Kai

Three hundred sixty-five days per year. At least ten years I've been practicing. That means I've meditated almost four thousand times in my life. Each of those meditations found absolutely necessary to harness the control necessary to pull myself off Hessa and stop before things went too far.

The woman was a siren, calling me to her dangerous shore, blinding me to everything but her and her voice. Her little moans as I kissed her. Her luscious curves that felt like heaven under my hands.

Now that she'd initiated and I knew she wanted me, all I saw was a green light. I knew she was in, which meant I could break out the full-court press and make her mine. But first, I had to stay focused and save her job. Then I could have a free conscious as I put Operation Make Hessa Mine into action.

But first, we had to deal with whoever was at her door. Lost in the feel of her body underneath mine, I forgot I'd invited Jack to swing by if he had information on the online dares.

Hessa had her hand on the doorknob, about to open it, when I glanced down and saw the state of her tank top. I slammed a hand on the door, making sure it stayed shut while I reached out and pulled the top up higher over her left breast. I liked seeing what I'd done to her clothes, and I certainly liked seeing a portion of a pink nipple peeking out to say hello, but there wasn't a chance in hell I'd let Jack get the same greeting.

Hessa's face turned bright red right before she swatted my hand away and fixed her shirt herself. I smirked, knowing she hated to feel out of control or needing anyone else to help her. She'd have to get used to it, at least from me. I wasn't going anywhere. That kiss sealed the deal for me.

Jack walked in, taking one look at Hessa's red face, askew glasses, and my smirk, before shaking his head at me. He knew exactly what was going on before he rang the doorbell. Which was fine by me. Maybe not so much by Hessa, who silently whacked my arm as we walked behind Jack to the living room. Her face was a remarkable combination of haughty and mortified. My prim and proper Ms. Woodland was back in action. I stifled a laugh, not wanting to completely piss her off.

Hessa and I sat on the couch, the same one where we'd been intimate just moments before, the cushions still warm from our bodies. Jack sat on the chair opposite us and was inordinately busy getting some papers out of a file folder on his lap. Hessa crossed her arms over her chest and slid her glasses onto her face, slipping into her teacher facade with each passing moment. I figured it was just as well. We needed to clear her of any wrongdoing, then I could strip away the pretenses and get her on her back underneath me.

Jack slid a few sheets across the coffee table. "Do recognize any of these dares as being ones in your Care Dare program?"

Hessa leaned forward and took the offered papers. Her brow furrowed as her eyes moved down the page quickly. "No. Absolutely not. These are crazy!" She slammed the papers down on the table and proclaimed her innocence. "I promise you, these would never be dares I approved as part of our program."

Jack took the papers back, slid them into his folder, and nodded. "I was pretty sure you'd say that. Based on the dares your students have done in the past, I figured these wouldn't be approved."

Hessa let out a relieved breath. I reached over and grabbed her hand, hoping we were one step closer to having evidence to take to her principal.

"These are some dares or challenges that my computer guy has picked up floating around the inter webs in the last two weeks. They match up with some of the dares that Kai brought to my attention, and with some other incidences that a few other officers have dealt with in the southern California area. It seems to be limited to local residences, so that's a good thing. Should be easier to trace the origin on the dares." Jack pulled a stapled pile of papers out of his folder and pushed it across the table to Hessa.

"What's this?" Hessa asked when she picked it up and flipped through the first few pages.

"That is what you take your principal. Kai told me what happened with your student in the hospital today. You'll want to make sure your principal, and your school district lawyers, have those papers. I've officially opened a case, looking for whomever is organizing this online dare game. It's clear this isn't associated with your Care Dare program, which is also stated in those papers. Lastly, you'll see a highlighted entry toward the back which shows a dare going out to a GMartnz user name two days ago. The dare was to jump a motorcycle over a parked car. We're pretty sure that matches up with what happened to your student, Gabe Martinez."

Hessa gasped, flipping through to the page he referenced. "So he was dared. But not because of my program." She jumped up and went around the table. Her arms flew around Jack's neck, squeezing him in a hug he didn't seem to mind being in. Her breasts were practically in his face. I was about to jump up and break up the lovefest when Jack swiveled his head to me through the boob buffet and winked. What a bastard.

"Wow, it's getting late. It's a shame you have to go, Jack." I was breaking this up. Now.

Hessa pulled back and almost bumped right into me, not realizing I'd moved behind her, a half second away from prying her off the handsome detective. She squeaked when I put my arm around her waist, hand on her stomach, and pulled her into me.

Jack, the asshole, got up slowly, cocky smirk in place. "It's been a pleasure, Hessa. I'll be sure to swing by with more news as it comes in."

"I'm sure an email will suffice, Detective Ramirez." My clipped words were only making his smirk grow into a full-out grin. A guy could only be expected to take so much, right?

"Don't be rude, Kai." Hessa was smiling at Jack like he was the best thing she'd seen all night. "In fact, I was going to offer myself up."

"What??" Jack and I both yelped at the same time.

She looked confused at our outburst. "You know, like maybe to lure the guy out of hiding?"

Jack burst out laughing, which only added to Hessa's confusion.

"Oh, you're talking about the case?" I clarified, a tsunami of jealousy slinking into the background.

"Um, yeah, of course I'm talking about the case. Are you guys all right?"

Jack slapped me on the back, still doubled over with laughter. I just shook my head at him. I wasn't ready to simmer down and join in the fun just yet. Seeing my straight face, he straightened up and bit back his laughter. He gave me a slight nod, like bro-code for 'Got it. I'm done teasing you'.

"That might work quite well actually as it looks you're in his sights already. Let me think about how that could work safely and I'll give you a call. Sound good?" Jack asked Hessa.

We shook hands with Jack and showed him out. As soon as the door shut, I grabbed Hessa, spun her around so her back was up against the door, and kissed the hell out of her. I gave her no room to wiggle or breathe. The caveman in me needed to dominate this kiss and remind her of who she was with.

And damn it all if her little breathy moans didn't start up again. This woman was like gasoline on a fire. One kiss, one moan, and we were ready to combust.

My hands gripped her hips, knowing she couldn't miss the instant erection that pressed into her belly. Her breasts were like a cushion between us, driving me crazy with each fast breath she took. I plundered with my tongue, my lips plucking assurance from her mouth. She responded in kind, not backing down or evading my ownership. My stomach settled, jealousy leaving altogether.

I slowed the kiss, embarrassed I'd felt the need to insert myself like that. She was panting as I pressed my forehead to hers, determined to lock away the jealousy for good.

"What was that for?" Her eyes were closed, still lost in the kiss.

"Just seemed like you enjoyed Jack a little too much. Wanted to make sure you remembered how good we are together." I wouldn't lie to her, even if it made my ego cringe at the confession.

Her eyes flew open, horrified. "I did not! I mean, yes, he's good looking, but I don't feel that way about him. At all."

"I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to that conclusion, but I've come to find out I have a jealous streak. I won't let that happen again. Not cool at all." I shook my head at myself. I'd never reacted that way before, not even with a prior long-term girlfriend.

"Honestly? The intelligent, modern woman in me says that display wasn't cool, but the girly side of me kinda finds it hot." She looked down, a blush staining her cheeks.

I smiled at her own confession. "How about I drop the jealousy part and we just focus on the making out part?"

She barked out a laugh. "Sure, that works for me."

Before I could resume our newly agreed upon focus, her doorbell rang again, startling us both off the door.

"You always this busy around here?"

She looked flustered as she answered, "No, never."

We heard a woman's voice yell through the thick door. "You know I can hear you out here, right? Let me in, bitches."

We looked at each other and smiled, both of us saying at the same time, "Bailey".

Hessa swung open the door to a smiling Bailey, looking as beautiful as ever. I'd only seen her a few times, but every time I saw her I was taken aback by her flamboyant beauty. Didn't mean I appreciated Hessa any less, but everyone I knew wondered why Bailey wasn't modeling, she was that gorgeous.

When I found my voice, I asked, "Did you just call me a bitch?"

She gave me the once over before responding. "Don't take it personal. I call everyone that. Even hottie lifeguards. Who am I kidding? Especially hottie lifeguards." Then she spun to Hessa and dragged her into the living room, dismissing my existence entirely.

I followed them into the living room, not about to be left out of whatever conversation Bailey had in mind. I felt like I needed to be there to support Hessa during Hurricane Bailey.

"So I heard you got dared to sing in public by some random." Bailey plopped down on the now infamous couch, relaxing back into the cushions like she planned to stay awhile.

"Yeah, that's right. Jack was actually just here about it." Hessa sat in the chair, leaving me standing behind her, hand on her shoulder.

"Jack, huh? Too bad I missed him. I could use a little eye candy."

The two girls chuckled, obviously sharing some joke that only women understood.

"Let me cut to the chase here, Hessa. I possess certain skills. A set of skills that I think can assist you." She waggled her eyebrows and I was actually afraid for Hessa and myself, and the world in general. "Has Jack made any headway in figuring out who dared you?"

"Um, no not really. He said he has his tech guy on it but so far, he hasn't pinpointed the originator to the dares." Hessa answered hesitantly, probably wondering how Bailey, a personal shopper at Nordstrom could possibly help in this situation.

Bailey turned her beady eye to me, then back to Hessa. "I can see your confusion, but let me assure you, there's more to me than this dazzling face and my impeccable fashion taste. The question is: do you want to unleash my skills?"

The smile on Bailey's face could only be described as sinister even with all its pouty-lipped beauty trying to distract. I couldn't help wondering how my sweet, innocent Hessa got to be friends with this one.

"I'm both intrigued and scared right now, to be honest. Could you be more specific with what your set of skills entails?" Hessa filled the silence, brave enough to ask what we all wanted to know.

"I can find people, not always through legal means," she stated matter-of-fact.

"Okay, cut the cloak and dagger routine, Bailey. How exactly do you find people?" I was trying to get Hessa alone so we could get back to the making out we had agreed upon. I didn't have time for this guessing game.

"Jeez, Kai. Way to suck the fun right out of this conversation. Didn't you ever see the movie Taken?" She looked at me like I was slow. She deepened her voice, making a seriously pissed off face. "I will find you. And I will kill you."

Hessa looked up at me, her eyes wide. "Um...."

"Okay, seriously, this has been a wasted performance on you guys." Bailey looked all kinds of put out. She jumped up and threw her hands up in the air. "I'm a damn good computer hacker, so if you'd like I'll run through a few things and see if I can find your guy. Just give me names of who's been dared and I'll work backwards."

It only took a second or two for Hessa to catch up. "That's awesome. I've always wanted to know a computer hacker!" she squealed, jumping up. "Here's the paperwork that Jack left. Maybe take a picture of it so you have the same info to work from?"

Bailey dazzled us with a brilliant smile, happy now that someone had caught on and was giving her the reaction she was hoping for. She snapped pics of the police report on her phone and hugged Hessa. "Sit tight, Hessa-girl. I'll call you with news soon." A wink in my direction and then she was sashaying to the front door.

Hessa locked the door behind her and spun around, her jaw on the floor. "She's a hacker! How cool is that?"

She was adorable. Completely floored that Bailey could be one of those stereotypical anti-social computer hackers. I was more than a little worried that we'd unleashed a crazy person who just might mess up the investigation, but I also figured that was Jack's problem.

I pulled Hessa back into the living room, pulled her glasses off her face, and wrapped my arms around her. I was done sharing her attention with others tonight. I wanted some alone time: just her and I. Thankfully, she melted right into my body, letting me know she was interested in that plan too.

Getting her mind off the dare drama was my highest concern. I needed her out of her head, relaxed and tapping into that wild, sensual side of herself that she rarely let out.

"Will you trust me?" I whispered in her ear.

She pulled back to look at my face. "That's extremely vague and disconcerting, you know that right?" She smiled at me as she said it, so I knew she just needed some extra data in order to make a decision.

"I'd like to help you relax, so if you trust me I'd like you to have a seat on the couch. Please."

She gave me a sly look. "It was the impeccable manners that got me. Just so you know." Then she stepped over and had a seat on one end of the couch.

I shook my head. I would love, just once, to get her so crazy, she dropped the big words and polite little phrases and just moaned with pleasure. As I walked over to her speaker, I decided that was my mission tonight. I connected my phone to the speaker and put on my Hawaiian meditation playlist, a mix of classic island songs along with guitar and ukulele cover riffs.

Hessa eyed me as I moved around her room. I could feel the weight of her stare, the anticipation thickening the air as I planned my attack.