Catastrophic Attraction - Eve Langlais Page 0,55
The last few nights she’d spent guarding the princess, she alternated between on a pallet made of blankets on the floor and a chair. Accepting his offer would put her close by should they require protection.
She climbed into the bed very much aware he was on the opposite side. She would have probably slept better in the chair given her body tensed every time someone moved. Which was often. Charlie travelled in her sleep.
She did eventually manage to doze off until dawn, whereupon a certain princess wasn’t perturbed at all to find them all in bed together.
“Morning!” Charlie chirped, her tone bright and sunny.
Bleary-eyed, Casey wondered if it was wrong to gag happy children who woke too early.
“Hey, stinkweed. How you feeling this morning?” Roark’s voice softened.
“Good. I gotta pee.” Charlie bounced off with too much energy, and Casey glanced over the bed to see an equally tired-looking Roark.
Fatigued or not, he winked. “Morning, my lady.”
He was entirely too roguishly charming and suddenly made her rethink her decision to leave. She’d be travelling alone with Roark. A man who’d kissed her. A man she wanted to kiss again.
Was Cam right? Did she lust after the king?
So what if she did? She was a grown woman. A woman who had no problem sating her needs. Which didn’t happen often. But when it did, she handled it.
As a trio, Charlie skipping between them, they headed to breakfast. She ran into Cam in the dining room, the glower on his face a reminder of the things they’d said to each other the night before.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, choosing a seat beside him that was far from Roark but in sight of the princess. Until she departed, that little girl was still her job.
“For what? Freeing me?” He sneered, but she saw the pain in his eyes. “Did it ever occur to you that I wanted to do my own thing? Now I can.”
“Yes, you can.” Seeing him in obvious pain made her want to hug him and declare they would be partners again. But that would only mean she’d eventually blow up, perhaps even more nastily than before. She put her hand over his. “You’ll always be my brother.”
He tensed before relaxing enough to say, “Be careful.”
After breakfast, she sought out Titan, who glowered at a bunch of people but not her. He showed concern. “Are you sure you should be going?”
It riled her enough that she was tart in replying. “Are you trying to infer that Cam is the better choice to guard your precious king?”
“Of course not. I’m wondering more what you can accomplish.”
“Maybe nothing. But I do know we won’t resolve the issue by hiding here.”
Titan rubbed his face. “Port City isn’t going to be easy to search.”
“We just need one loose tongue. We’ll start in the tavern most likely.”
“Taverns,” he corrected. “I don’t think you grasp the size of the place you’re visiting. You’ve seen Eden by now, know how big it is. Port City is even larger.”
“Bigger than this?” She couldn’t help a high note.
“Much. I am not ashamed to admit it intimidated me.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m not scared.”
“Nor are you city savvy.” He shook his head.
“Roark is,” she stated. “He’ll guide and get us into the places we need to go, and I’ll keep him safe.” She’d also listen from the shadows and learn everything she could.
He snorted. “I’m not worried about his safety. I’ve seen him fight. But you’re going to stick out.”
“Have you forgotten my ability?”
“You’re going to a place where powerful people thrive. They won’t be fooled or intimidated.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Glancing across the hall and seeing Cam stalk in a different direction, she said softly, “I have to go.”
Titan followed her gaze. “He’s not happy.”
“He’ll get over it.”
“Fuck me, he better,” Titan huffed noisily. “I hate dealing with your brother when he’s in one of his moods.”
“He needs to get laid,” she remarked.
Titan almost choked. “Casey! Really.”
“Well he does. Don’t be a prude.”
“He’s like family to me. Just like you are.” He eyed her. “Just because we’re not hanging out often doesn’t mean I stopped caring.”
“I know.” She’d go to many lengths to help Titan if she knew he was in danger. Just like he’d help her. If either of them wasn’t too proud to ask. “Which way do you recommend we go?”
“Personally, I’d take the cliff route down to the city. It’s a little more boring and the hunting is shit, but you’ll make better time.”
“What other routes