always do. It helps that I'm in a different city today. I spent the night doing some promo shoots and magazine covers during the day, so when I reach my hotel for the night, I'm exhausted. I just want to climb into bed and sleep. I want my makeup off and my hair unbound.

I want to be alone, just for a moment.

The hotel already has the paparazzi waiting outside. I let my security form a barrier around me as I head toward the lobby. I take some pictures with fans and sign autographs before I slip inside, breathing a sigh of relief as the doors close and cut off their yells and the flashing cameras. Even though I know they can still see in, they can't enter, which is a relief.

Before my label hired security, when I first started out, they used to chase me into hotels and restaurants. Sometimes, it got a bit scary. I had no privacy, and being cornered by big guys shoving cameras in your face is never fun.

I've been here before, though, and I stay here whenever I'm in the city. It's my hotel of choice, and I can't wait to sink into the huge bed I know is waiting for me.

For some reason, my eyes sweep around the waiting room as my heels click against the marble floor, only to stop on the familiar man waiting in one of the chairs. He lifts his head like he feels me and grins, hopping up.

I freeze as he prowls toward me, his hands shoved into his pockets. He has on a green jacket, the shoulders padded, with matching dark green slacks hugging his thighs. His black hair is styled, his eyes are lined, and his lips are pink and glossy. He looks fucking good, and he knows it. His eyes are only for me despite the bustling lobby.

"Kage, what the fuck?" I exclaim when he reaches me. His gaze moves down my body, heating with desire, as if I were naked and not in a white dress and heels. "Are you stalking me?"

"Absolutely, glad you finally noticed." He grins, kissing my cheek. "It's the only way I can see you. I missed your beautiful face, sweetheart. I couldn't last a moment longer."

"Aren't you supposed to act all cool and distant?" I mutter, raising an eyebrow as he leans back, grinning. He's so fucking adorable that I swallow when his dimples appear.

What is it about dimples that makes a woman weak?

"Nah, fuck that, what's the point? It won't get me what I want. I don't need distant and cool. I just need you."

"Smooth." I can see cameras flashing, and I suddenly remember where we are. Rolling my eyes, I walk past him, and he runs to catch up. At the elevator, I sigh. "Do you have a room here?"

"Nope, I thought I could share with you," he supplies.

Grinding my jaw, I turn and storm to the reception. I wait my turn and smile tightly at the woman there. "He needs a room." I nod my head at Kage, who grins happily, leaning into the desk, just watching me. "Stop it."

"We have no rooms left," the woman tells me.

"None?" I frown. "Not even a regular room? It doesn't have to be a suite. "

"Um, let me check." She grabs another woman in a matching skirt and jacket, and when she turns, she eyes me distastefully.

She huffs. "The rooms are full like my employee said."

"Okay, I was just checking?—"

"Which you do not need to do," she snaps.

"Excuse me?" I gawk.

"Have a good stay, Ms. Fallon." She looks me up and down, and my eyebrows rise.

What the fuck?

"Watch your tone, now," Kage warns, his puppy face transforming into something cruel and cold as he looks at the woman.

She blinks as she stares at him. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Kage. I didn't realize it was for you?—"

"No need, I'll share her room since you're full." He eyes her once more, looking at her name badge. "Sarah, right?"

"Yes, yes, here." She hands over her card. "Let me know if you need anything. Anything at all."

Figures. I turn and stomp away. Moments later, he chases me into the elevator, eyeing the card as we ascend. My heel taps angrily, irritation running through me. "Are you mad she was a bitch or because she was hitting on me?"

"Why would it be the latter?" I snap, and he grins, his eyes on me as he lifts the card and pulls out his phone. My heart constricts, anger flowing through me as he dials.

"I don't care what you do," I snarl as I flee the elevator when the door opens and hurry to my suite. "Find somewhere else to stay."

I try to shut the door behind me, but he wedges his shoe in it and kicks it open. Shutting it behind him, he watches me with a wicked grin. "Yes, management please."

Ignoring him, I tear off my jacket and toss it to the bed, leaving me in the skintight white dress with gold buttons as I head to the bar to pour a drink. When I turn, I jump. He's right behind me, looking me over hungrily before he blinks.

"Sorry, yes, I'm here." He reaches for me, but I dart out of his grasp, making him grin as I sit stiffly on one of the chairs, trying my best to ignore him. I don't care if he calls her. Why would I? Let him.

He's nothing to me.

He's probably tired of the chase, which is fine.

"Yes, how much would it take to buy your hotel tonight?" My head jerks up, my eyes wide. I'm sure I misheard him. "I see, one moment." He hangs up and dials someone else.

"Elijah, purchase the plaza I'm in right now, and let me know when it's done." He hangs up, and then he kneels before me on the carpeted floor. He takes my crystal tumbler and licks the rim before shooting it back.

I just stare, unsure what to do or say.

He wasn't calling her?

Why am I relieved?

His phone rings, and he answers, simply grunting before he calls someone else again. "I'm the owner now. I'll sign the paperwork tomorrow, but before then, I want a"—he lifts the card—"Sarah Fredricks fired right now. I also want word going out to every hotel or staff members you have that she is not to be hired in this city again. Make it happen." He hangs up and rips the card, letting the pieces flutter from his fingers.

He bought the hotel.

He fired her.

He bought the hotel just to fire the woman who was rude to me.

Who the fuck does that?

Kage does.

"Why did you do that? You don't need to defend me." I choose to feel angry, not wanting to admit how hard my heart is racing right now. He keeps barging into my life and doing these kinds of things. It's confusing.

"Haven't you realized yet, sweetheart? There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you," he murmurs as he stands and tips my chin up. "Nobody insults you, ever. If Henry wasn't enough of a warning, then she will be. "

"Henry?" My brows furrow as I put the pieces together. "You got him fired."

He smirks. "Hungry? I bet you are after the day you had. I'll order room service. Go get comfy. Although that dress is fucking sexy, it doesn't look comfortable."

"You aren't staying here!" I yell, but he ignores me and picks up the phone, looking over the menu.

"You want pasta or meat?" he asks.

"None. Get out, Kage. I mean it."

"I'll order both." He ignores me, dialing.

I stare at him, and he looks over at me. "Either get comfy or I'll undress you myself." Something in his eyes tells me he would, so like a chicken, I grab some clothes and head into the bathroom, only realizing what I grabbed when I get inside, and I groan.

I tug the oversized shirt down and sigh. I'd be better going out naked.

He is going to get the wrong idea.

I stare at myself in the huge mirror, and I want to sink into the floor, but I refuse. Plus, he'd just come in here and drag me out. Summoning all the courage I have, I step out and catch him pouring drinks. He lifts his head, a soft smile on his lips before it widens.

I'm wearing an oversized gray band shirt with the spiked lettering of his name and songs across it.

"I was given this today. I didn't even realize what I grabbed until I was in the bathroom and it was too late," I mutter self-consciously.

His eyes are blown wide, and he's frozen where he stands. "You look fucking amazing in my merch," he whispers, dragging his eyes over me. "I'm going to make every T-shirt I can and give them to you so you can live in them. I might not even let anyone else buy them."

Rolling my eyes, I walk over and sit on the sofa, pulling my legs under me and tugging the shirt over them as I look around the room nervously. I don't know why I'm suddenly so anxious, but I feel like I've been stripped of my armor. I'm makeup free, my hair is unbound and slightly wavy from the style I had it in, and I'm wearing nothing but a cheap band shirt.

I'm not the untouchable ice queen, and it's clear he loves that. He won't stop smiling as he sits far too close on the couch.

"Keep watching me like that and I'll kick you out," I snap.

"I'll sleep outside the door." He grins, and I glare, feeling annoyed.

Kage unnerves me; he always has. I never know how to act or where I stand with him. He unbalances me, and I hate it.

He sees my tension and sighs sadly.

"Relax, Fallon," he murmurs, rubbing my shoulder where his arm is stretched across the back of the sofa. His head is tilted, and his dark eyes are locked on me. "I just want to be here with you. I'll even sleep on the floor if that makes you comfortable. Just let me stay. I missed you."

"You don't know me well enough to miss me."

"Then let me know you. Ask me anything, and I'll do the same to you."

I look away, but he ignores my silence and surges forward.

"Favorite place you've traveled?"

I look at him, seeing his determination, and I know he won't give up until he has an answer, so I take a deep breath and reply, "Probably Italy."

"I loved Italy. We should go sometime. Your turn." I stare, and he rolls his eyes. "Okay, favorite food?"

"Cheap pizza," I admit.

He laughs. "I love you. Mine's cheap burgers. Okay, what's your dream car? I saw your collection. It was big."

I shrug, glancing away.

"Come on, you must have a dream car," he prompts, practically begging me to carry on this game. He doesn't know what he's asking, but it's a stark reminder of my past and just how different we are.

"If I want something, I just buy it," I say coldly.

"Fuck, that's so sexy." He moves closer. "There isn't something you can't buy?" I hesitate, and he grins, finding my weakness. "There is. Tell me. "

"1964 Ferrari 250 LM, in bright red with custom black detailing down the side."

"That's an old car, right? Why do you want it so badly?" he asks casually.

I stare into his dark eyes, a little slice of my anger and soul slipping free, unable to hold it back under his innocent question.

"Because it was my father's car. He loved that car more than anything, including me, and I have never been able to find it." I stand, leaving him with more questions than answers.

I feel his eyes on me, but I studiously ignore him. I've already said too much.