Page 9 of From the Start

I try to form words, but the feel of Kai’s arms around me has my body short-circuiting. He lifts me into the air.

“Move out of my way,” he demands and the crowd parts for him.

I shiver at the command in his voice. I’ve never heard Kai be anything but light-hearted and goofy. His deep voice commanding a crowd has my nipples pebbling.

Whoa! Nipples pebbling. The hit to my jaw must be worse than I thought. I must be concussed. No way does my body get all revved up for a male who’s eight years younger than me. He’s practically a child!

Kai carries me to the Red Cross Station behind the stage. Say what you will about how crazy Smuggler’s Hideaway can get, but we always prioritize safety. Thus, a Red Cross Station at an event to showcase men vying to be crowned the sexiest man on the island.

He sets me down on a chair. As soon as he releases me, I feel cold and abandoned. Abandoned? What is wrong with me? Am I so desperate for male companionship that I’m lusting after a child?

“I need help here!” Kai yells.

Yep. I’m desperate for male companionship. There’s no other explanation for the explosion of butterflies in my stomach at the sound of a man’s growly voice.

A paramedic rushes to me but I wave him away.

“I’m fine.” Revved up hormones is not a medical emergency. Not even on Smuggler’s Hideaway.

“She was hit on the jaw and is dazed.”

I glare at Kai. “I’m not dazed from a simple hit on the jaw. I could have taken her.”

“Sure, you could, Slugger.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Do not patronize me.”

He lifts his hands. “Me? Patronize you? I thought I didn’t understand the meaning of the word.”

I frown. Did I tell him he didn’t understand the meaning of patronize? It’s possible. Kai Raider has been a thorn in my side for months now with his blatant sexual innuendos and numerous requests for a date.

“I’ll …” The paramedic backs away and leaves us alone.

“I’m sorry if I offended you,” I begin, “but you can’t blame me for getting frustrated.”

“Frustrated?”

I glare at him. “Do not act all innocent with me. You hit on me several times a night every time you come toRumrunner.”

“I’m persistent.”

“I think you mean pest.”

He tugs his bandana away from his face and scowls. “Do you seriously think I’m a pest?”

Crap. He sounds hurt. I don’t want to hurt him. Despite what my employees and the patrons of the bar think, I’m not a cruel person.

“I just needed a box of Fruit Loops. How was I supposed to know there was a male stripper show happening in the parking lot of the grocery store?”

“We weren’t stripping.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Yet.”

Great. The crowd will go wild once the men begin removing their clothes. I probably should get to work and prepare for a busy night. No coffee for me. I can always beg Parker fromPirate’s Pastriesto deliver to my house. She’s done it before.

I stand. “I need to get to work.”