He swore low under his breath, “Fucking hell. That’s got to hurt.”

I shook my head. “He must use something to protect his skin.”

“It’s a fireproof gel,” King informed us. “The same as stuntmen use in movies.”

“Ah, makes sense,” I said. “Your friend is incredible.”

King’s lips twitched. “He is, but don’t go saying that to his face. Jack’s not great with compliments.”

Alexis laughed. “Yeah, the best response you’ll get is a caveman grunt.”

I returned my attention to the stage, unable to take my eyes off the swirling flames. I was only distracted when Trev rubbed his thumb along the inside of my wrist, the small movement causing my muscles to tighten. I hated how hectic these last few days had been. I felt like I just wanted to lock us both away in a secret room so we could be completely alone. I wanted the chance to show him how much I’d missed him.

The past two years, a piece of my heart had been missing and now that I finally had it back I knew I wouldn’t ever let it go again.

My attention went back to the ring when the fire breather started to speak. It was kind of impossible to ignore his deep, masculine voice. He had a distinct Irish accent, and his gravelly tone set my pores tingling.

I shivered when Trev bent close to whisper, “My masculinity’s feeling a little threatened right now.”

I shot him an amused look. “Your masculinity’s made from graphene and we both know it.”

He chuckled and joked, “I’m not so sure. I could probably go gay for King’s bestie.”

“Again, please don’t say that to his face,” King added, leaning forward to look at us with a hilariously impassive expression.

“I’d like to welcome my brother to join me on stage,” said Jack the fire-breather. “He’s the newest addition to our circus and he might be familiar to some of you. Please give a round of applause for Jay Fields.”

“Hold up. Jay Fields?” Trev asked, shooting King a questioning look.

“That’s what he said, isn’t it?” King replied with a casually arched brow.

“You failed to inform us that one of the most famous illusionists in the world right now is in this circus?”

King shrugged. “Fame is neither here nor there.”

“He’s eternally unimpressed,” Alexis put in. “Don’t take it personally. Also, you’re just as famous as Jay, so—”

“Not in America,” Trev said.

“You’re an industrious young man. You’ll crack America one day,” King told him, like a father telling his son to chin up. Trev didn’t appear amused, which was thoroughly amusing to me.

The lights changed from white to red, and “The Monster” by Rihanna and Eminem started to play, cutting short our conversation. A tall, dark-haired guy—though not as dark as Jack—walked into the ring, and I recognised him instantly.

Jay’s fame had come quickly. Within the last few years he’d become just as well-known as David Blaine or I dunno, Penn and Teller. Just well . . . cooler. He had tattoos covering both his arms and possessed an affable wisdom that made you believe he knew exactly what you were going to say before you even said it.

The curtains that hung over the entrance to the ring worked as a blank canvas for what I could only describe as a performance art piece. It was like shadow theatre, or shadow theatre’s distant cousin. Jack blew flames from where he stood in the middle of the ring and they reflected off a projector screen to create a shadowy inferno against the curtains. I exhaled an impressed breath as Jay flipped cards into the air, dozens and dozens of them. The paper fizzled to ashes on contact with the flames, creating a shadow image of snow falling from the sky.

Jack threw another flame, and the shadow of his hand against the projector looked like a dragon breathing fire, just like the monster in the song lyrics. Then Jay miraculously produced two white doves out of thin air. Jack extinguished his flames as the doves flew overheard, their feathery wings a symbol of hope to crush the monster.

The beauty of the piece stunned me, and when I looked at Trev his attention was rapt. It was surreal to see him so impressed, since usually he was the one inspiring awe. There was something incredibly open about his face right then and I couldn’t help it. Without thinking I grabbed him by the shoulders, pulled his mouth to mine, and kissed him with everything I felt inside.

The music thundered around us, the audience clapping and expressing their delight at the brothers’ display, but all I could think about was Trev. I felt his groan vibrate through my chest and wrapped my arms tight around him.

We were both breathless when we broke apart, and Lee, who was sitting at the very end of our row, let out a rip-roaring whistle. I flushed as Trev gave him the finger.

Trev pulled me into his arms, and whispered in my ear, “If you don’t want to get fucked so hard you can’t walk straight, you should probably lock your door tonight.”

My stomach quivered at his low, sexy threat as I twisted in his arms to whisper back, “I’m sharing with Leanne, remember?”

Trev’s disappointment was palpable. “Pity there’s no roof garden.”

“There’s a balcony.”

His eyes glinted wickedly. “In that case, I’d be happy to explore your exhibitionist side.”

I turned away from him to watch the rest of the show, though it was hard to concentrate with Trev’s hand moving over me. He explored the dip of my spine, the curve of my hip and swell of my thigh.

When the show ended, Karla and Lee went to ‘find the bathrooms’, which I was pretty sure was a euphemism for sexy times. I had a sneaking suspicion they liked to spice up their sex life by doing it in public places, but there was no judgement from me. To each their own.

King led the rest of us through the backstage area to an open, grassy field where there were about a dozen trailers camped out. To the end of the field, a bunch of people had gathered, and I recognised most of them from tonight’s show. They all sat around on deck chairs and blankets, drinking beers and eating barbecue food.

“Are they having a party?” I asked Alexis, who stood beside me.

“Yes, it’s Jack’s girlfriend’s birthday. Her name’s Lille, lovely girl. He’s putting on a surprise fireworks display for her.”