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  “Oh, you brought lunch. It smells so good.”

  “I wasn’t sure if you ate this kind of junk,” I mention as I move to the table and put the bag down. I take off my jacket. I feel her gaze running over me. The shoulder holster keeps her attention for a few seconds, while she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip.

  “I usually eat slightly healthier stuff,” she admits, pulling the bag open. “But nothing tastes as good as super bad junk food.”

  I bet nothing looks as good as Eden eating it, either.

  Her gaze freezes on me for a second before she tosses her hair over her shoulder and pulls out a chair. “Did you find anything while you were out?”

  She keeps her eyes on the food as she pulls it all out and takes one of the burgers. She knows damn fine that I didn’t find anything. Nothing like the avoidance of eye-contact to spell out complicity. Damn, Eden. What’s going on between you and Lawson?

  “Nothing out of the ordinary.” I keep my tone neutral. I could ask her what’s going on, but we’re not there yet. She trusted me before. She’ll open up to me again. I get a mental image of those sun-kissed legs of hers spreading for me and have to adjust my jeans as I sit down. We might be alone together right now, but getting physical wasn’t on the cards. Not yet. Not until she could show more trust than she had. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been, or how hot under the collar she makes me.

  A woman’s heart is worth nothing without her trust.

  She eats her burger, and I follow suit, eating mine and Lawson’s too, since he decided to rush out the moment I got back. She gets up halfway through and goes to the fridge, coming back with a couple of bottles of water. “It’s all that’s in there.”

  Beggars can’t be choosers, and I have nothing against water. As long as it’s not the pretentious sparkling kind snobs order in restaurants.

  “Thanks,” I tell her.

  “Thanks for bringing lunch.” She takes her time with the rest and doesn’t leave a bite.

  “What did Lawson need to leave for?” I ask. “Seemed like he was in a rush.”

  “He didn’t tell you?” She clears her throat. She’s buying time to think up an answer. What the hell is going on with these two?

  “He didn’t.” I take a drink of water.

  “He had to go talk to someone who might have a lead.”

  It sounds plausible. I want to drop it, but part of me is impatient. That part doesn’t win out often, but when it does it causes me no end of trouble. It takes effort, but I bite down on the words that want to spill from my lips.

  I’m here with Eden for as long as it takes to find her friend. I don’t want to be playing twisted fucking games with her, but maybe right now it’s necessary. I can’t force her hand to make her reveal her secrets. She’s not a criminal I’m trying to crack.

  “How well do you know this guy?” A safer question, but loaded with meaning.

  She flushes and shrugs. “Skyler hasn’t known him very long. He’s a good guy. He cares about her a lot.”

  So, not very well. I won’t leave them alone together again if that’s the case. Something’s going on, and until I know what that something is, no-one can be trusted. Especially the guy who’d dragged Eden into this. Sure, he had reasons. Everyone does. But sometimes they hide the real ones behind the easier to sell stuff. Yeah. I don’t trust Lawson. Not one tiny little bit.

  Chapter Twelve

  Eden

  Oh my god. I just read Eli’s mind. It came through clear as day, as if he’d spoken the words out loud. I bet nothing looks as good as Eden eating it, either. Holy freaking shit! I don’t know how the hell it had happened, but I’d read his mind without even trying. It had to be Lawson’s influence. He did say being around each other would supercharge our abilities.

  The rest of the conversation takes a downward turn, and I realise with disappointment that it was a one off glitch when I’m gazing into Eli’s dark eyes and wondering if it’s suspicion I’m seeing there. I can’t hear his thoughts now, when it might actually be helpful.

  Does he know the map was faked? Shit. No. How could he know that? I don’t know, but I think he does. I can’t explain that. Not right now. I might already know Eli’s mine, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying about how he might take finding out what I am. The way Nick and Asher found out had turned out well, but who knew how someone so grounded in reality would take simply being told.

  Not to mention Cupid’s warning about not telling anyone. Much as I’d like to say screw that lying douchebag, I don’t want to mess things up. Maybe this wasn’t something he’d lied about. Maybe whatever bad thing should have happened when Nick and Asher found out only didn’t because he’d been the one to let the cat out of the bag.

  So now Eli’s watching me silently as if I’m a loaded bomb and he’s just waiting for me to explode. I can’t tell him anything, much as I wanted to. I have to forget about that. I have to focus on Sky, and checking in on her would look weird in front of him.

  I sigh and get up. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

  Now, if only I knew where that was. I get up and wander around.

  “He didn’t give you the tour, did he?”

  I shake my head. “I’m sure I’ll find it.”

  He gets up and I glance back to find him following me.

  “I’m not trying to make a getaway, officer.”

  He smiles. “I’m just fulfilling my bodyguard duties. I can’t let you wander around this place alone when there might be intruders waiting to kidnap you.”

  It should freak me out, but his teasing tone makes me heat up inside. “Oh, don’t worry. There’s only one man in this house I’d let take me right now.”

  His jaw drops for a few seconds and it makes my lips lift at the corners. I open a door and find a bathroom. He comes in close and shuts the door, pulling my hand to his chest. His heart is hammering in his chest. Mine is starting to race. Did I really just tell him to take me?

  “Careful, Princess. Anything you say could be taken, word for word, as law.”

  He lowers his lips to mine, stopping just before they touch.

  “Don’t call me Princess.” It comes out on a whisper, before I close the gap and initiate the kiss.

  He’s quick to take control, pushing my mouth to open for his probing tongue as he tangles his hand through my hair. His other is still holding mine to his heart. He moves, walking me into the wall. The moment his pelvis presses tight against me, I feel the hard swell of his erection and my thoughts start racing as fast as my heart.

  It’s too soon, Eden. No, it’s perfect. He is. Wait. I promised myself something... Oh, who cares, you know he’s yours. What does it matter how fast you take this? It’s only physical.

  And that last thought is the one that sobers me. Lawson was right about some things, but I can’t trivialise getting physical with Eli. We don’t even trust each other properly yet. He might have agreed to my condition without using the Goddess light, but I can’t do this without being completely sure of my feelings. I sigh as I push him back.

  He breaks the embrace quickly. I can see confusion in his gaze, but it disappears within seconds.

  “Too fast?”

  “I didn’t think it was, but yeah. We barely know each other right now, Eli.”

  “If we’re in L.A. for a while, we’re sharing a bed.” He strokes the side of my face. “I want to spend every waking second with you. We’ll know each other more than we want to by the time we get back.”

  I see something in is expression that makes hope swell in my heart. He’s thinking about telling me his secret, I know it without reading his mind. “That sounds perfect.”

  He backs up, coughs a little as he turns away to adjust his jeans. “Let me just check this bathroom before you use it.”

  He goes inside, looks around, checks the lock on the closed window and comes out. “All good.”

  I raise an eyebrow at him. “You’re not going to just stand around outside when I go in t
here, right?”

  He laughs and backs up a bit. “Is this far enough away?”

  I roll my eyes as I go inside. I splash water on my face. It doesn’t help. My face has that rosy glow it develops during a tumble in the sheets. My hair is tousled and the desire hasn’t left my gaze.

  The dampness in my panties reminds me I just got all keyed up for sex and then turned it down. I pull my skirt up and slip my hand into my panties. I’m so wet and ready for him I can’t help myself. My fingers slide over my slick lips, and I hold back a moan. I move my fingers back to my clit and stroke myself to climax in front of the mirror, fighting to keep from groaning as I come, thinking about Eli walking in on me right now and taking me hard against the sink. He’ll be commanding in bed, I just know it. I can hardly wait to find out what he’s into.

  I wash my hands when I’m done, and smooth my skirt back down. He’ll never know. The flush in my cheeks has deepened but I’m not coming out of the bathroom yet.

  I close my eyes for a less pleasant reason. I focus on finding Sky. She’s right where I left her. No change. I stay for a while, looking out for any changes that might alert us to where she’s being held. Nothing is different. I open my eyes.

  Where are you, Skyler? I need to find you.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Logan

  We haven’t left the bedroom all day. Diana’s response when I kissed her was to pull me closer and not let go. I never thought I could get enough of her, but apparently five times in three hours is where my body draws the line. I just came inside her for the fourth time and she’s already whispering in my ear that she needs more.

  I grab her wrist when she moves her hand towards my cock. “Give it a rest.”

  Her dark eyes meet mine, full of desperation. “Don’t you want me?”

  “Diana, we’ve been fucking like demons all morning.”

  She still needs it. I can tell. I don’t want to deny her, so I roll her onto her back and move down between her legs. She gasps as I start to use my tongue. When her hands stroke through my hair, I know I made the right choice. My dick starts to twitch at how wet her pussy is making my lips.

  “Oh, Logan, never stop.”

  I start to use my fingers just before her climax hits. She pulls back and I move my hands to keep her in place. She can squirm all she wants to, I’m not stopping until she begs me to.

  Her gasps and moans get louder and her body arches as she comes for the second time under my darting tongue. I smile as I back up to lick my lips and give her a moment’s reprieve. Then I start again, and she wriggles a little before submitting to me. My cock has fully awakened, but I don’t want to let her know that, not yet.

  “I never want this to end,” she whispers, starting to grind against my mouth.

  She comes hard this time, pressing my head close as she grinds her pelvis.

  I back up when she lets go and wipe at my mouth. She was wet before, but she’s drenched now. My dick won’t have any trouble slamming into her. I stroke the shaft, as I move up the bed.

  She goes up on her elbows and her greedy gaze latches onto my erection.

  “This is the last time,” I tell her. “So tell me how you want it.”

  “I want it hard,” she tells me, moving her leg to rest her foot on my shoulder as I get into position to fuck her. “I want it deep. I want my legs to tremble with every step I take after you’ve screwed me this morning.”

  I position her other leg and the tip of my dick slides into place. She wants it hard so I slam into her and don’t slow down. Sweat is dripping down my chest as I thrust inside of her. She whimpers as I push a little harder, move a little faster. Her fingers squeeze at her rose-pink nipples. I’m not sure if she’s going to come before I do, but she gasps sharply suddenly and her pussy contracts around me. It’s enough to push my own climax over the edge. I come inside of her.

  She pushes me away with her feet when I stop moving. I pull out and collapse next her, my arm going over her stomach. “Satisfied yet?”

  She turns her head. Her flushed face tells me yes, but she bites down on her lip. There’s something on her mind. “I have to tell you something.”

  “What is it?”

  “I had this idea and it’s kind of fucked up, but I don’t know, it just feels right.” She pauses as she turns to face me. “There’s one way we could get past my mother’s plans. The idea took me over the moment I thought of it. I don’t know if it can be done in a week, or if it’s even something you want, but I could come off the pill.”

  Her plan hits like a ton of bricks. “You want to get pregnant.”

  “I may not be a Goddess anymore, but that was a conscious choice. My children still would be. She can’t dispute that. It might be enough to make her stop and think about the bigger picture.”

  She sounds so sure. As much as I want a family, I didn’t imagine the conversation coming up like this. I’m ready, but it feels a little off.

  “I don’t know,” I tell her, pulling her close when she tries to back away,instantly pissed that I’m not on board. “Don’t get me wrong, Diana. It’s something I want, but this is a big decision and what if she doesn’t care?”

  “I know it’s a lot to ask. She won’t hurt you if I’m pregnant, I can promise you that.” She locks her gaze on mine. “It’s the only way out of this if we want to stay together.”

  What am I worried about? This is everything I’ve ever wanted. I can’t help the warning bells at the back of my brain, but I can ignore them until I can find another way out of this crazy situation. Pregnant or not, this is the woman I want to be with.

  “You want to have my baby?” I want to hear her say it, that it’s not entirely because her mother threatened my life. “Answer me, Diana. I want to hear you say it. I can only do this if it’s really what you want.”

  Her eyes are shiny with unshed tears. “I want this, Logan. I want this with you. A real family.”

  The emotion in her voice is raw, unfiltered. She means every word.

  “Then lets do this.” I hold her as she cries quietly on my shoulder.

  “I love you,” she whispers.

  “I love you,” I tell her, stroking her back and keeping her close as she melts into me. She cries herself to sleep, her tears drying on my skin as the tension drains from her body. She needs to rest now.

  I need to think. I’ve already seen how much this plan will consume her. She’s focussed on it completely. I still need to come up with a real plan, one that will save her. One that will save us.

  I know her mother isn’t going to change her mind over this. She’s a Dark Forces Goddess. She lives to destroy. I need to find a way to knock her out of this picture. We’ll be better off with her out of our lives. Permanently. The thought of having a family renews my determination. That woman won’t get the chance to fuck with Diana’s plan. I’m going to get rid of her. Whatever it takes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Eden

  Being left alone with Eli for most of the afternoon doesn’t sound like it should be any kind of hardship, but something seems to be bothering him and the attraction between us feels too potent to ignore. If we get into a bed together, there’s no way sleeping is going to be an option. Lawson’s words run through my thoughts. Am I really boxing myself in with mortal ways of thinking? Dangerous ground, Eden. Tread carefully.

  “So what does a sexy small town sheriff do when he’s not rescuing cats from trees?” I ask as I pick up the TV remote and try to figure out how it works. The on button doesn’t seem to be doing anything. There goes that distraction idea.

  Eli perches on the armchair across from me. He looks ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble. I recognise that particular type of tension from years of working with Logan. Thinking about my old bodyguard stings, but only a little. Maybe that wound is healing.

  “There’s only slightly more to do in Haleton than Rapture. It’s pretty boring. So not much, to be honest.” He shrugs. “There’s a
bar and grill that’s good.”

  “You take dates there?”

  He shakes his head slowly. “It’s been a long time since I dated anyone.”

  It’s hard to believe, until I remind myself of his past. I think I just hit a sore point. I wonder if this is linked to the dark secret he’s hiding. It kind of has to be, doesn’t it?

  “Friends, then?”

  He nods. “Mostly Alan. A couple of the deputies hang out after work, but not all of the time.”

  I pause before I say anything else, mostly because I don’t want to creep around the subject, but I’m not sure if he’ll appreciate me bringing it up. If he hasn’t be dating for a long time, there’s a reason. That could be the key to getting him to open up about his secret. I can’t ignore it.

  “Look, Eli, I know about the murder a few years back,” I tell him, knowing it’s a heavy handed way to bring it up, but I don’t think he’s ever going to give up his secrets without some sort of prompting. “I know it was a long time ago. I just... I didn’t want you to think it was something you had to hide, or whatever.”

  He blinks. “That was years ago. I’m over it.”

  He’s not, but I won’t start an argument over that. At least we’ve broken the ice.

  “Okay,” I tell him, wondering why I thought it was a good idea to bring it up.

  And that’s when Cupid decides to appear and sit down next to me. The bastard knows I can’t talk right now. Ugh, why does he always do this? I glower the second Eli’s gaze drifts across the room. Neither of us seem to know what to say now.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Eden?”

  I ignore the question. I have lots of them for him, but I really wish I could shout at him right now.

  You’ve been lying to me, I think at him.

  He shakes his head. “I’ve been protecting you. What do you think you’re doing coming out here to go up against Gods of Destruction? They’ll tear you to pieces!”