“I have a friend, Emma, who loves the giant, grunting types,” I told him. “Says they have the softest, mushiest centers, and she just wants to climb them like a tree.” Not a blink. I sighed. “Can you hear me okay from all the way up there?” Something close to amusement passed through his eyes, and an ember of success filled me, so I continued. “We volunteer at the homeless shelter every Tuesday evening.” I rubbed my arms, feeling the icy chill creep in as I noticed the crazy woman had disappeared like a ghost in the night. “Her hobbies include knitting, scrapbooking, and cats.” I laughed at the repulsed curl of his lips. “Just think, she could knit you an oversized Christmas sweater with little bells attached.” As if this tempted him, his cool gaze came my way. “Just say the word, and Pll set you guys up,” I said. “Long-distance relationships always build the best foundations for love.” He watched me like he was seriously contemplating it, but then he casually asked, “Does she like to be gagged and spanked?” He was trying to shock me, and it worked. I couldn’t keep the flush from my face, which finally evoked a small smile. Evidently, only my embarrassment would get a reaction from this giant bastard. “Um, I’m not sure, but I can ask.” “You do that.” He threw his cigarette butt to the pavement. “Hey,” I complained. “We only have one planet, Albert.” He stared at me like I was out of my mind when I stubbed it out before picking it up. And then like I was actually certifiable when I slipped it into his coat pocket. “Do you want to live on Mars?” I asked. “Because I don’t.” “Are you sure you’re not from Mars?” “Ha ha. I’ve read better jokes in the joke book our cook Borya keeps next to the toilet.” That earned me an actual laugh, one that sobered as fast as it came. Because Ronan stood behind me watching us like we were both Martians who had displeased him. He opened the car door, and I slid into the back seat. When he sat beside me, the silence pressed on my chest. Ronan wasn’t even looking at me but out the window, though his presence chafed my skin. He didn’t have to say