“I didn’t recognize any of his features on anyone from my group. Not like Barrett. Even your brother and Rage have their similarities.”
“I’m so sorry! All you did was ask about the first person I read, and it turned into a big old cry session.” I push out a small laugh.
“Don’t be silly. You needed to get that off your chest. I happen to be an easy person to talk to.” He gives me this cute grin, trying to make me laugh. It works.
“I did, and you definitely are.” I smile at him and then sigh. “I feel exhausted, but so much better.” I lean back against the car seat.
“Are you still up for flying?” Stephan scrutinizes me. “I’m thinking cherry pie would be a better idea. Pie and hot chocolate and then sleep. We could head out tomorrow night? Same time?” he quirks a brow.
“You and me?” I ask him.
“You and me.” That glint is back. This is a fine line we’re walking.
I nod. “In that case, pie sounds good.” I don’t want our evening to end, but at the same time, I’m shocked at how tired I am after talking about what happened to us. I feel hollowed out. I also feel lighter. Stephan is easy to talk to. I like him so much.
We smile at each other. Stephan’s gaze softens. “Thanks for trusting me.”
“Thanks for being such a good friend.”
“I meant what I said. You couldn’t have done anything any differently. What happened was not your fault…or anyone’s fault.” He leans forward, and the air seizes in my lungs. He even looks at my mouth for a moment before his gaze drifts back to my eyes. Then he gives me a half-smile. There’s definitely a whole lot of disappointment in his stare. I think he wants to kiss me. In fact, I’m sure of it. I want him to kiss me too. I want it so badly I have to make myself sit still in my seat. I have to stop myself from reaching for him.
Instead, he reaches over and tugs softly on one of my curls. His touch is gentle. Like before, goosebumps break out on my body. Unlike before, it isn’t because of a vision. Hair isn’t actually living. As long as he doesn’t touch my skin, I’m in no danger of reading him. He knows this. I like that he knows things about me that no one else can understand. We are similar in our abilities. Our gift. Our curse.
Definitely a curse!
Our eyes stay locked. The air in the car seems to grow weighted. I can hear myself breathing. It’s heavier than before. Stephan runs his thumb up the strands of my hair an inch. I can almost feel his touch. The nerve-endings on my scalp prickle. I have to bite back a moan. Then he’s letting go and pulling back. “They also have pecan pie…there’s apple too. Salted caramel is usually on the menu as well, but I would recommend the cherry. It’s sweet and tart. In short, it’s fucking delicious.”
It’s almost like he’s flirting with me. I’d like to think he is. “I like the sound of cherry.” My voice is breathless, a little needy. I can only hope he thinks it’s the pie I want so badly.
“There’s nothing better than ripe cherries.” His eyes drift to my chest for half a second, and awareness flits through me. He’s definitely flirting, which makes me a little light-headed. His gaze is back on mine in a flash. “Let’s go.” He turns the key in the ignition, and we pull off.
11
Stephanus
I’ve never been turned on from watching a woman eat before.
Jesus! I watch as she lifts another forkful of pie to her mouth. I watch her wrap her lips around the fork. I adjust in my seat for the tenth time since she started eating that damned pie. Raven groans around her food. Thank god for booths because my dick is all over the place. She must think that I have ADHD or ants in my fucking shorts. Her groan is low and deep. Her eyes drift closed.
The best part about the whole thing is that she has no idea. No idea how sexy she looks in that white T-shirt and cut-off shorts. No idea how sexy she sounds. No fucking clue what she’s doing to me.
“You were right about the pie,” she says. “So right…only,” she lifts her brows, “you’re not eating yours. Why aren’t you eating yours?” I’ve taken one bite, while she’s nearly done. Truth is, I’ve been watching her. I’ve been too turned on to even think about pie.
That isn’t true.
I have pie on my mind. Cherries? Fuck, yes, those too. There’s a sixth food group. Her name is Raven. I want to eat her whole. Fucking devour her until she’s screaming my name. Until she’s pulling my hair and scratching my back.
Pie?
Hell yes!
“It’s good to see someone enjoying their food,” I say. Not a lie. Not really. I cut a piece of my own pie on my plate and put it into my mouth. It’s good. It’s amazing.
“Isn’t it the best thing you’ve ever tasted?” Raven asks, her green eyes are wide. There is a gentle smile playing at the edges of her mouth.
“It is.” I nod. All bets would be off if my mouth ever got to touch any part of her.
“Do you have any family aside from your brother?” she asks me. I can see dark smudges under her eyes, which are bloodshot. I need to eat this pie and get her home.
I nod. “My mom. We see her on holidays. She married a human. They live in Canada.”
“Really?” Raven laughs.
I fucking love the sound. I hated seeing her upset earlier. I meant what I said to her. I’m grateful she trusted me enough to tell me what happened. “Yes, really.” I laugh. “Jeffrey Anderson is his name. He’s a great guy. They’re very happy.”
“He knows about you and Jarrod…about your mom?”
I nod. “He knows. It was a little bit of a sticking point when she finally confessed to him, but he came around. I guess true love prevails. People will find a way to be together if they’re meant to be.”
Her eyes widen a little. “You’re right. So your mom was single when your dad came along and…?” She widens her eyes.
I nod. “Yeah, those bastard gods came from their realm and charmed the panties off of most of the single, young women from our weyr. They disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived. All of them were pregnant by the time they left.” I pause. I give her a chance to say something about her weyr. About what happened the night her brother and the others were sired, but she doesn’t bite. “My mom never ended up marrying a shifter. They were too prejudiced against us. She only married Jeff eight years ago. There’s one thing I find interesting in all this…”
“What’s that?” She cuts off another piece of pie and puts it in her mouth. I watch as she closes her eyes. Her face gets this look. I’m fucked if it doesn’t shoot straight to my cock.
I clear my throat and try to get comfortable all over again. I watch her throat work as she swallows. She takes a sip of her hot chocolate, and I’m able to think relatively clearly again. I think I might have a cherry pie fetish. It definitely includes Raven. Pie and Raven. Fuck! “Um…I think it’s interesting,” I work on pulling my mind from the gutter, yet again, “that there are no women like us.” It’s something the guys and I have discussed before. “No female dragon demigods.”