Page 37 of Royally Bad

The door opened behind me. “Here,” Sammy said, offering the phone back.

I didn’t take it. “You’re done already?” That seemed too fast to talk to anyone.

Her chin dipped, like she didn’t want me to see her expression. “They didn’t answer. It’s probably fine, but ...”

“But what?”

Hugging herself, Sammy rocked side to side. “It’s a lot to ask, but if I gave you an address, would you go check something out for me?”

I scooped her hands up. The touch made her jump, her wide eyes flying upward to mine. If I’d doubted it before, I was sure now: Sammy was terrified. “Tell me what you need me to do. I’m here for you, Sammy.”

I could swear that I saw her heart as it filled her mouth. It took her a full minute to find her voice again. “It’s my mother. She isn’t well, and if someone came after me tonight, there’s a chance ...” She stopped herself, or maybe the words just wouldn’t leave her tongue.

Her mother?So I had heard her say that earlier.

Rubbing the backs of her palms, I smiled solidly. “Tell me where she is. I’ll go over there and check things out. I won’t even let her see me unless I have to. Okay?”

Relief pulled her shoulders down. I expected her to be happy, but I didn’t expect her to embrace me. It’s strange how much more intimate a touch like that can feel after you’ve caressed someone’s naked body in the dark.

Holding her close, I shut my eyes so I could lose myself in her arms. We breathed together, our lungs matching speed—growing faster by the second. Sammy untangled herself, typing into my phone quickly. “That’s where she lives. It’s kind of far from here.”

Nodding, I pushed the phone into my back pocket. “It’s fine. I’ll go see everyone downstairs, then I’ll head out.” I motioned down the hall. “Frannie will set you up for the night.”

“I’ll take a shower first, if that’s all right.” Her fingers crinkled in her hair. “I’m a serious mess. You can probably smell me from there.”

“Definitely.” I lowered my face, inhaling the side of her throat. “And it’s wonderful, babe.” Kissing her once—okay, twice—I stepped away. Her fingers touched her skin where I’d just been.

With a smirk, I started down the stairs. “Kain,” Sammy said, stopping me. When I looked back, she was still cupping her neck. “Thank you. Just ... thanks.”

“You already thanked me, remember?” Brushing my lips, I flicked my fingers like I was throwing her a kiss.

I thought she’d just blush some more. Her hand came up, clasping the air to catch my imaginary lips. Though she grinned, I realized she was just as surprised by her reaction as I was.

What’s going on between us?It was a question that had been tickling in my skull for some time. The weight of all my missteps with this woman had been ruining my mood the longer time went on.

She’d told me with conviction that she was still mad at me.

But did angry people catch air kisses?

I wanted to leave with an aura of indifference. I was known for being the cocky bad boy, that was who I’d always been. I didn’t keep souvenirs like sparkling heels, and I didn’t tend to tiny cuts with genuine tenderness.

When I exited down the staircase, I took the steps two at a time.

- CHAPTER ELEVEN -

SAMMY

“Mic,” I hissed, pushing the fluffy dog away from my face. “Leave mealone.”

It was the eighth time the animal had come over to snuffle at me. It wasn’t entirely his fault, Iwassleeping on Francesca’s bedroom floor. I was easy access to his little, wet nose.

After I’d showered, I’d entered the darkened room to find the girl had already gone to bed. Not wanting to wake her, I’d curled up in the bathrobe I’d found and just tucked myself into a corner of the room.

Shivering, I rolled away from the panting dog again.Okay. This is too much.In a mansion this big, there had to be a place I could go to find some privacy. Standing, I stepped around Mic and slid quietly into the hallway.

The big clock on the wall said it was after three in the morning. My eyes were puffy, my skull heavy on my neck. Creeping along the soft rugs, I tested the doorknobs of several rooms. Most were locked, and I didn’t have it in me to sneak into Kain’s bed tonight.

Especially not after our bathroom heavy petting session.

---