Free Immortals (Runes book 2) by Ednah Walters Page B

Torin for “stealing me” from him. “I saw her bow to you at school, so I got curious.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Okay, start talking. I want to know everything.”
    Leaving out the personal stuff, I told him everything that had happened from the day I saw runes on Andris to the attack during the meet. When I finished, Eirik stared at me with an unreadable expression.
    “Say something,” I whispered.
    He shook his head. “Torin is one lucky bastard.”
    Was a lucky bastard. Now he was lower than a slug. Eirik sounded sad. I approached him, wishing I could ease his pain. “I’m sorry.”
    “For what?”
    “Hurting you. I didn’t mean to.”
    He moved away from the counter and pushed his hands in the back pockets of his pants. Cloudy amber eyes studied me intently. “I thought we had something special, Raine.”
    “We did. We do. Our friendship is special. It always will be.”
    “But it’s nothing like what you and Torin have. I mean, he was willing to be a slave to evil Norns and Hel for you. How…” He blew out air and scowled. “How can I possibly compete with that?”
    I sighed, my heart aching for him. If I could spare him I would. No matter how often I told myself it was over between Torin and me, I knew it was a lie. I was pissed at him, but my heart still belonged to him.
    “I don’t want you to complete with him. I love both of you, just differently.”
    Silence followed, his scowl deepening. When he pulled his hands from his pockets, reached up, tucked my hair away behind my ears, and cupped my face, I barely stopped myself from pulling back. Torin loved to do that.
    “Are you absolutely sure about your feelings for him? I mean, if I were to kiss you right now, you wouldn’t be tempted to rip my clothes off and have your way with me?”
    I stiffened then I saw through his cockiness. His pride was hurt, but he was doing his best to cover it up with half jokes. “My heartbeat would probably shoot off course because of a boost in oxytocin and dopamine.”
    “In plain English, please,” he said, a smile tugging the corner of his lips.
    “My eyes would dilate, my heart would beat harder, and I’d start panting like a cocker spaniel after chasing its tail.” He laughed. I went for the kill. “You’re an amazing kisser, and I’m only human.”
    He grinned. “Am I really a good kisser?”
    Now he was fishing for compliments. On a different day, I’d blow him off, but he was too emotionally fragile for me to play games. “Yes, you are, and there’s a girl out there—”
    “No.” He stepped away from me. “I’m done dating.”
    His feelings for Cora were strong. I’d seen it in his eyes. He just wasn’t ready to admit them. “Don’t say that.”
    “I still have to figure out who I am, who my biological parents are. A ghost for a father and a nameless mother doesn’t exactly sound like something you want to share with a girlfriend.” He shook his head. “Besides, the first thing my mother told me after they’d finished explaining about Asgard and Valkyries was not to get involved with a Mortal.”
    Sounded like something his mother would say. I did the math. The night after they’d talked to him, he’d kissed me. “So what were you doing with me?”
    He rolled his eyes. “Like I was going to listen to them? I’d wanted to kiss you since the day I caught you changing. Unfortunately, my mother saw me watching you and one thing led to another.”
    A few weeks later, they’d moved. I guessed that had been his mother’s way of making sure he didn’t become involved with me. It hadn’t stopped him. Hopefully, his need for answers about his parents wouldn’t interfere with his growing feelings for Cora or I’d have to play Cupid.
    “I’m happy we talked,” I said.
    He made a face. “I don’t know. I think you should make it up to me.”
    “Anything. Just say it.”
    “Make-out with me.” His expression changed, until he wore a lost puppy look. The corner of his mouth