"You're worried about your dad?" she guessed wrongly.
He took her comment as an excuse, because he was worried about Duke's health. No matter how big a jackass his father might be, Ridge cared about him. "He's drinking too much, and he needs to drop about thirty pounds. Archer told me he's got high blood pressure . . ."
Kaia squeezed his hand, offered up a reassuring smile. "You're here for him now. That's all that matters."
"Not for long."
"But you'll be back. You won't let another ten years pass before you come home."
"I'm headed for China after this," he said. "I'll be there for at least six months. Once the contract negotiations are over, I'll be staying in Beijing to train them in my drilling technique."
"Oh," she said, sounding disappointed. "I see."
"I have to go. We're about to sign a huge contract. That's what the phone messages were all about. I've been working my entire life for this. I even taught myself Mandarin."
"Really?" She giggled. "That's impressive. Say something in Mandarin for me."
"Nǐ hěn piào liang."
"What does it mean?"
It meant, you are very beautiful, but he wasn't going to tell her that. "It's just a greeting."
"Nǐ hěn piào liang," she parroted. "This is so cool. When did you find time to learn Mandarin?"
"Audio recordings when I commute."
"You don't waste a second, do you?"
"Not if I can help it."
"I'm happy for you." Her kind eyes cradled his. "It's everything you've ever wanted."
"Yes," he said, but he couldn't help thinking his victory felt empty.
How could that be? Making a success of his life was all he'd ever wanted. Making more money than Duke. Showing his father he didn't need a lick of his help to make it on his own.
He couldn't hold on to her gaze any longer. Looking at her stirred impossible feelings he didn't even know how to describe. Wasn't sure he even wanted to feel them. Feelings complicated things.
"It wasn't such a bad idea," he said.
Kaia frowned. "What wasn't?"
Ridge knocked on the low ceiling above their heads. "A wedding chapel for cowboy weddings. Gotta give Vivi props for that."
"It was a pretty wedding."
"I'm not keen on the idea that they built it so close to my house and parcel of land. But I'm pretty sure that was just Duke getting his dig in."
"Maybe your father figured that since you were never going to claim the house, why not build the chapel here?" she said, playing devil's advocate. "And it's not like you're home for good. Even if you manage to smooth things over and return to Cupid occasionally, as much as you work, I imagine it won't be that often. So the chapel isn't really going to be a problem."
"Probably not." He studied her, wondering how she felt about that.
She shifted, glanced away. "I'm thirsty. Are you thirsty?"
"I could go get us something from the bar."
"Or we could go make coffee at your house. I saw a brand-new coffeemaker when we were over there yesterday."
His body tightened in the most masculine way.
She was suggesting they go to his house. Was she sending him a signal? And she was suggesting coffee. As if she wanted to stay up late. Or was it just wishful thinking on his part?
He nodded. "Or we could do that."
She got up and eased past him, headed for the steps.
It was all Ridge could do not to ogle her ass. It was a losing battle considering it was a world-class ass and she filled out that dress so well. Okay, cards on the table, he didn't even try not to stare.
The way her rump moved stole the breath right out of his lungs. He took off after her. Caught up with her at the chapel porch. Took her arm, guided her around the parked vehicles and across the patch of ground between the chapel and his house. The lights were out, but the door was not locked.
He put a hand to the small of her back and guided her inside, switched on the lamps, but drew the curtains to block the lights from the outside. He didn't want anyone wandering over.
And locked the door behind them.
Kaia's eyes were wide when he turned back to her, but she didn't protest the locked door.
He led the way into the kitchen. "I'll put the coffee on."
"I can do it."
"I know that," he said. "But I'm gonna do it. Have a seat."
He searched in the pantry, trying to figure out where Vivi put the coffee when she'd stocked his house. Finally found it in the refrigerator. He loaded up the coffeemaker with a dark roast.