This is no time to grow a conscience.
After all the shit he’s pulled on me, I’m entitled to some payback.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kai pulls the car into a parking lot of a small shopping mall and parks the car. He gets out, without uttering a word, rounds the front of the car, and opens my door. “Out.”
“Is that anyway to speak to your baby momma?” I chastise.
“You have ten seconds to get your ass out of that seat or I’m turning around and going back. It’s no skin off my nose if you want to continue borrowing Faye’s shit.”
I scramble out of the car, trailing behind him as we approach the row of storefronts. It’s bitterly cold today, and a harsh wind swirls around me, causing me to shiver uncontrollably. He comes to a halt in front of me, turning around as he unzips his jacket.
“I don’t—”
He places his hand over my mouth as he slips off his jacket. “Don’t test me.”
I say nothing as he puts the jacket on me, zipping it up to my chin, and I fight the delicious tremors running riot throughout my body as his hands brush against me. Taking my hand, he walks with purpose toward the store at the far end on the right-hand side.
“I’ll wait outside. Let me know when you’re done,” he says, without looking at me, when we reach our destination. Flattening his back against the window of the women’s clothing store, he settles in to wait, stretching out his long legs and crossing his ankles at the feet.
I move to enter the store when he clamps a hand down on my arm. “Grab a warm jacket. Weather forecast isn’t great for the next couple weeks. There’s even talk of snow.”
I bob my head before pushing through the double doors into the store. I grab a cart and start loading up on essentials. They don’t have a huge selection, and it’s hardly haute couture, but what they have is stylish and good quality, and it should last me until I can figure out a way to get the hell away from here. I toss some makeup and toiletries in the cart too, bringing them to the girl at the counter to ring up. Her eyes are out on stalks as she surveys my stash, and I’m guessing they get little business around here.
I poke my head out the door. “I need cash.”
Removing his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, he pulls out a wad of bills, thrusting it in my fist. “If you need more, let me know.”
I pay the pretty cashier, and as I’m reaching for the bags, the door swings open, and I sense him invading my airspace. The cashier’s eyes light up in interest, and she unbuttons a couple buttons on top of her shirt and leans forward on the counter as Kai approaches, ensuring he’s got a perfect view of her cleavage.
If I wasn’t so pissed, it might impress me. Girl’s got game. And balls as big as any guy because it’s clear he’s here for me, yet that doesn’t stop her flirting her ass off. “Hi there.” She flashes him a blinding smile. “Is there something I can help you with today?”
“I don’t know,” he says, shooting her a blinding smile in return. “What are you offering?”
“Whatever you like,” she purrs in response, and she’s just short of jumping over the counter and throwing herself at him.
I might as well be invisible, and my claws come out. “Sorry, I didn’t get your name,” I say, turning around and inspecting her name badge. “Candy.” I shove the bags into Kai’s chest and plant my hands on my hips. “Someone should have a word with your parents. That’s way too sweet of a name for a dirty ho.”
Her face transforms, a look of heated indignation appearing on her features. She straightens up, attempting to look down her nose at me. “Excuse me?”
“I wonder what your boss would think about you flirting so obviously—and pathetically, I might add—with the customers’ boyfriends.”
Her shoulders stiffen. “He was flirting withme,” she says, all smug and superior. “And is it any wonder if he’s stuck with a bitch like you?”
I’m opening my mouth to retaliate when Kai drops the bags, reels me back, and leans forward, putting his face all up in hers. “That’s my baby momma you’re disrespecting, so I’d tread carefully if I was you.” His voice reeks of danger, and I just know he’s giving her one of his lethal stares. The kind to dampen your panties and scare the shit out of you at the same time.
She’s all flustered, and her mouth is opening and shutting like a fish out of water.
“Are we done?” I ask, inspecting my nails and sounding bored on purpose.
“We’re done, babe.” Kai pushes off the counter, grabbing my face and planting a quick hard kiss on my lips. My head is spinning when he slings his arm around my shoulders and steers me out of the store.
“You two nutjobs deserve one another,” she screams after us, and I burst out laughing.
“Truer words have never been spoken,” Kai deadpans, winking at me as we walk toward the car. “And I needed to prove a point,” he adds.
“Okay. I’ll bite.”
