Page 46 of Damaged King

She looked ready to claw my eyes out and I had to chuckle.

“The bathroom is yours if you want,” she said, like it was pulling teeth to talk to me.

“Thanks,” I said, but didn’t move.

I could make it easier for her, but it was cute watching her squirm.

When she looked ready to lie on the comforter, I moved to pull it back. “Wouldn’t want you to lie on that. Who knows when it was laundered last,” I said, making reference to our night at the motel.

“Thank you.” She’d spoken the words so saccharine sweet, I thought I might get a toothache.

I chuckled to myself as she slid under the covers, robe and all.

“I feel like you’re hiding something from me.”

My gaze fell to the sheet she pulled up to her neck.

“You know, you were dancing around topless the other night in the motel. This is a little extreme.”

Her eyes grew to the size of quarters and I decided to cut her some slack.

I got out of bed and headed to the mini bar, which, thank fuck, was stocked. It was going to be a long night with my reluctant bride. I pulled out a full-size beer and used the handy top opening from the drawer.

“Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it,” I said in Jolie’s general direction.

“It’s not a big deal,” she began. “The airline pays for our hotel and meals.”

She sounded so relieved to be talking about something else, I made a decision.

“Look, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I can try to get the app on my phone and call customer service if I need to get things activated.”

She pushed at her hair and put on a brave face. “I’m not uncomfortable. Besides, you never know if you may run into security. It’s better this way.”

I pointed at her. “Yet, you’re wrapped up tighter than a burrito like you think I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself. But I think I’ve proven that I can. Then again, maybe the getup is so you won’t jump me.”

It was a win when she graced me with a smile, albeit a sardonic one.

She shimmied out of bed and stood to face me. “I’m sure I can keep my hands to myself.”

I held out my hands. “What’s the problem then?”

She reached for the ties that kept her covered before stopping and looking up.

“Don’t get the wrong idea?”

I raised an eyebrow and she sighed while releasing the robe.

My grin could light up the world as I took her in.

“You’re wearing my shirt.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not what you think. I wasn’t assigned this flight. I took someone else’s spot and I didn’t have clothes at my mom’s because I moved out,” she said, rambling on.

“It’s okay. It’s cute. You didn’t want to forget our time together,” I teased as her eyes rolled. “You shouldn’t do that. Your eyes might get stuck.”

When she flipped me off, I laughed harder. I reached into the mini bar and pulled out a single serving-sized bottle of wine. “You look like you need this,” I added, handing it to her.

Surprisingly, she took it without complaint and unscrewed the top before getting into bed without the robe.

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