Heart of Fire (Blood of Zeus #2) - Meredith Wild Page 0,72

before we drag apart. I’m lost in her scent and softness and hooded, seductive eyes.

And now, her sinfully sexy voice, as well.

“Stow that book and start driving, Professor,” she dictates against my lips. “Before we get into a lot of trouble in your boss’s front driveway.”

Chapter Twenty

Kara

Low-key R&B tunes coming from the truck’s speakers match the shift in the evening’s mood. Maximus and I are both quiet for a while, savoring the feeling of not having to be on anymore. The break also gives me a chance to sort out my thoughts. Well…half-thoughts. Snippets of conversation I wasn’t supposed to be overhearing though unintentionally did. Because I was napping and not full-on dozing, despite how I convinced Maximus otherwise. Because of the subject matter that ensured I had to hang on to at least half my consciousness.

You’re really in it with this woman, aren’t you?

What’s that supposed to mean?

You know damn well what.

It’s complicated.

It’s a simple question, Kane. Are you in love with her or not?

He hadn’t said no. But he definitely hadn’t said yes.

Staring at the angles of my lover’s profile, made even more beautiful and bold when we zoom beneath streetlights, isn’t helping me discern the answer any clearer. And unlike Jesse, it’s not like I can just ask. Not right here and now.

But why not? I don’t need a choir of angels and a bower of roses. This moment, with summer wind in the air and his fingers linked in mine, is better than any of that fanfare. He has to know at least that much by now. He also has to know, in more than a few corners of his instincts, that my heart’s tumbled as deeply into this fire as his.

And there’s the very reason my whole heart is in my throat. If he wanted to say something, he just would…right?

“Kara?”

I visibly jolt at his calm interjection. “Uhhh…hmm?”

He hits me with a pointed glance. “I was just saying I’ll probably cut over and take Topanga to the coast rather than battling the midtown crush.”

“Right. Good plan.”

“You sure about that?”

“What makes you think I’m not?”

“Demon girl.” He squeezes my hand gently. “Come on. Talk to me.”

I feign interest in the darkening landscape beyond the window as he takes the exit for Topanga and heads for the canyon cut-through. “Talk? About what?”

“About the fact that you’ve been fond of talking in questions since we left McCarthy’s place?”

“Have I?”

The second it leaves my lips, he chuckles. I join him because I don’t have a choice. The memories I’m not supposed to have are turning me into the world’s worst date.

“Sorry,” I murmur. “My mind was in another place.” An absolute truth I can borrow for making my point. “It’s been a really long day.”

“After a really stressful night.” His face tightens. “Made worse, in no small part, by my shenanigans with Z.”

“Necessary shenanigans, remember?”

Without taking his eyes off the road, he yanks my hand up and plants a firm kiss to my palm. “But no less trying for you.”

After his talented mouth leaves my skin, I keep my hand open, savoring the feel of his strong whiskers and forceful jaw. “I’m just fine.”

He darts over a look that conveys his difficulty believing me. “I can turn around anytime you say the word. This party isn’t mandatory.”

“I know, but it’ll be at least another year before my brother takes interest in hanging out with me again.” I pivot to face him fully. “More importantly, I want him to meet you.”

My new positioning reaps an instant reward in the form of his wide smile, pushing a deep dimple into existence at the corner of his mouth. The look is almost too irresistible, and I write a raincheck to myself for kissing him in that delicious divot as soon as we get to Rerek’s place.

“So you want your little bro to like me, eh?”

“Has nothing to do with what I want, because he will like you.”

I finish that with a confident smile, and it doesn’t wane the rest of the trip. Though I suspect Jaden’s invitation was inspired more by his curiosity about Maximus than any strong desire to reconnect with me, it’s still a connection I welcome. It’s also some downtime that we need after another intense day.

Maximus finds a parking spot about a hundred yards up from Rerek’s front door.

“Stay right there,” he orders.

I’m barely done opening my door, but I know better than to test him. The last time I heard him sound this way, he was kicking