“Come on, babe,” Kaia said a moment later, taking her hand and not giving her a chance to deny him. He escorted her down the breezeway and paused at the door, shrugging out of his jacket to put over her bathing suit. He glanced at her bare feet and turned, then bent slightly. “Hop on.”
Wiping her cheeks, Rebel wrapped her legs around Kaia’s waist, trusting he wouldn’t let her fall as he carried her on his back, all the way to the swings.
He set her on one, then sat beside her on the one to her right.
“Let the breeze blow through your hair a minute, then I’ll take you back inside so you can dress.”
“Your jacket is nice and warm,” she said. “I don’t mind hanging out with you a little while.”
“Let’s see who can swing the highest in thirty seconds.”
“Bet,” she said, completely up for that challenge and happy he wasn’t questioning her.
She saw the curiosity in his eyes, but he wasn’t pushing her.
“Timer is set,” he said.
She kicked off, gaining momentum with each tip of her head and thrust of her feet. He was taller than her and his legs were stronger, so he won. It didn’t matter to Rebel. The sheer joy of the moment eased her heartache.
She won their second contest.
“No fair!” she cried, laughing happily. “You let me win.”
“Can you prove it? Besides, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t concede to you when odds are so clearly stacked against you.”
“Oh, fuck off,” she said without heat, and he smiled at her.
“Come here, babe.”
Rebel slid off the swing and went to Kaia, stopping in front of him.
He stared at her mouth before he opened his thighs and pulled her into their vee, drawing her closer and slipping his fingers through her hair.
The only thing she knew how to do was press her lips against his and hope he took over, which he did, although she felt awkward and inexperienced. Following his lead and closing her eyes, she put her arms around his neck, playing with the hair at his nape.
Grunting, he took her face between his hands and pulled away.
Rebel popped her eyes open. “I wasn’t doing it right?”
He smiled and thumbed her lips. “You just need a little practice, babe.”
Embarrassed by his answer, Rebel nodded and stepped away from him. “Harley’s play is tonight, so I think I’ll take a nap.”
“Cool.”
“Would you like to be my date?” she mumbled, unable to meet his gaze.
“Sure, babe. Romeo and Juliet, right?”
“Yes,” she said with a dramatic groan. “I don’t know why they just can’t let dead motherfuckers rest. He probably bored himself to death.”
Kaia chuckled. “We’ll get through it together.”
“Okay.”
Before she hopped onto his back again, he stole another kiss from her. Rebel decided she couldn’t have been that bad if he kissed her again.
Jana walked up the pool steps and smiled at Diesel, her nude body dripping and her hair plastered to her head. She walked to where he sat on the chaise lounge Rebel had used the night Rule attacked her.
