by Faith Gibson
Joselynn’s home was an apartment not far from where her family’s law firm was located. Like her sister’s condo, it was close to downtown. Unlike Presley’s place, it was in a less secure area than Kai liked. He didn’t see the appeal of living in a building shared by hundreds of others. Kai preferred the openness of Sixx’s property. Growing up on an island, his family’s home had been nice-sized, but they didn’t flaunt their wealth. Considering they didn’t have someone like Sixx investing their money, they weren’t nearly as well-off as most of the Clan in New Atlanta, but they weren’t hurting for money either. At forty, Kai had moved out into a small, one-bedroom house not far from his parents. He remained on the island until he began to get restless. Not only that, but all his brothers had found their mates in other Gargoyles while Malakai continued to remain alone.
Kai left his Jeep in the parking lot of the gym. It was a few miles away from where Josie lived, but the night was a cooler one for August in Georgia. He didn’t shift because the cloudless sky was too bright with the streetlights illuminating the area. Instead, he used the thirty minutes to think about meeting Joselynn. The closer he got, the more his beast pushed to be let out. When a soft wind blew his direction, he understood why. That sweet smell that clung faintly to Presley was strong. His shifter hearing caught female cursing on the wind, and he instinctively knew it was Joselynn. He took off running toward the female, and when he got close, he understood the problem. His mate had a flat tire.
Slowing his steps, Kai approached. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
When the pretty female turned around, it was all Malakai could do to remain standing. Joselynn Pierson smelled like coconuts and sunshine. She smelled like home.
Josie kicked the flat and howled. “Damnit! Stupid sandals. Stupid tire! Aaaagh.” She was rubbing her toes when she heard the distinct sounds of flip-flops. Josie looked over her shoulder and froze, her foot in her hand, mouth hanging open.
“Is everything okay?” the flip-flop-wearing man asked. Josie couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen a grown man wearing a pair when he wasn’t on the beach. If anyone belonged on the sand, it was the stunning stranger standing mere feet away from her. No, everything was not okay because in what world did fate throw someone like him in the path of someone like her?
Josie continued to stare. Not only was the stranger gorgeous, but he held his hands out to the side as if he were approaching a skittish dog. Maybe he was. He had to have heard her cursing a blue streak. Mister sex-on-two-long-legs had tanned skin like he was Hawaiian or Samoan. His hair was cropped close on the sides, and his eyes were dark. If he hadn’t been wearing flip-flops, she’d have thought he was a biker. Ripped jeans rode low on his hips, and his white T-shirt stretched across a firm chest. Josie knew because she was checking him out. That might not be the smartest thing to do under the circumstances, but Holy Mother of God, the man had Josie wanting to lick him. All over.
“Ma’am? Would you like some help with your tire?”
“Oh, that.” When she realized she was still holding her foot, she dropped it, forgetting about the pain in her toes. “Uh, I can just call the car service.” Josie looked around, finally coming to her senses. There were cars passing by, so she didn’t think he would harm her with others around to witness a crime. She really hoped he was a nice man and not some hot-as-sin creature with a black soul.
Lucifer was beautiful, and look how he turned out.
“Or I could change it now so you don’t have to wait on them.” The man offered her a smile that rendered her momentarily mute. She should say no. This was a stranger, albeit the sexiest stranger she’d ever encountered, but she was a red-blooded woman who was not immune to so much alpha testosterone coming from the perfect male specimen.
Josie cocked her head to the side and studied him. There was something familiar about him. Something that told her she knew him from somewhere. His smile never faded while he waited for her to decide. She didn’t know how long it would take for the repair service to arrive, and who was she to deny the stranger his good deed of the day?
“I’d appreciate that.”
Chapter Three
“It’s no problem.” The man held out his hand. “I’m Malakai Palamo, but you can call me Kai if you wish.”
Josie took his hand and shook it. “Josie Pierson, and I really appreciate—” Holy shit on a shingle. Malakai. Kai. The hottie from the gym, Kai. Oh, no. No, no, no. Josie jerked her hand away, turned around, and started to walk off, but Malakai grabbed her bicep. His grip was strong and gentle at the same time.
“Josie, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Not a thing. I…” Josie shook her head. The hottest man she’d ever met was offering to help her, and she was a bumbling idiot. No time like the present to prove otherwise. “Let’s get this done, shall we, Malakai?” Oh, she loved his name. Presley had only ever called him Kai when she and Elise were talking about him.
Josie popped the trunk, and while Kai bent over to retrieve the spare, she most certainly did not look at his tight ass because Josie Pierson was better than that. What the fuck ever. She ogled and drooled and — “Eep.” — squeaked when caught ogling.
Malakai was smirking. “Everything okay?” He lifted the tire like it weighed nothing and placed it on the ground next to the flat. While he was retrieving the jack, he bent back over, but he turned and looked at her, once again catching her looking at his ass.
Josie was glad it was darkish out because her cheeks had to be scarlet. “Kill me now,” she muttered to herself.
“Why would I do that? If I killed you, I wouldn’t be able to take you to dinner.”
Josie laughed at the ridiculousness of his comment. If this was the same man from the gym, there was no way he was serious when he wouldn’t give Presley the time of day. “Where do you work, Malakai?”
“Hartley’s Gym and Dojo. Do you know it?”
“Yes, but not intimately. Not that I’m intimate with places. Or people for that matter. Not that you care about my lack of love life. But you know, I mean, no. I’ve never been there, but my sister takes a kickboxing class from a guy named Kai, and I’m assuming that’s you, unless there’s more than one hottie named Kai who works there.”
“Who’s your sister?”
“Presley. Tall, blonde, well put together?”
“She’s in one of my classes. I must say, you don’t look alike.”
“Yeah, she takes after our father’s side of the family, where I look just like my mom.”
“Your personalities are as different as your looks. Do you take after your mom that way too?”
“I do. My mom’s great. Not that I’m saying I’m great because we’re alike, but we’re more laid-back than my dad or sister.”
“I’m glad you’re nothing like Presley.”
“Why’s that? She’s gorgeous and successful.”
“She is that, but I prefer someone a little less intense. More bubbly.”
Bubbly? Was he talking about Josie? Impossible.
“Do you like your job?” Kai asked, and that was a strange topic change.
Josie wasn’t sure how to respond. Did she tell him the truth? Because she didn’t know him. Didn’t know if he’d turn around and tell her sister about this conversation. “I’m good at my job.” There. That was sort of the truth. And it was weird, having this conversation on the side of the road with this man. Why was he so interested in her?
“I’m sure you are after eight years of doing the same thing, but that’s not what I asked. Did you always want to be a paralegal?”
Wait. Had she mentioned how long she’d been a paralegal? She didn’t think so, but her mind was a little preoccupied. “No, but I didn’t want to be swimming in debt from student loans, so I did what my father wanted, and he paid my tuition. That probably sounds spoiled or selfish.”
“It sounds realistic. If money hadn’t been an object, what would you have studied?”
“Music. The cello specif
ically. Not that I can play one, but I saw this movie, August Rush, and I fell in love with Keri Russell. Not that I’m a lesbian because I’m not. I love men. I meant I loved her character and how the cello filled something in her life she was missing. Her child. I like kids. Love them. And I love music, but it doesn’t pay the bills, so…” Oh god. She should really shut up.
“Do you want kids?”
“Do you?” Josie wanted at least two, but if she had two girls, she would keep trying for a boy because being a girl with an older sister sucked. At least in her life.
“Yes. I want at least seven.” Kai winked, and Josie’s heart flipped. He had to be a good man to want so many kids, right? Seven little Samoan-god babies? That thought had her biological clock tick, tick, ticking.
“Little Samoan-god babies?” Kai smirked. Again.
Shit! She’d said that out loud. “Are you sure you won’t kill me now? Put me out of my misery?” Josie was mortified. Why couldn’t she be like those people who clammed up when they were nervous? But no. She had to be one who rambled incessantly without a fucking filter!
“No, Sunshine. I do not want to kill you. I want to change your tire then make sure you get inside safely. I want to kiss you on the cheek after I get your phone number so I can call you and plan that dinner date.”
“Date? Uh, am I being Punk’d right now? Like, is there a hidden camera filming this so the world can watch the Pacific island god pretend to be interested in the plain Jane from the city, who then gets her hopes up for a kiss on the cheek, although Jane wouldn’t mind some lip action, and then get told it was all a joke later?”
Malakai was shaking. He was holding onto the frame of the trunk, head bent, shoulders shaking his whole body. When he turned, his smile was huge. “I think I’m in love,” he muttered. Malakai picked up the jack and walked around to the side of the car. As he placed the jack on the ground, he asked, “Do you know how to change a tire?”
“In theory. I’ve seen it done. Once. We got a flat tire on our way to the beach. My father called Triple-A, and I watched the man change it. Let’s see if I remember. The jack goes under the frame, you crank it up, then use the crank to loosen the nuts. Take the flat off, put the spare on, tighten the nuts, and then lower the car. Sound about right?”
Malakai’s lips were turned inside his mouth, and Josie knew he was trying to hold back another laugh. He nodded and motioned for her to come closer. “You almost had it. You have to lose the nuts first, or the tire’ll just spin in the air. I’d ask you to demonstrate with the nuts, but I’d hate for you to get your pretty hands dirty.”
Oh, god. She’d said nuts. No wonder he was laughing at her. “Lug nuts. Those kinds. Not the… I’m going to shut up and watch you now. From over here. Way over here.”
Malakai reached up and grabbed her wrist, tugging her closer. Josie gasped. Out loud. Malakai’s eyes softened, and her heart beat even faster. He was no longer laughing at her. Holding onto her, he said, “Sunshine, I know you mentioned the lack of a love life, but please tell me there’s not a man in your life.”
“Nope. No man. Other than my father, whom I work for.”
“Good. That means there’s no reason for you not to go out with me. Unless I’m not your type. In that case, I guess I’m shit out of luck.”
“Not my type? On what planet would you not be someone’s type? Did you fall off a surfboard when you were younger? Hit your head on a rock? Tumble through the waves too long without oxygen?”
“Yes, no, and no. I’ve fallen of a board many times over the years, but I have a pretty hard head, and I can hold my breath for a long time. But, since you just made the point that I’m your type, are you free tomorrow night?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. What’s your favorite type of food?” Malakai was working and talking, and before she could answer, he was standing with the flat in his hand.
“Wow. You’re fast.”
“Only in some things.” The man winked at her. Freaking winked! Oh, he was talking about… Oh, god. Josie’s thighs snapped closed. “Food, woman. Think about food,” he grumbled.
“Food. Right. I like it all. Well, not everything. I don’t like chicken livers. Or pig’s feet. Or cow tongues. You know, gross things.”
“Have you tried those things?”
Josie shivered thinking about nasty-sounding food. “Well, no. But they sound disgusting.”
“Do you like seafood?” Malakai was leaning against her car, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes ran from the top of her head down to her cute sandals, then back up again. She was dressed conservatively as she always did for the office. Her personal style was a little more pin-up girl, but she wouldn’t let him see that yet. Not for a first date. Probably not. Was she actually considering going out with the man her sister couldn’t get? Yes. She sure was, but she’d have to keep it a secret, because if Presley ever found out, she’d make Josie’s life even more hellish than she did now.
“I do, as long as it isn’t fish with the head still attached. Because looking at something’s eyeball isn’t very appetizing.”
“No heads. Got it. How about we get you home and finish this conversation at your door?”
“So you can kiss my cheek?”
Malakai grinned. “For now.”
“Okay. Uh, where’s your car?”
“Oh. I’m parked down the street. I was driving by and saw you having trouble. Instead of doubling back, I left my car in a lot and jogged. Figured it would be quicker.”
“Why don’t you let me drive you to your car then?” Josie wasn’t ready to get rid of the man, but she was afraid if he walked her to her door, she’d beg him to come inside. If that happened, she’d want to tie him to the bed, and she didn’t have a headboard made for such things. Maybe she should invest in one?
“No, ma’am. A gentleman sees his lady to the door. Now, come on, Sunshine. Let’s get you home.”
“Why do you call me that?” Josie asked, handing over the keys. Wait, why did she give him the keys? She could drive them. It was just a block away.
Malakai shut the trunk and walked around to open the passenger-side door for her. Before she could slide in, he cupped her cheek. “Because that’s what you smell like. You remind me of the beach. Coconuts, the wind coming off the water as the sun beats down on the sand. And home.”
Malakai couldn’t believe how absolutely perfect Josie was. Not only was she lovely in appearance with all her curves, but the way she rambled on was cute as hell. Maybe it was because she was nervous, and when she got to know him better, she’d be able to converse without saying things with no filter. Gods, he hoped not. The blush hadn’t left her cheeks since he walked up, and it colored her skin beautifully. And he finally knew what her scent was like in full force. It was so much more potent now that he wasn’t getting it secondhand. He didn’t know if her scent was from soap or perfume, but he recognized the hint of both sunflowers and coconuts.
Kai thanked the gods for her flat tire. It was as though the fates intervened at just the right moment. He brushed his thumb across her cheek before motioning for her to get in her car. Once they were seated, he asked, “Where to?” He knew where her apartment was located, but he couldn’t tell her that.
“Take the next right. My building is the second on the left.” Kai followed her directions, and when she pointed out the parking garage, he was glad to see she didn’t have to walk to her car in the rain. The drawback was she wasn’t close to her door. Kai turned off the sedan, and told her to wait for him. Her car wasn’t top of the line, but it was a higher-priced model than most people could afford. He would check out the safety rating when he got home.
He opened her door, holding out his hand. She allowed him to help her out. Instead of walking away, she opened the back door and grabbed a briefcase stuffed full of files.
“What’s all this?”
“Work. Instead of sitting at the office working late, I bring it all home where I can work in my
pajamas.”
Kai didn’t like the sound of his mate working so hard. “Have you always worked for your father?”
“Yes. I started right out of college.”
Kai took the briefcase and placed his free hand on her back, ushering her to the elevator. Josie held out her hand. “Keys, please.” When he handed them over, she held up a small plastic fob attached to the key ring and scanned it over a sensor. The lift doors opened, and they stepped inside. She waved the fob again in front of a sensor on the panel where the ten numbered floor buttons were located.
“What happens if you don’t have one of those?” Kai asked, pointing at the key ring.
“Nothing. The doors don’t open, and the elevator doesn’t move.”
“Fancy.” It wasn’t nearly as advanced as the gate security Julian had designed, but Kai felt better knowing not just anyone could get to Josie’s floor.
“What about the stairwells?”
“Why, Mister Palamo, are you planning on stalking me?”
“You never know,” he joked. When they reached her door, Kai placed her briefcase on the floor and said, “Phone.” Josie unlocked the screen and held it out. Kai typed in his contact information, including cell and work numbers, as well as his email address. He sent himself a text, then handed the device back. Josie dropped it in her purse then spun her keys around her index finger, catching, then spinning again. Kai moved into her space, crowding Josie against the wall. He leaned over and pressed his lips to her cheek. “Is six okay for our date?”
Josie nodded. “Yes. Do you want me to meet you at the restaurant?’
Kai placed his hand around her throat. He didn’t squeeze; he just needed to touch her. He was doing his level best not to throw up, but the bond was smothering him.
“No. I’ll pick you up. Since I can’t come to your door like a gentleman should, I’ll park by the elevator so you don’t have to wait outside.”
“Okay.” Josie’s voice vibrated against his palm. Kai lowered his head, but instead of kissing her on the lips, he brushed his against the side of her mouth. Josie closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling faster than normal. Yeah, she felt the bond. But he wasn’t going to rush it. He wanted to get to know the quirky female. “Don’t work too hard.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead then stepped back. She stared at him, not moving. He took the keys from her hand and unlocked the door. She sighed, picking up her briefcase. Once safely inside, he handed the keys over. “Lock up, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”