Page 44 of The Demigod Complex
“Youcalled us lovers,” he pointed out. “Yes. I want to continue. Do you?” He held his breath and waited for her answer.
She stared at him, as if debating.
Come on, honey, be honest with me. Let me in.
“Dinner tomorrow sounds…wonderful. Can I bring anything?”
He released his pent-up breath in a silent whoosh. “That sexy black thing you had on the other night wouldn’t go amiss.”
“Seriously?” She held her hands wide, indicating the office. “Still at work.”
Castor chuckled and gave her an unrepentant grin. Even worried about her, he felt lighter than he had in centuries. “So, tomorrow night?”
“It’s a date.”
He pretended not to notice how the answering sparkle in her eyes had dimmed. He wasn’t wrong about what she was really planning. “Excellent. See you then.” With a wave he strode out of the office, only to turn around at the elevator and stride back into their office suite.
“Forget something?” she asked.
“Yes.” He came around the desk and bent to take her face in his hands. “This.” He laid his lips over hers in an urgent kiss filled with all the emotion this extraordinary woman provoked in him.
Someday, she would learn to trust him with her whole heart. Until then, he’d do everything in his power to make sure she stayed and was safe.
He pulled back, savoring the womanly taste of her, to gaze into her startled eyes. “To remember me by.”
She cocked her head, lips twitching. “I wasn’t likely to forget.”
For her sass, he planted another kiss on that delectable mouth. “Bye.”
“Bye.” He liked the husky note that had entered her voice. She definitely wasn’t physically averse to him. The question was, where was he in her heart?
As he waited for the elevator to bring him down to the parking garage, he mulled over his next steps. If Leia had her way, he wouldn’t see her tomorrow. She’d done a magnificent acting job trying to convince him all would continue. However, after their call with Delilah this morning, for a brief flash he’d caught the look of tenderness she’d cast his way. His heart had tripped over itself in the hope that perhaps her feelings ran deeper than simple lust. But he’d also seen the flash of panic immediately following.
She was going to do a runner. He was certain of it.
He was equally certain losing her was not an option.
He didn’t have to wait long before Leia appeared in the parking lot. Alone. Did the woman have zero common sense? Staying far behind, he followed her home to her apartment. She lived in a new complex in downtown Austin that boasted shops on the first level, like living above a shopping center or outdoor mall. Her apartment, the one or two times he’d been in it, was tastefully decorated exactly how you’d expect a nymph’s taste to be—all blues and water themes, a large freshwater fish tank taking up one entire wall of her living room. He’d found it tranquil.
He discarded his jacket, leaving it in the car, and rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt. He gave her enough time to get deep into packing before he headed upstairs to catch her.
He knocked at her door. “Leia?”
Silence.
“I know you’re in there. Let me in.” He knocked harder.
Silence.
“Leia? I won’t force my way in, but I’m not leaving until Delilah’s protection shows up.”
More silence.
She hadn’t left. He would’ve seen her go.
Castor pounded on the door now. “Leia?”
No answer.
