in the name of true love.”
“Here’s to breaking the rules, period.” Jaden whoop-whoops with his free hand and guzzles from his glass with the other, seemingly oblivious to the weird new air in the room.
Kara illustrates her uneasiness with pursed lips and a silent turn-down of the toast. I don’t have the benefit of her unique intuition, but I’ve already had enough of Rerek’s cagey machinations. Something feels too smug about his supposedly celebratory and romantic sentiment. I soothe a hand around the ball of her shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of what we both seem to be picking up on. Something’s not right.
Suddenly Rerek seems to be in on it too. His eyes glitter with mischief, like we’ve both issued a fabulous invitation—except I fear the event is chaos and he’s about to be in his element.
“Is everything all right? Did I say something?” he croons innocently.
My voice is as steady as my stare. “Sounds like you meant that toast as much as you’d mean ‘bon voyage’ to a Titanic passenger.”
Rerek spreads a huge smile. “Ahhh! The ship of dreams but the cruise of nightmares. Fond memories indeed.”
I straighten to collect myself from the casual chat with Jaden and brace myself for something less friendly.
Rerek smiles even wider. “Now, now, Professor. Have I offended you?”
Kara clunks down her drink and locks her arms around my bicep.
“It’s all right, beautiful,” I murmur without deflecting my gaze from Rerek. “We’re all gentlemen here. We’re not going to break the furniture.”
Rerek grimaces. “I love a good mess. But no. Fisticuffs are so barbaric.”
“I’d still be grateful for an elaboration on what you did mean by all of that.”
He shrugs. “I suppose I’m just sentimental. Anyway, I really should mingle. This is my party, after all.” As if his words have emerged as magic light orbs to guide him away, he turns around and strolls back out toward the main party area.
“Rerek?” Jaden calls, clearly just as baffled as we are about this. “What the fuck is he up to now?” In one fluid move, he slides off the counter and follows his friend.
I watch him leave with a careful regard, keeping Kara tucked securely to my side. “Maybe we can sneak out now.”
Kara gives me a look like she wants to laugh but doesn’t dare. “Jaden will be back, likely sooner than later. Even from the other room, I could tell he was enjoying talking to you.”
I draw in a huge breath, fighting my inner conflict. I’m ready to put Rerek’s house in my rearview and have all of Kara’s attention again, but quashing her desire to spend time with her brother would be like denying her very essence and the huge heart at the core of it. The immense kindness that’s part of my admiration for her.
With a resigned sigh, I slip my hand down into hers. I’m about to grab another drink for her, but it’s forgotten as soon as music swells louder in the next room. It’s a classical waltz. The selection is as odd as everything else about the party, which doesn’t surprise me at this point.
“Oh, wow. Now it’s a party.” Kara gives me a spirited smile, made more gorgeous by a warm breeze that flows in to pick up her dark hair. The wind plays with the layers of her dress too, wrapping the peach fabric around her subtle curves. “Hey. You want to dance?”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “This one’s a real rager.”
She gives into a laugh this time, ensuring her face is illuminated by the dancing flames from the glass fire pit out on the balcony. She’s a California fantasy come to life—light and dark, natural and joyful, sexy and smart—and right now, the stunning siren I can’t help but kiss…
Except when I’m cut off as I lower my lips over hers.
“Sorry to barge in.”
As we swivel our faces, her hair mixes with my beard. The spicy scent of her shampoo is a damn aphrodisiac in my nose, which doesn’t help my diplomacy in responding to Rerek’s sanguine smile.
“Yes?”
He dips his head to me but extends his hand to Kara. “May I cut in?”
For a second, I’m confused. What the hell is he cutting in on except me kissing her?
Luckily, Kara senses enough of that to squeeze my arm in reassurance. “Just a little dance,” she says, nodding to indicate she’s pulled at least that much from the demon’s mind.
I step back, keeping my protective glower to myself. His request is innocent enough. The two clearly share