Kindling Flames: Granting Wishes (The Ancient Fire Series Book 5) by Julie Wetzel

her hand and kissed the back of it. “Thank you.”
    “For what?”
    He weaved their fingers together and dropped them to his lap. “Trusting me.”
    “You have my best interest at heart.” Cathren shrugged. “Just the fact that you didn’t force me into dating one of those guys shows that.”
    Patrick chuckled. His thumb caressed her knuckles as he drove. “I’m not sure it’s your best interest I have in mind.” His voice held a suggestive note that drove Cathren’s eyebrow up. “But I did finally figure out why I haven’t been able to find you a match yet.”
    “These things take time?” she guessed.
    He chuckled again as he released her hand and turned the car into a driveway. “No.” He killed the engine in front of a darkened house.
    Cathren looked up at the small, suburban home.
    Patrick picked her hand back up, drawing her attention back to him. “I was looking in all the wrong places.” Reaching up, he cupped her cheek. “I don’t know if I can promise you true love, but I can promise a memorable time.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip suggestively.
    Cathren’s pulse jumped as she processed his words. Her heart was already well on its way to being his. She leaped from the seat and into his arms. Her lips crushed into his as he tried to pull her into his lap. Some part of them hit the steering wheel, letting out a loud blast from the horn. Cathren jumped up, slamming into Patrick’s mouth.
    He turned away sharply as blood bloomed from a split in his lip.
    “God, I’m sorry.” Cathren tried to climb out of the odd position between him and the steering wheel, but Patrick held on to her.
    He licked at the wound, stanching the flow of blood. “It’s all right.”
    She managed to get her hands up to turn his face so she could see him.
    “I heal fast.” He smiled at her, showing off the cut. It was red and slightly swollen, but the actual break had already sealed together.
    “Wow,” she marveled.
    “I know.” He licked his lip again before leaning forwards to kiss her softly. “Wow.” He breathed the word against her mouth.
    Cathren leaned in, reclaiming his kiss. She wiggled in his arms and hit the horn again. This time, Patrick turned his head as she jumped in surprise.
    “This car is too small,” Patrick grumbled as he held her up against him. Reaching down, he caught a hold of the seat release and slid it back as far as it would go.
    Cathren clutched him to her at the sudden movement.
    A pleased noise rumbled from his chest. “That’s better.” He shifted her so she was more comfortable in his arms and kissed her again. His hands roamed over her back and side as they held her to him.
    Needing air, she broke away.
    Patrick ran a trail of kisses down her neck to the top of her shirt and growled at the material stopping his progress. “But not good enough.” He nipped the edge of her clavicle, making her giggle. Popping the driver’s side door open, he helped Cathren out. “That’s better,” he said, slamming the door and pulling Cathren into his arms to kiss again. A loud crash of thunder rang out across the sky as the light rain turned heavy once again. Patrick turned an annoyed eye up towards the sky and squeezed Cathren against him. “Will you spend the night with me?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Good.” He kissed the wet hair on the top of her head. “I have plans for you.”
    Cathren squeaked as he picked her up and headed towards the house. She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled into him, drawing in a deep breath filled with his damp scent. Her insides quivered in anticipation. Patrick squeezed her as if he could read her thoughts. If nothing else came of this, tonight would definitely be a night to remember.
    ***
    A sea of white linen wrapped around Cathren as she woke from a very restful sleep. Drawing in a deep breath, she opened her eyes and stretched. The pull of slightly abused muscles made her smile as she relaxed back to the soft surface of the