“You mean… they went on to other juicy news?” she asked, confused. He nodded. “I feel slightly undermined!” she exclaimed. “I think our relationship is exciting. Not that I want them tailing you. Wouldn’t want to punch the paparazzi in the face.”

“What do we have here? You have discovered a rebellious side to you! I must warn you, though. Don’t punch those bloodsuckers. They sue. I’ll help you have fun, if that is what you want, though!” he drawled naughtily.

“I sense some hostility there,” she sang. “Don’t worry about it. Lily took care of them.”

Cage’s brow scrunched in confusion. “Is she going around punching people? Should I know about this? I don’t want to be an accomplish to serial violence,” he joked. Well, if he wasn’t famous… or mostly able to control his emotions, he would punch those faceless bastards who upset Katherine, too.

“She isn’t punching people… yet. She did create a profile and leave a scathing comment on a highly viewed forum.” Katherine looked nervous for a second. Cage’s mind blanked for a second before he scrambled to get answers.

“Really? That doesn’t surprise me for some reason.” he asked. “What did she say?”

“She called them horny bitches who had pathetic lives. She also insinuated that even if you don’t like me, you wouldn’t be with one of them because they were hateful people. You can go check. I am simply paraphrasing.” She paused. “Will this be a problem?”

“I don’t think so. She has a right to her speech and she seems to have taken the word out of my mouth.” Suddenly, he burst into laughter. “I just saw the post. The picture of them masturbating was repulsive, but the scathing words… Fantastic!”

“Your fans to rub their nubs to your pictures.” Katherine rolled her eyes. “It’s an unsaid rule in the fandom,” she smirked.

So devious.

“I’ll have you know that I am offended that people even think I don’t love you. Makes my blood boil.” He glared for the intended effect. “If I knew who they were, I would tell them to burn in the circles of hell. To upset the woman I love most in the world!”

“Preposterous,” Katherine played along. “I doubt they would hear a single word you said, though. Instead, I would have to come at them with a bat to pry them away from you. You really do want me to go to jail for murder, don’t you!” She giggled at the resulting stunned silence.

“You wouldn’t look good in jail,” he berated. “But really, I wish you hadn’t experienced that.” He couldn’t shake the guilt off. But this was life.

“It’s good that I know. I should get a taste of this before my identity is revealed. It can only get worse.” She tried to reassure him. “Think of it in this way… I am getting desensitized.”

Cage couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was a strong woman, but everyone had their limitations. Damn the world. He needed to hold her. “If they are my fans, they won’t be saying anything negative. If they aren’t, they can ** off and not bother about us. They will never touch either of us, I will personally make sure of that.”

She smiled self-assuredly. “I know you will. You’re my knight in shining armor,” she teased. Cage slumped back on the couch and listened to her voice.

He had wrapped up shooting for the next couple of days and taken vacation so that he could accompany Katherine during the competition. According to his mother, she would be leaving City H in the morning and reach in time for the opening ceremony of the competition. He would do the same. He had packed a small bag of clothes with him and booked a rental car in advance. He planned on driving there himself.

Stephen had decided to head to City H for a much needed vacation, himself. It could be said that Stephen would be spending the time with Angelina. All in all, he was set to rip apart anyone who spoke poorly of Katherine.

“The black knight, you mean.” He scoffed. He would rather be the devil than the prince charming. He was all for free will and independence of his princess.

“I like the imagery, my knight,” she said with a sultry wink. “I miss you,” she added immediately.

Soon, Cage thought. He bit his tongue to keep from letting out his surprise. He had kept his mouth shut for all this time, he would rather she not find out until the moment they see each other. The expression on her face would be worth all these months of torture.

“Little old me?” Cage pouted. “I miss you more.”

Katherine rolled her eyes before indulging him. “You did? That must have been a lot of missing. I don’t know how you are still looking so handsome after all this time.” She had to say, it was unfair and frankly illegal to look this good despite being sleepless and missing someone.

“I think you haven’t seen me for a long time, so your mind is playing tricks on you. I’m sure I look beaten down.” She could lightly see the dark circles under his eyes, but she didn’t want to talk about them.

“It could be the lighting,” she proposed, giving a thoughtful expression. He barked a laugh before shaking his head and retorting.

“Lighting might be everything, but this face was carved by the Gods. No additives, thank you very much.” The coy look made him seem even more appealing in that moment. What was it with her and becoming a horny mess whenever they passed an emotional barrier in their relationship?

Well, it wasn’t ideal in a cab. She might have been aroused by emotional maturity. That was a good sign, right?

“I’ve touched that face. I can attest that there were no additives.” She nodded sagely. “But I’ll have to inspect thoroughly to make sure I didn’t miss anything.” The wicked glint and the sly smile gave away her intentions and inuendoes.

“Soon. Soon I am going to have you in my arms again. You can check my ass cheeks to see if a coin bounces off it then, okay?”