But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was that Titus was standing in her room, staring at her with those mesmerizing eyes. Closer than he’d been in hours.
Casey looked to Natasa. “Well, ah, that’s probably enough for now. We can talk more tomorrow. It’s a big change being here, trust me, I know, but you’ll get used to it. And I think you’ll like it.”
She glanced between them again. Obviously noticed neither was looking at her. “I should go check on Isadora and the baby. Natasa, if you need anything else, just come find me.”
Common courtesy kicked in, and Natasa muttered a thank-you, but she still couldn’t tear her eyes from Titus.
The door closed behind Casey. Late afternoon light streamed into the room through the arched windows behind him, showcasing the waves in his tied-back hair, the white shirt and crisp black pants he wore. He’d showered, and though he was as handsome as always, there was something different. She stared at him, tried to figure out what, then realized it was the first time she’d seen him freshly shaved.
“What do you think of the room?” he asked.
It took a second for his question to register, but when it did, she tore her gaze away from his smooth jawline and glanced around the room. Small talk. She could do small talk. So long as he stayed.
“Um…” The suite was big, a large sitting area by a fireplace, a desk and chair near the balcony door, and across the room a giant bed she was sure would gobble her up. Combined with the huge walk-in closet and marble bathroom, it was fancier than anywhere she’d lived before, but it didn’t feel like home. “It’s…nice.”
His lips curled, and like a magnet, that smile pulled her gaze right back to his familiar and gorgeous face. She liked the wisps of hair floating free, but she wanted to tug that leather band from his nape. She liked his hair wild, liked sliding her fingers through the silky locks, liked pulling on it when she drew his mouth to hers.
He sucked in a sharp breath and shifted his feet. Looking toward the windows, he scratched his forehead as if he didn’t know what to say.
Her gaze settled on his hands. His strong, talented hands covered by leather gloves.
He’d been wearing similar gloves when they’d met. The sight of them reminded her of the Amazons touching him. Of his tortured reaction. Of him falling to his feet in the mud on Ogygia when he’d tried to embrace her after she’d risen from those flames.
“Um. It’s getting late,” he said. “Are you hungry? I can call down and have the cooks send something up for us.”
There were too many tortured emotions running through her to think about food, but he was working hard for normal and she was determined to give him that. They hadn’t had any normal in their relationship yet. “Yeah, okay. That would be…nice.”
He moved to the desk and lifted a phone. Speaking into the receiver, he ordered—she didn’t know what. Nerves rolled through her stomach as she turned a slow circle in the suite and tried to find control.
He hung up, then stepped toward the balcony door. “Have you seen the view? You’ve got one of the best in the castle.”
The only view she wanted was of him, but she didn’t say so. When he pushed the door open and stepped outside, she followed—not because she wanted to but because she didn’t know what else to do.
He held the glass-paneled door open for her. As she passed, she caught a whiff of his scent. Spicy. Musky. So familiar it brought a rush of memories and a host of tingles to her belly. His heat slid across the space between them to tickle the fine hairs along her neck, reminding her he wasn’t just her refreshing chill. He was more. And she wanted him so desperately she was barely holding it together.
She drew in a lungful of his scent. Held it. Was so afraid that this was all of him she was ever going to get.
He cleared his throat and perched his gloved hands on the railing. Then he pointed off toward the sparkling ocean and dramatic cliffs beyond the castle walls. “That’s the Olympic Ocean. That big building down there is the Argolian, which houses the Council chambers. Most of the buildings in Tiyrns are made of white marble, hence the term ‘White City.’ We’ve got a pretty big port. The Aegis Mountains border us on the north and east, and farmland runs to the south.”
She scanned the majestic city as he pointed out landmarks. He was right. They’d given her a room on one of the upper floors, and it really was a gorgeous view, especially with the sun setting over the ocean in swirls of pinks and purples. But she didn’t care about the view. All she cared about was the man standing next to her, what was happening between them, and how they were going to fix it.
She cued back into the conversation, realizing he’d paused. Feeling foolish, she cleared her throat. “Where’s your home?”
He pointed toward the north and the purple-blue mountains beyond. “Just outside the city. The Thasian River runs in front of my house and dumps into the ocean about four or five miles downstream.”
“Oh.” She tried to sound interested, but knew she failed. A small part of her was disappointed he hadn’t taken her there, that he’d let the queen give her a place to stay in the castle. She knew why, and it made sense—her father was here, and she couldn’t touch him, so how the heck did she expect them to have any kind of future together anyway?—but it still stung.
“Hey.” His soft voice pulled at her. She looked over. Then sucked in a breath when she realized he was watching her with soft, captivating eyes. “I still want to take you there. I will take you there, but Argolea isn’t the Utopia people think it is. There’s political strife in our country thanks to the Council, and I’m not risking your safety until I know things have calmed down. But know this…home for me isn’t a house. It’s wherever you are.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest. He still wanted her. Even with what felt like a giant ocean forming between them. She inched her hand closer to his on the railing. Desperately wanted to touch him. Emotions brewed in his eyes—the same ones she felt—and he lifted his gloved hand, closed it over hers, and squeezed.
Warmth. Bliss—
He jerked his hand back and cringed.
Her gaze shot to her hand, then to his confused face. “What?”
“I…I don’t know. That’s never happened before. The gloves always prevent…”
He reached out and touched her again. Drew back just as sharply. And when his eyes met hers, a pained look crossed his handsome features.
No. Tears burned the backs of her eyes. She pulled her hand away from the railing, cradling it against her stomach. Her heart sank into what felt like a pit of despair.
Now he couldn’t even touch her with the barrier of cloth or leather? How cruel could the Fates possibly be?
A knock sounded at the door, and Titus turned. He seemed relieved by the interruption as he stepped back into her suite. “That’s dinner.”
Alone, she closed her eyes and drew a steadying breath. Told herself to be strong. At least until he left.
Darkness pressed in through the window as the sun sank over the water. Candlelight illuminated the small table near the window where they sat and ate, but it wasn’t the romantic atmosphere Natasa had hoped for.
She pushed her food around on her plate, pretending to eat. They made small talk. He told her that Calypso was already making plans to leave Argolea against the queen’s request and asked bout her conversation with her father. She gave him the bare bones and asked about the Argonauts. He was reluctant to talk about what had happened on Pandora when they’d rescued Prometheus, but she sensed something had gone down between him and the others. She wanted to know more but didn’t have the strength to question. When the conversation lulled and he finally asked if she was done, she nodded, relieved the meal was over.