Five Ways to Fall (Ten Tiny Breaths #4)(34)

“I guess I’ll wait for you guys at the front,” Mason mutters, stripping off his purple band and heading out, his head hung a little. I actually think he was having fun. Plus, being the first one shot down in a group of girls probably hit his ego a little.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the ladies for you,” I announce, stretching my arms out to reach around all three women as we watch Mason trudge down the path through the tiny window, toward the group, his purple band held out in surrender.

And that’s when all of them let loose, paint pelting the skinny guy as he lifts his arms, trying to protect his chest from the sting of being that close.

“Those motherf*ckers!” Lina screeches, elbowing me out of the way as she tears out of the hut with Nicki trailing her, guns out and firing ahead of them in a manic “banzai!” charge, yelling at the stop of their lungs while Reese and I watch from the safety of our hut.

When it’s all done about twenty seconds later, all four male opponents and both Nicki and Lina are out of the game.

And Mason is covered in paint from head to toe.

“Poor f**ker,” I chuckle. “I guess she must really like him.”

“No, that’s Lina. It’s inevitable that she goes kamikaze at some point. I’m surprised she lasted this long.”

“Go win for us!” Nicki shouts with a wave. “We’ll wait for you at the gate.”

Reese sighs, shoving my arm off her shoulder. “Well, this isn’t going to be a long game.”

“We could always hide out in here for a while. Regroup. ” I smile, taking in her cute little camouflage outfit. The pants are tight around her ass, making it look all the more round and appealing.

Her mask shifts as she shakes her head. “Even though I can’t see your face, I know you’re checking me out.”

I burst out in laughter and she responds by shoving me. “Shhh! We’re hunting!” She leans forward to peer out the window, muttering more to herself, “You’re too loud!”

“Fine. You go and hunt. I’ll just be back here, admiring the goods.” I pull my mask off and lift the hem of my shirt to wipe the sweat off my face.

“Not allowed to take your mask off while out here. I thought you were all about the rules,” Reese mocks, pulling her own mask up to show her flushed cheeks, covered in a sheen of sweat, her hair in a damp, messy ponytail. Her eyes skate over my uncovered stomach for a second before landing on my face again, a strange expression touching her mouth.

I can’t help myself. “Thinking about yesterday, aren’t you?”

She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the tiny smile that curls her lips. “No. Are you?”

“I haven’t stopped.” I’m not embarrassed to admit it. Fooling around with Reese was fun. Especially in front of that jackass she was stupid enough to marry. What is it with chicks going for the dark, moody, tattooed types? Because I can tell that’s what he’s like, just by the look of him. And even with the Stepford wife leeched onto his side, I caught the sharp glare he was shooting my way. I’m not surprised. I don’t see how anyone can’t miss kissing a girl like Reese, especially with the dime-a-dozen girl he hitched himself to.

Reese, well . . . she’s all angry and fire-breathing bitchy until her lips find you, and then you’re sure she must have a cocaine-laced tongue because you can’t get enough of her sweet mouth.

I watch her face as she seems to ponder that for a moment, her chest rising and falling faster than it did only moments ago. I wouldn’t be opposed to getting into Reese’s pants right here, right now. “Fuck,” I mutter, shifting on my feet.

“What?”

I sigh. “Nothing. I just hate wearing cups.”

I feel the tip of her gun jab me in the groin, tapping against it. “Why’d you wear this? You afraid someone’s going to go after your prized body part?”

I’m about to tell her that I’d like her to go after my prized body part but without the weapon, when a female giggle sounds outside. Quickly pulling our masks on, I hunch down to squeeze in next to her and look out the small window.

And struggle to stifle my laugh as we watch a couple climb the hill opposite us, the female in a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a shirt that’s tied to the side. “Daisy Duke is playing paintball? What a f**king moron. Why didn’t he make her wear more clothes? That’s gonna hurt when she gets hit. ” The guy is turning this way and that, scouting the area for people.

“Yes, it is,” Reese agrees, and I hear the wicked pleasure in her voice as they disappear into a hut. “Come on.” Without waiting, she’s darting out and around the corner, her gun aimed and ready.

“They’re yellow!” I hiss, trying not to be too loud in case there are any reds nearby. She doesn’t hear me, though. Or she doesn’t want to. She keeps moving forward like a little ninja, silently leaping over bushes and avoiding branches that will crack. Picking up speed but not nearly as gracefully, I reach her seconds after she stops at the side of the hut. She holds a single finger up to her mask, to warn me.

I don’t think there’s any worry, though. From the sounds of it, they’re preoccupied.

Doing exactly what I was thinking of doing only five minutes ago with Reese.

And by the way Reese is creeping around the corner, she’s about to prove why I was smart to be worried.