“I love your hair,” Jenny sighs beside me.
We’re in front of Trouble’s doctor’s office waiting for Remi to come back out. She went inside with Elijah to check in with her husband before we head to The Hill for lunch. We actually managed to get out of the house today without an escort. Not that I’m complaining about having protection with us with Diego God knows where in the area, but it’s nice to be with just women. The only reason JW, Judge, and Trouble allowed it is because we’re in the center of town, surrounded by a shit ton of people. Not to mention, we were made to promise we would check in at least once every thirty minutes. Ordinarily, I would balk at the demand, but not in this situation. I’m no dummy. I know the danger Diego presents. I don’t want to die or get hurt, and I for sure don’t want one of my newfound friends to get hurt either.
“Eh.” I pinch the end of the curl and let it bounce back. “It looks fine now, but it’s a pain to take care of. It normally takes me a good thirty minutes to brush after a shower, and I have to keep it pulled up or braided to keep it from tangling too much.”
“Is that why you normally have it wrapped in a scarf?” she asks, petting my hair like it’s an animal.
“That and I normally can’t go anywhere without people commenting on it or trying to touch it.” I laugh when she drops her hand with a contrite grimace. “I don’t care if you do it because I know you. It’s the complete strangers who come up to touch it with hands I don’t know where they’ve been.”
I’ve had long hair since I was a little girl, only trimming the dead ends. It’s thick and reaches just below the curve of my butt. As much as I may bicker about taking care of it, I do love my hair. I’ve thought about cutting it over the years, but I know I’ll probably feel naked without the long locks. It’s as much a part of me as my hands and feet. I can’t imagine not having long hair.
Jenny’s nose wrinkles. “Eww… that’s just nasty,” she says with a shudder.
“Agreed.”
She looks past me and tilts her head to the side, a frown pulling her brows down. “I wonder who that is. I’ve never seen him before.”
I whirl around, half scared to see Diego behind me. I release a breath when it’s not him I find, but another man I’ve never seen walking our way. He’s about a block away, but there’s no mistaking his extremely good looks. Dark hair, cut short, tanned, black cargo pants, tight white V-neck shirt stretched across a massive chest, and black boots. As he gets closer, and his eyes light on both Jenny and me watching him, dimples pop out on both cheeks.
“Hello, ladies,” he says smoothly, his voice a delicious deep timbre.
“Hi,” Jenny replies a bit breathless.
My reaction is only marginally better when I barely get out a “Hello” without a stutter.
“I was wondering if you might be able to help me.”
Jenny snaps out of her stupor first and steps forward, offering her hand with a huge grin plastered on her face. “I’ve no doubt I could help you with something. I’m Jenny.”
I scarcely hold back my choked laugh as he takes her hand. “I’m Ki.” He introduces, his beautiful browns dancing in amusement. Releasing her hand, he turns it to me. “And you are?”
I place my hand in his. Warm and rough, just how a man’s hand should feel. “Eden,” I supply.
His eyes run over my hair, down my body, and back up, once again meeting my eyes. The look isn’t lewd, just appreciative, earning him brownie points.
His eyes flick to Jenny’s before coming back to mine. “Pretty names for such gorgeous women.”
I flush from the compliment then realize he’s still holding my hand. One corner of his full lips tips up when I gently pull my hand away and take a step back.
“I’m looking for—”
“Who in the fuck are you?”
The guy turns around quickly at the growled words, and I see JW barreling across the street. He doesn’t stop until he’s on the sidewalk and in the guy’s face. He looks pissed. No, he looks livid. The easy going look on the new guy’s face disappears, something hard replacing it.
“The name’s Ki. And who in the hell are you?” Ki says, not backing down from the ire practically seeping out of JW’s pours.
“The sheriff of this town and your worst fucking nightmare if you don’t tell me what you’re doing in Malus.”
I step forward, getting ready to try and diffuse the situation, when JW’s eyes snap to mine.
“Stay back, Gypsy,” he grunts, before locking his eyes back on Ki. “You gonna answer me?”
I bristle at his tone and narrow my eyes, getting pissed myself.
“If you’ll step the hell back, I’ll be happy to answer. I don’t take too kindly to people getting in my face and acting all growly and shit when I haven’t done anything.”
“My fist is going to meet that pretty face of yours if you don’t answer my fucking question in the next three seconds.”