Page 82 of Her Tempting Protector

“That’s why I called you in early.” He opened the door to the house and followed her in.

She’d just arrived two hours ago, which had given her enough time to choose a room, store her stuff, get a drink, and then become best friends with his dog.

“You have a beautiful house,” she said again.

“The basement still needs some work. Zed was going to help me, but he’s still not in any shape to do construction.”

In some of their phone calls over the last three weeks, Cullen had filled her in on all his teammates, including Zed Zaragoza, the man who had almost died in one of their last missions.

“When am I going to meet him?” Carys asked as she took the glass of lemonade that Cullen offered her.

“I’m throwing you into the deep end tomorrow. We’re going over to a party at Kane’s house. He’s even invited my demon sisters, so you’re in for a wild ride.”

Cullen watched her carefully to see if there was any kind apprehension on her face, but if anything, she looked excited at the prospect.

“Let me grab a shower, and I’ll come set the table,” she smiled. He watched her walk down the short hallway to her room, then turned to go to the kitchen. Aries of course had followed Carys, he was a smart and traitorous dog.

His phone rang and he picked it up as he stirred the sauce.

“Is she here? Can we come over?”

“Yes, she’s here. No, you can’t come over. Don’t even think about it. I’ve already set the alarm.”

“Come on, are you denying your baby sister? You love me,” Baily whined.

“You’ll meet her tomorrow, at Kane’s house.”

He heard her sigh through the phone. “You’re a party-pooper.”

“That has to be the least foul thing you’ve ever called me, Baily. Things are looking up in my world.”

“Asshole.”

Cullen laughed as he hung up on his sister.

* * *

Carys pulled on the black skinny jeans and scooped neck sweater that she’d bought on a shopping trip with Sarah. Apparently, the effort was worth it by the gleam in Cullen’s eye when he spotted her walking into the kitchen.

“Hey, Beautiful.”

“Hi. How can I help?”

“I’ve got everything ready to go. You just have to tell me what you’d like to drink. I have Chianti, water, all kinds of juices, or pineapple Fanta.”

He pulled out the Fanta from the fridge as he was talking and she grinned as she snatched it from him. She cuddled it close to her as she walked to the kitchen nook where the table was set.

“Hope you don’t mind, I don’t eat in the formal dining room all that often unless I’m having a bunch of people over.”

“This suits me perfectly. If you give me a Fanta, I’m good in the back of a truck, too.”

Cullen motioned for her to help herself to the food, and she grabbed some pasta, sauce, vegetables, and bread. She looked over to where Aries sat upright.

“He’s not begging,” she noted.

“He knows the rules. If he plays by them, then he gets a snack.” Cullen handed her a glass filled with ice for her soda. She took it and filled her glass with the sweet pineapple goodness. She could get used to this kind of care, she’d just need to make sure she could provide it back.

“I don’t cook,” she blurted out, after she finished a bite of spaghetti.