Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(79)

Zavien didn’t seem to pick up on the soul-baring nature of her statement. His posture stayed rigid. “I don’t want him here.”

“What do you want?” There. She’d flat out asked him.

His heart beat a staccato rhythm under her fingertips. “Will you send him away?”

Frustration welled up inside Bryn. “I don’t want to talk about him. I want to talk about you.”

He blinked in confusion. “What do you want to know?”

Time to ask the million-dollar question. No matter the pain it caused, she needed to know. “Who is your intended?”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

Wrong. “It matters if you plan to spend the rest of your life with her.”

“She’s a friend.” He didn’t meet her gaze.

Bryn heard a door close. Miss Enid and Valmont had retreated into the bedroom to give them privacy.

She inched closer. Electricity sparked between them, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up. “I need to know.”

He took a deep breath and met her gaze. “My intended is Nola.”

No. Freaking. Way.

Nola? His intended was Nola? How in the hell was she supposed to compete against the dark-haired Barbie? She couldn’t. Dropping her hand from his chest, she backed up a step.

Zavien closed the distance between them. “I swear. She’s a friend.”

Wanting to believe, she placed her hand over his heart and searched his eyes for the truth. “If she’s a friend, then what am I?”

He skimmed his fingers along her jaw and down her neck. Warmth radiated from his touch. He settled his hand at the base of her skull, leaned close, and whispered, “You are temptation.”

She held her breath as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. Time seemed to stand still. His mouth moved against hers. Melting against him, she fisted her hands in his shirt and tried to pull him closer. He wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her body flush against his.

Too soon, he pulled away. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“I’m not sorry you did.” She traced her fingertips along his jaw. For so long, she’d been unsure of his feelings. Now she knew.

He pressed her palm to his lips and warmth flowed up her arm.

“We can’t behave this way in public. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

A picture of Nola flashed in her mind, making her grind her teeth. Perfect hair. Perfect face. Perfect body.

“Nola’s your friend? You swear you aren’t involved?”

“We don’t have anything in common. She’s a violinist. I appreciate her skill, but classical music puts me to sleep.”

“But she’s beautiful.”

“True, but she doesn’t like my tattoos or my hair.”

This news made her smile. “How could she not like your hair?”

He shrugged. “To each his own. I like girls who curse and have striped hair.”

“Lucky for me.” There was another question she needed to ask. “Do people believe you and Nola are dating?”

“Nola and I agreed we could see other people if we’re discreet. She’s made it clear we’re friends until we finish our degrees.”

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her head. She took a shaky breath. “And after that?”

“I’m working to change the Directorate’s marriage law. Nola is fine with putting off our wedding as long as possible. I could always work on a master’s degree to extend the deadline if the Directorate doesn’t change the law soon enough.”

“I hate the Directorate. They are screwing up a wonderful moment.”

“I can fix that.”

He leaned in. This time she met him halfway. Determined to ignore reality, she threw herself into the kiss. Heat thrummed through her body. She threaded her fingers through the hair on his nape.

Zavien jerked away from her.

She fell against him. “What the—”

“Someone’s knocking,” he said.

Whoever it was could go away. The only person she wanted to see was Zavien.

The knock sounded again. She realized it was coming from her bedroom door. Irked, she walked over and opened it. Valmont and Miss Enid stood in the doorway. Both wore smug expressions.

Miss Enid walked into the living room. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to leave.”

Valmont rocked forward on the balls of his feet. “I’m willing to stay—”

“No,” Zavien snarled.

“What a surprise.” He winked at Bryn. “Call if you need me.”

The librarian moved around Zavien to reach the door.

Valmont followed her lead. As he pulled the door closed, he called back, “Some guys can’t stand a little healthy competition.”

Bryn bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Zavien reached over to lock the door. “I hate him.”

Another knock had Zavien yanking the door open. “What?”





Chapter Twenty-Four Clint and Ivy stood in the hall, wearing surprised expressions.

“Weren’t we supposed to stay with Bryn?” Clint asked.

“Sorry.” Zavien stepped aside to give them room to enter. “I thought you were someone else.”