Page 247 of Infernal Secrets

“Now do Ezra,” he said, not pushing her to explain more.

“This is silly.”

“No, it’s not. He wants to know.” Zeke looked at Ezra, who’d been quietly observing us since the movie ended. “Don’t you?”

She turned to look at Ezra. “I mean, if you wanna know…”

When he angled his head to study her, her cheeks flushed. “Tell me,” he said, voice low.

Her pupils dilated, and a breath shuddered out of her.

I ran a hand over my mouth to hide a grin. Even if they weren’t on the same page emotionally, the sexual chemistry between them stirred my curiosity.

She took a steady breath and mumbled, “It’s woodsy and earthy, with spice and lavender. I have a candle that smells like you, so I know the scent notes.” Her gaze darted to the box sitting beside the entertainment center.

Zeke hopped up and went for the box, noticing her look. “In here? What’s it called?”

She groaned, burying her face in the back of the couch.

“Oh, come on,” I encouraged. “He’s curious. It’s not often a mate can know exactly what they smell like.”

She peeked at me. “Really?”

“Even if you told me I smelled like butterscotch, it’d still be through your filter. The candle will show us what Ezra’s scent means to you.”

She sat up. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.” She looked at Zeke, who remained on his knees next to the open box. “Mahogany Teakwood.”

He dug through the box until he pulled out a large candle with a golden lid. Opening it, he sniffed. “It’s strong,” he said, standing and bringing it to me when Cyn waved him off.

“It is.” I nodded, smelling the candle. “But it’s a nice scent.” I passed the candle to Ezra.

Rae watched him, a nervous set to her lips.

Ezra took his time looking at the candle’s exterior before finally bringing it to his nose. He lowered the candle, staring at the burnt wicks. His throat worked as he swallowed.

I nudged his leg. “Not bad, right?”

He looked at me, then at Rae. “You burn this a lot,” he said, instead of answering.

She nodded with a shrug. “Not all the time, but yeah.”

I’d noticed the lowered wax level when I smelled it, too. It wouldn’t be long before she’d need to replace it.

She didn’t just burn a candle she liked. She burned him.

“So you like this scent,” he said, studying her flushed face.

“I do,” she murmured.

He passed the candle back to Zeke to return to the box. “It’s a nice scent.”

I laughed, shaking my head as I leaned back against the couch. They had a long way to go before casual conversation didn’t sound awkward. I looked forward to the show.

61

CONFESSION

ASH