Page 56 of Roaring Flames

“Reid…” My voice lowers to a growl.

Reid blows out a breath, that one single noise rife with irritation, and then spins around. He leans against his broom as he studies me. For a long moment, he’s silent, his gaze traveling over my face in a way that makes me want to blush.

“Sorry for beating up your friend,” he says at last, already turning away.

Once again, I blink at his back, at a loss for words. “That’s it?”

“What do you want from me, Izzy?” The words are almost a whisper, but they cause me to pause. Frown.

WhatdoI want from him?

What do I want from any of them?

I got an explanation—or at least, a version of one.

Do I want them to confess their undying love for me? Of course not. Do I want to be their mate or whatever? No.

So what do I want?

I flounder to come up with an adequate answer, and Reid takes my silence as some kind of confirmation. He returns to histask with a harsh scowl, one that makes him look even scarier than before.

“Don’t worry about me. I won’t be pursuing the mating bond or any of that shit,” he grumbles.

“You won’t?”

Do I feel relief or disappointment at his statement?

What the hell is wrong with me?

“I won’t,” he confirms gruffly. And then, in a voice that’s nearly inaudible, he adds, “You don’t want me as a mate.”

“I don’t even know what that means.” I throw my hands up, but since I’m still holding the rag, it goes flying in the air, hooking on one of the rafters above.

For a long, long moment, I simply stare at the wet rag high above me. Shock holds me immobile.

Then a slightly hysterical laugh bubbles in my chest.

I hold my stomach as giggles bombard me.

Reid stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind before he, too, begins to chuckle. It’s amazing the difference that sweeps over him. With his eyes shining the way they are, and his full lips twisted in a smile, he almost looks…handsome.

The sight stalls the breath in my lungs, and my laughter dissipates.

Reid stops laughing as well.

We stare at each other. The air between us charges with electricity. I can feel it crackling just underneath my skin. My heart pounds against my rib cage.

Reid opens his mouth, but whatever he’s about to say is interrupted by the door to the theater opening and the bell overhead jingling. We both turn as a familiar girl prances inside, wearing a short white skirt and a pink blouse. Her eyes home in on Reid like two heat-seeking missiles, and a hungry, possessive smile lights up her face.

Michelle.

And just like that, my good mood evaporates.

Fuck.

Twenty-Two

REID

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