Page 23 of Riot

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.”

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