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Heaven can sense the energy of other beings, and what she feels within Layne ignites a connection that burns soul-deep. But matters of the heart will have to wait. Someone's making threats on her life, threatening to expose dark family secrets that will alter the course of destiny.
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“Why do you think something’s up?” Heaven asked in a sharp tone. “Can’t Dylan and I enjoy a day with our friends?”
Layne’s palms shot up in front of him. “My bad. I meant no disrespect. Just curious if we’re celebrating something or getting together to bullshit.”
Guilt consumed her. She shouldn’t have been so harsh. Her mother taught her to be kind to everyone, no matter how rude a person was or how much she disliked them.
Layne hadn’t been rude. Though she didn’t understand the vibes he emitted, she didn’t dislike him. Strange as it was, he made her feel safe.
“I’m sorry.” She placed her cup back on the counter. “I didn’t get much sleep last night and I think it’s getting to me.”
For the first time since they’d met, Layne smiled at her. It was genuine, not the fake one he showed other people. This one revealed his pearly whites and a dimple she’d never noticed.
“I think we started off on the wrong foot.” He eased his elbow against the counter. “Please don’t hold my behavior with your sister against me. I swear I’m a nice guy.”
Yeah. He was a nice guy, with a sex drive just as bad as Faith’s. Whatever state their relationship was in wouldn’t surprise Heaven. It would blow up in their face. She hoped Faith’s test came back negative. Neither of them needed a child. Not at this point in their lives.
“I know my sister, Layne. She’s not innocent by any means. Whatever happens between you two is none of my business. You’re Dylan’s friend and I’d like to consider you one of mine too.”
She watched as he extended his hand toward her. “Friends then?”
“Friends.” She clasped his hand to shake it, but touching his skin reminded her of a time she grabbed the oven rack without a mitt. She jerked her hand back, searching for burn marks.
“God, I’m sorry.” Layne reached for her again then stopped. “Did I shock you?”
“No, it felt like… It’s nothing.” She walked to the closet near the refrigerator, grabbing the step-stool.
Layne’s gaze weighed on her. She didn’t have to look at him to know her reaction to his handshake had bothered him. The tension between them said it all.
Her face heated. After jerking her hand back, then stammering over her own words, he must think she was nuts. Perhaps she was. You couldn’t get burned from touching someone.
“Do you need help with anything?” he asked.
“Um…” She set the stool in front of the fridge. “There’s tequila under the bar, in the den. Would you mind grabbing it?”
“Yeah, I know where it is. Be right back.”
Fire weaved through her as she watched Layne walk away. It originated in her hand, scorching every one of her nerves. When he disappeared from the kitchen, she glanced at her palm. The heat she’d felt when their skin touched still lingered. It didn’t hurt like a normal burn, but the sensation left her mind spinning.
What caused the heat, and why did her reaction hurt him?
Nothing about Layne made sense. If she wasted time trying to figure him out, she would accomplish nothing.
Once she climbed the stool, she reached for the cabinet where Dylan stored the blender. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of anything but Layne. Something about him weighed on her. She took a deep breath, waiting for her hand to stop tingling. Why bother looking at it? There wouldn’t be any burn marks. She’d already checked.
The tingling faded, yet a new sensation tickled her knuckles. Then again. When a large wolf spider came into view, she flung her hand and shrieked, casting the spider back inside the cabinet. Arachnophobia was no joke, but neither was standing on top of a stool. As soon as she stepped back, she lost her balance and braced herself for the fall.
Instead of hitting the ground, she collided with a wall of fire, or so she thought. When she peered up, Layne stared down at her. It wasn’t just the warmth of his gaze that made her heart race. It was his eyes.
They were identical to the ones in her vision.