Page 68 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“Did I say that?” Arms crossed over my chest in a stance of defiance, I squealed when I felt a firm pinch on my ass and looked back to see one of his floating hands. “Ah! Don’t do that.”
“Tell me you don’t like it, and I’ll never do it again.” He lowered his head, staring at me with a quirked brow.
“Just…don’t do it again.”
“Right.” He stepped aside so I could walk by him.
“I’m going to get dressed. You should do the same.” I waved him off. “Poof on over to your place.”
I stomped by him and went to the room to get dressed. Just after I closed the door behind me, my feeling of triumph slipped through my hands as I felt a firm slap on my ass.
“Not funny!” I shouted through the door.
I heard him laugh just before I felt the chill of his departure. When I opened the door to check, he was already gone.
I stood in my closet, obsessing over what to wear. Suddenly, it felt like it mattered, because everyone would have some judgement. Wear something too put together, and I’m trying to look good for Raymond. Dress down, and I’mtrying to deflect their attention. Jeans and a tank. That would have to do. I pulled the items from my closet and threw them on the bed along with underwear before heading to the bathroom. Despite the thorough scrubbing Raymond gave my body the night before, I felt the need for a shower. Flashbacks be damned—I needed something to ease my nerves.
By the time I was showered, dressed, and back out of my room, Raymond had returned and stood next to Kaa’s pot. He leaned over, moving his head as he examined what looked like an ordinary potted plant.
“You’re back,” I said after he neglected to acknowledge my presence.
“Yes. Tell me more about her,” he said, still looking at the plant who hadn’t yet revealed herself.
“You’re suddenly more curious about Kaa? Why?”
“Kaa? Pretty name. Did you name her that?” He glanced back at me for a moment. I nodded, and he returned his attention to the plant. “Her energy. It's not of the Earth, but I’ve encountered nothing like it before.”
“I’m not sure where she came from. I found a seed one day, planted it, and soon after, she appeared. We’ve been together ever since. I don’t know much more about her. I’ve been too afraid to ask anyone else in the magical community. They’re all so greedy. If they found something of interest, they’d try to take it.”
“She’s bonded to you.” Raymond nodded as one of his shadows lifted from the tattooed spot on his skin and reached out to Kaa like a dog. “There are etches of your energy mixed with hers. It makes her energy look kaleidoscopic.”
“Really? You can see that?” I crossed the room to lean in next to him, squinting as if I would suddenly see what he did. “I’ve always thought of her as a soulmate.”
“So that role is already taken?” He turned his head to look at me.
His question caught me off guard, but my head snapped to look at him. The moment I turned, my breath caught in my throat. Our faces were so close, a deep breath would have our lips pressed against each other, and I knew exactly where that would lead us: back to the bedroom.
Interrupting my internal conflict, Kaa took that moment to make her grand appearance. Her head appeared, lifting from between the camouflage of petals, before she snapped at him, hissing with the threatening movement.
Raymond moved away from her and me quickly and chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“She’s just protective of me.” I scratched the top of Kaa’s head, and her body vibrated, a sign she was happy with the attention she was getting.
“She’s going to have to learn to share.” Raymond straightened, and Kaa hissed again. Raymond hissed back, and Kaa lifted from the planter, stretching.
Before I could comment on how ridiculous they were both being, the doorbell rang. I pulled my phone from my pocket and saw Jackie and Miguel standing on the porch, bags of food in hand.
“They’re back.” I headed for the door, paused, and turned back to Raymond, pointing like a parent warning a toddler. “Behave.”
“Exactly what do you think I’m going to do? Strip you down and eat your pussy in front of them?” He laughed. “Jericha, I have more self-control than you give me credit for.”
“You need a filter for that mouth.” I snapped my fingers at him. “I don’t know what you’ll say or do, but be on your best behavior. Remember, I’m in control now.”
“Oh, so you’re accepting the dynamics of this relationship?” He licked his lips. “Does that mean you won’t protesttonight when I put you in your place?”
The way his voice dropped and his eyes darkened caused something sinister to stir in my stomach, but I pushed that energy back down. If he wasn’t going to act like he had some sense, I had to, pussy quivers be damned. I had more important shit to think about than riding his face while those extra hands held me up. “Shut it.”
“Yes, ma’am!” He straightened and gave me a stiff salute.
