Smoked - Mari Mancusi Page 0,50

she could just pull away like she had—deny all that was so obvious between them. Now he was beginning to understand how it felt to be conflicted.

He could kiss Scarlet now. He could kiss her for hours and hours, never bothering to come up for air. And she would sigh under his mouth, and she would pull him to her, and they would tangle up in one another until they lost track of where one of them ended and the other began.

He had no doubt it would be wonderful.

But it wouldn’t be fair.

He could kiss Scarlet. He could probably allow himself to love Scarlet. But he couldn’t give her everything. That small part of his heart that still belonged to Trinity and always would—he couldn’t surrender that. Even to someone as wonderful as her. He’d made Trinity a promise to always be there for her. Which meant he couldn’t afford to be distracted.

And if he couldn’t give Scarlet everything, was it fair to offer her anything at all? Or would he only end up hurting her more than he could bear? He thought back to the second time he’d met Trinity in the Nether—how distraught he’d been, how hopeless he’d felt. She’d gone to kiss him, and he’d pushed her away. Because he knew she would never be able to truly feel for him what he felt for her.

You’ll just make it harder, he had told her. And it’s so hard already.

Scarlet had been through so much. So many people in her life had betrayed her trust. He couldn’t be one of those people, couldn’t bear to see hurt in her eyes and know he was to blame.

You think you want me, he thought bitterly. But I’m the last person to deserve someone like you.

“Earth to Caleb. Come in, Caleb!”

He startled, looking up to find her hovering over him, her face drawn in concern. God, she really was beautiful though. In another life. In another world…

“Yeah, sorry.” He sat up, shaking himself. “Sometimes I still get a little spacy. Side effects of all that Nether time.” The night air bit at him, and he shivered involuntarily.

Scarlet gave him a sympathetic look. She pulled her sweater over her head and held it out to him before he could stop her. “Take it,” she urged. “It probably won’t fit you, but you could put it over you like a blanket or something.”

“Are you calling me fat?” His mouth quirked.

“Nah, you’re just big boned.”

He took the jacket, laughing. “Won’t you be cold?”

“I’m never cold. My grandmother always used to say I was born with fire in my blood.”

“Hm. Maybe that’s why you’re so good with the dragons.”

Even in the dim light, he could see her blush. “Do you think I’m good with them?” she asked hopefully. “I’m always afraid I’m going to do the wrong thing and screw them up for life or something.”

He shook his head. “Are you kidding me? Just look at them. They’re strong; they’re healthy; they’re happy. What more could you want in a dragon?”

She nodded, watching them with affection. “I guess you’re right. And they have each other too. That’s the most important thing. Emmy always seems so lonely.” She gave the dragons a wistful look. “Though I guess it’s her fault. I mean, if she had just given them a chance, then she could have seen how kind and gentle they are. There’s no way these two softies could ever burn down the world. Zoe barely manages to burn her food before eating it.”

Caleb laughed. “I agree,” he said. He paused, then added gently, “Which brings me to something I wanted to talk to you about.”

Chapter Nineteen

“What is it?” Scarlet asked, trying to ignore the sudden flip-flopping of her stomach at Caleb’s unexpected words. She didn’t know why, but for some reason, she had a distinct feeling she wasn’t going to like what he was about to say.

For a moment, he didn’t answer, which only served to heighten her nerves. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I think it might be time for these guys to become acquainted with Team Dragon.”

“What?” she cried before she could stop herself. Then she shook her head, staring at him incredulously. Tell Team Dragon about Zoe and Zavier? How could he even suggest such a thing?

“Absolutely not,” she declared. “I mean, there’s no way. After all, Emmy thinks I killed them months ago. What is she going to say when she learns they’re still alive?”

And more importantly, she thought but didn’t say