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“I can’t believe that it happened again.” Her mouth was next to his neck and her warm words sent a wave of chills down his spine. “I thought that the first time was a coincidence. I was led more by my gut than anything else. I know it was stupid, but I couldn’t help myself. But then this happened!” She pulled back, but her hands were still around his neck. “It’s exhilarating.”
Henry’s eyes locked with hers. He fed off her excited energy. He’d never felt that way about anything. He wasn’t even sure he had a gift—at least not something like what he’d just witnessed. “You’re amazing,” he said under his breath.
Athena sobered, but she didn’t pull away. She was still breathing hard, her chest rising and falling with each pull she dragged in. At some point his arms had come around her waist, probably when she’d flung herself at him—he’d needed to keep their balance somehow.
His own breath hitched in his chest as his eyes dipped down to study her mouth. Those full lips parted, and she exhaled. Maybe they were caught up in the moment, or maybe this was the start of something new. Either way, all he could think about was one thing.
What would it be like to kiss her?
Henry’s head lowered a fraction of an inch as he returned his gaze to meet hers. Athena blinked, gasped, then tore away from him. “I need to go to the bathroom.”
Just like that, she freed herself from him.
14
Athena
Athena ducked behind the house, pressed her body against the siding and slid down until she sat in the dirt. She covered her face with her hands as she pulled her legs up to her chest. Her heart raced faster than her legs ever would. Her pulse roared in her ears. She’d only ever kissed one guy, and he’d turned out to be the reason she never wanted to do that again.
Until today.
Why had she run?
Her face felt hot to the touch and she couldn’t make sense of what she was thinking or feeling. How could a moment feel so good and make her sick to her stomach at the same time? He hadn’t even kissed her! She’d actually run away, and he hadn’t done anything except lean forward slightly.
She released a groan that ended in a whimper. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. How many times had she told herself that she wasn’t going to stay long enough to get attached? As days turned into weeks, she’d allowed herself to grow soft.
The old Athena wouldn’t have stuck around for more than seventy-two hours, she reminded herself. She would have slipped away, taking what she could carry and disappearing into the night.
There was no reason to stay.
Except there was.
Athena leaned her head against the building and stared up at the sky. Over the last few weeks, she’d watched Henry with his family. She’d felt the comfort of being in his presence. He cared about her. While she’d managed to convince herself that he was just being a good guy, she couldn’t be entirely surprised when she saw him leaning closer.
Regret doused the heat and her blood turned cold.
She’d run from him! What was he going to think now? She knew what he was going to think. He was going to assume that she didn’t like him and he’d moved too fast, that’s what.
Another groan slipped from between her lips. What was she supposed to do now?
Nothing, that voice in her head insisted. She couldn’t do anything because if she got even more attached than she already was, she’d end up broken-hearted in the end.
And what if he turned out to be like her ex? David had been sweet in the beginning. He’d gotten her clothes and helped her find a place to stay. He’d bought her gifts and even found a few places that would give her an interview for employment.
Only, in the end, he had wanted more than she was willing to give, and when she made that clear…
Athena shut her eyes tight, warding off the memories. She couldn’t think about that right now. At any second, Henry could show up and demand to know what had gotten into her. He could accuse her of leading him on.
He wouldn’t be wrong. At least that’s what she’d learned. If a girl gave a guy a hug, it meant she was interested. She’d opened herself up for that.
“You okay?”
Athena’s hand flew to cover her mouth and she turned wide eyes toward the porch to her left. Harley stood at the edge, her arms resting on the railing. She tilted her head slightly as she stared down at Athena. “You look like you could use someone to talk to.”
Athena swallowed the bile that had risen in her throat and set her eyes forward, ignoring Harley’s penetrating gaze. “I’m fine.”
“Mm-hmm.”
