Part 37 (1/2)

”...received a text from you this afternoon,” Eros said. ”You apologized for running away and said you'd be home tomorrow.”

Much as I missed my dad, I didn't mind avoiding him for another night. The reunion wouldn't be pretty. ”He's going to ground me until I die.”

t.i.tus shook his head in disbelief. ”You can't send her home. Not looking like that.”

Instinctively, I touched my face. ”What's wrong with me?”

”She's a riot waiting to happen,” t.i.tus muttered.

Eros dropped a kiss onto my hair. ”Her father will be reasonable, I'm sure.”

”I can't go home?” I persisted.

”You can go home, but you probably don't want anyone but your dad to see you.” Eros's eyes softened. ”It was the only way to save your life. I couldn't lose you again.”

I slid my hand into his. ”You're burning the steaks.”

Chapter 30.

I was so tired my vision blurred, but Eros wouldn't let me sleep. It was almost three in the morning. Aeas had been gone for hours. He bolted out the door the moment Eros said he could return to the kingdom, and he took t.i.tus with him. They crossed into Olympus and were flying home on horseback.

Eros and I sat on the same bed where I awoke earlier. I had taken a long bath and changed clothes. I no longer had to worry about invisible intruders. The ambrosia gave me immortal eyes. I could see Eros even if he was veiled.

”There are things I still don't understand about your world,” I said.

”Sit up and look at me, so you don't fall asleep, and I'll tell you whatever you want to know.”

I scooted away from the wall, crossed my legs and sat knee to knee with him. ”What if I still nod off?”

He ran his hand over my knee. ”Then I'll resort to more underhanded methods of keeping you awake.”

I shook my head. ”Forbidden fruit.”

From his pocket he drew out a chain and familiar pendant. ”Not anymore.”

”Do you still want me for a wife?” I asked.

He fastened the pendant around my head and secured the second chain so that it stayed in place. ”More than ever.”

I yawned. ”Why did Gina choose a mortal life? Aeas wouldn't say anything except that she had no right to send me to Aphrodite. Gina said she misses Aeas every day.”

His expression saddened. ”Yes, I suppose she does, but he won't visit her. Before he was just too stubborn. Now I think he's afraid. He can't bring himself to see her as an old woman.”

”Was he in love with her?” My head sagged wearily to the side, and I could barely keep my eyes on him as he spoke.

Finally relenting, Eros stretched out his legs and pulled me between them, then tucked my head under his chin so I could rest against his chest. ”No, it wasn't that kind of love. She's his sister. His twin.”

”Why did she leave your world?” All my strength fled. If it weren't for his arms around me, I'd have fallen over.

”Her love was killed, and she wanted to die.” He hugged me tighter. ”I never understood her choice until today.”

”I can't stay awake,” I murmured.

”You can sleep now. I'll wake you if you tremble in your dreams.”

”One more question,” I mumbled, barely coherent. ”Where are your wings?”

”On Pixis.” He shrugged. ”I've never understood why your mythology gave wings to me and no one else. Every immortal with a horse can fly...” His voice slipped away as my eyes fell closed.

I awoke but didn't open my eyes, too afraid the memories surfacing were imagined and I would find myself home in my bedroom, sketchbook in my hands and an imperfect resemblance of Eros on the page. I lay perfectly still and listened for my dad in the kitchen or the neighbor's dog barking. Instead I heard a sleepy groan and felt a body s.h.i.+ft beside me. The seams of our jeans caught as he rolled over. A hand found my belly and rested there. I opened my eyes.

Eros was still there, asleep and glorious in the sunlight, his hair tousled and his T-s.h.i.+rt rumpled. I drew the hair back from his forehead and pressed my lips there. He didn't stir. I didn't know if I would ever get used to looking at him. He would never cease to thrill me. I ran my fingers over the skin on his muscular arm. I still couldn't believe I could see him while I touched his so-familiar skin.

On the floor outside the bathroom was a duffle bag full of Eros's clothes. Handled paper bags next to it held women's clothes with tags printed in Italian. There was a silk camisole, a cashmere sweater and stylish wool slacks, all sized 4 tall. A smaller plastic bag held socks, a modest pair of panties and a bra, which was the right size. I didn't even want to know how he came upon that knowledge. A s...o...b..x at the bottom held a gorgeous pair of leather slip-ons. I knew enough fas.h.i.+on to recognize the designer and the expensive leather. Eros was prepared for everything, it seemed. And he had amazing taste.

I stole into the bathroom to change. I was thrilled by the clothes. Savannah would have been so proud-and jealous, of course. I had never bought clothes like this for myself. I had never wanted to turn heads or flatter my figure. Today I was delighted to slip into the outfit and beautiful shoes knowing Eros bought them just for me.

When I came out of the bathroom, he was sitting up in bed rubbing his eyes. ”Now there's a sight to wake up to.”

I turned a practiced circle. ”When were you in Italy?”

”Last week, getting the task from my mother.”

I smoothed the wool of the pants with my fingers. ”I'm so proud of you.”

”...for getting the sizes right,” he finished.

”For not buying skimpy underwear,” I countered.

He laughed as he rose and stretched. While he showered, I scrambled eggs and cut fruit for breakfast. I had just set two plates on the table when Eros came downstairs wearing slacks and a dress s.h.i.+rt. He laid a wool blazer over the back of a chair.

He b.u.t.toned the cuffs on his s.h.i.+rt. ”Do I look fit to meet my future father-in-law?”

”You're going to let him see you?” I should have been flattered that he would allow my dad to see him, and of course, it would prove I didn't invent Erik in the first place, but the thought of introducing my dad to a real boyfriend after having run away for a week didn't seem like a good idea.

Eros took my hands. ”He'll be sensible.”

”Easy for you to say.” I pushed the plates aside, no longer hungry.

Eros sat me at the table and scooted a plate in front of me. He took the other plate and sat beside me. Undaunted, he forked eggs into his mouth and waited until I did the same. ”He'll only have to take one look at you to realize I'm right about taking you away.”

”What about finis.h.i.+ng high school and going to college?” I asked.

”You were planning to move to a campus full of hungry young men without your dad, and you thought that would make you happy?” His tone was cutting.

”I like learning. I don't want to spend my life being ignorant.” I was already at a disadvantage with Eros without being a high school drop-out.