Page 15 of When We Ignite

“No. He can bother me again after I’ve dropped you off.”

“You don’t have to entertain me.”

“Not doing it for you, darling. Just don’t feel like talking to him right now.” My heart raced at the casual “darling.” “Besides, we’re almost there. Am I dropping you at your apartment?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you live alone?”

My stomach tightened. His personal questions had a way of doing that. It’s not that he made me uncomfortable, it was more like he set my nerves on fire. “I have a roommate.”

“Do you ever speak freely, Ethan?” he asked. “Do people have to pry information out of you? Or is this reserved just for me?” His tone was teasing, but there was a challenge there.

“I don’t trust you yet,” I told him.

His grin turned wolfish. “Yet?”

My face warmed as I shrugged. “I’m not usually an open book.”

“We have that in common.” He pulled up to my building as his GPS announced, “You have reached your destination,” marking the end of our ride.

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I said, “Thanks for the ride.”

He reached toward the glove compartment, leaning closer, and his sudden proximity sent a jolt through me.

“Hold on a second,” he murmured, pulling out a sleek black box labeledBarton Perreira. Handing it to me, he stared expectantly. “It’s a gift,” he said when I hesitated.

I frowned. “What for?”

“You liked mine. I got another pair, saw these, and thought they’d suit you. Go on, open it.”

Sliding the box open, I found an elegant black case. Inside were stylish sunglasses—something I’d expect him to wear but never would have picked for myself.

“They’re great,” I admitted.

He took them out, unfolding the gold frames, and placed them on me. His dark eyes scanned my face before he leaned back, satisfied.

“I was right,” he said, pulling down the passenger-side mirror so I could see.

They did look good, but the gesture felt overwhelming. I took them off, carefully placing them back in the case.

“Well, off you go. I have a meeting to get to,” he said, just as I was about to protest accepting the gift.

“Sebastian—”

“Thank you, Ash,” he corrected, tilting his head. “I think that’s what you meant to say.” His smile was both charming and disarming. My heart felt like it was lodged in my throat, and a fluttering sensation stirred in my stomach.

“Thank you, Ash,” I repeated. The air between us seemed charged as we sat there, eyes locked.

Breaking away from his gaze, I snapped the case shut. “I’ll see you around.”

Before I could open the door, he placed a hand on my shoulder, pulling me back slightly. Leaning in, he brushed his cheek against mine—the rough stubble sent a shiver through me—as he kissed the air beside my face. The gesture, though meant as a casual goodbye, threw me off.

“You’re welcome, darling. See you around.”

This time, the endearment didn’t sound like an offhand remark. It felt intimate and intentional, leaving me breathless.

There was something different about him.