Page 34 of Torn Between Two Worlds

He chuckled even as Stryder punched him in the arm.

“Hey, no fair! I wasn't ready.”

He rubbed his arm, and even she joined in the laughter.

“So what is different here, Ciara?” Jessica's question made her stop laughing and think.

It felt like forever had passed when she finally realized the answer. “I'm going to say nothing. How can I know there aren't demons and whatnot running around my world? For all I know, my downstairs neighbor is a vamp. The man never comes out during the day!” She grinned. “But really, things seem to be the same. Sky is the same color, cars look the same. Technology is a little different since my brain only conjures what was around in Demarcus's book.” She paused. “I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring that up. I need to work on that.”

“Don't worry about it, Ciara. I can't quite say I believe you, but the stuff you've answered about me... well, either it's true, or you're one fucking sick psychic. If anything, I'm pissed you aren't far enough in to tell me when I'm getting laid!”

Water shot out of her mouth, and she coughed, choking from the comment. Demarcus just shrugged when Stryder glared at him.

“Sorry, but damned if I'm not curious what stalled it.”

She was laughing so hard from choking that tears were streaming slowly down her cheeks. Her whole body twitched with laughter, and she thought she must look like a loon. Trying to gather her self-control, she righted herself.

“Sorry, please—” Another stream of laughter burst from her, and she bit down on her cheek to stop herself. After a few moments of more laughter, she let out a slow, deep breath. “I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. Stress?”

Jameson wiggled his brows at her. “You know what they say? Sex is a great outlet.”

Someone grunted, and Stryder glared at Jameson.

“Like we don't all know you're doing it, we can smell you on her, and the way you gush on and on about her…we're not fucking stupid, man.”

The growl that came from Stryder sent a shiver through her. He was up so fast that he flipped the table they were sitting around. His eyes flashed black, and his hand sprouted the vicious claws she'd seen him use before. Jameson rose but was too slow as Stryder punched him in the jaw, and then in the stomach before grabbing him by the throat. He grunted as Jameson kicked him in the shin and wrapped a hand over the one Stryder was trying to choke him with.

“You will not speak to her again. You will never say that aloud another fucking time.” Stryder's words sounded more like hissing, and he slashed a hand across his brother’s face drawing blood.

She jumped up too and wrapped a hand around Stryder's bulging bicep. “Stryder, stop it. What on Earth are you doing? You're going to wind up hitting me, both of you.”

It was a classic comedy moment, and she wasn't thinking clearly enough to dodge Jameson's blow, and a slice appeared on her shoulder. She winced but didn't cry out. Stryder was a loose cannon, and somehow, she thought Jameson scratching her would set him off like nothing else.

“Enough!” Demarcus's voice boomed through the kitchen, but neither brother stopped. “I said enough!”

Ciara swore the room shook with the force of his shout, and though they didn't release their holds on each other, they did stop. But then Stryder did drop his grip. Growling, he turned to look at her. His grip was rough as he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her, his tongue deliberately pushing past the seam of her lips.

Dominant. Demanding. Melting into Stryder’s hold she let their mouths fight with one another; let his kiss send heat through her from her head to her toes. When he pulled back, she whimpered, but she shouted when he flashed from the room, leaving her alone after a mind-melting kiss.

“Well fuck,” Jameson said it all.

18

Four hours had passed, and she was holding ice over the slice on her shoulder and telling Jameson for the ninetieth or so time that it had been an accident. Stryder hadn't been back, and she was tired of waiting. A few answers and she would go home and wait until he was done stewing like a child. At least she could get drinks with Gina and maybe see more of what her friend thought of her having feelings for Stryder, without telling her too much about him.

“What I don't get is what was all of that about? I mean, I know he has this thing about protecting me because he's nervous about what the man that seems to be in charge of all of this will do to him. But to attack each other? Or is that normal?”

Jessica cleared her throat and stood up, taking as many coffee mugs as she could to the sink. “Well, that part is normal. You get used to the he-man game when you're around it long enough.” She smiled. “But I do think it's time to tell you something that no doubt Stryder will kill us for.”

Her heart stopped.There could be more secrets than the one he shared about the foursome's deception to Lucifer?She pushed her own mug away from her, buried her head in her hands and sighed dramatically into them before popping her head up and letting her body slump into the chair. “What more could there be?”

Jessica just shook her head and laughed. “This is one of those good things, but perhaps best not done in a roomful of people.” She bent down and kissed Fasheem. “In fact, after an attack of that nature earlier, I would assume you boys have better things to be doing than sitting here playing get to know the new girl.”

She put her hands on her hips, and the image of an angry mom caused a crack of a smile on Ciara's face. Especially when the men grunted and stood.

“She's right. Sorry about my dickhead brother, catch ya on the flip side.” Jameson flashed out, and Demarcus did so as well with a simple nod.

Jessica nodded at her. “I've got some laundry to do if you can believe that. I'll let Fasheem do the explaining, he's by far more logical and won't butcher it like I might.” She gave her husband a wink and left the room.

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