Kindling Flames: Granting Wishes (The Ancient Fire Series Book 5) by Julie Wetzel Read Free Book Online Page A

silence.
    A large gust of wind hit them, making Cathren turn her face into Patrick’s shoulder. She could smell a hint of rain on the air. “I should probably give you your coat back.” She went to shrug off the coat and return it. The warmth it had given her was nice, but if the sky was going to open up on the way back to the mall, he would need it.
    Patrick patted her hand, stopping her. “Keep it for now.”
    Cathren nodded as they crossed the street. She looked over the deserted parking lot of the mall. Her car was on the other side, and the building itself was probably locked. “Do you mind walking me to my car?” she asked as they made their way down the ramp that dropped them from street level to the parking area. “I could then give you a ride to yours.”
    “Of course,” Patrick said softly.
    She leaned into his side a little, enjoying what would surely be the last few minutes she would get to be this close to him. “Thank you.”
    A bright flash and loud crack scared a scream out of Cathren as a bolt of lightning hit one of the lamp posts in the parking lot. Grabbing her up, Patrick twisted and slammed Cathren into the retaining wall at the edge of the ramp. His body pressed over hers just as a second bolt of lightning hit a second, and closer, pole.
    Cringing, Cathren buried her face into Patrick’s chest as he leaned against the wall. Adrenaline raced through their systems as they panted, waiting for the next lightning strike. Seconds of anticipation ticked by with nothing. Slowly, Cathren eased the death grip she had on the sides of Patrick’s shirt and leaned back against the wall to look up at the man protecting her. He had pinned her to the wall with a forearm on either side of her and a knee between her thighs. The press of his body drove shivers of desire deep into her.
    Her movement drew his attention from listening for the next lightning strike, and he opened his eyes to look down at her. “Are you all right?” he asked, shifting his gaze from one eye to the other.
    The color of his eyes deepened as Cathren watched. “Yes,” she breathed. Her eyes fell to his slightly parted lips. The urge to kiss him pushed at her, but she resisted the call. He had promised to find her a true love, and kissing him would only complicate matters when that time came. “Thank you.” She curled her fingers into his sides again. She just couldn’t quite find it in her to release him yet.
    Patrick studied her for another moment as her fingers caressed him.
    Her heart leaped as his mouth dropped down to claim hers. The bare brush of his lips sent shocks crashing through her as if they really had been struck by lightning. Gripping his sides harder, she leaned into the kiss. The tip of his tongue rubbed against her lips, begging to be let in. Gladly, she opened for him.
    He deepened the kiss, exploring and claiming her mouth. A moan of pleasure slipped out as he shifted against her so their bodies fit together better. Thunder crashed overhead as the clouds burst. Drops of rain caressed Cathren’s upturned face as they explored each other’s embrace. She squeaked as Patrick’s hands dropped to her thighs, and he lifted her up to fit against him better.
    She wrapped her legs around his waist for support. The intimate contact was too much for her to handle, and she gasped as he pressed her into the wall. A steady stream of rain washed over them as she leaned forwards into his kiss again.
    Patrick groaned and thrust his hips into her, rubbing himself against her core.
    Passion raged between them and she tore at his shirt, driven by the need to touch bare flesh. A flash of light and the blast of a car horn ripped them out of the moment. Reality came crashing back down around them as the car raced up the ramp to the street. Cathren threw her head back, drawing in great gasps of air, while Patrick let out another groan and dropped his head to her chest, breathing hard. Cold water cascaded over them from the heavy