Page 271 of Bride of Choice

“No,” he grunted out shortly.

Damn. Okay. Well, fuck.

“Look, I’m only telling you this because I love Rek, and sometimes I don’t know what he needs... He doesn’t know how to ask for things of me, he doesn’t have it in him to outright ask unless he’s to the point of demands. He’s upset and I want to make it right. I don’t know if it’s because Bum-bum’s bite sent his balls swelling like cantaloupes screaming Honey-do-me, or because I didn’t seek his permission before doing the wild tango with Celuk and finishing the crazy hunter’s claiming of me. That’s the only reason I’m blabbing my ass off to you about any of this and I’d appreciate it if you kept your trap shut.”

“‘Kay,” he said slowly, his gaze once more quickly darting to the archery designated area.

“Are you that desperate to get back to play shooting shit you can’t listen to me for five fucking minutes, even if it’s for Rek?” I snapped at him.

Kirch grinned at my fit of pique.

“What? What’s so fucking funny?” I barked at him and that stupid look on his face.

“Nothing.”

When my stare darkened to a glare, he cleared his throat as if to cover up a laugh, lips twitching, and admitted, “Kirch likes how much Joanie loves her Rek. Do anything for her male. Like my Meanie.”

“Of course I love him! I’m over here asking your inept butt for pointers, aren’t I? Well? Fill me in, Rek guru. Help me love him better!” My outburst did not go unnoticed.

To my mortified horror, the archery shelter creaked. I froze as I spied movement from within in. Specifically, I noted bright gazes peeking through several slats.

Punching Kirch in the shoulder, I growled, “What the fuck, asshole?! You could have told me we weren’t alone before I started spilling private business!”

“Bum-bum bites not private business. Joanie and Rek smell like Bum-bum spit- venom,” he said with a shrug and a tap to his nose. “All know. Not say, but all know. Celuk claim, too.”

Kirch scowled at me as he shrugged, then rolled his shoulder. “Hit hard. Harder than my Meanie,” he muttered.

With a sniff, I gave him a look. “Maybe she’s holding back on you.”

Kirch shook his head. “No. Rek’s Joanie hits hard. Play with Celuk too much.”

I didn’t argue that, though it wasn’t true.

“Get hit a lot by Celuk, do ya?” I taunted sweetly.

“No,” Kirch grumbled quickly. “Celuk hits hard. Make Kirch arm,” Kirch mimed getting a dead arm, “no want fight him. Kirch needs arms now to hold Kirch’s babies. Celuk get mad enough, might rip arms off.” He smirked like that was something to be proud of.

“You’re talking nonsense. Celuk doesn’t rip arms off,” I bit out, spinning on my heel to stomp off.

“Celuk rips arms off,” Kirch casually disagreed. He didn’t care if I believed him one way or another.

“No, he doesn’t!” I insisted.

“Why think others say he crazy?” he questioned.

“Because others are judgy assholes, and you’re just being a dick,” I accused, spinning on my heel to stomp off.

“Celuk maybe not rip arms off now,” he offered, “has his Jo, tames him.”

I soothed the savage beast? Real original.

“Bet Celuk rip arms off for him Jo,” Kirch tossed out silkily.

“Should I take that bet, tell him you’re bothering me, and see what happens?” I shot back.

“NO!” Kirch bellowed vehemently.

Spinning back around to face him to find several heads poking out from around the side of the archery shelter, the gotcha smirk on my face fell as I noted Rek, who claimed to have something important he was doing, amongst the throng.

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