Page 39 of Guarded
Huh.That was new. Don’t get me wrong, I tried to cheer Quill up when he was down. I’d even attempted to do so with Nox when he and Micah were being melodramatic. But I’d never cared about someone’s feelings this intensely before. It made sense, given Noah was my fated mate. What was strange was howIwas feeling about it. It wasn’t a weight on my shoulders, or a chain around my neck.
It was a need. A desperate yearning to make him happy.
The flight to Athens took twice as long as usual, what with the weight we were carrying between us. But it passed twice as fast because Noah was with me.
We talked the entire way. I didn’t know if it was the date, the silence under the night sky, or the crime we’d just committed, but something had unlocked between us. The conversation flowed as easily as the wind over our wings.
Despite the Adamanthea having long since left our systems, there was no regret on either of our parts, just a giddy euphoria at righting an age-old wrong. At having got into mischief.
Together.
How had I thought of being with Noah as a prison? After tonight, I was starting to suspect that spending each day with him would grant me a freedom unlike anything I’d known before. Freedom to be myself. To have fun. To experience new things, all while enjoying them at his side.
Dawn wasn’t far off by the time we landed outside the Acropolis Museum. Noah got to work unlocking the doors while I put up various compulsion nets.
“Nate’s already taken care of these cameras,” Noah said as he pushed the doors open wide. “So we’re all set.”
Thanks to my recent visit, I knew exactly where to go. “Can’t believe the Greek government built a specially designed space for these marbles, and yet the British governmentstillwon’t give them back.”
“It’s utterly ridiculous.” Noah huffed before grinning at me. “Good thing an angel and a demon drank a little too much and decided to rob a museum.”
I smirked. “What else is a third date for?”
Noah stumbled slightly, his cheeks flushing. I frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Yep.” Noah chuckled as we drew level with the display. “Just another reminder that you’re not fully up to date on modern culture.”
I waited until the ancient marble was back where it belonged before questioning Noah. “So…what am I not up to date with?”
Noah huffed. “It’s stupid, really.”
I tickled his ribs, making him squeal. “Come on. Tell meee.”
He gave me a mock glare. “Tickle me again and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
I waggled my fingers threateningly. “Demon, remember? I have ways of making you talk.”
He rolled his eyes. “Always so quick to play the demon card.”
I shrugged. “I was in Hell for hundreds of years. Gotta find those perks where I can.”
Noah’s lips twitched and I knew I had him. “Fine. A third date is stereotypically known as when humans generally have sex.”
I clutched my chest in mock outrage. “Wait, we could’ve been fucking instead of committing theft? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Noah’s laugh slipped through my veins like red wine. “Damn. I really missed a trick there. Orgasms probably would’ve been more fun.”
I stared at him. At how he lit up when he was happy. “Nah. I don’t think anything could’ve been as much fun as this.”
His laughter faded as he caught my gaze, and something stretched between us. Something new and precious. “You’re right. This has been fun.”
“The date’s not over yet,” I said huskily, holding a hand out to him. “Want to commit one more crime with me?”
“You really are a terrible influence,” he said, even as he slipped his hand into mine and laced our fingers together. “What did you have in mind this time?”
“Trespassing. I was thinking we could sit on top of the Parthenon and watch the sunrise.”
Noah’s throat bobbed. “That sounds…Yes. I’d like to do that, please. With you.”
