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

storm swirling above them.
    Slowly, he lowered her back down so her feet were touching the ground again. He leaned back and looked down into her passion-glazed eyes. Reluctantly, he stepped back so she could stand on her own.
    Cathren’s thumping heart fell as she saw the serious look on his face. She was sure he was regretting that kiss now.
    “Come with me.” Grabbing her hand, Patrick turned back towards the parking lot and took off at a slow lope.
    Still rattled from the sudden change in her world, it took Cathren a few steps to match his stride. She had just shared a very passionate kiss with the man who was supposed to be hooking her up with someone else. Sorrow stabbed at her as they ran. This was definitely going to throw a monkey wrench into her plans to remain his friend after her wishes were granted.
    “Get in.” Patrick practically tossed her in some dark car.
    She had been so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed where they were going.
    He slammed the door, cutting off the torrent soaking her.
    Cathren watched as he raced through the rain to the other side of the car and jumped in. “Patrick?” she said, drawing his attention.
    He looked over at her as he fumbled with his keys.
    Trying to put all of her thoughts and emotions in her eyes, she said the only thing that came to her mind. “I’m sorry.” She wasn’t sorry they had shared that kiss, but she didn’t know how else to convey the feeling beating at her.
    Patrick considered her a moment before reaching over and wrapping a hand around the back of her head. Pulling her to him, he crushed his lips against hers, melting the ball of fear that had formed in her chest. “Don’t be,” he breathed as he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers with his eyes closed. After a moment, he released her. “I’m not.” Sitting back up, he finally got the key in the ignition switch.
    Cathren hung where he left her, shocked.
    “I’m usually pretty good at getting wishes right the first time.” Patrick started the car and maneuvered out of the parking lot. “But, I’ve had a heck of a time fulfilling yours.”
    She shifted in her seat. “True love is a tall order.”
    Patrick chuckled. “Not when there’s magic involved.”
    She whipped around and looked at him. “You can make people fall in love?”
    “Love is easy.” He grinned. “Two people that match pretty good, a little suggestion, and they can be happy for the rest of their lives.”
    She looked at him, horrified. “But what if they weren’t meant to be together?”
    “Then the match doesn’t work.” Patrick shrugged. “I can’t make people fall in love. A suggestion doesn’t work that way. They may spend a few memorable nights with each other, but if they don’t have anything in common, there’s nothing to hold them together when the suggestion wears off.’
    Cathren sat back in her seat and thought about this for a moment. “But I didn’t have any memorable nights with any of the guys you sent,” she pointed out.
    “That’s because I didn’t compel any of them,” he answered as he drove the car down the winding road around the mall.
    “Why not?”
    Patrick let the question hang for a moment before answering. “I’m not sure,” he finally admitted. “I came in several times to set the compulsion, but the matches just never seemed right to me.”
    Cathren sat there thinking about that as they drove. This would explain the number of times he’d stop by with a potential suitor. She usually ended up talking with them for a few minutes before Patrick called them to go. Movement from outside the window drew her attention from her thoughts. She glanced out as Patrick pulled out into the rain-soaked streets. “Where are we going?” She looked back at the mall where her car was still parked.
    “Someplace dry,” Patrick answered.
    Cathren wasn’t sure what he was doing, but she just nodded her head silently in agreement.
    Reaching out, he took up