Page 11

Chapter 4
After dinner,Cage shows me to my room.
That’s right—my room. Not his.
Not ours.
It overlooks the big Jacuzzi that’s situated near the pool, and it has a large, red, four-poster bed and dark, opulent furniture such as a chandelier draped with strings of pearls, an ottoman, and a mahogany vanity table. A bathroom is attached, and from what I can see of it, there’s a lot of marble and fanciness there, too.
It’s a bedroom fit for a princess, but there’s one thing it doesn’t have.
Him.
I thank Cage for his hospitality, but he must sense that I’m not entirely happy, because he gives me a long, questioning look.
“I’m just wondering…” I start. But my courage runs out.
“What, Karini?”
It’s the sound of my name spoken by that rich, luscious voice that gets me, and I try again.
“I’m just wondering why we won’t be sharing a room. You know, since you bought me and everything.”
“I already told you that I’m not going to take your virginity tonight.”
“Yes, but…”
“But I don’t ever share my bed for a night. Not with anyone.”
He bars his thick arms over his chest, and even though he’s still wearing those board shorts and a T-shirt, he dominates everything in that room, including me.
“Not with any woman?” I ask.
“I need my space.”
There. It’s as simple as that for him, but he still makes no sense to me. Why would he buy me for some intimacy if he’s going to spend the night away from me? Unless…
Oh.
I think of how he always closes himself off, just as he’s doing now. He’s not only a private person, there’s something else going on with Cage Bryant, something he doesn’t want anyone to see. Maybe that darkness I sense in him means he doesn’t want commitments, even if it’s for one night in the same room.
He assesses my response then relents, but only slightly, letting his arms fall away as if he’s no longer on an emotional red alert. Something flashes through his gaze, but his expression remains enigmatic.
“We’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning for the flight to New York,” he says.
I lift up my single bag. “It’s not like I’ve got a lot to pack. What time should I be ready?”
“A car is picking us up at six A.M.”
“Got it. I’m an early riser anyway.” And since he won’t be keeping me up late tonight, I should have no problem rising and shining.
Then again, I have the feeling he’s going to keep me up real late with all these bewildering thoughts about him running through my mind. There’ll be a lot of tossing and turning as I fixate on those three big questions: When will he have me? How? Where?
With an unreadable look, Cage leaves me standing in the middle of the room, and I can only hope I get some sleep.
I also hope I won’t get another text that sends me into a panic.
* * *