Shifting Life

15. Heat

Matt left the Toyota in Lauren's driveway. A block away, he unlocked a silver BMW.

Jacklyn walked past it.

"Get in," he said.

She kept walking. He didn't have that much power over her after all.

"Jacklyn. Please."

She stopped.

Matt caught up with her. He took the heavy canvas bag from her, his warm hand brushing hers. He put it in the trunk with the other. He opened the passenger door for her.

She stayed where she was, back turned. Her instincts were muddled, horsey sense confused. She had nowhere to go, but clearly it wasn't a good idea to get into a car with a stranger.

Matt came up beside her. He waited.

Horsey part loved having him close. What the hell was going on? What was happening to her?

"Me and your ex are not the same body type."

So not what she was going to say.

He laughed. "Different girlfriend," he said, adding. "Sexier. Never tried to kill me."

She glared at him.

How many years of practice to get that smooth?

"Maybe she should have."

He gave it some time.

"That's as ugly as I get," he said finally. "Lauren vouched for the coat-job. She set me up. She's still alive. You're siding with my ex?

Jacklyn gave him a good long look, neither confirming or denying, simply stalling to get her senses in order.

"What?" he said softly.

"Did you put a spell on me?"

He laughed again, a low amused chuckle. "I'm a thief, not a magician."

"I have a hard time reading you. It wasn't hard before."

"You only knew what you'd seen. We're all a bit more than we like to show, aren't we?"

He left it hanging.

What had he found out about her that he wasn't telling?

"Trust yourself," he murmured in her ear.

"It's trusting you..."

She sensed his smile more than saw it. He was too close. "You don't have to," he said. "You just have to look after me."

"That's so ridiculous."

He shrugged. "Laws of magic. You know it's true, though. I can tell. It shows."

She frowned. She wasn't going to dignify that with an answer.

He nuzzled her ear again.

She melted instantly.