Page 36 of Journey To Sunrise

Twisting, I pulled at his neck, wanting the kiss to never end. I heard a sound. A whimper.

Dammit, Slayer!

Zarek caressed my back with gentle strokes. “Shhhh, easy,” he said as he raised his head.

“I want more.”

“I don’t think you do.” His eyes shone like emeralds as they looked down at me, missing nothing. It was at that moment that I realized I had been the one who had whimpered.

“What’s wrong with me?” I asked with a soft agonized wail. “I’m a tease.”

“No, you’re not. You’re perfect.”

I felt the proof of his arousal against my tummy. I wasn’t perfect, I’d provoked Zarek to this state, and I couldn’t follow through. What a failure.

“Hey, hey. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I don’t like it. I can tell you’re putting yourself down. I just shared my second kiss with my best friend. Don’t ruin this for me.”

“But―”

“No buts. Chloe, kissing you is the most profound experience of my life.”

“You can’t mean that. I’m screwed up.” I pushed against his chest, a thought careening through my head. “Is that what does it for you? Wounded birds? Are you turned on by women who are weak? That you can dominate?”

He laughed. “Jesus, you’re head really is screwed up.”

“Well, d’huh.” I tried to get out of his arms, but he held me tight. “Let me go.”

“Not until we hash this out. And we have exactly three minutes before I have to leave.”

His eyes glittered down at me.

“One, I’m not turned on by wounded birds. I’m a firefighter—trust me, more than one woman has wanted me to rescue her over the years, and I’ve turned them down flat. That’s never been what’s turned my crank. Two, you’re suffering from PTSD, and you’re working your way out of it. You’re going to be back to your fighting weight in no time and back to kicking my ass. Three. I’ve been twisted up about you for years. Ask Luke.”

“What do you mean you’ve been twisted up about me for years?”

“The three minutes are up, but, Cupcake, it’s you. Who you were then, who you are now, and who you will be that I’m interested in.”

I stared up at him, wanting to believe.

“You can believe me.”

Damn it. How could he be in my head?

He bent and slid his nose along mine. “I’ll see you tomorrow. You have my number, call me for anything. Call me just to say, ‘Hi’, okay?”

I knew I wouldn’t.

“Can I tell Sheryl she can come over after school today?”

I nodded.

“Excellent.”

As soon as Zarek left, I picked up my phone and looked at the messages. I hadn’t cleared out my in-box on purpose. I was sick of people—in other words, my family—leaving messages. It was just easier to have a full in-box so they couldn’t leave a message. Of course, that didn’t stop them from texting. Who knew you could have over three hundred texts? Drake was the worst. Evie was second. Hell, I would have bet on Zoe and Trenda.

Trenda played the Bella card, sending pictures of my precocious niece. It wasn’t fair. I missed the little girl. But Drake. God, I hadn’t had a big brother for twelve years. And here he was acting like a big bad grizzly, ready to take on the world for me. I was sure that if it weren’t for Karen being on bedrest, he would be in Dallas. It kind of made me feel warm inside, at the same time it pissed me off.

Evie’s messages I just deleted.