Page 43 of Infernal Hearts

I close my eyes under the water and let my hand travel south. Maybe a little me time will help me find some more clarity.

Chapter Seven

Jason

It had been less than a few days, and Levi turned my world upside-down. I can’t stop thinking about him, even through the hangover of last night. The touch of his skin, the smokiness of his voice, and the look in his eyes when he gives me that wicked smile.

I’ve already come to terms with the fact that I’m a temporary fascination for him. Just a convenient way to get off while he’s here. Maybe that’s all it needs to be, because if it doesn’t progress any more, it won’t hurt as much when it’s over. Maybe a one-time thing. Get it out of my system and move on.

Levi spent the day in the guest house making calls to magical contacts all around the States while I tended to the clinic. We had more clients this week, so at least I was able to keep my mind off things for a while.

I’m supposed to be researching upstairs in my apartment, studying for some upcoming surgeries to make sure I’m prepared. The stars shine in through the window as I think of ways to make them more efficient. Anything to speed up my dexterity. But over and over, my thoughts keep drifting back to him. What’s he doing down in the guest house? How’s the search going? Can I help?

It takes everything in me not to go down and check on him. But I know we’re bound to have an awkward conversation, based on what happened last night. I barely even remember walking home, and everything else is a blackout. So I use every ounce of determination in my body to stay in this chair and force myself to read.

The doorbell rings, and Grover barks. It looks like he was thinking the same exact thing I was. I guess it’s time to get this over with.

“Shh, boy.” I scratch him on the back of his ears, but as soon as I open the door, he bounds down the stairs and waits patiently by the door. I follow him, cracking the front door open, but Grover nuzzles his way through and immediately starts jumping all over Levi.

“Well, isn’t it nice to see you!” Levi picks him up in his arms, pressing his face close to Grover’s. Grover licks his cheek and whimpers, scrambling to get even closer.

Well, fuck. I don’t think I’ve ever been jealous of my dog before.

Levi gazes at me with a wide smile. “And you, too. How was your day?”

Electricity runs through my body at the small but meaningful question, but I just clear my throat. “Fine. Just fine. And yours?”

“More questions than answers right now.” He shrugs and lets Grover back down to the ground. The dog circles Levi and lays down at his feet. Traitor.

I straighten myself up, smoothing out my shirt. “Can I help you with something?”

“Yeah, actually, you can.” He scratches the back of his head. “Dinner. With me.”

Pinpricks rush though my arms, and suddenly his voice seems so far away. “You mean like a…date?”

He chuckles, looking down at the ground. “If you want to call it that.”

And I do—I do want to call it that. But I won’t—I can’t put myself at risk for getting hurt again. “That’s probably not a good idea.”

He deflates a little. “Then just a meal between friends…if you can call me that.”

I take a second to think. I can’t avoid him forever. And I wouldn’t necessarily call him a friend, but… What else do you call someone who’s been sweet and kind and makes you so hard it hurts? Yeah, that’s probably not necessarily only a friend.

“Are you sure we should be wasting time like this? Shouldn’t we spend it looking for my dad and your brother? The longer we wait, the worse things may end up.”

He puts on that charming smile that’s starting to make me melt inside. I hate it and love it at the same time. “I think we could both use a hot meal and a mental break. A couple hours won’t hurt.”

Maybe he has a point. We’ve been doing nothing but focusing on the search, and all the tension’s been driving me up the wall. I’ve been on edge ever since I found out my dad was missing. I nod, leaning against the doorframe. “Friends. Dinner. Sure.”

His grin widens. “Anywhere in mind? Where’s your favorite place?”

I know the perfect place, even though Michael and I used to go there all the time. Who better than Levi to replace those memories with? “There’s this little Italian joint down on the main strip. If we leave now, we could probably finish by the time they close.”

“Italian sounds perfect.” His expression sparkles. I hope he’s not expecting anything to happen after dinner. Another bad idea. “Want to head out?”

“Let’s go.” I herd Grover back upstairs on the way out—which is harder than it should be since he seems insistent on remaining at Levi’s side.

He taps his fingers nervously on the door as we drive. Not even the radio is able to fully drown out the sound.

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