Eyes closed, Harpoc sighs and drops his head along with his hands.
I can’t take it anymore; I have to help the poor guy.
I place my hand on his thigh, just to let him know he’s not alone.
Harpoc’s eyes fly open, like he’s only now remembering I’m here, and he looks me up and down, then covers my hand with his, letting a corner of his mouth hitch.
I have to say, I’m still drawn to that smile, to his eyes, his sexy bod—despite his godliness and tight-lippedness—yes, new word.
“Thank you for being here.”
I chuckle. “Where else would I be?”
I can see in his eyes the instant the “what’s next?” conversation dawns on him.
He rises, pulling me up by the hand he’s still holding, and walks several steps, before again sitting on the grassy ground, his back to Midas’s body.
I’m no mind reader, but edging aside anger and frustration, I think I see… fear’s too strong a word… maybe it’s worry, maybe plain old discomfort, because he rubs an eyebrow.
Imagine… a god.
“So…” he says, looking out over the barren plain as he tugs a short blade of grass.
I remain silent. I want to see what he says.
“We took care of the problem.”
If that’s what he calls a pissed sphinx, that insane harpy, and… Midas. Oh, and being abducted in the process.
I nod.
“It’s been a whirlwind five days.”
“It has.” I agree.
He shifts. He’s uncomfortable, but I’m not letting him off this hook.
“It didn’t scare you away, that’s good.” He chuckles, glancing at me.
I smile.
“It’s selfish of me to ask, and there’s so many reasons I shouldn’t, but… I was wondering…”
He’s kind of cute when he’s uncomfortable.
“… as an archeologist, you’re a detective of sorts.”
“A regular Clouseau, that’s me.”
He snickers. “I was wondering if you might consider…” I can hear the hesitancy, but what’s causing it I’m not sure. “… helping me find that leak I told you about.”
“The one where ‘sealed’ secrets are getting out?”
“The very one.” He exhales, like he expected me to shoot the idea down.
I start tapping my lips with a finger, like he always does, and grin.
He chuckles.
“Before I answer, tell me this…” Hey, I’ve got him on the ropes, I plan to take advantage of it. Two can play this game.
He furrows his brow, no doubt noticing my prowess at twisting things. I barely hold in a snort. Maybe I’ve learned a thing or two from him in the last few days.
“Will you promise to be more forthcoming?” I lay it out there. His secrecy drives me nuts. It’s who he is, and I know it’s probably asking a lot, but if I go with him, and that’s a big if, he needs to at least promise to be candid. I know I’m putting at risk the possibility of changing what he does, but there’s no way I’ll even consider going if he can’t at least promise to not keep secrets from me.
“Forthcoming?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, like when I ask you a question, actually answer it.”
He considers for longer than he should, or maybe that’s just my story, but at length he says, “Pell, just so you know, I may not have told you everything, but never once have I lied to you. And what I withheld, I did to protect both of us.”
He hasn’t committed, so I press. “Will you promise to be more forthcoming?”
He chuckles. “My harpy.”
The way he says it, overflowing with endearment, makes my stomach flutter.
Pell, he hasn’t yet agreed.
Oh, right. Right.
“Will you?” I ask, doing my best to hold a stern, I-mean-business expression.
He looks into my eyes as he draws a hand up, then cradles my jaw.
Butterflies launch in my stomach.
He leans in. “I will,” he says, grinning, then brushes his lips against mine.
They shouldn’t, but my lips eagerly meet his.
Pell… my inner voice whines.
I don’t care, because a girl’s got needs beyond just defending justice, as important as that is.
But satisfying your needs, with him? My inner minion won’t shut up.
Harpoc slides closer and draws me onto his lap, into his arms, deepening the kiss.
My inner voice just harrumphs but is finally quiet.
Good, because cradled as I am against his firm chest, a sense of peace that’s fulfilling and satisfying, that’s new and strange in this moment, but I sense could easily become old and familiar, in a way that feels, dare I think it, like home, beckons me.
My heart races as his tongue brushes my lips and I open to him, drawing my hands behind his neck.
He moans as my tongue dances with his, then he’s diving deeper, devouring like hunger’s driving him.
I run a hand through his soft onyx locks and wish his wings would materialize so I can touch them like I did in flight a day or two ago. To make him moan some more.
But then he’s drawing back, panting. “Not here,” he gasps, desire still filling his eyes. But his wicked grin tells me he’s got a few secrets he’d like to be forthcoming with, in his domain.
My stomach’s aflutter, and I can only grin back like a stupid, love-struck pubescent.
Oh, Pell… my inner voice groans.
I laugh. I don’t care.
“So…” He clears his throat. “… will you help me?”
Harpoc has changed me in the last few days. I’ve played by the rules my whole life, but he’s brought out a new, more daring side that I kind
