Page 79 of Beta Team-The Saviors: Part One

“I’m with Tyler,” Keon admits. “We’re all in this together. Gavin, I don’t think Ari was arguing, just asking for clarification. And Ari, we should be able to say what we think without youturning into an asshole. You can’t be half in and half out with Jason because I refuse to use him for just sex.”

“No one said anything about using him for sex. What is this? Jump on Ari day? I was just asking fucking questions. Jason’s important to me, and I want all the protection for him. As for the other shit, I already said I was fine with it. Stop questioning me about it.”

“So, you’re totally okay with what happened in the kitchen?” Tyler asks.

“Did I punch you in the kidney? No. I’m obviously fine.”

“I don’t know. You sound a little defensive,” Tyler pushes.

I throw my hands up. “I’m defensive because you guys keep fucking pushing me. I’m fine with whatever happens with Jason. With me or alone as long as that’s what he wants. I’m fine with whatever you guys do with Kira as long as you know that when Kane finds out, I’m throwing you under the bus.”

“Are you saying you aren’t going to do anything with Kira?” Keon asks. “Because the way you were looking at her says otherwise.”

I shrug. “I’m not saying no, but it will be on her terms. I won’t make the first move and push her.” I point at Gavin. “If you ever talk to me like that again, I’ll shove my dick so far down your throat that you’ll never be able to say another word.”

“Oh, you made Papi angry,” Tyler responds. “I want to watch that, though.”

“Fuck off, Tyler.” I flip him the bird and leave the room. His laughter follows me all the way to my office until I shut the door. I can’t help the smile on my damn face. Everything feels like it’s slotting into place. Like this is where we’re all supposed to be.

I just hope that something doesn’t fuck it up.

26

JASON

After I brought Kira to the kitchen, she sat beside me at the island and propped her chin in her hand, waiting for me to talk. All she’s done is stare, but I can feel my cheeks heat because of what she saw.

I hold my pinkie out. “Girl talk?”

“Thank fuck.” She hooks hers with mine and then crosses her arms on the countertop. “I need to know what was happening when I walked in.”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I know what was happening, but I don’t know why. I thought they were messing with me before. Now, I’m not so sure.”

“You said that’s what you wanted. Are you having second thoughts?”

“No. I really want it. But I didn’t think they did.”

“From what I saw, they want you. Baaaaaaaad.”

“Stop,” I laugh. “Tell me about you and Keon.”

“After our talk the other night, I took matters into my own hands and kissed him.”

“Was it good?”

“Better than good. Then, last night, we got a little hot and heavy in the bathroom.”

“Just kissing?”

She wrinkles her nose and lays her chin on her crossed arms. “Yeah. I’m a virgin, and he refused to do anything in the bathroom, but he hasn’t touched me since besides kissing.”

“Oh. Wow. You’ve never done…anything?”

She lets out a shuddering sigh. “Before the fire, I messed around. Like kissing and touching, but guys were always too afraid of Kane to go any further, like he has some kind of psychic ability to know someone touched his precious little sister.” She stops and laughs. “He might, actually. After the fire, I never even considered it.”

“Until Keon.”

Kira gets a dreamy look on her face, making me laugh. “Yeah. He’s just…perfect. Even though I’m scared shitless to get naked with him, I know he doesn’t care about the scars.”