A Little Harmless Addiction(8)

“Cynthia, oh, God, I am so happy for you.”

She smiled. “I am pretty happy too. We weren’t really trying, but since Anna and Max—you know Max, Chris’s best friend, had their first three months ago, I started having the pangs.”

“You haven’t told anyone else?”

She shook her head and stopped to look at Jocelyn. “I wanted to tell family first, and since you’re my sister, I thought it would be nice. I’ll tell Chris tonight after the party.”

“I’m going to be an auntie.”

Cynthia laughed. “You sure are. Now come on and meet Dee.”



Kai watched as Jocelyn and the other women stood around talking. He was trying not to pay attention to her, but he couldn’t seem to keep himself from looking at her. It was understandable. The night he had met her he had been intrigued by her big doe eyes and that curvy body. Now though, she’d had rest and adjusted to island time and she was nothing short of stunning. It was going to take more control than he thought he had to keep his hands off her. He would have to. There was no doubt about that. She might look like she had everything together, but now that he knew her background, he could see the signs. She rarely let men touch her, unless it was her brother. She’d shake hands when offered, but she kept the contact brief.

He turned to check the cooler to make sure they had enough drinks and almost ran into Chris. He was trying to look like he had casually walked up behind Kai, as if he had not a care in the world. But Kai read the intent in his eyes.

Shit.

“Hey, Kai.”

He knew that tone, had heard it come out of his mouth many a time when dealing with men who were interested in his sister. “Hey.”

“What are you doing?” Chris asked casually. Too casually.

“I was going to check the cooler to make sure we had enough to drink. Then I was going to go in and grab the rainbow salad.”

Chris frowned. He was an easygoing guy and it was one of the things that Kai liked about him. From the time he had hired May, Kai had felt comfortable with Chris. That was until tonight.

“I was sort of surprised Jocelyn didn’t say anything yesterday about meeting you.”

Kai shrugged. “Maybe I didn’t make an impression on her.”

Chris said nothing for a moment or two, but one eyebrow rose as he studied Kai. “Oh, I have a feeling it’s the other way around.”

Kai rolled his eyes. “Look, Chris, say what you came over here to say. I have things I gotta get done. If May’s cookout isn’t perfect, you know how mean she can get.”

His lips twitched. May’s boss knew well and good that you didn’t mess with May’s plans. “I just wanted you to know I really like you, but my sister…she isn’t…”

“May said she had some trouble. Don’t worry. While I think your sister is stunning, I promise hands off.”

Again, Chris studied Kai and he had to fight the urge to fidget. But after a few moments, Chris’s shoulders relaxed and he grinned. “Thanks. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but she’s had a hard time. She is just getting back on track.”

“No problem.”

“With everything that happened, she lost her boyfriend and most of her working relationships. It was really hard on her.”

Kai shook his head. “Believe me, I know what it’s like to be in a bad relationship.”

A knowing look came into Chris’s eyes and Kai needed to escape.

“I better get that rainbow salad.”

Chris said nothing but nodded as Kai turned to walk back into the house. Kai hated that everyone knew about Keisha and what she had done to him. He had always been private about the women he dated, but when they had gotten serious, everyone had figured it out. Keisha had worked at Rough ’n Ready as a waitress while they were dating. The whole sad thing played had out in front of his family.

The one thing he couldn’t handle now was the careful handling. He hated it, but he used it at the same time. He avoided questions and people assumed it was because he was still hurting.

He’d just taken the first swig of beer when his brother-in-law sauntered into the kitchen. He would have never picked a man like Evan for his sister. Hell, he didn’t want to think about the way their relationship had started at Evan’s BDSM club, but Kai knew without a doubt, Evan was dedicated to May.

“You’re a brave man, Evan.”

He smiled and spread his hands wide. “What do you mean?”

Kai tsked. “Late to a party that May is throwing. I wouldn’t want to be you, bra.”

He laughed. “Ah, but she loves me more than she loves you. And you shouldn’t be talking. I take it you’re in here to do her bidding.”