Dark Stranger Immortal (The Children of the Gods #3)(12)

“Ah, ah, ah… a deal is a deal. I’m keeping them.” He pulled her in for a scorching kiss.

Coming up for air, she said, “I thought you needed to be somewhere…”

“Yeah, how unfortunate…” He let her pull out from his arms. “You’ll be at Amanda’s?”

“Yes, and if you miss me, you can call me on this brand-new, wonderful phone I got instead of sniffing my panties…” Syssi pulled the device out of her pocket, caressing its sleek surface. “Precious…,” she whispered coarsely like Sméagol from Lord of the Rings.

“Let’s go, Sméagol.” Kian tousled her hair. Outside Amanda’s door, he kissed her hard before letting her go. “I’ll see you later.”





8

S Y S S I

“L ucy! I’m home!” Syssi called as she opened the door.

Rushing out of the kitchen and waving her hands in a damn good imitation of the legendary Lucy, Amanda chirped, “Oh, Ricky, darling!”

The woman was a born actress.

“Sorry I took so long, I’ll get to work right away.”

“Rubbish, it’s not important. Come, talk to me. Tell me what you’ve been up to. You should have been done with Bridget hours ago.” Amanda dragged her by the hand to sit beside her on the couch. “I see that Kian cuffed you.”

She lifted Syssi’s forearm to examine the cuff.

“Yeah, I have access to the elevators now, and so does Michael. Now both of us can spy on you guys and uncover all of your dirty little secrets.”

“Very funny… So, what else have you been up to, besides having your blood drawn and getting… cuffed…”

“Kian asked me out on a date for tomorrow night. He wants to take me to this very posh restaurant…” Syssi was pretty sure Amanda was a member, but just in case, she skirted around the name of the place.

“He’s taking you to By Invitation Only? That’s wonderful!” Amanda squeezed Syssi in her arms as if she had just delivered the best of news.

“That’s the one… but why are you so excited?”

“How could I not be? It’s the first time that I know of, that is, Kian has asked anyone on a date! I’m going to have to drink to that. Margarita?” She walked up to the bar.

“Yeah, why not, bring it on…” A drink actually sounded wonderful.

“How is it possible he has never done that before? What about all the women he’s shagged?”

“You’ve seen me in action. Would you call what I do dating?” Amanda handed her the drink and took a sip of her own.

“No, I guess not… So that’s all you guys do? Pick up random strangers for hookups?”

“Yep, told you it sucks… The sex is okay, though, most of the time…”

Amanda grimaced.

“I couldn’t live that way. Now I understand what Kian meant when he said he hated it.” Syssi took a big sip of the cold drink.

“Hey, we need to go shopping!” Amanda’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“I’m thinking a whole morning of girl fun. We’ll go for a facial. A manicure and pedicure are an absolute must, then the hair salon complete with professional makeup. And then… Ta-Da! Rodeo Drive!”

“I can’t afford all that!” Syssi laughed at Amanda’s enthusiasm.

Dismissing Syssi’s monetary concerns, Amanda waved her hand. “Don’t be silly. I’m going to charge it all to Kian’s card.”

“You can’t do that! I don’t want him spending a small fortune on clothes I’ll use for only one night. Where will I wear stuff like this? Starbucks?”

“He doesn’t care about the money. You know he can afford it. But he cares about you, and you’re not going to be selfish and refuse. You’re going to let him do this small thing for you, just to make him happy. Capisce?”

Amanda arched her well-defined dark brow and took another sip from her drink.

That shut Syssi up, effectively making any further arguments seem petty.

She realized Amanda was right. Kian had made it clear that it would please him to pamper her.

So why was she still making waves about it?

Was it pride?

To some extent… But mostly it was about who she was and what she believed in. Spending obscene amounts on clothes or shoes seemed vain and frivolous to her. Still, she had to consider that what seemed obscene to her was perfectly reasonable to Kian and Amanda. And if she wanted to hang out with them at places like that fancy restaurant, she had to fit in with the rest of their rich friends.

“Okay, you win…,” she conceded.

“Yay! I’m so happy!” Amanda hugged her again. “We’re going to have so much fun.”

“You’re going to have fun. I, on the other hand, am not such a big fan of beauty salons and shopping. I lose patience real quick.”

“Don’t worry. With me by your side… there won’t be a dull moment.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’re right… there is never a dull moment when you’re around.” Feeling the margarita’s effect, Syssi laughed. “That’s what I’ll miss going back to Kian’s… He asked me to bring my stuff back to his place.”