Page 117 of The Forbidden Note

I notice we’re heading outside of city limits. “Seriously, where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere we can have a private conversation.”

That’s all the information I get out of Zane.

Rather than continue to argue, I buckle in for the ride. Since Sol is in the backseat, this surprise trip probably won’t end up with me naked and on my back. Not that I have any intentions of sleeping with Zane again. Not that I’ve been thinking about it…

The point is Sol is here and Cadence said she would ‘see me later’.

Whatever’s going on, it involves the entire crew.

I wonder what they want to tell me?

* * *

Zane winds the car through a forest. The trees all look the same and there are no markers, but he doesn’t slow down or check for directions. Finally, he stops in front of a giant treehouse and we climb out.

My jaw drops when I stare at the magnificent piece of architecture balanced on thick and sturdy branches.

“What is this place?”

“Dutch bought it for Cadence as a wedding gift,” Zane says.

A frown flits over Sol’s face. He stomps past us and scales the ladder leading up to the treehouse.

I move forward hesitantly.

“Careful,” Zane says, setting a hand on me as I hoist myself up.

I swat at him but releasing my grip on the slats almost sends me flying to the ground. This time, when Zane supports me, I’m grateful for it.

“You okay?” He calls from below. He’s so tall that his head is still level with my chest.

I don’t respond and climb the rest of the way.

Zane is right behind me.

The view on the deck takes my breath away. I can’t stop gawking. The evening sun splays over the tops of thick trees. Birds caw to each other from green foliage.

Inside is even more mind-blowing. I’ve never seen anything like this.

“Want a beer?” Zane asks.

“Beer tastes like dirt to me. I prefer wine,” I answer automatically and then I narrow my eyes at him. “You shouldn’t be drinking.”

“I shouldn’t be doing a lot of things,” he says as he walks over to a wine cooler. He pours me a glass.

I hesitate before accepting it.

Drinking with a student. It’s not the worst thing on my list of infractions, but it adds to it. I’m pretty sure, at this point, I qualify to have my teacher’s license revoked.

My fingers close around my glass and, to my surprise, I notice Zane throwing his beer away and reaching for the scotch.

“You’ve seen the light?”

He laughs loudly. “No.” He pours it into a glass. “I just don’t want you complaining about the taste when I kiss you later.”

On the outside, my expression remains stern.