I had my rage to keep me going.
I’d learned from experience that it was more than enough fuel to get me through the night.
Chapter Twelve
Kelly
“Hmm . . . is that . . .?”
I opened my eyes and looked around. The bed was empty. I could hear people murmuring in the other room. Had Cain invited . . . guests?
And I could smell something amazing.
Then I heard the door shut and realized what it was.
Two of the best words in the English language.
Room service.
The door cracked open and Cain leaned against the jamb, crossing his thick arms over his massive chest. His shirt was open and his worn-in jeans hugged his thick thighs. I could see his flat stomach and the treasure trail that disappeared into his jeans. I stared at him, suddenly forgetting about the delicious smells wafting in from the main room of the suite.
“Did you say something?”
“Is that . . . coffee and pancakes?”
“Yes. Mom said pancakes are your favorite. And she said not to bother you until you’d had at least two cups of strong coffee.”
I felt my insides get all warm and gooey. He’d asked Mom about my favorite foods? I wiggled my toes under the blankets.
“Mom was right. Except for one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“You can bother me as much as you want,” I dared flirtatiously.
He cracked a smile.
“Good to know, but you should eat. I even got fresh strawberries.”
I tossed the covers back in my excitement, completely forgetting I was naked. I squealed and yanked the blankets back over me. I glared at Cain, who was doubled over in laughter. When he came up for air, he was wiping tears from his eyes.
I crossed my arms over my chest, holding the covers over my bare boobs.
“You think that’s funny?”
“Sweetheart, I think that’s hilarious.” His eyes twinkled. “And very distracting.”
I made a small harrumph sound, but I wasn’t mad anymore. The warm, appreciative look in his eyes had soothed my hurt ego. I still felt like a bit of a dork, but at least I was a sexy dork. In Cain’s eyes, anyway.
“Do you like cold pancakes?”
I shook my head.
“Then you’d better put this on. Otherwise, you won’t be eating until sundown.”
The sensual look in his eyes promised hours of sexy time. I was tempted, but he was right. I was hungry. I always woke up hungry. Mom always said I was half bear, and every night, I hibernated.
I took the fluffy white hotel robe he held out with a blush. I slid my arms into it, still covering my body with the sheets. He didn’t say a thing, just cocked an eyebrow at me. Then he turned, but not before I caught the smirk on his face.
Cain was full of surprises, that was for sure. I’d certainly never heard him laugh before. In fact, according to Cass and Mason, he never laughed. But he laughed with me, I thought.
I took a quick trip to the bathroom to freshen up. I splashed water on my face, ran a comb through my hair, and brushed with the toothbrush and toothpaste Cain had thoughtfully laid out. It was even my brand. I shook my head at my reflection. Cain was far too organized. It was intimidating, to say the least. Still, his thoughtfulness sent a warm thrill through me.
He was so focused on me . . . on pleasing me. And yet he was bossy and domineering. I found myself liking it more than I could have imagined. It felt like I was blossoming under his attention.
What, exactly, had I gotten myself into?
I tightened the belt of the robe and padded barefoot to the main room of the suite. I looked around, noticing the elegant furniture and the large picture window, looking out over manicured grounds. Cain was sitting at a small table, waiting for me. He stood up and waited for me to take a seat.
“You are such a gentleman.”
He just cocked an eyebrow and watched me sit down. He poured me a cup of coffee and started lifting lids off platters. My mouth almost dropped at the spread in front of me.
“Wow.”
“You are going to need your strength today,” he said as he filled my plate.
“Really?” I cast him a flirtatious glance and poured syrup on my pancakes. “I need my strength?”
I cut into my food immediately and took a heavenly bite. Oops, forgot to add butter. I used a knife to drag a pat of butter across the hot pancakes, watching it melt. I took another big bite.
Heaven.
“Yes.” He nodded somberly as he filled another plate for himself. His had bacon in addition to all the fixings. “We are going on a hike.”
“A what?”
I nearly choked on my pancakes. I managed to chew and swallow the pure deliciousness, thank goodness. I wiped my syrup-sticky mouth with the napkin.