Untamed Hawaiian Heat (Rift Hunters) (22 page)

He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t expect me to eat that, do you?”

Placing her hand on her left hip, she replied, “Yes, I do.”

Tiaki swallowed hard to dislodge the lump that formed in his throat as he watched her fingers toy with the knot at her hip. “Um…”

She took his hand and dragged him past the chairs that had been set up on a grassy area. Tiaki watched the seductive sway of her hips as she led him over to a tree. She dropped his hand and knelt down. The slit of her pareo strained open with the position and exposed her entire thigh. He gulped and forced himself to look up at the tree as he took a seat a couple of feet away.

Searching through what he’d read in the archives about the vegetation of Hawaii, he recalled the picture he’d seen of a jacaranda tree. It was in full bloom right now, with multiple shades of purple flowers covering it. Some of the blossoms had rained down to form a soft blanket where they sat.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Tiaki jerked his attention back to Kiana to find she’d shifted closer to him while he’d been looking at the tree. Now their thighs touched. The silkiness of her skin sliding against his combined with the sultry, heated scents of the many flowering plants. The mixture made his palms itch to push her back upon the brilliant purple flowers, remove the scant bits of clothes she wore, and find out exactly what she had on underneath.

“Yes,” he managed to say, though they both knew he wasn’t talking about the tree.

Kiana cleared her throat and focused on picking up some Kalua pig on her fork. “So I talked to Monte and Niki earlier, and they said Cy was able to get the location of the OS headquarters from Ferran.”

Tiaki swallowed a mouthful of sweet potato. “Anything else?”

She glanced at him. “He also mentioned another name. Ahh…Mordred…I think.”

Tiaki froze. “Are you sure?”

Kiana frowned. “Yes, I’m sure. Why?”

“Mordred is one of the founding members of the OS in the Phoenix Galaxy. He is also the son of Arthur.” He scooped some rice onto his spoon and started to bring it to his mouth but stopped abruptly when a thought occurred to him. “Ah, fuck! If he’s here, it’s highly probable some of Eris’s offspring are here too. Last I heard, he was a constant companion of at least one of them.” He set his fork down and started to rise. “Where are Pearce and your father? I need to see if they can help speed up the search for a way to contact the Citadel.”

Kiana grabbed his hand and pulled him back down. “Sit. There’s not much that can be done tonight.”

When he tried to shake off her hand, she glared at him. He sat down, even though everything inside him told him that he needed to tell the others about this latest development right now.

Kiana sighed. “If you really feel you need to tell them, you can use the com link in the wrist communicator Ash gave you, or I can send it for you. I still think you should have allowed him to install the cybernetic one. It would make it much easier to send the message. What’s so bad about these offspring? You mean they’re her children, right?”

Tiaki met her gaze. “Please send the communication. I’m sure you’re right about your link being faster. I guess they could be classified as her children, though they’re really daimones or spirits with some really unpleasant talents.” He turned his attention to the keiki playing on the other side of the clearing as he took a bite of food. He began planning in his head what he would need to get done tomorrow. There was only one way to know for sure what the hell the OS was up to. “We should probably get the recon team together in the morning and plan out the infiltration of the OS headquarters. The more we know about the situation, the better I’ll be able to explain it when we finally get in touch with the Citadel.”

They lapsed into silence while Kiana sent the message to Pearce and the others. “You haven’t touched your poi.”

He laughed. “I told you, I’m not going to try that…that… I can’t even think up a word to describe what it looks like. Which should tell you something.”

Kiana rose to her knees and leaned toward him. “You’re not getting out of it that easy. Here, I’ll show you how to eat it.”

Tiaki raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure I know how to use a spoon.”

She laughed. “That’s not how you eat poi. This is how you eat poi. Any other way is sacrilegious.” She extended two fingers and scooped up some of the purplish-gray stuff. She met his eyes as she brought it to her mouth, flicked her tongue out, and traced around the edge of the pudding-like substance.

Tiaki shifted as his cock came to full attention when she sucked both fingers into her mouth. The thought of those sweet lips wrapped around him, sucking him to the base of his cock… He almost groaned aloud when the memory of Mateo and what had transpired between them earlier. His magic broke free of the bonds he’d woven around it and reached out to connect with her as it had while he and Mateo had been together.

Oh gods! Was this how a soul bond was supposed to feel? Or was this what happened when it was restrained? He cursed under his breath as she sucked on her fingers longer than necessary. He glanced down at the poi on his plate, a wicked grin curving his lips.
Two can play that game, Kiana!

He scooped up the goo and cleared his throat to get her attention. “Emm… You wore me down. I’ll try it at least once.”

Kiana smiled so big, her eyes danced with happiness. “That’s all I was asking for.”

Tiaki lifted his fingers and licked some poi from one. Holding her gaze, he swirled his tongue around them, flicking it up and down before sucking his fingers all the way into his mouth. He allowed a small moan to escape as he observed the effect he was having on her.

Kiana squirmed, and her breathing became harsh and shallow. She slid the tip of her tongue out and traced her luscious lips.

He quickly decided he’d tortured them both enough and pulled his fingers out with a soft
pop
. He suppressed the urge to pull her down on his lap so he could take possession of her in any and all ways he could imagine.

Tiaki closed his eyes, savoring the small, tentative peace washing over him. The only thing that could have made the moment complete was Mateo.

Kiana cleared her throat. “Um…I’ve been wondering. What if you and I completed the—”

He opened his eyes and pressed a finger to her mouth. “Don’t, Kiana.”

She backed away from him. “Don’t what, Tiaki? Don’t desire to be with both of you? Don’t ache to know how deep this connection could be?” She twisted away from him. Tiaki saw her focus her attention on the torches being set up around the area where the dancing would take place.

Tiaki set his plate down and reached over to grasp her chin to make her look him in the eye. “Don’t let me come between you and Mateo.” He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “If he hasn’t accepted the soul bond by the time I’ve contacted the Citadel, I’ll be leaving Hawaii for the mainland. I’m sure there are other Rift Hunters there who will need to be trained as well.”

Kiana placed a soft kiss in his palm. “I don’t…”

He pressed his finger to her lips again. “I know. But if I destroy what you and Mateo have because of my selfishness, I couldn’t live with myself. If that means I have to leave, then I will.”

Kiana opened her mouth to protest, then suddenly went still, her eyes fixed on something behind him.

Tiaki glanced over his shoulder.

Mateo stood silhouetted in the glow of one of the torches, his chest bare except for the light dusting of hair that arrowed down to his groin. He wore a black pareo identical to the one Tiaki had donned. His head was wreathed with a lei of leaves, his wrists and ankles were adorned with
kupe’e
made of the same. His dark brown hair fell across his forehead and partially obscured his smoldering brown eyes. Not enough to disguise the anger, fear, and desire warring within him, though.

Tiaki rose and turned to find Kiana standing close to him. “I better go find Monte. He’s supposed to give me the rest of my costume.” He started to pass her, but she caught his arm and pulled his head down to hers.

She brushed her lips across his in silent invitation.

A moan escaped his throat before he could stop it. She was killing him. He was trying to do the right thing and walk away. He had no desire to be the cause of angst between her and Mateo, but the moment her lips caressed his, a hunger to taste her assailed him that was so sharp it was like a physical pain. His magic vibrated through his blood, nearing a fever pitch.

Slanting his mouth across hers, Tiaki pulled her against his body and took control of the kiss. Thrusting his tongue inside, he savored the lingering taste of the poi he hadn’t wanted to try. He could really develop a taste for it, especially if it came from her lips. He deepened the kiss.

Their tongues tangled as he slid his hands down her body, crushing her tighter against him, letting her feel the hard ridge of his cock against her belly.

This is madness
. He forced himself to pull away from the kiss, though the effort to do so was monumental.

Tiaki glanced up to find Mateo staring at them. His hooded gaze made it impossible to tell what he was feeling, although the outline of his hardened cock was clearly evident. He returned his gaze to Kiana.

Her eyes sparkled with passion. Her magic glittered hotly as it spiraled within her brilliant green eyes like a silver mist. Her lips were kiss swollen and tempting.

Tiaki opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the blaring of a conch shell. Distantly he heard Niki call Kiana’s name.

A small satisfied smile crept across her face.

Realization dawned on Tiaki in a dizzying wave as he watched her move to join Niki. He glanced to where Mateo had been, only to find the spot vacant.

She’d wanted Mateo to see them kissing.

Chapter Eighteen

Mateo held back in the shadows, hidden behind a palm tree while Monte showed Tiaki how to don the lei and kupe’e all of the
kane
would be wearing during their dance. The image of Kiana kissing Tiaki burned in his mind, stoking the fire still burning inside him from the encounter he’d had with the Hunter earlier in the day.

His magic continued to whirl chaotically in his veins, heightening everything coming through his link with Kiana. He’d been surprised to realize it was open as he’d prepared for the luau. He had attempted to close it but had found something blocking his ability to do so.

He’d felt each and every stroke of Tiaki’s tongue as he’d kissed her, thrusting deep inside her mouth. Each one brought to mind the heated kisses he and Tiaki had shared.

Mateo shifted his feet to ease his aching cock. The rustling of leaves and twigs under his feet sounded deafening in the sudden quiet. He froze. He looked up. Monte and Tiaki were the only ones left. His gaze collided with Tiaki’s glittering blue eyes.

Tiaki returned his attention to Monte and said something, then waited while he left. “Mateo?” he called to the shadows.

Mateo inhaled sharply and stepped out from behind the tree. “How did you see me?”

A half laugh rumbled in Tiaki’s chest. “I knew you were there the whole time.” He approached Mateo before continuing. “I can sense magic with little effort. And when either you or Kiana is near, my own magic becomes”—he paused, searching for the right word—“turbulent.”

Mateo tried not to let his astonishment show.

Tiaki started to reach for him but stopped himself and dropped his hand. “You and Kiana feel it to.” He raised a hand to forestall any comment. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything to her about what happened between us. Although I’m sure she was correct when she said she could feel it.” He turned and headed to where the others waited.

“Why?” Mateo blurted out before he could stop the word.

Tiaki turned to face him, his expression unreadable. “Mateo, I didn’t come here on purpose. Something happened while I was closing a rift in the year 2013, and I was sucked through it. I was stunned when I woke up and found Kiana standing over me. My magic reacted in a way it’s never done toward anyone. The same happened when you walked into the room.” He sighed heavily. “I won’t deny it. I want to complete the soul bond with both of you.” Tiaki moved closer.

Mateo eyed the Hunter warily, fighting the urge to reach out and stroke his finger over the tattoo on Tiaki’s chest, trace the magic glittering in its depths. “I already told–”

“I realized something this afternoon when I touched your mind, though.”

“What?”

“You won’t be able to accept any relationship with me until you resolve your feelings about Remi.”

Before Mateo could reply, Tiaki turned and strode away.

* * * *

Kiana shifted restlessly, waiting for the kane to start the evening’s entertainment. Her nerves were a jumbled mess. The plan she and Niki had come up with had been put into motion, but she worried about what would happen if it didn’t work.

Kissing Tiaki in front of Mateo had only been the first step. She closed her eyes and whispered a silent prayer it would work. It was fast becoming a certainty that she wouldn’t be able to live without either of them. Especially if what she’d felt this afternoon was any indication. Mateo had held her heart for a long time, and while she’d only known Tiaki for a few weeks, she couldn’t deny the depth of her feelings for him either.

In her soul and her heart, she knew they were all meant to be together. During her talk with Niki, she’d begun to wonder exactly how deep this connection between the three of them could go.

She shook off thoughts about what would happen later, when the men began filing onto the stage area. They stood in a loose formation with Mateo and Tiaki near the front.

Monte paced behind the men and yelled the call to arms of the
haka
—the traditional battle cry of the native New Zealanders. “
Kia rite!
— Prepare yourselves!”

All the men placed their hands on their hips and bent their knees; each made a fierce face meant to intimidate an enemy on the battlefield. As one, they began slapping their hands against their thighs and stomping their feet as Monte called out orders. They yelled and growled, pulling their lips back.