Page 69 of A Vow to Set the Virgin Free

“One of my many sins.” His gaze raked dispassionately over Cameron.

“It is good to see you.”

“Is it?”

“Yes,” Apollo said, and Athena was almost certain that she heard his voice get rough with emotion, even if it was only a slight change.

“You’re both ridiculous,” said Athena. “You love each other. You might as well show it.”

“That’s a very strong word,” said Apollo. “But we spent a great many years needing each other, that much is certain.”

“It is good to see you,” said Cameron, his voice desperately flat, which Athena knew meant that he was fighting back emotion of some kind.

“Men.Honestly. Is it so terrible to admit that you’re friends? And that you have hated your separation?”

“I have not hated our separation,” said Apollo. “With Cameron gone I have much less competition for women.”

“Are you so simple?” asked Athena.

“Yes. I am.” But there was a dark light behind his eyes that told her he was not. And anyone who mistook him for being simply a beautiful face would find themselves at a disadvantage indeed.

She looked back at Cameron. “Are you going to say anything emotionally literate?”

Cameron looked bland. Which was no mean feat. “I’ve no plans to.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “I suppose we best go in and have dinner. Since we are not going to have the emotional reunion I was hoping for.”

“Are you invested in an emotional reunion?” Apollo asked.

“I am invested in Cameron’s emotions.”

She could feel Cameron’s gaze on her. Fierce, and questioning. He didn’t understand why she would freely admit that. But why would she be ashamed? She cared for him. She wasn’t embarrassed by that. She was... She was happy about it.

Here she had spent all these years shut away, and now she was friends with him. She was... She wanted him.

She wasn’t ashamed at that. She was glad of it.

“Are you? I confess, I was not sure in what manner Cameron managed to convince you to present yourself as his wife.”

“He is not presenting me as his wife. Iamhis wife.”

Apollo looked between the two of them. “Indeed. How interesting.”

She looked at Cameron and treated him to a sunny smile. “He’s very noble, actually. He saved me. I owe him a great debt.”

Cameron growled. “I did not save you. I took you prisoner.”

She patted his hand. “I think we both know that isn’t true.” She grinned at Apollo.

“You got soft in your time rusticating.”

“I amnotsoft,” said Cameron.

“You certainly don’t look it.”

“No,” Cameron agreed, his lip curling.

“Let’s not get into that.” Athena sat down next to him. “Let’s just have dinner.”

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