Page 15 of Desired By Eros

Psyche exhaled sharply, trying to shake off the lingering irritation. “You don’t get it.”

“Maybe not. But I guess you’re going to educate me whether I like it or not.”

Psyche folded her arms tightly across her chest, and turned away to stare out the window at the dense trees of Denali National Forest. “You’re impossible,” she huffed.

“I hear that a lot,” he chuckled.

She let out a long sigh, her annoyance simmering just under the surface. But as the dig site came into view—a small cluster of tents and equipment spread out against the rugged backdropof the forest—her irritation began to dissipate. Her heart leapt with excitement, and she leaned closer to the window for a better look.

Eros parked the SUV, shutting off the engine but making no move to say anything. Psyche finally turned to look at him, her gaze settling on his infuriatingly smug face. Her fingers twitched with the temptation to punch him, but she quickly dismissed the thought.He’s my ride home,she reminded herself sternly.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said stiffly, forcing herself to smile. “The orientation should take about an hour.”

Eros nodded, one hand resting casually on the steering wheel. “Text me if you finish early, but I’ll be here in an hour either way.”

She nodded back, reminding herself to be civil. “Right. Thanks again.”

A grin spread across his face. “You’re welcome. Always happy to help.”

There was something in his tone that pricked at her nerves, but she bit her tongue. She pushed open the door, eager to escape his presence, but her foot caught on the edge of the step. She stumbled, barely catching herself before face-planting into the dirt.

“I’ve never seen a woman try to get away from me so fast.” Behind her, Eros let out a bark of laughter.

Psyche growled under her breath, slamming the door shut with more force than necessary. His laughter followed her, and her cheeks burned with frustration. She straightened her shoulders and walked toward the buildings, refusing to let him see how much he was getting under her skin.

“You know,” he called out behind her, “I’ll still be here when you’re done.”

She didn’t respond, choosing instead to lift her chin and march on. This was her day, her dream, and she wasn’t about to let him ruin it.

The site manager clapped her hands once. “That’s the end of the site tour. After you get your assignments, we can get to work,” Rebecca announced.

Psyche stood among the group outside the barracks, observing as her fellow cohort members muttered their thanks. Some lingered, asking Rebecca if they could explore the site further.

“That’s fine,” Rebecca said curtly, “but stay away from the dig site itself.”

Psyche waited until the crowd thinned before approaching Rebecca. “Hi, Rebecca,” she said, reintroducing herself. “I just wanted to say the orientation was great. I’m really excited to start.”

Rebecca gave a small nod. “Ah, yes. Psyche. What did you think of the tour?” She was a tall woman with sharp features, her dark brown hair pulled back into a no-nonsense bun that matched her crisp, utilitarian clothing.

“It was fantastic. I wanted to let you know about my disability. I figured it’s better to be upfront.”

Rebecca’s expression didn’t shift, remaining strictly professional. “Yes, I’ve been briefed. We’ve worked with students and employees with disabilities before, so we’re prepared. If you have specific needs, let me know.”

Psyche appreciated Rebecca’s matter-of-fact tone. There was no pity, just professionalism. It made her feel at ease.

Rebecca crossed her arms. “Would you like to start earlier than the rest of the cohort? Since you have specific goals tied to your PhD, we could accommodate that.”

“Yes, absolutely!” Psyche snapped her fingers. “That would be incredible.”

Rebecca allowed a small smile. “Good. One issue, though. We don’t have a solo room available just yet.”

Psyche didn’t miss a beat. “That’s not a problem! I’ve talked to people who’ve camped around Denali. It’s still not that cold, and I love camping. It’s one of the few outdoor activities I actually enjoy.”

Rebecca nodded. “It would only be for the week. If you’re willing to start tomorrow, we can get you settled.”

“Perfect. I’ll get my things and figure out the camping situation.”

“There are a couple of camping sites nearby,” Rebecca said. “I’ll email you the options, and you can reserve one online.”

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