Page 92 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
I let my smirk spread into a grin and take her hand in mine. I don’t say what I’m thinking—that I could still get into plenty of trouble with what she’s got on right now—as I lead her to the parking garage.
Things have been notably different between us since I took her to see Constance Chen perform. She’s been warmer. More relaxed. The more time I spend with her, the more time I want. Jonah’s words have been sneaking into my consciousness, getting louder and louder.
You’re only a possessive asshole when youcare.
I know you so well it’s almost sad.
He does.
He fucking does, and I can’t deny it.
At first, his statement irritated me. It made me anxious because he noticed it before I did. But now that I’ve been slapped in the face with the truth, I’m accepting it.
Calla Lily James is my Firebird.
She was burned into my chest four years ago, and even when I couldn’t grasp anything more than the smoky haze of a memory, she’d stuck with me. I never even considered the fact that we’d ever cross paths again. I wasn’t searching for her. I wasn’t holding out for her. But in more ways than she knows, our encounter in the desert affected me. It fucking branded me, and as much as it scares me to have her this close, it excites me as well.
I hold on to that excitement on the drive to the club. I keep Callie’s hand clasped in mine, absently rubbing my thumb over her wrist until we pull up to the valet, then I slide out of the car first so I can help her climb out after me.
I place my hand on the small of her back as I escort her through the doors and to the back of the club toward the roped-off VIP section. This club isn’t as exclusive as the last one I brought her to, but since the stalker has pretty much disappeared, I’m not worried.
“Want a drink?”
“Sure. A beer is fine.”
I smirk at her. “No tequila to make it easier to pretend to like me? Does that mean you’re warming up to me?”
Callie rolls her eyes. “Maybe it means I’m just becoming a better actress.”
I take a step closer. “Or maybe you’re finally giving in to the chemistry.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, King.” She bats her eyelashes, then pats my cheek. “I’m just earning my paycheck.”
If it weren’t for the sparkle of humor in her green eyes, the statement might sting. It doesn’t, though. Instead, it flames the embers of desire stirring in my stomach. Without breaking eye contact, I take my knuckle and drag it across her collarbone. Her breath hitches, and I chuckle. I lower my lips to her ear.
“I like when you call me King.”
“That’s not surprising.” Her voice is slightly shaky, as if she’s unsettled but hiding it well. She exhales slowly, breath fanning over my neck before she takes a step back. “It’s because you have a big, fat ego.”
I laugh outright and raise my hand, signaling for a server. Someone shows up within a second, and I order two beers. Callie arches an eyebrow.
“Is it always that easy?”
“What?”
“Getting what you want. You just wave a hand, and it falls in your lap?”
“No, Calla Lily.” I shake my head slowly and run my gaze over her face, settling briefly on her pouty lips before looking back into her mossy green eyes. “It’s not always that easy.”
I don’t look away until the server returns with our drinks, and then I lead Callie to a couch at the back of the VIP section where we can sit. It’s far enough from the dance floor that we don’t have to shout, and it feels a little more private than the bar tables.
“How’s your mom?”
Callie takes a sip of her beer and shrugs.
“Good, I guess. She says therapy is going well. Glory says Mom seems to be moving better. She’s healing. She’s good.”
“And what about you and her? Has that healed?”
