Zoë nodded. “He knows.”
“And he told me he was enchanted anyway. I knew it. He loves me and just won’t admit it. Why?”
Lane spoke up. “The thing is, Hale’s got mortal issues.”
Zoë nodded. “He does. It’s true.”
“He’s a hotshot Protector, so he thinks he’s better than we are. Once he makes friends with you, he’s fabulous. But getting there.” Her eyes widened. “Jeez. It’s torture.”
“Is that it?” Tracy asked. “He’s got a superiority complex?”
“Not exactly,” Zoë answered. She turned to Lane. “There’s a little of that, I’m sure, but mostly I think it’s a defense mechanism.” She shrugged. “We don’t talk about it a whole lot, but if I had to play Dr. Freud, I’d say he’s afraid you’re going to leave. He’s afraid to get close. He’s latched onto this belt thing and he’s using it as a crutch.”
“He thinks
I’m
going to leave?” Tracy couldn’t believe it. “What? He thinks I’m going to do better than a superhero? A gorgeous cover model? A man who makes me laugh and makes me feel safe?” She shook her head. “After years of being with someone like Walter who couldn’t keep his eyes in their sockets, suddenly, I’m the one branded with being a quitter?”
“Ironic, huh?” Mel said. “Your biggest neurosis, and the guy you fall for is suffering the same thing.”
Tracy tilted her head back. “More than ironic. It’s pathetic.” She sat up straighter. “No. I wouldn’t go anywhere. But why on earth wouldn’t Hale? I mean, look at him.” She pressed her lips together, the familiar insecurity weighing down on her once again. “Seriously, even if I was to get him to admit he loves me, what’s to say he’s going to stay? And why would he stay with me?”
Zoë reached over and took her hand. “Because that’s what people in love do.” Her lip curved up in a gentle smile. “I seem to be having this conversation a lot lately, but sometimes you just have to put your faith in the other person.”
“I want to. I really do. But he’s been blowing hot and cold. Like Walter. Like Leon.”
“Do you really think Hale’s like either of them?” Mel asked.
She sighed. “He hasn’t acted much better than them ... But, no. I’m just scared.” She looked at each of the women in turn. “If I do confront him, and he does love me, but he doesn’t stay...” She shrugged, not knowing what else to say.
“At least you’ll have tried,” Lane said. “You’ll have put your heart on the line. You’ll have taken a chance.”
“When you get right down to it, what more can any of us do?” Zoë asked.
Tracy nodded, trying to absorb it all. She did want him. Oh, how she wanted him. But she didn’t want to be hurt. Not again.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to Zoë. “So, why does he think I’ll leave?”
“It has to do with my mother.” Zoë explained how her mother, Tessa, walked away when she was pregnant. She’d walked the day she found out about Zoë and Hale’s father’s superpowers.
“And they’re not the only mortal-Protector couple with troubles,” Zoë continued. “It’s hard. I think all the troubles are in relief for Hale because he’d just lost his mom, and he was kind of pinning his hopes on mine when she left.” She shrugged. “Anyway, who can ever really tell what’s in a guy’s head? The point is, he’s crazy about you. And you two should be together.”
“So what should I do? Confront him?”
Elmer started squeaking, and Mel picked him up, stroking his furry little head.
“Too bad we can’t understand him,” Zoë said. “He probably knows my brother better than anyone.”
Elmer made some more frantic gestures, then started nudging Mel’s waist. She shrugged. “Not getting it.”
“I am,” Tracy said. She leaned over to grab Elmer, then plopped him onto the table. “He’s saying I should wear the belt.”
The ferret started scurrying around in circles. Not exactly enthusiastic agreement, but close.
“No,” Zoë realized. “Not the belt.
A
belt. A duplicate.”
Tracy frowned. “A duplicate? How? Why?”
Zoë ignored her. “That’s perfect,” she agreed, as Elmer bounced up and down. “And I know just where to find one.” She stood up, pulling out her cell phone. “I just have to make one quick call.”
The sun was beginning to set as Hale finished laying the stones around the koi pond. He’d been unable to find the kind of marble he wanted, so he’d flown over to Texas earlier in the day and brought back some granite.
All in all, he was pleased with the way the yard was shaping up. He hoped Tracy was, too. After all, it was the least he could do for her.
Not that he was doing it just for her. Spending twelve hours landscaping her entire yard had been therapeutic for him, as well. Even on no sleep, he’d needed to get out and work with his hands.
Last night, it had taken a supreme act of will to simply sit on her chaise lounge and watch her sleep. He’d longed to curl up next to her. Longed to tell her he’d lied, and that he was sorry.
And that he loved her.
But those weren’t words he intended to say. He knew what was best for him. He’d always known. And he also knew to trust his instincts.
It was just hell that, for the first time in his life, his finely honed instincts seemed to be torturing instead of protecting him.
With a sigh, he hauled the last of the tools back inside the gardener’s shed. Though the yard had lights, he couldn’t stay out here forever. Zoë had come to be with Tracy during the day, but it would still be Hale’s job to watch over her at night. No matter how torturous that might be.
Shutting the door behind him. he turned back around, ready to head down the newly laid flagstone path toward the house.
“Hiya, stranger.”
Tracy stood in front of him.
“Hey,” he said. She didn’t look angry. In fact, she looked happy to see him, and the realization pleased him more than he’d anticipated. He waved his hand at the yard. “What do you think?”
She moved closer to him. “I think you’ve done an amazing job.” Her hand reached out, stroking his bare chest. “I’d have to say you’re the best landscaper I’ve ever had.”
His pulse beat in his throat. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting. She’d been angry—no,
furious
—about his “confession.” He’d hurt her. And for a day she’d been avoiding him. So why the sudden seductress routine?
“I want you,” she said. She skimmed her hand down her simple sundress, stopping at her waist. The gold of Aphrodite’s belt sparkled in the light of the rising moon. “And if this is what I have to do to have you, then so be it.”
He swallowed. “Tracy.”
She pressed a finger over his lips. “Don’t argue. There’s no point, remember? I’m wearing the belt, so I get what I desire.
Who
I desire. And that’s you, Hale.”
“It’s not real.” His voice choked on the lie.
“I don’t care. I want you.” She slipped tight against him, and automatically he closed his arms around her. “And right now, I’m in a position to get what I want.”
He was strong. Zeus knew he was one of the strongest Protectors on the Council, but he was powerless to resist this woman. She’d trapped him in his own lie, and worse, Hera help him, he didn’t want to become untangled. This might be the last time he touched her, held her. And he wanted it. Wanted it so bad he could almost feel the desire burning in his veins.
Stumbling backward, he led her to the garden shed, yanking open the door and leading her into the darkened room. The back section held camping equipment, and an old cot was stored there, probably for the estate’s former gardener. In no time, Hale had thrown a sleeping bag over the dusty cot; then he grabbed Tracy by the shoulders and threw her down, too.
“You’re sure?” he growled. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing.”
Her eyes were wide, innocent. But more than that, excited. “Quit stalling. I told you what I want. You.” In a bold move, she pulled her skirt up, revealing first an enticing bit of thigh, and then an even more enticing view. She’d neglected to wear panties.
Sweet Hera, the woman had set out to drive him insane.
But who was he to argue with one who so clearly had a plan? His jeans seemed to fall away and in an instant, certainly before she could change her mind, he embraced her, already painfully hard and in no mood to wait even a second longer.
“Do you want me?” she whispered, her voice teasing.
He rubbed against her, drawing supreme satisfaction from the way she drew in a breath and arched back, her eyes closed and her pulse throbbing in her neck.
“What do you think?”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
Hale doubted he could have held out any longer anyway, but with her sensuous demand ringing in his ears, he was lost. In one quick thrust, he entered her, losing himself in her hot, wet depths and giving them both what they longed for.
As he took her, she screamed out his name. Not sweet and gentle, their coupling was hot and wild and indescribably satisfying. Her skin burned beneath his, her legs wound around his waist. She cried out, urging him on, throbbing around him as she found her own climax. And when he was spent, when he finally collapsed against her, she pressed gentle kisses against his forehead.
“Tracy,” he murmured. “Oh, Tracy.” He leaned up, propping himself on his elbow. “Why?”
“Because you love me.” Her skin was still flushed—she was the color of a woman who’d been taken to heights of passion and back again—but her face reflected no hesitation. Her words were just a simple statement of fact.
Hale swallowed, unable to face the truth, and certainly unwilling to reveal it.
“We’ve already been over this. It’s the belt.” His hands skimmed over her waist, still clothed and bound with the golden accessory.
“It’s not the belt, Hale.”
“Of course it is.”
She sat up, leaning against the bed frame. Her skin glowed pink from lovemaking. “No. I’m saying
this
isn’t the belt.” She unclasped it and handed it to him. “It’s a duplicate.”
Standing up, he took it with some trepidation, his hands closing around the gold mesh. Upon inspection, he knew she was right. The back held no inscription from her grandmother.
“What? Why?”
“Don’t you think I should be the one asking you that question?” she asked. “Protectors aren’t affected by a mortal wearing the belt. I know. I talked with Zoë.”
Hale cringed, irritated with his sister, but not surprised. After all, no one else could have gotten Tracy the duplicate so quickly.
“Why did you lie?”
He had no choice but to tell her the truth. With a sigh, he sat back down on the bed. “It seemed easier.”
“Easier than what? Than loving me?”
Hera help him, yes. He nodded.
“But you do love me. And I love you.” She blinked, releasing a single tear to trail down her check.
“It’s not enough. Tracy.” He took her hand, hating that he was hurting her, the woman who’d become his friend and lover. “I wish it was.”
“Why not?” Her voice was calm, but even so he could hear the underlying anger and frustration. “Because I might leave? I won’t.” She reached out to grasp his hand, her fingers closing around his, warm and reassuring. “I’m not going anywhere. Not even when you’re a pain in the rear like this. I’m staying right here.”
“You can’t know that. No one can.” Though it killed him to do it, he stood up, ripping his fingers free. “I’m sorry, Tracy. I love you. Hera help me, I do. But I can’t...” He shook his head, turning away, unable to face her. “Zoë was wrong to have told you. It would have been better if you’d never known.”
“Better? Or easier for you?” The cot creaked, and he knew she was standing up. “I never thought it was possible.”
“What?”
“A cowardly superhero.” The door opened, and he fought the urge to turn and look at her. “But that’s what you are, Hale. You’re a coward.”
And with that truth still echoing in the shed she slammed the door. The noise masked the sound of Hale’s fist pounding against the wall as he tried to beat the frustration out of his system.
Her tears flowed in earnest now, and Tracy wiped them away with the back of her hand. She’d been so sure her plan would work. She’d thought he would realize she knew his secret, admit he loved her, and then they’d live happily ever after.
So much for fairy tales.
In the real world, apparently, love was just a four-letter word.
She should have known. For her at least, true love had never been an option. She’d foolishly thought that everything had changed with Hale. But now she knew how stupid she was.
Well, that’s what she got for falling for a superhero with issues.
Still sniffling, she threaded her way down the darkened path. The bushes and shrubs of Tara Too, beautifully landscaped now, and which had seemed friendly when she’d approached Hale, now seemed ominous and menacing. Shivering despite the warm summer breeze, she rubbed her hands over her bare arms and tried to tell herself she was being silly. A woman scorned, suddenly her whole world turned to black? Shouldn’t she be stronger?
Maybe so, but she didn’t know how, and at the moment, she wasn’t inclined to learn. She wanted Hale, and that’s all she wanted. Wanted his love. But it wasn’t something she was ever going to get.
At least he’d given her a couple of nice memories.
She ran her hands over the tops of the birds-of-paradise, the sturdy flowers tickling her palms as she tried to decide if she wanted to go back into the house. Mel was long gone. Lane and Zoë, who stayed to give support and protect her, and find out how the plan went, were watching television. Davy was surely asleep. She could join them, of course, but she really wanted to just be alone.
Instead of turning left at the fork in the path, she turned right, following the path that would lead her to the swimming pool. Hale had done himself proud there, too. The once-murky water now glistened in the moonlight, and the algae that had covered the cement sides had been stripped clean.
The whole estate had been transformed into a magical fantasyland. Too bad her one true wish would not come true.
She knew Hale had followed her, to protect her, but that he wouldn’t let her know that. She sighed, wishing she could take comfort in his presence, but the hurt was still too fresh.