Page 44 of Infernal Hearts

“Something on your mind?” I grip the steering wheel, bracing for his answer.

“Yeah, a lot.” He fidgets with his hands, popping his knuckles one by one. “But mostly one thing.”

My heart races, and suddenly it’s very warm in here. “What’s the one thing?”

“I think you know.” His answer is quiet, but the meaning is ear-splitting. “Can we talk about it?”

I gnaw the inside of my cheek. “Do we have to?”

He sighs. “I think we do.”

I really don’t want to do this, but we’re trapped in the car. Together. And we’ll be trapped in the restaurant. Together. Maybe it’s better to do this here than in public.

“Listen, Levi… You’re not that bad.”

He laughs. “Thank you I think?”

My pulse pounds, knowing that came out wrong. “I just don’t think you and I should have sex.”

“But why not?” He rakes his hands through his hair. “We’re both adults. It could be fun.”

“Because that’s not what I’m about.” I sigh. “I don’t do casual. It’s never been my thing. I’m a serial monogamist, and you…”

“Are kind of a slut?” He grins.

I guess I deserved that. He’s flirty, but I’d never say something hurtful like that. “That’s not what I was trying to say at all. You’re an incubus. Sex is something different for you than it is for me.”

“You can say it. It’s okay. I’ve slept with a lot of people, but in a hundred years, I can count on one hand the number of times there was an actual connection. You’re one of them.”

My eyes widen, and I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “So…you actually like me?”

He bites his lip and looks away. “I thought it was something I could just get out of my system. A one-time bang. But it’s rare that I ever want it to be more than that.”

“I… Wow.” My words are lost in my throat because my stomach is too busy doing somersaults.

“Wow is right.” He puts his hand on my thigh, and a current runs through my body. “You’re special. You’re immune to me. And yet somehow, beyond belief, you still like me.”

I can’t hold back a low chuckle. “Have you seen you? Don’t you know the effect you have on people?”

He shakes his head, waving his hand as if he’s brushing the compliment away. “That’s part of the magic. When I became an incubus, I transformed inside and out. I’m the perfect sexual specimen. Everything about me is built to draw people in. But my magic doesn’t work on you, and I don’t think the rest of it does, either.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” I grip the steering wheel harder. “It’s hard to believe. You’re sweet and charming, even if you are fucking annoying sometimes. But I like you for you.”

“Thank you.” His voice is soft—tentative. “I really do like you.”

I melt for the briefest second but pull back immediately. Of course I want to see where this goes, but I just know he’s leaving soon and that’ll be the end of this. He lives in the big city, and I live in a quiet mountain town. There’s nothing here for him, and it’s not fair to ask him to stay. Plus, what would I do if I followed him to Hollywood? Wait for him to come home every night after making deals?

As if reading my mind, he speaks again—voice breaking with a slack expression on his face. Even his eyes are wet and dull. “I don’t like my life, Jason. It’s lonely. I don’t like making deals. I have everything I need, so I don’t know why I even do it anymore.”

In that moment, it hits me—he wants a change.

“Maybe…” My brain fails me again, and I struggle to find the words. “Let’s see how dinner goes. We can talk about this again later.”

“I can live with that.” He turns his palm up, giving my hand a little squeeze before returning it to his side.

My palm is warm and tingly from the contact. I already miss his touch, but I can’t tell him that. Instead, I try to change the subject. “Then dinner it is.”

We pull up to the restaurant and get out of the truck, walking in together. It’s almost empty—closing in an hour. I feel bad coming in so late, but Levi requested my favorite spot, and this is it. Their ravioli is out of this world.

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