It's All Relative(61)

Just as he was turning to ask Jessie if she’d had fun, Missy started walking their way. Kai felt Jessie slide off the bike, and, taking off his helmet, he hopped off after her. Once he was beside the bike, Missy stepped directly in front of him, nearly in his face.

“Kai! It is so good to see you on a Sunday! And here I thought my weekend was going to be long and uneventful without seeing your gorgeous self for two straight days. And, I know I’ve said it before, but goddamn, you’re hot on your motorcycle.”

As Missy was clearly within hug distance, and looked like she was considering it, Kai held his helmet in front of his body, effectively cutting off the temptation. Shaking his head at his horny coworker, he said, “Talking to you is such a boost to the ego, Missy.”

Missy grinned at him; a smudge on her cheek clearly betrayed the fact that she’d actually been working hard in the countryside today. Eager as she could be, she was also very good at her job. “Honey, trust me,” she purred, her eyes skimming down the front of him. “Talking to you does way more for me.”

Laughing at her, since that was all Kai could do with the situation, he looked back at Jessie. Not having figured out how to remove her helmet, she still had it on, but her hands were on her hips as she stared at Missy.

“Sorry, Jess.” Kai slipped his helmet on the handlebar and walked back to her. Tucking his hands up underneath her chin, he loosened the slide. He expected to see an exhilarated smile when he pulled the helmet off, but she was frowning. More specifically, she was frowning at Missy, and there was definite heat in her eyes. Knowing Missy, she probably had her eyes locked onto his ass.

Kai wanted to tell Jessie that his coworker just liked to objectify him, but Missy spoke first. Walking up to Jessie with a look of suspicion on her face, she sullenly said, “You cheating on me, Kai? Who’s the girl?” Adjusting her glasses, Missy eyed Jessie the way she would analyze a potential threat to the ecosystem.

Her unreasonable jealousy made him want to groan. Overly flirtatious and possessive. Great. “Missy, this is my cousin, Jessie.”

Missy’s entire demeanor changed. Brightening, she walked right up to Jessie and slipped her arm around her shoulders like they were best friends now or something. “Cousin? That’s great!” Pressing into Jessie’s side, she gave Kai a seductive glance. “So, cousin, tell me all about Kai. Likes, dislikes, turn offs…turn ons.” She raised her eyebrows, and Kai shook his head.

Jessie was too busy gaping at the woman to respond. Removing her from Missy’s side, Kai pulled her close to him. “I’m going to give Jessie a tour.” Missy nodded, like she thought that was a great idea, and then she started to follow them when Kai stepped forward. Stopping, he looked back at her. “We can go alone, Missy. I wouldn’t want to hold up your work.” She pouted, and Kai couldn’t help but grin. As he grabbed Jessie’s hand, leading her to the front doors, he tossed over his shoulder. “See you later, Missy.”

Jessie seemed to thaw out from the Missy encounter after Kai showed her the various rooms and labs where he spent his days. Kai wasn’t sure if Jessie had found Missy’s aggressiveness off-putting, or if she just hadn’t liked him being mentally undressed right in front of her; probably a little of both.

After checking out a large portion of the wilderness behind the research center, carefully avoiding the damn beehives, Kai and Jessie reentered the center through the rear of the building. They were both laughing about their little trek through the woods when Kai noticed his boss at the end of the hall. Kai had made sure to keep Jessie away from any sensitive areas, so he didn’t think he’d get in trouble for bringing her here, but he wasn’t really sure. With as strange as Mason could sometimes be toward him, it could go either way. Kai sort of wished the man wasn’t here today. But…he usually was there; he practically lived at the research center.

Straightening his shoulders once he was spotted, Kai grabbed Jessie’s hand again; he had to forcefully ignore how nice it felt to have her soft palm resting against his. Walking up to where Mason was paused in a doorway, clipboard in one hand, coffee in the other, Kai gave his boss a small wave.

“Mason, I’m glad you’re here.” Kai still naturally wanted to call the man ‘sir,’ but that was one thing Mason still insisted on—informality.

Mason seemed to slump a little at seeing Kai, before bringing his lips up into a smile that was clearly forced. Kai wanted to find out once and for all what the guy’s problem with him was, but now wasn’t the time. “Kai…I didn’t think you were coming in today.” By his tone, it was obvious that he was disappointed that Kai had decided to show up. It was almost like Kai was ruining his day, just by being there.

Ignoring the sting of not being wanted, Kai smiled as he shifted his gaze to Jessie. She seemed to be puzzled about something, and was staring at Mason like he looked familiar to her. “I was just showing my cousin, Jessie, around the center.”

Mason’s eyes widened as he studied Jessie. Extending his hand, he murmured, “Cousin? Well, nice to meet you, Jessie.”

Jessie shook his extended hand, but her brows were still furrowed. “Hi…” Narrowing her eyes while they shook hands, Jessie scrutinized Mason’s face. “Your eyes…I’ve never seen someone with a shade so similar to Kai’s…”