Page 64 of About Love and Revenge

The truth is, I don't want her to leave.

Could I keep her with me?

Beyond the concern for her safety, I would like to experience what is blossoming between us without having to go from one place to another, pushing away deadlines, hours, and minutes to work on fast-forward every time we meet.

Will she agree?

I'm not sure.

Elina is inexperienced, yes, but contradictorily, she doesn't want tobe accountable to anyone. Even if she is only half Greek, like me, she has many more characteristics of our people than of the English.

She is proud and combative. A true warrior.

I admire her more every day.

No, I'm not ready to let her go yet.

We both agreed to keep things on a physical basis, but I think we can change some rules, like her staying here for a while with me, for example.

I look at the side table and see my book on Norse Mythology. When my mind is exhausted, when I just want to close my eyes and be a normal man, not someone who has based his life on the search for his enemy's blood, or even when I think about giving up, I pick it up and recall what my rescuer told me about the god whose name I inherited.

I can't leave it all behind now, but there's a big part of me that just wants to go back to the bedroom and lose myself in the sleeping woman's arms.

I've been reading for some time when I get the feeling I’m being watched.

I look at the door, and as it always does, her beauty hits me hard.

I know she’s had a shower because her hair is wet and she's only wearing a robe over the same body which drove me crazy a few hours ago. She leans against the entrance as if torn between coming to me or backing off, but I know very well what I want.

I've had some casual relationships. I don't have issues with intimacy, but I'm not the kind of man to cuddle up after sex. Words of affection and non-sexual hugs are unusual for me, but Elina awakens in me an uncontrollable need for her.

Whenever we’re near each other, I need to touch her.

I put the open book on the sofa and reach out, inviting her. "Sleepless?"I don't know if it's the early hours of the morning, the attack shesuffered yesterday, or what happened between us that’s made her seem utterly helpless.

“I woke up after you left,” she says, putting her hand in mine.

"Then why didn't you come to me?"

She shrugs. “I thought you might want to be alone. I also need it sometimes." Again, I realize how much in common we actually have. Her attention turns to the forgotten book beside me. "What are you reading?"

"Norse mythology. Gods and their battles."

Her beautiful eyes widen in interest, but she still hesitates. It's as if her mind isn't sure whether she wants to keep this closeness but her body has a will of its own.

“I don't know any stories about the Norse gods,” she says and sits on the edge of the sofa.

God, what is it about her that sparks such a strong desire to protect her? Something about this woman makes me want her with me all the time. "Would you like to learn some?"

"Would you teach me?"

I look at the face that now looks anxious. Elina is my private enigma. Will I ever be able to understand her complexity? "How?"

"Would you read them to me?" She focuses on her hands, as if she thinks she's dared too much. Shyness doesn't suit my goddess, but I think maybe it's just that she's not used to asking for favors.

"You want me to read to you?"

"And also comment on the story. I like to listen."

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