Page 11 of Bride By Initiation

I sigh, sarcastically agreeing, "Nope! Wouldn't ever want that."

"See you later, Luca. Let's go, Zara," Sean says, then slides his arm around my waist to maneuver me out of the pub. Part of me wants to resist him and run, knowing that he'll grill me as soon as we're alone. But I can't. I sink against him, inhaling his toffee and bourbon vanilla cologne, and ignoring Fiona's disapproving glance from across the bar.

She's spoken her mind several times over the years, insinuating that Sean and I flirt with one another. We always deny it, but she's not dumb.

There is something between us, but we've never ventured down the path. We're friends, and that's how it's going to stay. It would be stupid to risk our friendship, especially when neither of us can seem to stay with anyone long-term.

One drunken night, we even admitted we get bored too easily with the people we date. So we pinky swore to never cross the line, and once we were sober, we never discussed our promise again.

We step outside, and his SUV pulls up to the curb. He doesn't wait for the driver, opening the back door himself and motioning me to get in.

"I have a driver," I object, trying to get out of the conversation I know is in front of me.

"Don't fight me on this, Zara. Now, get in," he commands, drilling his green gaze into me.

I cave, not having the energy to fight him. He usually gets everything he wants anyway.

He slides in after me and then shuts the door, ordering, "Zara's," to the driver. He hits the button, and the window between the front and back seats closes.

The SUV veers onto the road, and a tense silence fills the car.

I wait, hoping it's my lucky night and Sean will let me off the hook.

It's pointless, though. He leans close to my ear. His hot breath tickles my skin, and zings fly to my core.

I cross my legs tighter and shift in my seat.

He demands, "Tell me how you know John."

I close my eyes briefly, then slowly turn to him, an inch from his face. My pulse quickens.

He glances at my lips and then pins his authoritative stare on me.

My nipples harden. It only happens when I'm around Sean, and we have these intense moments. Yet I wish it didn't. I shouldn't react to him this way, but I can't stop it. All it does is remind me of the deep cravings I have but will never succumb to. It's not worth feeding my hunger only to get bored. At least, not with Sean.

"Don't make me ask you again, Zara," he warns, which doesn't help my itch. Something about how he assumes he's in charge and can order me around sets my veins on fire.

One inch closer and his mouth is on mine.

Don't go there with him,I remind myself.

"Zara!" he growls.

"I can't tell you anything," I insist.

"Bullshit!"

"I can't!"

"Why?"

I stare at him, my lips quivering, afraid to speak and risk losing my chance of gaining access to everything I've ever wanted to know.

My fear fights with my uncertainty. I couldn't tell John I'm ready to make whatever lifetime vow he was referring to. There are too many unknown details, and my gut tells me my father would never approve, and not just because I would find out the truth about his past.

Yet I still don't understand anything about this Underworld John keeps mentioning.

"What has he threatened you with?" Sean inquires.

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