Oh. They plopped to the floor right in front of her. Thanks.
Youre welcome. Strider. Hey, man, Paris called.
Hey, he replied tightly. Interesting night?
None of your business.
As Paris disappeared inside his room, Kaia wheeled back around. Now Striders expression was guarded, closed off.
Interesting night? he asked, directing the question at her this time.
She gulped. Not really. Nothing happened. This time, she forced herself to add. If he did anything with her tonight, and found out the truth about Paris later, hed hate her. So, full disclosure. Except
See ya around, Kaia. Strider skirted around her, wandering off rather than teasing her about what shed done. Or asking her what had really happened. Or caring on any level.
Clearly, nothing would have come of her sudden attraction to him even if Paris hadnt interrupted.
some goddamn attention to me! Strider was snarling now. Not that I want it, you understand. Youre pissing off my demon.
Pissing off his demon? She wanted to seduce his demon. Right? Or had she written the two off as shed told Bianka?
She blinked, focusing, and studied him anew. His fury had very nearly sharpened his features into deadly blades, and her knees did buckle. So damn magnificent. A savage, a brute. Paris caught her before she hit the pavement and held her up.
Oh, gods. Weakness? Here? Now? Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
Strider took a menacing step toward her, then froze in place. Paris, dude, let her go, he snarled, and Paris immediately obeyed. Navy eyes snapped to her, more animal than man. When did you last eat, Kaia?
Thank the gods. He thought her weakness stemmed from a lack of nourishment, not the irresistible sight of him. She shrugged, happy she remained on her feet under her own steam. Dont know.
As she had chosen not to steal or earn one of the bowls of slop given to the residents of Cell Block B, and as shed been in the slammer for two dayswell, she was starved.
Fine. She could have eaten. Bianka had come to the rescue, as always, eager to bust her out and feed her. Shed shooed her sister away with a stern warningfollowed by a figurative bitch slapnot to return. Otherwise, Kaia would ensure the nickname Heavenly Hills Ho spread and stuck. Forever.
Damn it, Kaia. Youre shaky on your feet and you cant concentrate worth a damn. His gaze shot to Paris. Phone Lucien for pickup. Ill meet you in Buda. I want to feed her, and then we can
Paris was shaking his head. Ill phone Lucien for pickup, but Im not waiting for you in Buda. When you finish your business, if thats what the kids are calling it these days, have Lucien or Lysander bring you to the heavens. Either one will know where I am.
Strider gave a stiff nod.
Paris ruffled the top of Kaias head before striding off and disappearing around a corner, leaving her alone with the warrior of her dreams. Exactly what shed furtively hoped and prayed for as shed shoved Bianka out of the cell and locked herself back inside.
They stared at each other for a long while, neither moving, neither speaking. Tension spreading, thickening. His warrior nature had never been more evident. He stood with his arms at his sides, his hands inches away from the now-visible butt of his guns, and his legs braced apart, ready to spring into action. Against her? Or anyone who thought to hurt her?
Finally, she could stand the silence no longer. Youre going to the heavens?
He nodded, his skin like polished gold in the sunlight. The vibe of animal savagery left him, and he actually relaxed. She liked this side of him, too.
Why? What she really wanted to ask: How long will you be gone? Are you meeting a woman? An angel? His friend Aeron had fallen in love with a goody-goody with wings. Why not Strider, too?
Ill kill the bitch.
Sure you want to know? he asked. It involves Paris and another woman. A woman he wants.
Relief bombarded her. Sweet! Gossip. Grinning, she rubbed her hands together. Give me.
He ran his tongue over his teeth. I never repeat gossip, Kaia.
Oh, she muttered, shoulders sagging with disappointment.
You didnt let me finish. I never repeat gossip, so listen closely. He was fighting a smile, and the knowledge delighted her. The woman Paris loveshates, whatever. He wants her, like I said, and shes being held prisoner up there.
Sooo. Strider was going to war to aid his bro, not to give some wide-eyed, ripe-for-the-plucking winger a booty call. Her relief tripled. I could, I dont know, help you help him. I have connections up there not necessarily a lie and I
No! he shouted, then more calmly stated, No. Thank you, though. But Do you really not care that the man you desire now desires someone else?
Wait. Who says I desire him?
You dont?
No.
His expression didnt change, but he did clear his throat. Not that it would have mattered either way, you understand. But as I was saying, hes already spoken to Lysander about getting a little angelic help, and gotten a no-can-do.
Of course Lysander wont help him. Hed help Bianka, though, and Bianka would help me.
Nope. Sorry.
Stubborn brute. He was so desperate to get rid of her, he wouldnt even consider using her. Another rejection; how quaint.
Motions stiff, he waved her over. Come on. Lets take care of your hunger.
All I want is a few nibbles of you. Dont worry about me. I can take care of myself.
I know, but Ill stay until youre fed. I want to make sure you arent arrested again.
Her Harpy squawked inside her head, a command to prove to Strider just how capable she was, just how worthy. Are you? Fine. Oh, and heres a truth missile for the demon who always wants to win. I doubt you can keep up, she taunted, more out of habit than anything.
He huffed out a breath, and she figured this was round two of pissed-off mode.
Lead the way, he snapped before she could apologize.
Okay, so maybe she shouldnt have pushed so hard. My bad. I will. She didnt take him hunting, though. Not yet. She took him to the cabin she and Bianka shared a good distance from civilization. Thankfully, her sister was nowhere to be found. Feel free to look around. I need to shower and change.
Kaia, he began, following her down the hall. Im kind of pressed for time here and because of what you said, I need to keep up with you and
She shut her bedroom door in his stunned face, heard him snarl low in his throat and grinned. The grin vanished as a thought occurred to her. There was plenty of stolen food in the kitchen. If he noticed, thered be no good reason for her to take him hunting.
Have to risk it. I smell. Kaia hurried through a shower, grateful as the grime and total body makeup that had caked her washed away. She almost raced from her room after changing into a glittery pink T-shirt that read Strangers Have the Best Candy and short jean shorts, but caught a glimpse of herself in her full-length mirror. Outfit was fine, but not her hair. The red mass was sopping wet and practically glued to her head and arms, making her resemble a drowned clown.
Back to the bathroom she raced for a crucial blow-dry. She thought about applying another layer of makeup to her exposed skin, wanting Strider to want her for her, not any other reason, but discarded the idea. Let Strider see. Let Strider crave. Right now, shed take him however she could get him. Later, they could work on their reasons why.
If she decided to give him another chance.
Finally, she raced from the bedroom. In record time, too. Just under twenty (forty) minutes.
A trail of fragrant steam followed her as she strode down the hall. No Strider in the living room, where she kept her life-size hula dancer lamp and the castle shed built from empty beer cans. He must be looking around. She wondered what he thought of her place, her things, and tried to see the room through his eyes.
Besides the coffee table, which was carved to resemble a hunched over wooden Sumo wrestler with a sheet of glass perched on top, and the chair with arms that were actually painted to look like humans legs that stretched to the floor, the furniture was beautiful, pieces she and Bianka had stolen throughout the centuries.
History was a scent that clung to almost every polished piece. Okay, maybe not the white rug with two yellow pillows sewn at one end, so that the whole thing looked like eggs in a frying pan. Or the hamburger beanbag chair, complete with lettuce, tomato and mustard layers, but that was it.
And okay, maybe the couch and love seat had been chosen for comfort more than anything else, and were no more than a decade old. Shed crashed a frat party a few years ago and had liked the way the overstuffed cushions had conformed to her body. Plus, they were a pretty tawny color, almost the same as Biankas eyes, so shed made sure to leave with them. No one had tried to stop her, either. Maybe because shed carried each one over her head. By herself.
Colorful vases decorated the tabletops, interspersed with personalized bobblehead dolls and the occasional stuffed squirrel in a crazy outfit. Weapons and artwork hung on the walls right beside the homemade plaques congratulating her on a job well done. Her fave: the one for giving Bianka the best birthday present everthe tongue of the man whod called her a mean, ugly hag.
There were also photos of her and her family. Bianka, as well as their younger sis, Gwen, and their older half sis, Taliyah. Kaia partying hard at clubs, Bianka winning beauty pageants, Gwen trying to hide from the camera, and Taliyah standing proudly over her kills. Mercenary that she was, she had a lot of kills.
In the kitchenKaia skidded to a halt, her heart banging frantically against her ribs. Strider. Gorgeous, sexy Strider. He sat at the pool table shed plucked from his fortress her very first visit there and now used in the breakfast nook. Food was scattered in every direction, from bags of chips to cheese slices to candy bars.
He wasnt looking at her, hadnt even glanced at her, but he had stiffened when shed stepped inside. I figured that, since these things were here, they were acceptable for you to eat. Which means I more than kept up with you. I outwitted and surpassed you.
Thanks, she said dryly. How disappointing. The one time she wanted her man to forget he had a brain, he remembered.
She leaned against the door frame and crossed her arms over her chest. Her stomach tightened, threatening to growl, but she remained in place, waiting. Only when hed gotten a good once-over would she move.
Kaia. Eat.
In a minute. Im enjoying the view. You should give it a try.
He tensed. Theres a note from your sister on the fridge. She said shes in the heavens with Lysander, and shell see you in four days for the games.
Kay.
What games? Never mind, he rushed out before she could reply. Dont tell me. I dont want to know. What perfume are you wearing? I dont like it.
Asshat. Im not wearing any perfume. And she knew he loved it. He had a weakness for cinnamon, something shed noticed while stalking, uh, hanging out with him.
Within hours of learning that little tidbit, shed stocked up on cinnamon-scented soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Stopenjoying the view and come eat, he said through clenched teeth.
Hed closed the blinds over the only window and flipped on the overhead light. Natural sunlight complemented her skin the best, but Oh, who was she kidding, acting all modest? Any light complemented her skin.
Kaia. Come. Eat. Now.
Gods, she adored that authoritative tone. She shouldnt. She should hate itbarbarians werent supposed to be attractive to modern womenbut still, she shivered. Make me. Please.
Finally his gaze skidded over to her. He was on his feet a second later, his chair sliding behind him. His mouth floundered open and closed, and his pupils dilated. He licked his lips. He reached out to grip the edge of the table, his nostrils flaring as he fought to breathe. You Your Shit!
Every pulse point hammering, she twirled. She knew what he sawrainbow shards dancing hypnotically over every inch of visible flesh, the blush of health and vitalitythe promise of seduction. You like?
As if in a trance, he moved around the table and stepped toward her. Closed the distancestopped just before he reached her and cursed. He spun, giving her his back, and tangled a hand through his hair.
Ive gotta go. His voice was hoarse, the words pushed through a river of broken glass.
What? No! You just got here. And hed been so close to making a move on her. Just the thought caused her nipples to bead and moisture to pool between her legs.
I told you, I promised Paris Id help him. I have to help him. Yeah, thats what I have to do.
Would she ever overcome his determination to resist her? Cause yeah, she wanted him, wanted to give him another chance. And another. However many he needed to get this right. Strider, I
No. No. I told you before, Im just getting over a bad relationship, and I never hook up with anyone whos dated one of my friends.
Oh, really? That bad relationship wouldnt happen to be with Haidee, would it? The woman who didnt want you? The woman who, what? Is dating one of your friends.
Silence. Such thick, awful silence.
He wasnt going to defend himself. Wasnt even going to try to explain his illogical choices and reasons. Well, hed forgiven Haidee for killing Baden. Why couldnt he forgive Kaia for sleeping with Paris?
Youre not innocent, Strider. Youve nailed more tail than you can count. In fact, last time I saw you, youd just eaten peach body lotion off a stripper. Kaia had decided then and there that peaches were the most disgusting fruit ever, and the world would be a better place without them.
Shed already written to her congressman, demanding that all orchards be burned to the ground.
I never said I was innocent. I just said
I know. You cant date anyone your friends have dated. Youre also a liar. But maybeI dont know, maybe you could sleep with one of my friends and we could call it even. Oh, gods.