"I'm so sorry, mom. It's just a few more days," Katherine reassured.

  "Easy for you to say! You're out there enjoying with your friends," her mother grumbled. "Ah! Where are the others?"

  Katherine's eyes widened comically and she was glad her mother couldn't see her. She worried that her parents had found out and also thought about what she would say.

  "We just reached so everyone is washing up. I called you as soon as I came," she said, hoping that would appease her mother. Her mother seemed happy.

  "Is that Katherine?" she heard her father's voice come from the distance. Her mother responded positively.

  The phone was handed over and Katherine heard her father speak. "Kitty, I don't know how to break this to you……"

  Ah, so this was how he was going to start. Her father only took the call when he had to say something. Otherwise, he wouldn't speak to her on the phone. More often than not, he would hurriedly pass the phone off or not greet her at all. She was used to it.

  "What's wrong?" she asked, knowing it was probably something trivial. Her dad had a habit of getting hyper without any big reason.

  He cleared his throat. "I went to the grocery store in the morning and saw a magazine with your boy and this lady whom I don't know. Apparently they have a secret love child." Katherine almost choked.

  Oh no. "I told you not to look at gossip, right? You should know that such outlets post stories that make people buy them but never say the truth……" she trailed off. From behind her, she could hear Cage snickering. Even though he didn't know what her father had said, he probably had an idea.

  Of course, he did. His team was always monitoring when his name was mentioned.

  "No, no. It's one of the trustworthy ones!" her dad protested. Katherine sighed.

  "That's a lie, too." Katherine looked back to see that Cage had gone back upstairs again.

  "Well, that is good to hear. But I am worried about you hanging out with this guy. I just want to keep my eyes out," her father grumbled. It was kind of cute so Katherine remained patient with him.

  "Thank you for looking out for me. I trust Cage and you'll see what I mean when you meet him. We're trying to see when we can make that happen."

  There was a long pause before he blew out a loud breath. "Okay. Have a good time." He sounded hesitant to say the words and Katherine fought back the laughter bubbling in her throat.

  "I'll be safe, dad," she said cheekily, making him splutter. The greetings were exchanged before she hung up. She breathed out a sigh of relief and went back to admiring the kitchen.

  That was when Cage entered the kitchen. He was leaning against the doorway, looking like a five-course meal. The kitchen was surely the room to look this way.

  She touched the granite and felt how cool it was. She could picture him taking her right there in that kitchen. "Done?" she asked, her voice sounding overly excited.

  "Hmm. Glad you like the kitchen," he said with a chuckle. Despite his best efforts, he looked worked up and ready to pounce on her. Determined to relieve the tension, she walked slowly to him and slid her arm around his waist.

  "I mentioned that I was talented in the kitchen, didn't I?" Cage asked, kissing the top of her head lightly. The soft material of his casual t-shirt rubbed against the side of her face. She had to admit, this man could look so good in everything he wore that it should be deemed a sin.

  Simple, but hot.

  "I don't think you mentioned that," she said with a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt in her voice. Cage placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back towards the counter. He definitely heard the meaning behind her words. It just so happened that his mind was just as dirty as hers.

  "I think I'll have to show you," he said seriously. She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.

  They were on the same page. But then the bastard turned to the refrigerator and started to look through the ingredients on hand.

  'You have got to be kidding me,' she thought incredulously.

  "Go upstairs and wash up. I'll start preparing a small meal that we can enjoy," Cage said smoothly like their little banter had never taken place.

  But…… they had just eaten a meal. What was the meaning of this? Katherine had thought that he would jump with joy and they could start with their tour of the cabin from the kitchen and work their way throughout the house into the bedroom. Has she been wrong?

  "Don't think too much. We have a long time ahead of us," he said. Katherine sighed and scurried away. As she freshened up, she saw that Cage had organized everything in the bedroom. She smiled warmly as she peeped into the wardrobe and saw their clothes hanging beside each other. She felt the prickling in her eyes and didn't know what exactly she would do next. She definitely couldn't cry or else her eyes would be swollen.

  Cage would get worried and then their s.e.xy times would be delayed. Now, Katherine couldn't have that.

  Downstairs, Cage had taken out all the ingredients he needed and made sure they had enough ice for the alcohol.

  He had sent her up because it had been a long day and she would be emotionally drained if not physically exhausted from the drive, as well. Taking her without letting her rest would overwhelm her.

  He didn't want to hurt her in any way. Even if she thought she was okay, it was his duty to ensure she was emotionally and physically okay——

  Katherine felt the knots in her muscles fade away as the hot water cascaded down her body. When she switched off the shower and turned the knob of the door, she was greeted by the heavenly scent of food.

  He hadn't been joking when he said he was talented in the kitchen!