Page 86 of Kai
“I hope you’re right.” I smirked and crossed my arms. “Like my namesake, I know a lot about chemistry. You wanted to know? That’s also my witch’s take on witching. Shriveling someone’s dick would be oh, so easy.”
Javier barely disguised a wince.
“For my sister’s sake, try not to turn into a pig,” I continued. “If you ever hurt Missy, if you break her heart, Iwillcome after you.”
“Noted,” Javier rushed to say. “But I’d rather die before I hurt Missy.”
“Best answer you’ve given all night.” I widened my smirk before I whirled, opened the slider, and, tugging on my towel, hesitated at the threshold.
“One last thing, so that we’re clear,” I tossed over my shoulder, keeping up my bravado to the last moment, for my sister’s benefit. “I’mtheonlyAstor witch you’ll ever have to worry about.” I twirled my fingers in the air. “Night, night, boys.Have a nice swim.”
***
Kai
“Wowzers.” Guzman let out a rush of air, trailing Cece’s departure with wide eyes.
“Stop ogling her.” It was hard enough that I’d had a hellish boner the entire time she’d been standing before us, tempting me as if she was a nymph herself. Dealing with Guzman’s irreverence? It wasn’t gonna go well, not tonight.
“I was talking about her temper,” Guzman clarified, his voice tainted with resignation. “That’s a walking, burning wildfire if I’ve ever seen one.”
“She’s powered by dynamite,” Bozeman observed with insight I didn’t know he had. “Interesting, albeit explosive.”
“She’s a blast waiting to happen,” Guzman agreed. “And Bozeman, get with the fucking times. Who the hell says ‘albeit’ in this day and age?”
“I do,” Granite stated as he donned his tank. “There’s no shame in speaking the language well. Now, let’s go before she comes back and burns you alive.”
“She’s tough, man,” Goof muttered, putting on his tank, rearranging his gear and fastening his carbine to his back. “I mean, Missy warned me that Cece was protective of her, but tonight? She was really fired up.”
“You deserved what you got.” I stepped up to check his equipment. “Cece’s been through a lot. If she thinks you’re a threat, she’ll treat you like one. It’s not fair to judge her in one night.”
“Who the hell is judging?” Guzman said as I inspected his tubes, gauges, and valves. “Sometimes my teasing goes too far. I come across as a jerk. I’m working on it, but I’m stunned. Your woman—”
“You heard her.” With a yank, I tightened his diving belt,fighting a surge of aggravation. “She’snotmy woman.”
“Yet,” Guzman quipped, making a show of wincing. “She will be soon.”
“What makes you say that?” I asked, moving to check the fastenings on his back.
“She didn’t get… um, what should I call it?” He tossed his annoying grin over his shoulders. “She didn’t get dressed up for Micah or me. Or should I say, dressed down?”
“It’s been a long night,” I groused. “You don’t wanna piss me off.”
“I didn’t think that was possible, Chill King.” Guzman slid up his neoprene hood and perched his mask on his head. “Anyway, I was gonna say that your woman has an amazing—”
I almost snapped. “If you comment about her ass, I’m gonna punch you black and blue.”
“Dude, let me finish,” he said as he got busy checking Bozeman’s diving gear. “Your chill is flickering on and off tonight. It’s a side of you I’ve never seen before, but I get it. What I was trying to say is that your woman has an amazing amount of courage and that she’s fierce. She was riding me hard, testing me to make sure I’m good enough for Missy. I can’t fault her for that.”
“Well, I’ll be.” I came around and stared at Guzman. “I’m impressed. You noticed that?”
“Of course I did.” Guzman tapped his finger on one of Granite’s gauges to make sure it was functioning properly. “I’ve got some insight. Occasionally.”
“I concur with that assessment,” Bozeman said, checking his cylinders. “The woman was evaluating Guzman’s performance. I’m not certain he passed muster. At best, he’s on probation, but she gets high marks from me. She’s a worthy opponent. She would make an excellent Marine drill instructor.”
“Well, fuck me.” I chuckled. “For once, you two agree onsomething.”
Guzman grabbed his fins. “If Missy is as smooth and sweet as Texas tea, Cece is as sharp and tart as key lime pie. And before you give me shit, Texas tea and key lime pie are both delish.”
