My skin erupted in a million tingles, making me feel like I was shivering when I was perfectly still. Before he couldretract his hand completely, I caught his wrist.
His breath stuttered.
I felt his eyes, but I focused on his hand and pulled it up, dropping a light kiss to his knuckles. “Thanks, Pip.”
He let out a little squeak and stumbled back.
“Uhhh, how do you two know each other?” Haz’s voice cut into the tension between us.
Frankly, I’d forgotten they were even there.
“He treated me like a prostitute once and then disappeared,” Pip said casually, latching the first aid kit.
“Would you stop saying that?” I hollered.
Haz nodded empathetically. “Kieran called me a prostitute once too.”
Kieran made a rude noise. “For shit’s sake, I told you I was sorry.”
“C’mon, you can tell me about it in the kitchen.” Haz gestured. “Kieran made us French toast too.”
“He did?” Rett seemed surprised.
Not used to people doing anything for him.
Haz nodded. “I would have made it, but he seems to think I’m going to burn down the house.”
“Accurate,” I sang.
“I really should be going,” Rett said, shuffling on his feet.
Pretty sure those were my least favorite words in existence.
“Do you have to work?” Haz asked.
“Not until later.”
“Oh good, then you can stay since we didn’t get to havepizza yesterday.”
“Well, I would like to know what that was all about,” Rett hedged. “Who were those guys that came to the Neon Reef?”
“Nothing you need to be involved in,” I said, hoping he got the message loud and clear.
He glanced over his shoulder at me, but then Haz grabbed his arm. “Come on before it gets cold.”
He started away without so much as a backward glance, and I tossed the blankets back to follow. Letting him out of my sight seemed like a disastrous idea.
Kieran stepped in my path and shook his head. “We need to talk.”
“Later.” I brushed him off.
He caught my arm. “Now.”
I turned and met his stare. We were made of the same thing, he and I. So his bristly attitude and murderous inclinations did nothing to intimidate me. I just matched his energy, which left us basically at a stalemate.
Still holding my stare, Kieran called out, “Rett.”
I bristled instantly, and I swear there was a streak of glee running through his scrutinizing gaze.Oh, no, he did not.
