The Wicked Read Online Free PDF Page B

and took my hand.
     
    Seconds passed before a sharp pain cut right through my ass cheek. “Christ, that hurts!”
     
    Her smile grew as she released my hand then she closed her eyes for a moment. When they opened again she wore a shit-eating grin. “I fixed your shower too.”
     
    My blush grew. “Oh dear God!”
     
    “Have a good night, Nexi.” She laughed as she walked away.
     
    I shut the door and rested my head against it. Mortifying—simply mortifying. I pushed away the humiliation and headed back to Kyden.
     
    When I entered the bathroom, he had decided on a bath. Probably for my benefit, he knew I loved them. “Come join me,” he said, patting the side of the tub. I dropped my housecoat on the floor and stepped in front of him. “All healed I see,” he said with a deep chuckle. “That must have been Zia then.”
     
    “It was. How embarrassing. It’s like she’s subscribed to the porn network.”
     
    Kyden laughed behind me and wrapped his arms around me tight. “At least the show’s a good one.”
     
    “You bet your not sore ass it is.” Hmm, he was calm, relaxed—a good time for a certain conversation. “We haven’t had the chance to talk about this, but what’s the deal with Ryker?”
     
    “Ryker,” Kyden snorted.
     
    “Yeah, Ryker. That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Why don’t you like him?”
     
    “Cause he’s a nimrod.”
     
    “A nimrod.” I laughed. “There has to be more to it than that?”
     
    “We grew up together as I am sure Haven has told you.” I nodded against his chest. “Figured as much.” Then, he sighed and reached for a facecloth to trickle water down my chest. “We were equals as we trained. I am sure you could imagine there was a bit of competition there.”
     
    “With you?” I acted surprised. “I can’t believe it.”
     
    He smacked a hand over my mouth. “Watch that saucy mouth, Miss.”
     
    I chuckled beneath it and removed his hand. “Competition can cause conflict, I get that. But what’s with all the hostility?”
     
    “Losing does not sit well with the wanker. When I started to exceed his level, let’s just say it didn’t go over well.”
     
    “Okay, well that explains his part, but why do you hate him so much?”
     
    “He loves to taunt me and I know him. He’ll be after you just to spite me. I was just making it perfectly clear that was not going to happen.”
     
    I turned around to look at him. “Don’t you think you were just planting the seed? You basically threw me out there to him so he’d water the ground.”
     
    Kyden’s amused guilt was obvious. “I’d never do such a thing.”
     
    I slapped his arm. “You did that on purpose?” I snapped, accusingly.
     
    “Keeps things interesting, wouldn’t you say?” I slapped him again. He flinched, grinning. “I’m merely having a little fun with him. Just stating my position on the matter, and if he tries anything with you, I’ll beat him senseless for it.”
     
    I shook my head at him to show him my dislike of his actions. But really, what did it matter? We were both too stubborn not to do what we wanted. I took the upper hand in this conversation and used it to my advantage. At least, he wouldn’t through a fit now, since I hadn’t. “So, Ryker is a good Guardian then?”
     
    Kyden stiffened. “You care to know more about him?”
     
    “Calm down,” I said, as I snuggled back into him and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m just curious.”
     
    He relaxed a smidge. “If I were in a war I would want him with me. Does that suffice?”
     
    “Sounds like you respect him.”
     
    “I respect his ability and his work ethic. It’s not that that I have a problem with him. It’s his personality that falls short.”
     
    Just then, Willow popped up on the ledge of the tub. Kyden swore and jumped up, sending water rushing over the edge, soaking her entirely.
     
    The poor kitty now resembled a rat.
     
    “Look what you did to her,” I