Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,27
the same way I did. She felt that tension in the air, the undeniable attraction.
She sipped her wine.
“But it’s more than that.”
“You like me.”
“I do.” I smiled again. “The question is, do you feel the same way?”
“I am sitting here with you, aren’t I? Even though I’d normally be inside nice and warm.”
“Are you still cold?” I put an arm around her.
She tensed slightly before relaxing into my arm. That was how our connection felt. Tense yet comfortable—an electrical charge wrapped in something rich and warm.
“I’m not as cold as I thought I’d be.”
“A fire can go a long way.”
“It’s not just the fire, although that’s nice. Wonderful actually.”
“I love watching fire. It is such a powerful force. Dangerous yet necessary. It is beautiful in that way.”
“Fire as beauty. That’s kind of poetic.”
“Do you see the beauty in it?” I studied her face. There was so much to her that she tried to hide. She had built a wall up around herself, but I would find a way to tear it down.
She watched the flames. “I do. It dances. I like that part.”
“Do you dance?” I ran a finger over her hand.
She startled from my touch, but then relaxed. She did not pull her hand away. “Yes, for fun. I do it around the house a lot, but clearly I’ll stop that while you’re here.”
“Why? You think I would mind?”
“No, but I would.” She looked away.
I caught her chin and gently moved her face so she was looking at me again. “Why? Why would that embarrass you?”
“You know why.”
I released her chin. “In theory yes, but do you think I would judge you?”
“Maybe. I still barely know you.”
“I’m James Mendel. I’m twenty-six years old.”
“Twenty-six?” she looked at me seriously.
“Yes, is that old or young?”
“About right. I wasn’t sure.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-two.”
“That’s only four years younger.”
“Four years is a long time.”
“It gets shorter and shorter as time marches on.” And I would not look older any time soon. Not for at least a hundred years if all went well. Any woman I united with would not either. Not that I planned to unite. Uniting was forever, and there was no changing your mind.
“That is true as well.”
She sighed and snuggled into my side. I sipped my wine. I could not remember a time when I’d been more comfortable.
“This is nice.”
“It is.”
“Despite your annoying side, I don’t mind your company.”
“Should I take that as a compliment?” I continued my feather light touch on her hand.
“Yes. I don’t enjoy the company of many people.”
“In that we are also alike.”
“Anti-socials of the world unite.” She held up her half empty wine glass.
I picked mine up from where I’d left it beside me on the table and gently connected it with hers. It made a satisfying clang. “To a nice evening.”
“To a nice evening.” She sipped her wine, and I tightened my arm around her.
11
AINSLEY
I was far too comfortable. James wasn’t someone I should have been comfortable with, but there I was snuggled up with him under a quilt listening to the water while I enjoyed a glass of wine. There were only a handful of guys I’d ever snuggled with in any capacity, and none were men I’d only met the day before. I guess it was better than having sex with a guy I hardly knew—although the thought of sex with James didn’t sound so bad either.
“Do you have any siblings?” I needed to know more about him, and that question seemed safe enough.
“Not that I am aware of.”
“Uh, is that supposed to be a joke?”
“Not really.”
“Any chance you can enlighten me?”
“My dad was not a great man.”
“Oh. Gotcha.” There had to be a story there.
“What about you? Any siblings?”
“Yes. A step-sister.”
“Older or younger?”
“Same age.”
“And how is that? Having a step-sister your age?”
“At first it was nice. She’s always been more outgoing than me and that helped in school.”
“So she was not the evil step-sister type?” He adjusted his arm around me.
“Not at first.”
“And once again you tease me with a story you do not want to share.”
“You haven’t told me much either. Like where are you from?”
“Not as far away as you would think.”
“Quit being so cryptic.” I was beginning to see that was a pattern with him.
“I would tell you more if I could.”
“Yes, because your town is secret? I don’t get it.” I shifted away. “This was fun and all, but I’m getting some sleep.”
“No.” He pulled me back against him. “I wish I could stop being evasive.”
“Then stop.”
He seemed