Page 60 of XO Karma

“No!” My face reddens, stomach fluttering with a billion butterflies that ought to drop dead immediately. I need sleep before I say anything else idiotic. “Aster Blake. Shut. It. Down.”

He chuckles. “Shut what down?”

“The”—I wave a hand at him—“flirty love talk. Shut it down.”

He rolls his eyes, then juts out his lower lip in an adorable little pout. “You’re no fun.”

“I’ll have you know I am considered the fun aunt!” I counter, trying to get the topic off me, and us, and us together. And us in compromising but delicious positions.

He places a hand between my shoulders, veering me into a driveway, and I blink up to realize it’s mine. He had me so distracted, I hardly realized we were nearly here. “You are going to go get some rest before you sleepwalk into traffic.”

We ascend the steps, and at the front door, I turn to face him. “And what about you?”

“I’ve got a few things to take care of, but I’ll be back here at eight.” He retreats with a grin. “Wear something comfortable.”

21

ASTER

A twig snaps beneath my boot as the moonlight guides our path towards the Westerford estate. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to get inside, but we can at least case the place and see if we can garner any type of intel. “We’re about a mile out,” I tell Lily.

“Bless.” She inhales loudly, pausing to take a sip of water.

“Not keeping up with your cardio?” I tease, and even in the dim light of the forest, her dagger eyes slice through me.

“Yes, I do! I just didn’t realize the last mile would be uphill. I know why we couldn’t drive the entire way, but damn, I’ll definitely have to skip leg day tomorrow.”

“Consider it your karma.” An unidentified flying object whooshes past my head. “Hey! I had to skip it for weeks after you left your little present in my thigh.”

“You know, I wish I could say I was sorry.”

“Don’t worry.” I sidle up beside her as we continue our trek through the woods. “I liked it.”

“Aster.” She shoves my shoulder with her free hand. “You can’t say stuff like that.”

“Why not?” I reach out to push a strand of hair behind her ear, but she swats me away. “You like it?”

“No,” she says firmly. “It’s creepy.”

“Creepy?” I scoff, putting a hand over my chest. “I think you’re getting your words confused. Buddies—lovers. Creepy—sexy. Shall we have you checked for a concussion?”

“Ha. Ha.” She pats my shoulder. “Hilarious, my creepy little buddy.”

I narrow my eyes at her, wishing she could feel the full effect of the laser beams I’m shooting her way. “You promised not to call me that.”

“Maybe we should have a ‘you don’t flirt, I won’t call you buddy’ agreement.”

“I reject your proposal.” The reduction of flirting is simply not possible with a woman who’s been plucked from my dreams and placed beside me in a skintight matching workout set.

“Then I reject your change of nickname request.”

“You know, I can just go back.” I spin 180 degrees. “You’re more than capable on your own.” And while I’m certain that’s entirely true, there’s a zero percent chance I’d leave her. Definitely not alone at night in these dark woods. Near these people whose intentions are God knows what.

Leaves crunch beneath my boots as I commit to the bit, and then I hear a pleading, “Wait.”

An unabashed grin creeps across my face, and I spin toward her. “Yes?”

“Can you at least leave me your extra flashlight in case mine dies?”