Page 37 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

Emma’s mouth popped open a second before she reachedover and whacked Calisto hard in the arm. It was nothing more than secondnature, and she didn’t think much of it. But when Calisto started to laugh,hard and loud, Emma did all she could to stay still in the seat as she watchedhim let loose. His shoulders shook and his soul-black eyes lightened in hisgenuine amusement.

It made her companion all the more appealing. Itreminded her of one of their first drives together. It was bad all over.Because it made her feel damn good all over.

Emma hid her sudden frown by looking back out thewindow again. Apparently, Calisto hadn’t missed it.

“We’re not very good at this whole thing, are we?” heasked.

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Being near one another. Do you remember what you saidat the wedding reception when we danced?”

Emma wished her throat didn’t suddenly feel so thickwith emotions. “Yes.”

“Well, what was it?”

“That we could do this. Pretend like nothing happened.Be friends.”

Calisto chuckled, but the sound was hollow and sad. “We’renot very good at it. I hide away from you, making sure I’m not within yellingdistance. When I do come around, you barely hold back from spitting at me. Likeyou hate me.”

Emma’s heart clenched painfully. She slowly rotated inthe seat, wanting to see Calisto as he spoke. Months ago, she’d learned that hecould be emotionless and detached on the outside, but his voice gave everythingaway.

And his eyes, too.

“I don’t hate you,” she whispered.

Calisto’s hands squeezed tighter around the steeringwheel. “No?”

“No. You make me feel angry sometimes, hurt, orconfused. Ashamed, when I look at my husband, embarrassed at myself, and sad.And other times, when you’re around, I feel …”

“What, Emmy?”

“Hot. So strange. And that makes me irritated,confused, and ashamed all over again.”

“Vicious, isn’t it?” he asked calmly. “Those circlesare fucking vicious, kitten.”

Emma should have told him right then and there to cutout the pet names, but she didn’t. She liked the sound of them coming out ofhis mouth far too much. The slight stubble dotting Calisto’s jaw and neck madeEmma’s fingers twitch in her lap. She had the strangest urge to reach acrossthe middle of the vehicle and run the tips of her fingers over the coarse hair.

She knew what it would feel like.

She had his lips on her body once.

She felt his stubble leave marks on her skin.

She knew.

The shame rose fast in her throat, making her sickagain. Emma hid the redness of her cheeks with her palms, taking a slow, deepbreath to soothe the nausea. It didn’t help a great deal.

“Yeah,” Calisto said, glancing at her. “We’re not verygood at this at all.”

Emma chose not to respond.

Another ten minutes passed the two by in silence. Herstomach eventually settled, and the shame that never quite left began tosubside. Emma rested her hands on her lap, careful not to touch her midsection.

She still couldn’t do it.

The first miscarriage was … heartbreaking.

Even with the doubt and worry in her heart, Emma stillstroked the side of her thumb along the underside of her swell. She ignored thedull ache in her chest and back as she rubbed her stomach, and let her thoughtsfocus on the unborn child she was carrying.