Page 20 of Born in Fire

She hesitates, and for a moment, I think she’ll refuse. The possibility bothers me more than it should.

“Tomorrow works,” she says, surprising me. “Text me the details?”

“Absolutely.”

She turns to go, then pauses. “Dorian?”

“Yes?”

“I’m still going to beat you at latte art.”

A laugh escapes me, genuine and surprised. “We’ll see about that, stargazer.”

She smiles, a real one that reaches her eyes, then walks away. I watch until she turns the corner, fighting every instinct that demands I follow to ensure she gets home safely.

My phone buzzes again. Three missed calls from Caleb, two texts about the Heartstone. The real world intruding.

I start walking back toward Craven Towers, but my mind stays with Juno—the taste of her lips, the sound of her laugh, the way she sees beauty in buildings I’ve passed a thousand times without noticing.

Something’s happening to me. Something I don’t understand. A lifetime of casual conquests, and suddenly, I’m counting the hours until tomorrow night like some lovesick kid.

I touch my lips, still warm from hers. Whatever this is, whatever she is to me, one thing is certain: Juno Ashford is dangerous in ways that have nothing to do with physical threatand everything to do with the walls I’ve built around myself for centuries.

And it suddenly occurs to me that I’m looking forward to something more than I’m dreading it.

Chapter 7

Juno

I check my reflection in the restaurant window, smoothing a wayward strand of hair. I’ve left it down tonight, waves falling past my shoulders instead of my usual no-fuss ponytail. A small rebellion against the voice in my head that sounds suspiciously like Tyler’s:You look messy with your hair down. You should keep it tidy if you want people to take you seriously.

Taking a deep breath, I pull open the door to Marea, the small waterfront restaurant Dorian suggested. The hostess smiles as I give Dorian’s name, and I automatically scan the space—exits, number of patrons, potential obstacles. Old habits.

Then something draws my attention around, and I see him. My heart does a ridiculous little bounce.

Dorian sits at a window table, the Seattle skyline twinkling behind him like a backdrop designed specifically to highlight his profile. He’s looking out at the view, the lights framing his broadshoulders beneath a crisp navy button-down that’s open at the throat. Dark hair curls against his collar; it looks freshly washed, thick enough to lose my fingers in.

He stands when he spots me, and the genuine pleasure that transforms his face sends warmth spreading through my chest.

“You made it,” he says, as if my arrival is a delightful surprise rather than a scheduled meeting.

“I got a cab right away, and traffic was lighter than expected.” I allow him to pull out my chair, noticing how he positions himself so I have the better view of both the restaurant and the water. Coincidence, or did he somehow sense my preference for situational awareness?

“I thought you might appreciate the view,” he says, gesturing toward the window. “Though I’m finding it hard to compete with the one across the table.”

I roll my eyes but can’t suppress a smile. “That line work on all your dates?”

“Only the ones who call me on my bullshit.” His eyes crinkle at the corners; there are flecks of gold in them that I find hard to look away from. “Which, now that I think about it, is a very short list.”

The waiter appears with water and wine menus. Dorian asks questions about vintages with easy confidence, neither showing off nor deferring to me. When he suggests a Washington Syrah, he watches for my genuine reaction rather than assuming my agreement.

It’s… refreshing.

“So,” he says once our wine arrives, “how was your day of caffeinating the corporate masses?”

“Uneventful. Though I did create a perfect fern leaf in a customer’s latte.” I take a sip of wine, rich and velvety on my tongue. “Still practicing that rose for our competition.”

“Ah yes, the gauntlet has been thrown.” He traces the rim of his glass. “I should warn you, I’m naturally talented at everything I try.”

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