T's & C's (don't) Apply

43. Being Stubborn is (Not) Part of the Contract

I wasn't afraid of many things. I generally took things as they came but heights weren't my friend. Although if I thought about it, I wasn't as afraid of heights as I was falling from them. 

I clutched onto Kai as if my life depended on it. I didn't hear what he said but his voice was soothing and helped calm me down. 

"Shit, Coco, you're shaking," Kai said. "Hey, open your eyes, look at me." 

I gulped after he asked again in a gentler tone, I managed to slowly open my eyes. His face was way too close for comfort but being near, helped ease my anxiety. 

"Breathe," he gently said. "I got you. I'm not going to let you fall." 

He tightened his hold on me and the warmth in his eyes assured me but also made my heart race more.

I cleared my throat. "You can –"

"Clover!" Laurel shouted. 

I glanced over Kai's shoulder and saw her running toward me with Ethan on her trail. I tapped Kai's chest and signalled for him to put me down. 

"What?" Kai played ignorant. 

"You can put me down now." 

"Why?" Amusement flashed in his eyes. "You seemed comfortable a second ago. I could've sworn you didn't want me to put you down." 

"Kai." 

"Say please." 

I looked at him annoyed. "Kaidan." 

"I don't believe that's synonymous with please in any language." 

"Clo," Ethan rushed over. 

I was already embarrassed because of the spectacle I caused over nothing, and it was worse that Kai refused to put me down. 

"Put me down," I hissed under my breath. 

"Your face is red," Kai said a little loudly. "Did something bite you while you were up there? Or are you running a fever?"

"Someone check." Kai lifted me a little higher and gestured with his hands. "My hands are kind of full." 

"Did you sprain your ankle?" Laurel asked, concerned. "Or break your leg?" 

I shoved Kai's chest and tried to get off myself but the second my eyes landed on the ground, I gripped onto his shirt to keep myself steady. 

"Mate, if she's okay, put her down," Ethan said calmly. "Clover doesn't do well with heights." 

Kai's taunting expression softened a smidge, and he finally leaned down and dropped me to my feet. 

Laurel was at my side in an instant and examined me. "What happened? Did you get hurt?" 

"If I didn't just save her life, her neck would've been snapped in two," Kai replied on my behalf. 

"What?" Laurel snapped her head my way. 

"He's exaggerating. I missed a step and almost fell, that's it." 

"From up there?" Laurel pointed to the top step. "I don't think he's exaggerating. What were you thinking going up there when you hate heights?" 

Laurel looked sharply at Kai. "I thought you were supposed to help her?" 

"Easy Laura Croft," Kai defended himself. "You don't think I tried? You more than anyone else should know how stubborn your sister is." 

Laura Croft? Isn't it Lara?

"If she got hurt at your hands, it would've been your tomb I'd be raiding," Laurel promised.