"My parents told me descendants can read each others' minds. Can you? Read minds, I mean?"
"Sometimes, if I try really hard and the other person is focused. Mostly all I pick up are random thoughts, though, and it's too confusing to understand."
"Aren't you worried your parents will read your mind and learn about tonight?"
One corner of his mouth kicked up. "My sister's got me covered." He lifted his left wrist and pointed at his watch. "She gave me this a couple years ago. She told my parents it was to help me get to class on time. What she didn't tell them was that she'd also charmed it to block my thoughts from them. They just think it's some kind of new ability I naturally developed with puberty, and a sign that I should be the future Clann leader."
Nice to know even the all-powerful Clann elders could get it wrong sometimes.
"You know, you're really lucky to have such a good sister." I'd always wanted a big sister to look out for me, tell me what to do, what to wear, how to act to fit in at school.
"Yeah, she's cool. Though most of the time I'm pretty sure she only helps me because she likes getting away with things."
I laughed, trying to fit Tristan's description of his sister with the sweet, outgoing cheerleader image I had of Emily.
After a few seconds of surprisingly comfortable silence, I asked, "So if magic is such a pain for you to control all the time, why stay in the Clann?"
He stared down at the pizza box for a long moment before shrugging. "I guess part of me isn't ready to destroy my parents like that. My dad still thinks he'll convince me to follow in his footsteps. I told them I'm not interested, but..."
I studied the unhappiness in his eyes. He really loved his family; that much was obvious. But I didn't understand one thing. "If you don't want to hurt your family, then why..." I waved a hand at us, the pizza, the sodas.
"Because asking me to stay away from you is asking too much. They have no right to tell me who I can and can't see." He stared at me, tempting me to make eye contact. I barely managed to keep my gaze at his nose.
"Maybe they're just trying to protect you," I murmured.
"Protect me from you? Yeah, right."
Oh, crap. I had to tell him the truth about me, about my father. About what I could be turning into right now, right here with him. I opened my mouth-
Tristan rolled up to his feet then held out a hand. "Dance with me?"
I gulped. Here was one of my fantasies just handed to me on a silver platter. Okay, dance with him first, then confess. At least then I'd have the memory to hold on to.
I took a deep breath and placed my hand in his, then had to draw in another deep breath at the contact as tingling arced down my arm. Uh, maybe this wasn't such a good idea, after all. But he was already pulling me to my feet and into his arms.
It was like coming home. A sigh slipped out of me as he wrapped one arm around my waist, his hand pressed against my lower back. He held my other hand in his and led me into a two-step. My hand fit perfectly in the curve of his.
The music changed to a slow song. He never hesitated as he led me into the new rhythm, his steps confident, his hands guiding me with the subtlest of nudges and pulls.
"A guy who can actually dance. I'm impressed," I murmured, unable to hold in the surprise. Greg hadn't been any where near this smooth.
His chuckle sent a whisper of warm air over my forehead. I glanced up through my eyelashes to find he'd bent his head down close to mine. "My mother drags me to a couple charity balls every year. She insisted I learn how to dance right so I wouldn't embarrass her."
"She teach you herself?"
"Yeah, much to my embarrassment." He spun us around in a series of turns that made me grin. "At least every now and then the skill comes in handy."
I laughed as he twirled me out then in against his side. "I see what you mean."
He made me laugh twice more as he dipped me then waltzed me around the room, narrowly missing stepping on the pizza. Then another slow song came on. His steps changed to half count so that we barely moved. The top of my head just reached his shoulder, making it seem natural to rest my cheek against his chest and wrap an arm around his waist. It was like we were made for dancing together.
I could both hear and feel his sigh. He lifted our joined hands to his chest, as if he wanted me to feel how hard his heart was pounding. Moving this close together, our thighs brushed, our knees and feet nudging each other at times. I wished I could melt into him. He was holding me closer than I'd ever dreamed possible for us. I should be afraid of all the people who might find out about this. But all I felt was peace and total contentment. I wanted to stay here, in this exact moment, for the rest of my life.
My phone buzzed.
Oh, no. Nanna. She'd be worried. "Oh, crap. I forgot to call my grandma and let her know I'd be late coming home." I started to pull away, but his arms stopped me. "Savannah, wait."
I looked up at him in confusion, having to tilt my head way back so I could see his expression. And was surprised to find a hint of...was that worry in his eyes?
"Can I see you again?" His voice was impossibly deep and a little hoarse, its rough edges delicious on my nerve endings. I tried not to shiver.
A second date?
Needing time to think, I grabbed my still-buzzing phone from my pocket and answered it. "Hey, Nanna. I'm sorry, I went out for pizza after the game and forgot to call you." Good, no lies there. Technically.
"Mmm-hmm. Well, next time be sure to call. I was getting worried. You coming home now?"
"Yes. See you in a few minutes." I ended the call, put the phone back in my pocket and turned around.
And nearly collided with Tristan's chest.
"I would really like a second date with you." He gave a crooked half smile, but his eyebrows were still drawn together.
He wanted to see me again.
Part of me was leaping around inside, whooping with joy. He wanted to see me again!
But the other part of me didn't know what to do. Obviously I wanted to go on another date with him. Desperately. But...
He slid his hands up my arms to my shoulders and ducked his head until his mouth was an inch above mine. "May I?" His breath whispered over my lips, making me shiver.
Oh, Lord. Should I? No, I really shouldn't.
I nodded anyway.