Page 11 of The Magic of Discovery
Whew.
He really was a beautiful man. Dark bronze skin, with light, oak-colored eyes that looked like they were glowing. The best way I could describe his body was beefcake. A deliciously yummy, beefy cake. With broad shoulders and big arms, he was seriously edible. His dark hair was longer, not quite to his shoulders, and it had thick bouncy curls that any woman would be jealous of. Before I could process what I was doing, I ran my hand through his hair.
Girl, you do not belong in the public eye. What are you doing? But oh, so soft. Can I rub my body on it?
Surprisingly, it was Cam’s deep as fuck rumbling laughter that had my eyes widening before I snatched my hand back. Fischer was staring at me with an expression I couldn’t place, but if a dude had done that to me, I would be thinking of an escape plan right the fuck now.Why am I so fucking weird?
“Oh, moon maidens! I am so, so sorry. I don’t know what came over me just then. I was just thinking about how you’re the definition of a beefcake, then I got focused on that glorious mane of curls...” Fischer, bless him, was smiling and nodding despite his cheeks reddening. He was taking my forwardness really well, thank goodness.Best not to have them thinking I’m going to be some kind of creeper that lurks and waits for the best moment to feel up their hair. That would be awkward.All four of the guys were now staring at me with varying degrees of amusement, Sloane laughing the loudest.
“It’s okay, Saige. I like your hair too.” He reached out and tugged on one of my braids before slightly running his fingertips along my neck, the touch so soft I wondered if I’d imagined it. “Now we’re even.” Winking, he walked over to the grill to throw in some charcoal bricks, and Kai slid in beside him to light it up.
Have you ever felt a rapid cycle of emotions, two of which included embarrassment and arousal? It was a vicious circle. I just went from gazing at the object of said arousal, being embarrassed that I outed my own damn self for being aroused, and then back to being ready to get dicked down all in the span of a minute.I need a drink.
“Anyone else ready for a beer?” I asked, sounding chipper as fuck as I hopped off the table, beelining for the cooler on wheels.
Everyone was down to clown with some booze, so I was happy to play bartender for a moment and pass them out.
I sat with Kai while he grilled, passing the time drinking and laughing. The other three guys were all throwing a football around in the open meadow beside the lake.
“So, for real, what brings four guys to Emerald Lakes on such short notice?” I questioned, keeping my eyes locked on the others. They looked so carefree. Sloane was sprinting across the grass, heading right for Cam, attempting to intercept the football that Fischer had launched toward them. Just as it looked like he might actually pull it off, a white blur shot into my line of sight out of nowhere and collided with Sloane, knocking him off balance. Maven rolled fluidly and shook himself out when he stood upright again, and Cam and Fish were losing it. My smile widened as Sloane stood up and mock disciplined the white fox, pointing his finger at him and saying something about, ‘supposed to be friends’ and ‘we’re the president and vice-president of the Grumpy Guys Club.’That’s almost... adorable.Kaito’s voice pulled my attention back to him.
“We work for Radical Inc.” He looked at me as he flipped a burger, and when I nodded to show I knew the company, he continued. “Our boss sent us here to scout a property that’s in Kingstown. It’s an old factory warehouse that’s been vacant for a little while now, and Rad is always looking to expand into new areas. We’re in Emerald Lakes because, first of all, it was the only town that was close and had an immediate vacancy for an apartment large enough for the four of us. Second, we don’t want to run into any competitors in Kingstown and set off alarms that we’re in the market to buy.”
Kingstown was the biggest city I had ever been in, and it was only fifteen miles from here.
“Emerald Lakes is for sure the right choice if you’re trying to be discreet. We don’t get a lot of businessmen.” I paused to think. “Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any businessmen come through here, so your secret is safe.”
“This place kind of reminds me of where the guys and I are from. We all grew up in the same town. It had a bit larger of a population, but it was a tight knit community,” Kai replied, still focused on his task, but his face had softened, and I just knew he was reliving something from his past.Whatever it was, I’m glad it was positive.While he had his moment, I eyed the waiting food. The corn husks were already starting to get some char on them, and the burgers smelled so damn good. He picked up his beer and downed about half of it, my gaze hungrily fixed on his throat as he drank the cool liquid.Why is that so hot?
I squirmed in my seat, searching for a way to distract my hormones. “So what’s your affinity?”
Kai’s eyes snapped up from the grill, and he gave me a smile that was bordering on predatory. For such a lighthearted and funny man, I had already seen his eyes flash several times with the kind of darkness that promised bite marks and adrenaline. The kind of darkness I wanted to dive into.
“I’m a shifter mage,” he growled. Legitgrowledlike a jungle cat. I clamped my thighs together even harder.
“Wow, that’s so cool. I can’t even imagine how amazing that must be to shift into another creature. What’s your animal?”
“I’m a black panther. He awakened when I was thirteen. That was a bitch, being a teenage boy in the height of puberty and then also having to contend with a literal beast taking up part of my psyche. I named him Bagheera, just likeThe Jungle Book.” The look on Kai’s face when he was talking about Bagheera was the cutest shit ever. He was like a proud papa, eyes shining with love.
The two of us worked seamlessly to finish up the food as I asked him questions. “Do you call him Baggie? Or would he get pissed about that? Because I think Baggie is super cute.” I smiled widely at him.
A loud purr came from Kai, and his eyes widened in shock. “I do not call him Baggie, but judging by the purr that he just unleashed, I think he’s okay withyoucalling him that. Typically, he’s not big on new people, but right now he’s rolling around on his back like a kitten.”
“Oh my gosh, he’s so loud!” Thinking about a big cat like Baggie rolling around like a little baby, I could hardly contain my glee. Just then, Maven jumped up on the table and knocked my beer over. Thankfully, it was almost empty, but by the stars, he was a jealous little thing.
“Mave! What’s wrong with you? Unless we’re snuggling in bed, you act like you’re too good for me, but now you’re getting all possessive.” I grabbed his little white snout and pushed his ears forward so he had a scrunchy face going on.
He raised his right paw and placed it on my forearm before giving my nose a speedy lick.
“Yes, you’re a good boy and also the cutest. You’llalwaysbe my favorite,” I reassured the sensitive fox, and just to get back into his good graces, I grabbed a slice of cheese and held it out for him. He chittered at me, grabbed the offering, and then ran off to eat his earnings. Taking note that Kai was almost done with taking everything off the grill, I scooted off the table and started taking out the plates and napkins.
“Damn. You just got played by a fox,” Sloane chuckled.
I hadn’t seen the guys approaching, but here they were.Shirtless, except for Cam, and my brain just melted. I was looking like such a thirsty ass bitch, but I accepted that.It’s been too long, and these dudes...Eek!Kai came up behind me, setting the platters of burgers and corn down in the middle of the table.
“Let’s eat, boys!” Cam proclaimed. Then he looked at me and added, “And Saige.”
I giggled.Why does he make me giggle so much? What the hell is happening to me?
