Kaia #2
Fia came to mind again and unease slid into him.
He didn’t want Rebel, or CJ, to know he’d slept with her.
Diesel swore it would remain between the three of them.
But in the cold light of day, after Kaia had eaten her pussy, and she’d sucked and fucked him, he couldn’t shake the sense of looming disaster.
“Tell me more, Kaia.”
He shoved aside his worry and smiled at Rebel. “You’re like the thickest bathroom rug.”
She frowned. “I’m swollen?”
“No, my sweet. I want to lay you out like the thickest bathroom rug and rub myself all over you, then squeeze you in a hug.”
Blushing, she bit down on her lips; Kaia fought the urge to lean over and kiss her.
“My God, Reb! If I were a dog, I’d be in heat.”
“Uhhh, only female dogs go into heat…”
Kaia raised his hand to silence her. “If you lived with me, I wouldn’t need a light bulb because your skin shines as bright as a silvery fish. You’re my fondest wish.”
“Fish are slimy and gross.”
“Only if you touch them,” he countered. “Their scales shine and their skin reflect light. They’re beautiful, wonderful and bright.”
“These are in your notebook?”
“No, these are new lines, inspired by the vision you are.”
“You’re so brilliant.”
He puffed out his chest. “Your hair is a golden waterfall that I could swim in.”
Her smile lit up her face.
“Moon Goddess, if you ever leave me, rip out your heart to join with mine for surely it will lie in pieces. But stay with me like the seed in a peach.”
“If I ever leave you? Does that mean we’re dating?”
“Aren’t we?”
“I mean like exclusively.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes,” she answered without hesitation. “But you can’t take Momma’s job until after I’m better. They’ll never let me visit your room, so we won’t be able to watch SpongeBob and kiss.”
“She was serious?” Kaia had never wanted something more in his life.
“I think so.”
“If I take too long to accept the position, Mrs. Caldwell may find someone else.”
“I hope she does,” Rebel said. “I don’t want you to miss this opportunity, but I know our new relationship will be altered.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“I know my father and my brothers. They will get you involved in the club and throw all these girls in your path. Momma means well. They don’t.”
Guilt tasted bitter in Kaia’s gut. “They want to protect you.”
“They want me to die a virgin. And, considering I almost did, they should back off and let me experience life.”
Unable to stop himself, Kaia stood, set his notepad on the chair, walked to Rebel and bent, brushing his lips over hers. He ignored the oxygen tube running out of her nose, her IVs, and all her bandages. “Your breath smells like the sweetest of pears and baby formula.”
“Oh. Um, o-okay.”
“If I were a drug addict, one sniff of you would give me a high.”
“You’re silly,” she said, laughing.
“If you were a football, I would tackle you every day.”
Rebel’s eyes shone. “One day, scientists will want to study your brain and discover how one human could be so brilliant.”
He tangled his fingers through her hair, then palmed her cheek. “You’re my queen bee and I want to pollinate your honey. I want to dip my comb into your pot.”
“That is so romantic, my drone.”
He laughed, amazed at her acuity.
“I accept your offer, so I’ll ask Momma if you can move into the treehouse. CJ barely visits after Harley fucked over him.” Her eyes gleamed. “It’s just there. We don’t want anyone else laying claim to it.”
Kaia pulled his hand away, backed to the chair, and sat.
When he felt the notebook underneath him, he shifted and took it in his hand again before addressing her idea.
“I know I’m from a humble background, but a treehouse is a little below even my standards.
I need a place to use the bathroom and shower.
” A kitchen would be nice as well. He doubted Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell allowed staff to break bread with them.
“CJ’s treehouse has a big main room with all kinds of stuff. TV, games, stereo system. On the second floor, there’s a bedroom and a bathroom. It’s actually like a mini apartment in a tree. You know? A fucking treehouse.”
Kaia couldn’t imagine what she meant. Her description didn’t sound like any treehouse he’d ever played in. “Maybe CJ can give me a tour.”
“He’s angry with you for something.”
Kaia picked up on that, too. He didn’t know what he’d done, so he wouldn’t stress about it. “It’s all good.”
“It must be serious. My brother doesn’t get angry for no reason.”
She had the most perfect face. “Your nose is as straight as an elf ladder,” he complimented.
“I’ll accept that, since elves are small.”
“Oh, darling, you’re gorgeous,” he drawled. “You’re the chi to my huahua.”
“I love being your chi,” she said happily. “That can be our nicknames. I’m Chi and you’re Huahua.”
“I prefer Moon Goddess,” he said as the door opened. “You’re the Moon to my Sokka.”
“You like Avatar: The Last Airbender, too?”
He nodded. “You?”
“I love it—”
“Hey, sweetheart,” Diesel interrupted, drawing their attention in his direction.
Kaia gulped at seeing Fia next to him. Diesel smirked.
“Hey, Reb,” Fia greeted, then nodded to Kaia. “Long time no see.”
“You know Fia?” Rebel asked.
Kaia threw Diesel a desperate plea. “We met at Nyx’s initiation.”
“I forgot you went there.” Rebel looked at Fia. “You, Tauriel, and Tennysee can visit. That bitch better not come near me.”
Fia shifted. “She can never—”
“That won’t be a problem, sweetheart.” Diesel walked to Rebel, bent, and kissed her forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“Intruded upon,” she snapped, “so get the fuck out. My boyfriend and I were talking.”
Diesel glanced over his shoulder at Kaia, the look in his eyes cold and vengeful. Immediately, Kaia understood he’d been set up. “Boyfriend? That’s interesting.”
Kaia jumped up and rushed to the foot of Rebel’s bed, note book in hand. “Let me read you–”
“Wouldn’t you say Rebel referring to Kaia as her boyfriend is interesting, Fia?” Diesel pressed. “Didn’t you two fuck last night?”
Rebel gasped, but Diesel didn’t look in her direction. He stared at Kaia.
“Reb, I didn’t sleep with that girl,” Kaia blurted, the betrayal on Rebel’s face cutting through him.
Sucking his teeth, Diesel wagged a finger at him. “Not only are you a liar, but a cheat. After I fucked Fia, you licked her pussy.”
“What?” Rebel cried, paling.
“Rebel, listen to me,” Kaia started.
“Tell her, Fia,” Diesel insisted. “Tell Rebel how you sucked her boyfriend’s cock.”
A sob escaped Rebel, and Kaia had never felt lower.
“Let me explain. Please, babe,” he said desperately.
“Get out,” she cried. “I never want to see you again.”
Alarm surged into Kaia. “Rebel, please. Let me tell you my side.”
“Fuck you,” she snarled around tears. “There is no fucking side I want to hear. If you ever fucking look at me again, I will fucking kill you.”
“What’s going on in here?” They all froze at the chill in Mrs. Caldwell’s voice. She rolled her IV pole next to Fia, her look as cold as her tone. “What are you doing in my daughter’s room?”
Fia’s throat worked. “Visiting her,” she said, barely audible, Rebel’s sniffles almost drowning out her words.
“It sounds as if you’re upsetting her, Fia, which makes me very unhappy. Do you really want to do that?”
“N-no, Meggie…Mrs. Caldwell…Miss Meggie,” Fia stammered.
“Christopher told me something very interesting about Nyx,” Mrs. Caldwell said, lifting a brow. “Would you like to meet her wherever she ended up?”
“N-n-n-n-n-o.” Fia gulped. “N-no, M-Meggie.”
“If you set foot in Rebel’s room, you’ll be as dead as Nyx.”
Rebel swiped her cheeks and licked her lips. “Nyx is dead?”
“Quite,” Mrs. Caldwell said, glaring at Diesel.
“Aunt Meggie—”
“You really want a beating, don’t you, son? Christopher pinioning your hand wasn’t effective. Should it have been your ear nailed to a board?”
Diesel shoved his hands into his pockets. “No.”
“I’m explaining myself once. Rebel likes Kaia. You aren’t playing games with her life to suit your whims. I will never like the idea of you and her. You’re my son, moron.”
Diesel nodded.
“You don’t want to test me, son. I’m more than fed up. You especially don’t want to test me with any of the club girls who were loyal to Nyx.”
Fia burst into tears. “No! I wasn’t, Meggie. I swear. I lied—”
Mrs. Caldwell raised her hand and Fia snapped her mouth shut.
“Did you sleep with Kaia, Fia?”
“No!” she said wildly. “No, I swear. God, I swear. I’d never cross you.”
“Hurting my daughter crosses me,” Mrs. Caldwell said evenly, a message Kaia got loud and clear, even if she wasn’t addressing him.
Fia began to shake. “I didn’t…I swear. Diesel…we thought it would be a good laugh. Kaia…Kaia…he’s…Diesel said he’s…he’s…an emo. Too sentimental for Rebel.”
“He’s perfect for Rebel,” Mrs. Caldwell replied. “Interfere again at your own risk.”
Covering her face, Fia sobbed so fiercely Kaia almost felt sorry for her. But if Mrs. Caldwell hadn’t come in, Fia and Diesel would’ve fucked up whatever he had with Rebel.
“What the fuck’s going on?” CJ walked back into the room, halted and took in the scene, then scowled at Diesel. “Asshole.” He placed a hand on Fia’s shoulder and steered her toward the door. “I’ll walk her out, Mom.”
Mrs. Caldwell went to Rebel and kissed her cheek. “I’ll call the nurse for a pain med, love.” Once she straightened and summoned the nurse, she crooked her finger at Diesel. “I need to talk to you.” She nodded to Kaia. “You as well.”
Kaia walked to Rebel and kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
She nodded. “Okay,” she said hoarsely, believing Fia’s words .
Out in the hallway, Mrs. Caldwell leaned against the wall and groaned.
“Aunt Meggie, are you okay?”
“I’m in pain. Let me speak so I can get back to bed.” She curled her lip at Kaia and he shrank bank. “I already know the truth, ” she spat. “When Bishop heard you were here, he told me you slept with Fia. He showed me a video.”
Embarrassment sweeping through him, Kaia turned to Diesel. “You said it would be a secret.”
“And you’re the idiot who believed him, so the fault is with you,” Mrs. Caldwell said.
“Sleep with whoever you choose, but don’t lead my daughter on.
She’s young and not ready for that type of entanglement or such a betrayal.
Do not lead her on. Tell her you can only be friends with her.
When she’s older, then, perhaps, you can date. ”
Rebel wanted exclusivity. She wanted to experience normal teenage life. If Kaia followed her mother’s orders, she’d turn away from him. “Give me a chance to make up what I did. Please?” he begged.
Ignoring him, Mrs. Caldwell thumped Diesel’s shoulder and wagged her finger at him. “Stop with your games. I expect better from you.” With one last look at both of them, she turned and dragged herself into the room.
Kaia and Diesel studied each other. From the moment they met when Diesel came to football practice one evening, he and Kaia had been friendly. Now, that had changed. It was obvious Diesel disliked him.
CJ walked through the double doors, minus Fia, and headed to where Kaia and Diesel stood at the end of the hallway, near the nurse’s station.
“You’re getting your life on track, Diesel,” CJ said. “Stop fucking with Rebel.”
“I brought Fia to Kaia as a test, CJ,” Diesel said. “I wanted to see if he could be faithful. He failed.”
“I’m sorry, CJ,” Kaia said. “It won’t happen again.”
“You’re a lying motherfucker,” CJ told Diesel, ignoring Kaia’s heartfelt apology.
“You must think I’m a fucking idiot. You brought Fia to Kaia to do exactly what the fuck you did.
Tell Rebel. If you’re too fucking selfish to realize she’s been through enough these past few days, I’m not.
Stop fucking with her or I’m telling Dad. ”
“She isn’t old enough to date,” Diesel said.
“That’s not up to you,” CJ retorted, gave him one last look, then disappeared inside his mother and sister’s room.
“If you’re really about to move in with some woman, can’t you give me a chance to date Rebel?” Kaia asked cautiously.
Diesel shrugged. “You aren’t good enough for her.”
“Who is then?”
Diesel glanced away. “I already know that you only had football going for you. You got into Ridge Moore because of it. You were just lucky that you were injured in your last year. Otherwise, Ridge Moore’s financial aid would’ve been gone just like your college scholarships were.
You’re destined to be stuck in a dead-end life with a dead-end wife. I promise you you’ll never get Rebel.”
Kaia knew what he was. He’d only had football, family, and poetry.
Football had been his way up. But Rebel really liked him.
There was no artifice about her. He wasn’t a hotshot jock anymore.
She wasn’t after him for sex, although she’d agreed to it, whether or not she knew it.
She didn’t pretend she wasn’t hungry and she wasn’t afraid to tell him what she expected.
He’d shown her the only thing he could. Himself. And that had been enough.
Although Diesel had gray eyes, Kaia noted his black hair, his athletic physique and his brooding air. Maybe Rebel liked him so much because of his close resemblance to Diesel. She’d admitted to her crush.
In the grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter. Mrs. Caldwell presented him with a chance to better himself. Perhaps that was the only way he could win Rebel.
“I don’t understand what you suddenly have against me, Diesel,” Kaia said, considering how Diesel called him out of the blue to party with him. “I met Rebel because that’s how you, CJ, and Outlaw wanted it.”
“It was CJ’s idea. Not mine.”
“He still gave the order, and I followed it.”
Diesel scowled. “You weren’t supposed to get into her, asshole.”
Seriously, what the fuck was Kaia missing?
“What’s it to you, dude?” he asked in frustration. “Your attitude goes beyond fucking brotherly concern. You sound jealous.”
That was a wild notion. Diesel was nine or ten years older than Kaia, which made him over a dozen years older than Rebel. However, Diesel offered zero denial.
It was as if he’d set up Kaia to sleep with Fia and then have Rebel find out because he saw her as his possession—
Kaia’s gaze flew to Diesel’s.
Oh.
Anger and resentment brewed in those stormy gray eyes.
Kaia’s prevailing thought: Ew.