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Did someone turn the heat up? Did I get my seasons wrong and it’s really summer? Because holy forking spork, man. I might be on fire. Call the fire department. No, wait, don’t. I don’t need the added fantasy about men in uniform saving kittens from trees right before dousing me with their hoses.
Damnit!Too late.
“I-” I clear my throat, my breathing coming out in shallow quick bursts.
“Don’t worry, Wicked. I’m just stubborn enough to make even your icy heart melt.”
That’s what I’m worried about. Kai Zhao is not boyfriend material. He likes the chase, thrives on it even. But he won’t consume his quarry. He’ll just leave it wounded and dying for the next predator to come around and toy with.
This is a dangerous game.
But fuck if that doesn’t just excite me more.
12
The familiar bells ring as I swing open the door to my favorite coffee place in town, smiling as the delicious smell of the roasted beans flood my senses. Gizmo and Snitch rush around my feet to enter and I breathe deeply, reaching for the auras in the joint, only to end up disappointed when I realize Lin isn’t behind the counter.
Tiny like me, but with a far more fiery attitude, Lin is the owner of ‘Flick’n The Bean’ and has been somewhat of a friend ever since I moved in down the street. She knows my order and makes it to perfection every damn time. Plus, she has a no nonsense, all business attitude that I can appreciate. We aren’t friends in the true sense of the word, but we respect each other, and I honestly prefer it.
But, Lin isn’t behind the counter, it’s someone new.
“Hi, is Lin here?” I approach the register and ask politely.
See, I can be nice.
“No, sorry, she had to run out. But I am more than equipped to help you withanything.” The man’s voice is somewhat deep with a southern twang to it, and his aura flairs with interest.
Fuck. He’s totally flirting with me.
“Right…” I spout off my order–a white chocolate mocha iced coffee with an extra shot of espresso–before calling behind me. “What do you boys want?”
“Coffee. Black,” Nic grunts at me like he’s barely holding his attitude back.
“Same,” Ezra supplies in his calm, deep tone.
But Kai? No, Kai just can’t be that easy. He surfaces behind me, pressing against my ass just enough to border on inappropriate as he snakes his arms around my waist and leans his head on my shoulder. “I think I’ll take an order of Wicked, extra glazed.”
“Oh my God, ew! Please stop!” I shove my hands over my ears and shoot an apologetic frown at the guy behind the counter. Not that he will necessarily be able to see because of my shades, but oh well. “What coffee do you want, you freaking child?”
“Fine!” Kai sighs exaggeratedly before planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek and stepping away. “I’ll just take whatever you’re getting.”
“Make that two of the iced white chocolate mochas, please.” I pointedly ignore Kai as he jumps up and sits on the counter next to the register, handing my card to the kid after pulling it from my pocket.
“Gotcha. We’ll have that out for you in a sex. Oops, sorry, in asec.” I hear the teasing tone from the guy as he leaves his coworker to make the drinks and stays in front of me. “My name is Arlington Jefferies by the way–Arlo for short–and you must be Wicked. Lin warned me about your raccoons and told me to get them all the whipped cream they want.”
“They do love their whipped cream. Lin spoils the hell out of them.”
“So, you’re really blind?”
“Yes.” My spine straightens without me realizing and Kai lets out a chortling laugh.
“Sorry, not trying to offend you. It’s just…you don’t really act like it.”
“How is a blind person supposed to act, Arlo?” My tone is now cold and sharp, not a single ounce of me willing to be friendly anymore. What can I say? I’m touchy without my caffeine. “Should I walk around slowly with my hands reaching out in front of me, yelling that I’m blind?”
“Oh jeez, no. I’m sorry. I’m really fucking this up, aren’t I?” I hear him scratching at his head. “I just meant, you’re, like, really hot for a blind chick.”
“Oh, shit.” Kai mutters under his breath before hopping off the counter as if preparing for something to pop off.
