Tainted Kiss (Tainted Knights 1)

Cash sat up, watching me closely. “Dude, did you really hook up with the photographer chick?”

I shrugged. “I’m taking it slow with her. She’s special.”

Sin scoffed, but he didn’t comment further. He was already bored with the subject, back on his own phone, pretending like no one else existed. That was just how Sin was. His ADHD seemed to pull his attention in twenty different directions all at once, and none of them held it for more than a few minutes at a time. I was used to it, along with his moodiness and all around dickheadedness.

Cash, on the other hand, was all ears and eyes, ready for me to spill my guts. The dude was a bigger gossip than any chick, or guy, I had ever met.

“How did things go with her?” he asked after silently assessing me for a long moment.

“It went good. I like her. She likes me. I’m seeing where she’ll let me take it.” That was all I was telling him about it for now. He didn’t need to know that Santana had me tied up in knots because all I could think about was how good her lips were going to taste when I finally kissed her. Or how crazy I was with wanting to feel her softness under me as I sank deep into her heat. Yeah, he really didn’t need to know that.

I knew if I told him, he would only go to Kin and blab to her. She would then tell Jace, and he’d tell his friend Harris. It would all cycle through and end up back to Emmie, and I didn’t want to fa

ce her wrath if she didn’t approve of me hooking up with her photographer. Not that it would matter if she did or not.

I didn’t care who disliked the idea of Santana being with me. Nothing and no one was going to stop me from being with her unless it was Santana herself.

Jace stuck his head back into the living room. “I’m heading out. I’m taking Kin to a movie. See you guys later.”

I lifted my hand, but my phone had gone off, so my gaze was on the screen.

Sorry it’s taking so long. Will be done in twenty minutes if you still want to pick me up—xoxo.

On my way, doll.

I hit send and got to my feet.

“See you dickheads later,” I called over my shoulder as I headed toward the door.

Please drive safely.

My heart squeezed at her newest text.

Promise. See you soon.

Jace was still waiting by the elevator when I reached them. He seemed surprised to see me.

“I figured you would stick around and go out with Sin and Gray later.”

I pulled my keys out of my pocket. “Nah, man. I got plans with my girl.”

His brow puckered into a frown. “Your girl? When did this happen? How did I not know you found a girlfriend?”

I shrugged. “It’s a recent thing. Like yesterday recent.”

The elevator doors opened, and we both stepped inside. I nodded at the guy who was already inside, his back pressed against the wall. Jace pressed the garage level on the elevator, and the doors closed.

“It’s Santana.”

“The photographer?” he asked.

I nodded.

“She’s cool. Good luck with that, man.”

It didn’t surprise me that Jace could be so accepting of me with her. He had no room to judge anyone with how quickly things happened, especially after how fast he had taken things with Kin the first time around, back when we had all still lived in Virginia.

Down in the garage, Jace stopped beside his car. “You should bring her to First Bass tomorrow night. Kin and Lucy will make her feel welcome, and we can all hang out. You know Kin will keep her company while we’re gone …” He trailed off, his face tightening, but he didn’t have to explain why.