Burned Deep (Burned 1)

Kyle nearly spewed food. “Yeah, I totally believe that.”

“Look,” I said, conspiratorially, because I trusted him. He didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives or inclinations, other than to steal me away from Dane, because he still asked me on dates. “We’ve tried to keep this private, but we’re very seriously involved.”

I gave Kyle a moment to digest that and his slider.

Then I added, “The thing is … well … we’re in love.”

He blanched. It was actually a bit comical, given his athletic build and all-around macho-jock attitude.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he all but hissed. “I mean, yeah, I can see you’re close to drooling when he’s around. And he’s all hands off, dude when he sees us together, but still … Shit. Ari. Really?”

“Yes,” I confirmed. “Really. I am literally the hopelessly devoted to you Sandra Dee.” Since I wasn’t sure he’d ever seen Grease, I amended, “Or Princess Buttercup. Take your pick.”

He set aside his slider and glared at me. “Buttercup was always in jeopardy.”

“Not because of Westley,” I reminded him.

“Need I reference the snake and scorpions?”

“Kyle!” Bit of a low blow.

Dane and the PR people had thought it best to share the news with all the employees, wanting them to be aware of the unfortunate events for their own safety. And because he didn’t want to hide anything. “The grounds crew are sweeping this property all day long to make sure there aren’t any more problems like that. They’ve found absolutely nothing.”

Crossing his arms over his massive chest, he said, “You’re making my point for me.”

“I’m not in danger because of Dane.” Wee little lie. But I had confidence in Dane and I knew he’d solve this problem once and for all.

“I’d be a hypocrite to criticize him when he gave me a job,” Kyle begrudgingly admitted. “I really like the people I work with and the projects. But damn it, Ari.” His arms dropped and he leaned toward me. “Cut the bullshit and talk to me about what’s going on. I see Amano following you around. Shouldn’t he be holed up in a security booth somewhere, monitoring the cameras? No, he’s like a … a—”

“Bodyguard,” I said. “Yes. Dane trusts him. But, Kyle, he also trusts you. When they can’t be around, he’s okay that I’m with you. Doesn’t that say something?”

“That he has no choice but to be okay with it?” Kyle scowled. “Whatever. Semantics, right?”

I picked at my salad.

Kyle glowered. “So he thinks I can lasso a rattlesnake with my bare hands?”

“Well, I suspect you could,” I lightly teased, hoping to keep this conversation from getting too intense. “The point I’m trying to make is that he has some faith in you.”

“Because or in spite of the fact that I want to date you?” he asked with a jerked brow and a perplexed look.

I smiled softly. “You know that’s not possible, right? I mean, I’ve deflected all along. I’ve never led you on. We’re friends.”

My smile faded as a new thought occurred to me.

“What?” Kyle promptly asked.

“I’m really not thinking clearly. Christ, I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, it’s okay that you just want to be friends at the moment. We’re getting to know each other. Won’t be long before you realize I’m a much easier-going, less-intense guy to hang out with than the one who stews over everything.”

Kyle’s grin was a dazzling one, all straight pearly whites, with a hint of a dimple in his left cheek. His blue eyes sparkled, and I really did like how he calmed me on so many levels.

Yet there was still a critical issue at hand. I said, “I hadn’t quite considered that my hanging out with you might be bad for your health.”

He seemed to instantly catch on, because he winked. “No worries. I really can lasso a rattlesnake with my bare hands,” he joked. “Don’t tell anyone, though. I don’t want to become some sideshow freak, ya know?”

He went back to his lunch.