“Ronan?” Kali asked quietly. “Ronan, are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Kali.” He glanced in her direction and saw the concern on her face. “I’m sorry. I was just…” He trailed off, not really wanting to explain his trip down memory lane. It had been a life-changing experience. Although, he’d met Alex that day and they’d been friends ever since, so it hadn’t all been bad. “If we keep the car moving, nothing paranormal can slip in. They need two stationary points to travel that way. There’s nothing between us and the safe house now, so we have no reason to stop.”
“Oh.” She didn’t really sound convinced, and he glanced in her direction before turning his attention back to the road.
“Oh?” he asked, hoping she would elaborate. This couldn’t be easy for her. Not only was she learning about paranormals for the first time, but she got to spend time with a man she’d already rejected months ago and a stranger who just happened to be a fire demon with a penchant for seducing pretty ladies. Although, come to think of it, Alex usually restricted his flirting to females of the paranormal persuasion.
“I’m just…” Kali twisted her fingers in her lap, and Ronan felt his apprehension level increase. Despite their short acquaintance five months ago, he would have sworn that she didn’t have any emotional “tells.” She’d worn what he’d considered a polite and friendly expression for most of their time together, but it hadn’t given him any clues on what she’d been thinking. It had only been when she was in the throes of arousal and screaming in orgasm that he’d seen the passionate woman underneath. How was it that months after she’d fled his bed he still wanted a chance to do it better? To make up for whatever he’d done wrong? She was just one woman in a long line of disastrous relationships. Why was this one special?
Kali took a deep breath and started again. “I’m just sorry that you got dragged into this mess. I mean…it…it can’t be easy for you to have to deal with me after the way I embarrassed myself on my birthday.”
“The way you…” He bit back the words, trying to figure out what she meant. She’d been lovely—a perfect date and an unexpected gift as a bed partner. They’d spent most of the night exploring each other, and even now he could feel his cock rising at the memories. Granted, he’d managed to say and do just about everything wrong on their “date,” but the sex had been amazing, and it hadn’t been until the morning after that the awkwardness had started.
He wanted to pull the car over and deal with whatever it was that had gone wrong between them five months ago, but the threat of paranormal attack was still very real. He kept his eyes on the road and asked the question he’d wanted an answer to since that day. “Why did you leave?”
“Why did I leave? Are you nuts?” He frowned and gripped the steering wheel tighter. He was about to ask the same question again when she took a deep breath and started talking really fast. “I shouldn’t have used you that way. It was wrong and I’m sorry. I’m not usually so needy, but it was my birthday and I was feeling lonely and depressed and…well none of that excuses my behavior. I just…I wanted you to know I was sorry, and even though we’re going to have to spend some time together while this shit all gets sorted out that I won’t do anything so selfish again.”
Hell, if he could stop the car, he’d drag her over his knees and smack her ass. And then kiss it better and maybe even roll her over so he could trace his tongue over her pussy, find her clit, and suckle on the hard nub until she came screaming his name.
Fuck. She thought she’d “used” him? He hadn’t just been a willing participant. He’d wanted in her bed almost from the moment he’d met her. He’d sensed something, felt something…hell, he couldn’t describe it, but it was almost as if they belonged together. He may have seemed reluctant when she’d first suggested that he take her to his bed, but that had only been because he’d wanted more than a quick fuck from her. If he’d known she was going to run, he would have tied the woman to his bed long before the morning had come.
He stayed quiet, unsure what to say. He’d fucked this up once already. Clearly, telling her in words was not one of his strengths. He’d always preferred action over talking anyway.
They eventually turned onto the dirt track that would take them to the safe house, and Ronan was glad to see Alex waiting for them. It would give him a chance to do what he needed to do without having to worry about keeping his guard up in case of attack. For a few moments he fully intended to show Kali exactly what he’d been thinking five months ago.