HISS by Kassanna Page A

Always have.” She hugged him tighter.
    “Is that anaconda the reason you’re here?” He wrapped his muscular arms around her shoulders.
    “Yeah. But I’ll work it out, and if things go the way I plan, we will have a hell of a fight on our
    hands once I’m back.”
    He reared back and cupped her face with his hands. “Let ’em come, baby. Poison is my middle
    name. I’ll leave the motherfuckers in the ditches as a warning.” Loubel dipped his head and nipped her
    ear.
    Her pussy pulsed in response. She shuddered and tamped down the building desire. “Let’s have
    some fun.”
    “I’m always up for a little entertainment.” He nuzzled her neck.
    She pulled back. “Not that kind, lover. I believe we have a human hunter stalking Jamison and
    Marree.”
    “A human? Hell, let Jamison handle that. I can think of more interesting things to do.”
    “Loubel!”
    He shrugged. “Fine. But I’m getting tired of all this secret shit.”
    “I’ll make it worth your while.”
    “You’ll do more than that, Le.” He yanked her flush against him.
    His cock thumped her thigh. “Come on, Loubel. I want to take care of this.”
    “You don’t need my help, Le.” He ground his pelvis against hers. “Is that a grenade?”
    “Yeah. Want one?”
    “Naw, got some in the closet at the house. So what do you want me to do, Kiele?”
    “Find the hunter. I want intel about who hired him. Then of course you’re welcome to kill the
    asshole.”
    “Goddess, woman, I miss you.”
    She lifted her chin and traced his lips with her tongue before pulling away. “Soon, bebe . Now help
    me find the SOB, please.”
    “Only because you said please.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “What about Jamison and
    Marree?”
    “They’re in the broke down house boat. You came looking for me. Tell them you were looking for
    them. How did you get here anyway?”
    He snorted. “Followed your scent. I got the airboat sitting on the other side of the levee. I bet your
    hunter is sitting in-front of the boat, waiting to pick them off as they come out.”
    “That’s what I’m thinking.”
    “So, toss the petite bomb and blow the bitch out the brush.”
    “I, umm, didn’t want to disturb the lovebirds. Don’t tell me you didn’t hear them?”
    “Fuck that.” He started removing clothes. “If I can’t get any, why should they? I’ll get your
    information, and when he comes running out in the open put a bullet in the bastard’s head.” Loubel
    tossed over his shoulder.
    “I love you, Loubel.”
    “As you should, Kiele. See me before you leave. Don’t make me come looking for you again.” He
    walked between leafy branches and was swallowed up by the marsh.
    * * * *
    Jamison eased Marree’s head off his shoulder and scooted to the edge of the bed. He walked to the
    corner and snatched up his clothes to put them on. Their attacker was out there, and he still had to get
    them to safety. He dropped the bundle. It would be better if he checked their surroundings first.
    Marree was still sleeping. A few minutes, he could go out, look around and be back before she knew
    he was gone. He picked up the rusty twenty-two she’d aimed at him and shook his head. The old gun
    was more likely to backfire than shoot straight. With the barrel firmly in his grip he climbed out the
    window he’d come through and dropped the old rifle in the water. He walked along the edge to where
    the bow was submerged and leaned on the old rail, listening to it groan under his weight as tiny rust
    particles covered his feet.
    He caught a burst of colorful movement in his peripheral vision. When he focused on the spot,
    nothing was there. He took a few steps into the water and climbed over the submerged bar. Water
    sloshed up his knees when he jumped into the inlet. He knew those vibrant striations. The question
    was what the hell was Loubel doing out in the middle of nowhere?
    His steps were quiet as he moved through the lily pads that dotted the