“I’m surprised you made it to my house without being jumped.” She tried to lighten the tension filling the room.
He turned toward her, his focus suddenly and absolutely on her. “Your family and I reached an understanding, and now it’s time we do the same.” His tone deepened to one of determination.
Janie took a step back. “Why are you in Realm combat gear, anyway?” Changing the subject seemed wise.
He stepped toward her. “When I teleport tomorrow, there’s a good chance I’ll be shot immediately. The king thought maybe combat gear would give me a leg up, and we’ve been working on it. The gear is good.”
She backed up again and kept going until her butt met the coat closet door.
He matched her steps, bringing the warmth of male with him. “Are you ready to talk?”
Talk? Oh. She swallowed. “Yes. Talking would be good.” Giving up any pretense of decorum, she slid away from him and forced herself to walk calmly to the sofa. She settled into place and crossed her legs.
Zane took measured steps around the sofa and stopped to peruse the DVD and book collection on the shelves by the fireplace. “All romances and contemporary comedies,” he mused.
She licked her lips. What was going on in his head? “So?”
He turned and that gaze pierced right into her. “No thrillers, paranormals, horror stories?”
“God, no.” Her everyday life sometimes fit that description.
Understanding tilted his lips. He turned and shocked the hell out of her when he crouched down between her legs, his broad hands flattening on her thighs.
Heat flared along every nerve ending, driving up and into her core. “Um, why don’t you sit up here?” She was so out of her element.
“I’m fine.” Even crouching he had to look down a little to meet her eyes.
She tried to smile. “If you’re trying to put me at ease by not looming over me, you’re not succeeding.”
“I’m not trying to put you at ease.” The green in his eyes darkened.
Hail spattered against the windows, and she jumped. “What are you trying to do?”
He frowned as if choosing his words. “The dream worlds weren’t real. You know that, right?”
She fought to concentrate while his rough hands remained on her legs, but her body rioted against any thought. “They were real enough. We were there.”
“No.” His hands flexed. “It was playtime and make-believe—an escape for me.” His features darkened.
Living with Suri must’ve been hell. She’d known Zane suffered, but he’d never shared the truth with her. “I know,” she said softly.
“Good. Then you understand I’m not the guy you played with by the make-believe ocean. I wish I could be, but that’s not who I am.” Even his voice had deepened.
What was he getting at, and why was her body suddenly on fire? “Okay.”
“Do you trust me, Belle?” he asked, his chin lowering.
“Yes.” She didn’t have to ponder the question, as she’d always trusted Zane. Through everything.
His shoulders relaxed, and approval lightened his eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She reached out and cupped his whiskered jaw. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes. Always have and always will.” He turned into her palm and kissed her love line. “I need you to go underground while I hunt Suri.”
She smiled. “No.”
He blinked. “Yes. If word gets out that I’ve mated you, and it will, you’ll be in more danger than ever. At least go into hiding until Suri is dead.”
