Page 403 of Axis of Fire

"You know..." I said slowly.

"That sounds a lot more like jealousy than concern."

"Are you going to answer my question?"

Silence settled between us once again.

Only this time...

It carried heat.

"Or are you just going to pretend I'm wrong?"

Nothing.

The silence stretched.

Growing heavier with every passing second.

Like two volcanoes...

Both moments away from erupting.

"I'm willing to accept your terms."

"What terms?" I asked.

"The ones about physical intimacy."

"For now."

A disbelieving laugh escaped me.

"So you'd rather agree to that than simply admit you're jealous?"

"You're remarkably intelligent, Fireling."

He tilted his head slightly.

"So why aren't you using that intelligence now?"

"Has anyone ever told you how impossible you are?" I asked, arching a brow.

"You've somehow managed to twist this into my fault, even though you were the one who originally claimed you were only interested in this."

I tapped a finger against the bodice of my dress.

"People make mistakes."

His voice softened.

"I made one when I convinced myself that would be enough."

"And what if it is enough?" I asked quietly, doing my best not to notice the steady rise and fall of his broad chest.

Is he actually nervous?

A long silence stretched between us before he finally answered.