Page 227 of A Warrior's Fate

“Oh.”

It was the only word Isla could manage. So soft and cracked, it was barely audible. She willed her tears to remain at bay. Nothing had happened yet. No.

No.

Nothing would.

There was even a gleam in Kai’s gaze as he brought both of his hands to her face, echoing her thoughts. “It’s going to be fine. Just think of it as my own peace of mind. Theirs, too.”

Despite the words, Isla still felt like her chest had caved in. Her limbs were shaky as panic still slithered beneath her skin. “Okay.”

Kai leaned forward to press his mouth to hers, and the action made Isla feel worse before it did better. A further reminder of what there was to lose.

He pulled back and, noticing the tear that had slid down her cheek, swiped it away with his thumb. “We’re going to be okay,” he reassured her, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Isla nodded, and then closed the distance between them again, kissing him deeply before she retreated to wrap her arms around his neck and lean into him.

He held her in silence, tight to his body, as she buried her face in the crook of his shoulder. She wasn’t sure how long they remained like that—her listening to the sounds of his breathing, feeling his heartbeat against her chest, lulling with the way he rubbed his hands soothingly up and down her back—but eventually, he began pressing his lips to her neck.

Kai worked his way up her skin, back to her mouth, before kissing her one last time.

“Come on. No more challenge talk,” he said, letting amusement adorn his tone, shine in his eyes. “Let’s go get drunk, I’ll show you how to play cards, and maybe,” Another kiss. “Maybe we’ll get laid.”

Isla snorted and took a breath, albeit shakily, to pull herself together. To find comfort in the present, in their little games.

“If you’re lucky,” she teased, her hands dropping to trail down his chest. “I’m not sure about your chances. You still should’ve told me.”

“Make me pay for it, then.”

Isla raised her brows at the dare, lightly tugging on her lip with her teeth as she lowered her hands to run over his thighs. Close to certain precious parts—but not close enough. “You’re going to regret saying that.”

Kai tensed beneath her touch but laughed. “I’ll deal with the consequences.”

The kiss they shared this time—with Kai’s tongue a sweeping tease along the seam of her lips—made Isla feel molten inside, made her skin feel too tight over her body and her clothes become too much. A kiss that blew the rest of the world, all other existence, away. That usually led to…

“Kai,” Isla moaned his name over his mouth, the soft sound a weakness of his he’d stupidly divulged to her.

He tightened his hold on her waist, just as she’d expected and wanted, and timed perfectly with a pounding knock at the shop’s door. Isla pulled away from him—as she’d initially planned to begin this night of teasing and “making him pay”—while Kai grumbled.

“Screw on your own time!” Ameera yelled so loud they could hear it through the door. “Let’s go!”

“Almost done!” Isla shouted back before turning to Kai, whose eyes were narrowed at her.

“Cruel.”

“You asked for it,” she taunted before her tone became serious again. “I don’t think she’s okay.”

Kai knew who she was talking about and gazed at the shut door. He raked a hand through his hair. “I know, but Ameera will say something when she needs someone. That’s how she is. If we push too early, she shuts down and shuts out.”

“And if we push too late?”

“We haven’t let that happen,” Kai said. His brows drew together in perplexity. “Is he really going to try to sleep with her?”

Sebastian.

“I can almost guarantee an attempt will be made.”

Kai blanched. “Good luck to him, then. I know I promised I’d keep them safe from many things, but I’m not sure I can assure protection against Ameera.”

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