Page 11 of The Demigod Complex
“We don’t have any more rooms available.” The receptionist gave them an apologetic grimace. “And I doubt you’ll find anything anywhere else. There’s a horror film festival going on this week.”
Oddly appropriate.Castor just kept from pulling a face in front of Leia who was visibly freaking out. Her knuckles turned white as she crushed the nice brochure she’d plucked from a holder on the desk when they’d been waiting in line.
Castor covered her hand with his. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t—” She bit down on the words when she turned and recognized the warning he was trying to silently communicate with his eyes.
“Let’s get settled. Then we’ll figure it out.”
Her lips were pale as she clenched her teeth, but she gave him a jerky nod. After they got their keys, she followed him without a word. Their suitcases made aclack-clack-clackas they crossed the lobby with its original wood floors. They passed large fireplaces with comfy seating around them, then headed up the grand staircase covered in a deep maroon velvet carpet.
“I can’t stay here with you,” she said as soon as they got to their room and the door closed behind them. “I’ll get a hotel room down in Denver or Fort Collins if I have to.” She crossed to the mini fridge in the corner and pulled out a bottled water, which she proceeded to gulp down. Never a good sign when Leia needed to chug water.
The woman always had a bottle with her, but he’d just assumed she was being healthy. Until the first time she’d downed three bottles in front of him in rapid succession. That had been the day his brother showed up at the office with their father in tow. If looks could kill, Zeus would’ve been toast.
Guilt pressing on him—he’d fucking put her in this position—Castor shook his head. “There are too many events, and I don’t want you driving the canyons at night. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
She glanced at the couch in the sitting room, a piece deliberately created to imitate an old-fashioned sofa, with the scrolling back and armrests in wood, and the cushions in a patterned, pink silk. Then she moved her pointed gaze to him, eyeballing his six-foot-three frame. Like every demigod, his body was built for battle.
She shook her head. “I’llsleep on the couch.”
But he didn’t like that option, either. Having Leia on the uncomfortable piece of furniture didn’t sit right with him. Before he could offer another suggestion, the phone rang.
He held up a finger and crossed the room to answer it.
“How do you like the suite?” Marrok asked after they exchanged hellos.
“Thank you for the upgrade.” He caught Leia’s wrinkled nose from the corner of his eye and had to bite back a laugh. What else was he supposed to say?
“My pleasure. Thank you for agreeing to stand up for me on the big day.”
Castor glanced at Leia in case she’d caught that. He hadn’t warned her about his role in the ceremony, yet. But she’d stopped paying attention to him. Instead, she’d started unpacking and hanging her garments in the closet. He took the opportunity to appreciate how her black skirt highlighted her lovely backside. She’d removed her jacket, allowing him to see her hourglass figure better. He fucking adored those pencil skirts she favored.
“Castor?”
He pulled his attention back to the conversation. “Absolutely, buddy.”
“Tala and I would like to have lunch with you and your date today.”
Castor glanced at his watch. “What time were you thinking?”
“Noon.”
An hour to convince Leia might be enough. “Sounds good.”
“We’ll meet you in the lobby.”
Castor hung up and turned, conjuring up his most winning smile. Though, he used it so rarely, it felt more like a crack breaking concrete on his face.
She turned from the closet, paused at the sight of him, and crossed her arms. “Don’t even bother with that smile, Castor Dioskouri.”
He blinked and snapped his mouth closed, swallowing the words on the tip of his tongue.
“I heard,” she said.
“I see.”
She nodded. “Give me a half hour to wash off the travel and change. More casual for lunch with a friend, I assume?”
