Free Forged in Ice by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page B

the fridge. They will be fine.” She needed me. I reminded myself as I let my need for her cloud any concern over time.
    She laughed. “I guess some things are the same in both of our worlds.”
    “Plenty of things are the same.” My lips reached her breast, and I greedily took it into my mouth.
    She moaned. “James.”
    I would never get enough of hearing my name on her lips.
    She took me in her hand. “Let’s make sure sex here is just as good for us.”
    I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensation of her touch. “That sounds like a great idea.”
    She pushed me so I rolled onto my back, and she released me before climbing on top of me. “But this time I need a different view.”
----
    O ur alone time ended far too soon, and before I knew it we were back with Talen and Henry standing outside of Ainsley’s small car.
    “I can drive.” I reached for Ainsley’s keys.
    “No, it’s fine.” She wrapped her fist around the car keys. “I don’t mind at all.”
    “Are you sure?” I was not sure if it was possessiveness over her car or a desire to prove herself.
    “Completely sure.”
    Henry laughed. “She does not trust you with her vehicle.”
    “It’s not that.” She slipped into the driver seat, and I closed the door behind her. I gave up the argument easily. I had only been offering because I thought she might prefer it.
    I got into the passenger seat of her Honda, and Henry and Talen got into the backseat. Ainsley pulled out of the driveway and onto the road. It was completely dark outside, but the city was lit up with lights. That was one of the biggest differences from Belgard; the entire city went dark at night.
    I kept glancing over at her as she drove out toward the coast. Images of the hour we had spent together raced through my head. The sex was just as good in the lost world. And I was falling for her even faster.
    The drive went quickly, and Ainsley managed to find the house despite Talen’s lackluster directions. To cut him some slack, he had never been there himself before. At least I could relax a little bit about Ainsley’s health. She should be set for a while. I smiled before getting hit by another round of guilt. I got such pleasure out of our intimacy, yet her life depended on it. She seemed to get just as much pleasure, and I hoped that came from more than the poison’s effect on her body.
    Ainsley slowed as we got stuck behind a large truck. It gave me time to admire the tall oak trees lining the road. It lacked the bright hues that were trademarks of Energo’s flora, but it still had a beauty. I turned away from the window to look at the greater beauty.
    “Yes?” She noticed me watching her.
    “I am just looking.”
    “You do that a lot.”
    “I enjoy admiring beauty.”
    She reddened. “Thanks.”
    Henry laughed. “Your lines are actually working?”
    “His lines do not need to work. You know what they were doing at the house.” Talen chuckled.
    I turned and glared at him. “That is none of your business.”
    “As you wish.” He looked out the window. “Turn right at the next street. Milo’s house will be the last one at the end of the street.”
    I held Ainsley’s hand as we turned and she headed for the end of the small dead-end street. Her headlights provided some illumination of the thick foliage and large southern style homes, but otherwise the street was completely dark.
    She idled at the bottom of the long drive. “Are you sure this is the house?”
    “Positive. Go ahead.” Talen directed.
    “Okay.” Ainsley slowly drove up the long driveway and stopped. “Will Milo be expecting you?” She turned off the engine.
    “No.” Talen opened his door. “He also will not have heard of the chief’s passing. It might be better if you waited in the car.”
    “Not a chance. At least one of us is going.” I trusted Talen, but I wanted to hear the conversation.
    “I can go.” Henry made the offer I was waiting for. I did not want to expose Ainsley to an Arco