Page 131 of Solar Shadows

“It’s kind of hot.” Gently, he eased me back so he could get a better look at me. My arms dropped, hands longing to return to his lovely face again.

Yep, I’d been hit hard by an Isaac arrow, happy to admit I fancied the pants off him.

There was no pity in his gaze, only what seemed like reassurance. A comforting radiance only he could offer me in this moment.

“Interesting take,” I said.

He shrugged. “I can be a sucker for sweaty hot guys.”

“I’m hot?”

“Sizzling, honey.” Then he got serious. “Talk to me if you want. You don’t have to, but I’m offering myself with willing ears.”

I stuffed my hands into my pockets. “I’m adjusting. Don’t like the idea of drinking blood to use magic. It reminds me of shadow magic rituals, but I also know it’s not the same.”

He nodded, listening.

He was so sweet, but I could see the hints of sadness in his eyes. He’d been through so much and I didn’t want to talk anymore.

I pulled him into a hug to hold him against the sorrow, rubbing his back, soothing him, and hoping he’d hang with me for the rest of the night.

He held me back, saying nothing, just resting his cheek against my chest.

Closing my eyes, I reveled in his embrace. It would so easy to push him away, to regress to indifference. But bollocks to that. The door had been kicked down with no tools available to fix it. A good thing in a world filled with bad things.

“I should go soon,” he mumbled, not moving. “I’ve got to meet Riley in the kitchen.”

Don’t go,I pleaded internally, holding him tighter.

And he didn’t, not until his brother called for him outside the gym.

“Toodles!” he called over his shoulder as he left.

Should I ask him to spend the night with me or not? I’d love to snuggle with him, no sex required—although it’d be a great bonus.

My body and my mind both responded with a resounding, “YES!”

Also, I’d ask him about having a hot chocolate with me. Seemed so tame and daft now, but hot chocolate was good for the soul. And I wanted nothing but the best for him.

Man, I’d really caught feelings, hadn’t I?

Big time.

Chapter 45

ISAAC

“We’ll see where it goes,” I declared, and popped the last meatball in my mouth, sat on a stool at the kitchen island with my little brother.

Not a bad meal considering I’d made it. Who knew I’d be good with a jar of sauce, pasta, meatballs, and an onion?

Go me!

Riley chewed merrily on his spaghetti, eyes wide with delight.

I’d just been telling him about Ollie and me, which he’d been thrilled to hear.

Washing down the meatball with champagne, I dabbed my mouth with a napkin and said, “So we’ll leave it there for now. Now isn’t really the time to get all gooey about things. Am I right?”