Page 13 of Healing Kiss

She suspected when Hannah had recovered, Lillian wouldn’tbein Cleveland to see Tristan’s garden, but she managed to nod and smile, which he could interpret however he liked.

She followed him downstairs but almost plowed into his back when he paused to point to a shiny silver dish on a nearby table. “Leave your keys. I’ll have someone move your car into the drive. We’ll take mine.”

Her stomach reacted at his authoritarian tone by turning over. It should be no big deal to hand over the car keys. But it was. She shook her head. “This isn’t my car—it’s Hannah’s dad’s. I’ll need to get it back to him. I took him home earlier and left my rental at the hospital. Besides, you’ll need to get to your party afterward, won’t you? I’m not leaving the hospital. Why don’t you follow me in your car?”

He turned. “I’m not worried about the party. Iamconcerned about your safety driving late at night after what has to be a long day. If you give me your address, I’ll have someone drive your car to your friend’s dad’s house. You can leave your rental at the hospital, and I’ll take you back and forth…please.” He added the last in what seemed like an afterthought, as if he wasn’t used to having his decisions questioned, and held out his hand for the keys.

She studied his outstretched hand. He’d agreed to help Hannah. He’d be spending time with Lillian in Hannah’s hospital room. Like it or not, Lillian would have to trust Tristan—at least for tonight. She placed the keys in his palm, but as soon as they left her hand, she itched to pluck them from the dish where he deposited them.

He put his hand under her elbow to guide her along, and she suppressed another shiver. How was it a simple touch had her skin tingling again? She couldn’t be shivering every time he touched her, or he’d get the wrong impression.

“This way,” he said, leading her through the garage and out to his car, which beeped, the sound reassuring in the quiet night. A breeze cooled her hot cheeks. Nothing stirred in the driveway.

“Are you okay, Zoey?”

Their gazes locked. Heat overpowered her senses, and she shrugged, trying to distance herself from his wild energy. “I’m fine.”

Strange how her whole body seemed to come alive with his slightest touch. Strange how her heart thumped at his nearness. Well, not so strange…he was a burner, after all. It would be stranger if shedidn’tsense and absorb his energy.

Power pricked her nerve endings, stirring her healing talent. She reached for the door and jumped when it popped open on its own.

Tristan laughed at her surprise. “I’d suggest you buckle up.”

She did as he requested, getting into the car and staring at what looked like a giant computer tablet on the dash and the biggest backup display she’d ever seen. “What kind of car is this?”

“It’s a solar-powered prototype I’m testing for a business acquaintance. I should warn you—it’s fast.”

He flashed her a wide grin from the driver’s side, which did nothing to settle Lillian’s nerves.

She bit her lip.Good.She shouldn’t let herself get too comfortable. She was in this fancy car for one purpose—to save Hannah’s life. Every moment she spent with Tristan was dangerous for them both.

The car hardly made a sound but moved fast and smooth, like an expensive car should, as he pulled out of the drive and onto the street.

“I know you’re worried about Hannah, but you did the right thing coming to me. I’ll do what I can to help your friend.”

Lillian realized she gripped the seat and put her hands in her lap. “Thank you, Tristan. I’m grateful for your help.”

He nodded but didn’t say anything. Silence reigned unbroken only by the sounds of the road and her own breathing. She placed her hands under her legs to keep them from moving. Her gaze, however, would not stay still, drifting to Tristan’s confident hands on the wheel. She searched for something to say. “What was the emergency you had earlier?”

His gaze flicked to hers and then back to the road. “My mother fell and hit her head. She has a concussion, but she’ll be fine.” His words were clipped, like he was trying to convince himself.

“She’s in the hospital?”

He turned onto the street that ran by the clinic. “No, she’s at her home with her caretaker. Nancy will watch her overnight, but she’ll go back in the hospital tomorrow for some tests.”

“What about your family?”

He cast her an odd look. “What about them?”

“Can’t they help?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

She bit her lip. Why was she asking so many questions?Nerves.She felt like she had to fill the silence, and asking questions was better than answering them herself. “I’m sorry. I’m just making conversation. You’re entitled to your privacy.”

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