Into the Fire (11 page)

Mom stands up. “Cara—”

“Relax. I won’t let it happen again, and it didn’t blister, just turned red.” I can’t tell her that he didn’t hesitate to hold my hand today.

“Do you realize you could kill this boy?”

Kill him? “No! I’d never hurt him.”

“You already have if you burned him.”

My whole body shakes at her words. “But I saved him today, didn’t I? I used my Phoenix powers to heal him. If I didn’t, he’d be…” I can’t say it.

“Yes, but you shouldn’t have that power yet. Don’t you see, Cara? You’re out of control right now. You will be until after your rebirth, and it’s worse because of this imprint with Logan.”

“No. Monique and Jeremy said I’d get control over my emotions. I’ll be able to control my powers then.”

Mom places her palm against my heart. “You can’t control
this
.”

I stare at her hand. “You’re right. I can’t. I don’t know if the imprint is the same as love, but I know I can’t ignore it. I can’t keep away from Logan. And if I’m going to end up like Jeremy, not remembering any feelings I had, then I want to feel everything I possibly can until that day comes.” I turn and storm out of the house. I can’t stay in a place where no one understands me.

I get in the car and drive. The pull takes over almost instantly, and before I know it, I’m parked in Logan’s driveway. I grip the seat belt, begging it to hold me back and not let me get out of this car. I’m in so deep I can’t breathe. I know I should stay away from Logan. Being together is too risky for us both. But in less than a month, I’m going to forget how this feels. I don’t know if this is love, but I have to hang on to it for as long as I can.

“Cara?” Logan taps on the window. I jump, and he opens the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I—I wanted to see how you were. I didn’t know your number or I would’ve called.”

“Want to come inside?”

No. “Sure.” I’m fighting my body with every step, but I’m no match for Logan’s welcoming eyes. He opens the door for me, and I step inside. His house is huge compared to mine. The entryway is open, and it branches off to a dining room on the right, a kitchen straight ahead, and a hallway on the left. “This is crazy big.”

He laughs. “Exactly what a guy likes to hear.”

I must be six different shades of red.

“Relax, it’s a joke.”

“Was your house in New York really bigger than this?”

“If I say yes, are you going to think I’m some rich snob?”

“No.” His hand is in mine, and I’m not even sure how it got there. I take deep breaths, trying to control my body heat.

He leads me down the hall and into an enormous living room that could practically fit my whole house in it. We walk out the French doors onto a patio with a built-in pool. “I had no idea we had houses this nice in Ashlan Falls.”

“Dad had a few things upgraded before we got here, including the pool. We kind of lost our yard, but we aren’t really yard people anyway.” He steps closer, and I feel my body temperature rise.
No, not now.
I can’t let this happen. I have to calm down, but his hand rises to my hair, and he twirls a few strands around his finger. “Why did you come here, Cara?”

“Because I can’t stay away.” It’s the most honest answer I can give him.

“So it’s not just me?”

“No.” My voice is soft.

“I can’t explain why I’m so drawn to you. This has never happened to me before. Even from the first time we met…” He stops twirling my hair. “I knew I wanted to be close to you. That I could talk to you.” His head tilts slightly, and I’m melting inside. He’s saying everything right, but it’s making my heart pound and my hands feel like they’re spouting flames.

“Logan.” I don’t know what else to say. I turn away, breaking the trance and hating myself for it. I just want to grab him and press my lips to his, but I’m burning up. “Can I get a glass of ice water?”

“Sure. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just hot. Too much time in the sun, I guess.”

He motions over his shoulder. “We could go inside if you want.”

“No. It’s fine, but would you mind if I put my feet in the pool?”

“Go ahead. I’ll get you a drink.”

“Thanks.” I watch him leave, and my heart aches for him already. I don’t want him to go, but I can’t let him stay. I should leave. I should get far away from Logan before… I kick off my flip-flops and sit down, lowering my legs into the water. Better. Water’s always calmed me. Of course, I can’t have a relationship with Logan in a pool. What was I thinking in coming here?

“I brought ice water and iced tea. Wasn’t sure which you’d prefer. Linette makes great tea, really strong, and she bought limes, too.”

“Tea sounds great.”

He hands me the glass and puts his legs in the pool. “Feel any better?”

“A lot.” I sip the tea, letting the cold liquid lower my body temperature.

“Anton would kick my ass if he saw the way I get around you.”

“He’s not big on the one guy, one girl thing, is he?”

Logan shakes his head and laughs. “Not at all.”

“What about you?” I still can’t help thinking he’s been with his share of girls.

“I don’t think you really want to know.”

So it’s worse than I thought. “Okay.”

“Great. You probably think I’m this man-whore now, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t put it in those terms.”

“Good, because I wasn’t that guy. I dated a lot of girls, but after three dates, I’d get bored and move on.”

“I’m not sure that’s much better.”

He turns toward me. “What I mean is, the girls I dated were only interested in me because I was this big track star. They didn’t care at all what I had to say. And after Mom—I just never found anyone I could open up to.” He puts his water down and looks deep into my eyes. “Until I met you.”

“I wasn’t exactly nice when we first met.”

“You didn’t know me. It’s not odd that you didn’t trust me.”

Yeah, and now I don’t trust myself. “I really did want to go swimming with you.”

“I kind of figured that. You’re shy though, and that’s okay.”

“I don’t feel all that shy around you anymore.”

He smiles and reaches for my cheek. “That’s good.”

My heart is pounding in my chest. I feel my temperature rise, but I focus on pushing it back down. I have to get control. I can’t lose Logan to this.

“You’re always so warm.”

“Sorry.” I’m fighting so hard against the heat, willing it to go away.

“It’s nice.”

“It is?” I feel almost normal now. Still warm, but not scorching hot.

“It is.” Logan leans forward, keeping his eyes locked on mine. He inches toward my face, giving me the chance to back away, but I don’t want to. His hand cups my cheek and gently pulls me toward him. His lips touch mine, softly at first, and then with more intensity. I melt into him, giving in to the imprint. Giving in to the longing I can’t deny. I deepen the kiss, pulling him closer to me. I’m on his lap now. I want to lose myself in him, but I can’t let go or I’ll start burning up again.

My feet are still in the water, and the idea hits me. I pull away just long enough to bring us both tumbling into the pool. In my mind, I know it’s wrong to throw myself at Logan like this, but my mind has nothing on my heart.

Logan

I thought about our poolside-turned-into-the-pool kiss all night. Dreamed about it, too, which is why, even though I’m supposed to meet Cara at Monique’s café, I’m on my way to the school.

“Man, you’re hopeless!” Anton’s yelling so loudly I have to hold the phone away from my ear. “How can you let a girl get to you like this?”

“Because I’ve never had to work this hard before.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll break the news to all the hotties you left back here.”

“I’m sure you’ll do your best to console them.”

He laughs. “You know it.”

“Yes, I do.”

“At least until you move on from that one.”

“This one might be different.”

“Whatever. You’re in shock right now. Country life is messing with you bad, but it will pass, and you’ll see this girl is no different from all the others.”

I turn the corner and immediately scan the student lot for Cara’s car. It’s parked in a corner spot. I walk over to it, deciding to wait for her here. “You don’t know her.”

“We’ll see. Call me when you come to your senses. I’ll be waiting with an ‘I told you so.’” He hangs up.

I lean on Cara’s car and stare at the clock on my cell. Ten minutes until school’s out. What am I doing? I don’t want to seem too eager. Desperate isn’t a word I want associated with me. I dial Anton again.

“Told you so,” he answers.

“Shut up. That’s not why I’m calling.”

“Then why?”

“We made out in my pool.”

“Nice! Now that’s more like the Logan I know.”

“It was more than nice, but what if I shouldn’t be here? What if I scare her off because I keep showing up everywhere she is?”

“Get out of there, man. Go to wherever it is you’re supposed to meet her and stop pushing things. You’re acting psycho.”

“Right.” I stand up and start walking away.

“Logan?” I turn around to see Cara and Rachel walking toward me.

“Anton, I’ve got to go.” I hang up and pocket my phone. “I didn’t even hear the bell.”

“We left early. We’re rebels like that.” Rachel opens her arms wide and spins around. “Freedom!”

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Cara’s cheeks redden. Obviously she’s been thinking about last night, too.

“I got hungry.”

“I bet you did.” Rachel’s innuendo isn’t lost on me. It’s hard not to smile. I’m used to girls like her, but Cara’s face reddens even more.

“Shut up.” She smacks Rachel, who looks down at her arm.

“Damn, Cara. You’re like scorching hot.”

Cara goes pale. “Sorry. I, um, ran around a lot in P.E.”

“Why? It’s the last day. It’s not like they could fail you for slacking. And since when do you run?”

“I thought it would be fun.” Cara’s wiggling her fingers like she has pins and needles in them.

“You feeling okay? Not getting sick, are you?” If so, I guess I will be, too. No way could I avoid it after… I can still taste her cinnamon gum.

“I’m okay, but I don’t think I’ll be running with you any time soon.”

Rachel nods and looks me up and down. “That’s right. You’re a runner.”

“Yeah. Track mostly, but before we moved, Coach was trying to get me to join cross country, too.”

Rachel turns to Cara and wrinkles her nose. “Do we have a cross country team?”

Cara nods.

“Really?” Rachel obviously lives in her own little bubble. “Are they any good?”

“They’re decent,” Cara and I both say, smiling at each other.

“Wow. You two are already sharing a brain. Cute.” Rachel fake gags. “Anyway, I guess you can try out, then. I bet you’re fast.” Her eyebrow arches. I’m pretty sure the girl could make anything sound perverted. Cara’s face flushes again. Rachel’s hand flies up to her mouth, and her eyes widen. “Oh, no.” Her acting skills could use some work.

“What?” Cara rolls her eyes. Obviously she’s used to this.

“I forgot Nick and I have to work on a project together.”

“A project?”

“Yup.”

“On the last day of school?”

“It’s a make-up. If we don’t turn it in tomorrow, we’ll fail.”

“Of course you will.” Cara shakes her head and mouths, “I’m sorry.”

I’m not. I wanted her to ditch Rachel to begin with.

Rachel looks down at her bare wrist. “Look at the time. Call you later!” She takes off at a fast walk down the street.

“You ready to eat?” I ask Cara.

“Yeah.” She avoids my eyes and opens her car door. “Hop in.”

What just happened? “You sure you’re okay? You’re kind of hot and cold today.”

She starts the car. “I feel kind of stupid.”

“Why?” I twist to face her.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d…I don’t know, I guess…”

I lean forward and kiss her lightly on the lips. Nothing like last night, but I don’t want to freak her out. She kisses me back, but pulls away too soon. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

“No.” She smiles. “I’m glad you did.”

“Then why do you look so sad?”

“Rough few days. My emotions are kind of shot.”

“Is that a hint that I should back off?”

“You always say what you’re thinking, don’t you?”

I laugh. “Definitely not. You wouldn’t have talked to me the day we met if I’d said what I was thinking.”

She reddens again, but smiles. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.” She pulls out of the parking lot, and we head to Monique’s.

“Does Monique have a signature lunch dish? I’ve only ever been there for breakfast.”

“Definitely the Reuben. It’s to die for.”

“A Reuben sounds good.”

Monique’s isn’t crowded, but there are more people there than I’m used to. Cara leads us to a table right by the kitchen door. “This is sort of my table.”

“Reserved seating?” I pull out her chair, a first for me. “You must be special.”

Monique comes up behind us. “Yes, she is.”

“Hi, Monique.” Cara smiles, and I can almost feel the warmth coming from her. “I was telling Logan how good your Reuben is.”

Monique nods. “Two Reubens, coming right up. Hot tea for you, Cara?”

“Please.”

“Hot tea in June? And you questioned my jacket?” I flash her a smile to let her know I’m only teasing.

“It’s never too hot for tea.”

“And for you, Logan?” Monique asks.

“Hot tea.”

Cara smiles. I don’t think she has a clue how sexy she really is.

Monique raises a knowing eyebrow at me before heading inside the café.

I sit there for a moment, not knowing what to say. I want to know everything about Cara. What she likes to do, other than swimming. What kind of music she listens to. What she wears to bed—no, I can’t ask that. Not even after our make-out session.

Monique brings two cups of tea and places them in front of us. Cara picks up her cup, not letting it cool at all, and takes a big gulp.

“Whoa, isn’t that hot?”

She shakes her head and puts her cup back down. “Hot doesn’t bother me. Cold I don’t like, though I’m getting better at tolerating it.”