Page 41 of Mated in Flames

“No, Luciana says, shaking her head. “Thanks, but I think I need some time to myself.”

Is she going to think about how dangerous it actually is to be around the two of us? I don’t want to lose Luciana, but I’m not going to force her to stay if she decides that she can’t be around us because of how dangerous it is.

My thoughts are cut off, however, when Luciana steps toward me and leans up to kiss me softly. All doubts and worries instantly fade at the touch of her lips, but she withdraws with a soft smile before I can reach out to her.

“Come and see me later?” she asks. “I think I’ll be alright by then?”

Well, it definitely didn’t look like she was having second thoughts. If she was going to leave me, I would have expected her to be more distant. The idea that she might want to stay is so amazing that I can’t help the grin that spread across my face.

“I’ll come by for dinner,” I promise.

“Sounds good,” she says. She glances over to Dane. “I’ll see you later, too, Dane. I definitely won’t refuse you if you want to help out again.”

He laughs and I have the oddest feeling that I’m missing something. But the solemn air has completely disappeared now, and I can’t bring myself to care. Instead, I watch Luciana as she leaves and I smile.

Everything is going to be alright.

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