Sam winced. “Bear—”
“I need you,” Bear said quietly. “Garrett’s found the love of his life once again, and it’ll go to crap like always. I’m having an internal Grizzly Club issue with a few members, and I can’t cover him completely.”
Sam blew out air. “Then we’ll be there.”
A ride? She wasn’t going on a shifter motorcycle ride, for goodness’ sake. “I—I can’t mate,” she said, her voice rising. Though she didn’t know the specifics of mating, she could guess. Her mind spun and then decided to shut down for a while. “I’m still engaged to somebody else.”
Chapter Ten
Sam drove along the interstate, keeping the heat on in the vehicle in case Honor had caught any sort of cold while running from him through the woods. After Bear had left, she’d taken a shower before changing into dark jeans, a white sweater, and brown leather boots that seemed to lengthen those already long legs. He’d given her space to work through everything she’d learned.
Her mind was still spinning so fast he could almost hear it.
He passed a school bus. “We’re going to come up with a game plan for this breakfast, and since we’ll be there in about thirty minutes, how about you tell me why you’re engaged but not wearing a ring?” He’d kept quiet as long as he could. The idea that she was taken was fuel injecting an unhealthy heat through his entire body. While Bear was wrong that Sam had made a claim, he sure as shit didn’t like the idea of Honor being engaged.
Her hair was in wild curls down her back and her makeup understated, giving her an untouchable appearance. She looked at him, her eyes beautiful but tired. “I was going to break up with Kyle on my way out of town this morning. For my first vacation in much too long.”
Sam paused. “Wait a minute. You were going to end an engagement and then just leave town?”
“Yes.” She plucked at her jeans. “He’s a psychologist, and we worked together for six months, then started dating. It was comfortable, usually. He accepted my oddities, and it was nice that somebody did.”
“You’re not odd. You’re Enhanced and exceptionally gifted,” Sam growled, his voice lowering to demon hoarse.
She looked at his mouth and then quickly away. “Well, I didn’t know that. Plus, I found him restful to be around, if you know what I mean. I guess his brain patterns are so calm that I stopped trying to read him. Shouldn’t have.”
“Why?”
She blushed. “It’s a little embarrassing, considering my job. Apparently Kyle has been out of town having an affair with his accountant, and when I found out, I was sadder to lose the ring than him.” She shrugged. “I don’t think I’m cut out for relationships.”
Not with a dickhead named Kyle who cheated on her. Sam fought a grin. “Does this guy have any idea you’re about to drop the hammer?”
“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “His girlfriend sent me pictures of them together, so she might’ve told him. But when he confirmed breakfast last night before you, um, kidnapped me, he didn’t mention anything.” She shook her head and looked out the window. “I really don’t understand people. I mean, I think I do, because I’m good at my job. But then I don’t. I was engaged to a guy I didn’t know, and now I’m hanging out with vampires, demons, and shifters.”
“Thanks for telling me.” Sam took her hand.
She looked down at their hands. “When we’re together, your energy is different. Not together. I mean, when we’re in the same vicinity as each other, your energy smooths out.”
He gripped the steering wheel, knowing full well what her admission had cost her. She was working on her gifts, and to do so, she had to admit she had them. He liked the idea that she was beginning to trust him. “That’s intriguing. Tell me more.”
Her expression lightened. “Okay. So, when I watched you in the interrogation room, your energy was all over the board and, well, heated. Then I entered the room, and you seemed to calm. I can’t explain it, but I could feel it. If I concentrate…I might be able to see it.”
That made sense. “I’ve been having trouble with fire, as you know. I can’t control it. In fact, it seems that I’ve passed the problem on to you, but then I burned the sofa after you took off last night.” He already had several theories about that, but he wanted to see her mind in action. She was intriguing and sexy to start with, but when that brain kicked in, she was incredible. “What do you think?”
“I don’t think my reading your brain patterns will help with the fire situation.” She gestured with both hands, causing her breasts to lift beneath the snowy white sweater. “I need more information. Do other demons or vampires have problems with fire? With creating explosions?”
“No,” he admitted, taking the next exit and driving down the ramp to an area with several shopping malls, gas stations, and restaurants. He looked for the right one. “It’s a long story and more info than you probably need.”
“That’s bull,” she said.
He turned toward her. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” she said. “So far, from what I can tell, you have a problem, and nothing has helped. Until I walked into the room and you were able to share the problem with me. Have you noticed that no fires or explosions have occurred when we’re in the same vicinity?”
“Yes,” he said. “I figured that was temporary, though.”
“Then in order to help you, I need the entire story.” She squared her shoulders as he parked in front of a diner. “After I deal with Kyle. I’ll be right back.”
Interesting. She’d misread him again. “Right. I’m not letting you go in alone.”
She paused in the midst of removing her seat belt and turned to face him. Her scent filtered through the car, and his body woke right up. “I’m not your responsibility, Sam.”
“Baby, you’ve got that wrong.” He opened his door and crossed around to open hers. “Let’s do this and get on the road with the shifters. You haven’t lived until you’ve gone on a ride with a bunch of insane bears.”
She faltered and then accepted his hand. “Surely you’re not on board with Bear’s bizarre thoughts?”
He helped her out and then shut the door, escorting her to the diner. “Bear only seems crazy. The guy is usually on track.” They walked inside, and he clocked Kyle in a second. Tall, dark hair, brown eyes. Fit and wearing a casual T-shirt with jeans, sitting in a booth facing the door.
Sam put his hand to the small of Honor’s back and propelled her beyond the other booths.