The day after we moved into our new apartments, Cade and I returned to Venice to help Squido clear out the remnants of Ricketts’s underground lair so his family could return. A crew from the Protectorate hauled off the stuff that Hedy might want to check out, and the Order of the Magica had agreed to make this a protected area for the Italian Kappis. All in all, a win.

After we finished, Cade and I sat on the steps of San Zaccaria, catching our breath from the work and watching the sun set in a brilliant display of orange and pink.

“I think you’ll do well at the Protectorate,” Cade said.

“Thanks.” We watched the sunset in silence for a while before I spoke. “Why didn’t you tell anybody about my new power?”

Arach knew. And everyone else would eventually, as my powers manifested. But he hadn’t spoken of it to anyone.

“It’s not my story to tell.”

I smiled, liking that answer. A cool breeze rustled over my face, smelling of flowers and night and happiness. The last one was weird, but I swore it was true.

The colors had faded from the sky and Cade stood, reaching down for my hand to help pull me up.

I took it, his large palm swallowing my own, the strength in his touch sending a frisson of pleasure zinging up my arm. I let him help me to my feet, my mind buzzing with awareness.

He stood so close that the scent of his skin wrapped around me, bringing with it the smell of a storm at sea. It soaked into me, making my head spin. Heat seared, warm and fierce, sinking into my muscles and sending electricity blazing through me.

I licked my lips, so intensely aware of him that it felt like we were one, and glanced up.

His gaze was on my face, heat in his green eyes. Tension pulled at his jaw, as if he were resisting.

What? Me?

His full lips parted, just slightly.

He wanted to kiss me.

With all the stress of the past few days—the past few years—riding on my back, all I wanted to do was forget. To do something fun and spontaneous and totally free.

I wanted Cade. And he wanted me. The heat that burned me came directly from him. From the grip of his strong hand that still cradled my own, a point of contact that seared me.

I threw my arms around Cade’s neck and kissed him.

Once, hard on the mouth.

His lips were full and soft, giving me a buzz unlike any I’d ever experienced. It spun through my head and veins, lighting me up like a live wire. He groaned, low in his throat, and his hand tightened on mine.

I pulled away, panting.

He swallowed hard, gaze hot. There was desire, but also something else in his eyes. He swallowed again, regret flashing across his face.

“That can’t happen again.” His voice was rough.

Shit. “You didn’t like it?”

“I wanted it. But you’re a trainee with the Protectorate now,” he said. “It’s…a conflict of interest.”

So he did like it!

But then my face flamed. I’d just made an ass of myself. And he was right. It was a conflict of interest. I wanted a place at the Protectorate—or at least to earn the right to be there and find Rowan, even if we didn’t stay forever.

So making out with Cade was a terrible freaking idea. Not to mention the whole trust thing. Growing close to Cade was a one-way ticket to a giant mess.

I stepped back, nodding. “You’re totally right. Bad idea. Very bad idea. Sorry. I should have asked before I kissed you.”

“Don’t be sorry. I should have said no, but I didn’t want to.” His voice was low. Warm.

Oh, hell. I stepped back a foot.

My new life was confusing enough. New home, new job, new threat to my life. But then he had to go and say something like that? Something that made it so clear that he actually did want me?

“Ready to go?” My voice squeaked. Awkward.

“Aye.” His lips quirked up in a devastating smile.

We turned and walked away from the church, headed to the boat waiting in the canal. As we silently crossed the square, tension thrummed between us like a living thing.

Oh my fates. With this between us, it was going to be damned hard to work with him in the future. Whatever the future might bring.