Protecting Medusa

by Elizabeth Andrews

“Make love.”

  Her cheeks warmed. “That, too.”

  He cleared his throat. “Later. You need clothes. I need shorts.”

  She let him steer her from the room, noticing the ‘do not disturb’ sign hung on the outside of their doorknob. She supposed it might be hard to explain to the housekeeping staff the gun and the handful of knives in his bag.

  There were lots of little shops within walking distance of the hotel, so they left the car in the hotel lot and moseyed down the street, pausing to peer in windows as they went. Ryder guided her into a big shop a few blocks away, displaying mostly swimwear and beach gear in their front windows. He selected a handful of swimsuits to her one, and, with his hand at her back, pushed her into a fitting room.

  Philomena smiled at the closed door, then turned to undress. She took her dagger off her leg after dropping her skirt to the floor, then sucked in a hard breath.

  “What’s wrong, baby?”

  “Oh, my Gods,” she whispered.

  Ryder stepped into the tiny room, his dark gaze narrowing on her hip, where she stared in the mirror.

  The goblet in her tattoo was no longer the pink it had been the past few days. Ryder had pointed it out in the shower the other morning. Now it was simply the color of her skin beneath all the other vivid shades in the tattoo.

  Still there, but fading fast, it seemed.

  He traced it with one finger, his expression thoughtful.

  She swallowed, then cleared her throat. “What are you thinking?”

  He shook his head slowly. “I’m thinking it’s going away.” His gaze met hers in the mirror. “You may not be stuck with the Harvesters hunting you for much longer.”

  Hope exploded in her belly, but she quashed it, her gaze dropping to her hip again in the mirror.

  “Put the green bikini on first,” he said gruffly after a second.

  She blinked, dragging her attention back to the present, then looked at the tiny suit he indicated. “Are you serious?” She gave him a wide-eyed look.

  The wicked grin that was becoming so familiar curved his mouth. “Absolutely, baby.” He kissed her lightly and stepped outside.

  The suit was indecent.

  Two tiny scraps of material covered a small portion of her breasts, held in place by a hook in the back and two skinny strings she tied behind her neck. The bottom left most of her behind bare. The only redeeming quality she could find was the color made her eyes look even greener.

  She could certainly not wear this outside where people would see her.

  Ryder’s eyes darkened when he reopened the door. “Wow.”

  “You are such a guy,” she said, smiling reluctantly. “It’s not decent.”

  He raised one eyebrow. “All the important parts are covered.”

  “I disagree.” She turned when he moved his finger in a circle.

  He groaned behind her, and she glanced at him in the mirror, seeing the dark flush blooming on his cheekbones.

  Somehow, she didn’t think this shopping trip would last long.

  She tried on the other suits, including the one-piece she’d chosen that covered up everything she wanted covered in public.

  If his frown was any indication, Ryder hated it. “You’re kidding.”

  She shook her head. “I like this one.”

  His gaze scanned the black suit from top to bottom, and he shook his head. “It’s boring.”

  “I like it.” She folded her arms on her chest.

  “You can get it, but you’re getting the green one, too.”

  “I can’t wear that outside.”

  He slanted her a dangerous smile. “Who said anything about outside?”

  She laughed as he exited, then redressed in her t-shirt and skirt, fitting her dagger sheath onto her leg once more.

  Her carry-on suitcase was going to be very overstuffed by the time they got home.

  She paused in tying her sneakers.

  Except they weren’t going home.

  A lump welled in her throat.

  She loved being with Ryder, but she couldn’t live on the run like this forever.

  They’d have to find a way to stop.

  She was just afraid they might not find an idea they agreed on. Or that the Harvesters would catch up with her before they came to a consensus.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Elek glared at the email on-screen. Tymek and Mikolaus had met up with her mother and nephew last night in North Carolina and let them walk away unscathed, completely untouched, because of the big man in their company.

  He had specifically told everyone they would use her family given the opportunity, and they had allowed the trio to walk away.

  “Goddess, damn them,” he muttered, shoving to his feet. “Idiots.”

  What was so difficult to comprehend about their instructions?

  He punched in a number on his phone and waited.

  “Cousin,” Mikolaus greeted him.

  “Why do you not have the mother and nephew in your possession?”

  His cousin was silent for a few seconds. “I wanted to take them,” he said finally, “but Tymek cautioned we should wait to see if they met the Medusa.”

  “Why would they do that?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do not take advice from Tymek,” Elek said, some of his annoyance fading. “Our mission is to kill the Medusa, and we have reached a stage where we must use any means available to us.”

  “I understand, Elek.”

  “Then if you get another opportunity, I expect you will use it wisely.”

  “Thank you. Goddess guide us.”

  Elek thumbed his phone off and took a deep breath. He needed to consult with Ari--Tymek would have to be dealt with. And someone else must be dispatched to cover his area since he couldn’t be trusted to do the job. Elek did not believe Mikolaus would have further problems following simple directions.

  Aristotle replaced his telephone receiver into its cradle and smiled. Finally. It seemed they may have gotten a bit of good luck.

  Argos had found a car rental reservation from Ware’s business to an agency in Florida. Of course, it wasn’t in his name, but after their run-in with Gregos in Philadelphia, they wouldn’t take a chance on using his name. Just in case. Argos was a smart boy, good with computers.

  At last. They were closing in on this one. His pulse quickened in anticipation.

  Then Aristotle’s gaze dropped to his brother’s picture on the corner of the desk. He flipped it face-down. The sight of Iphis’s face made his heart strain to pound harder, and he didn’t have time for an episode requiring a physician. Not now.

  Not when they were so close.

  Mena frowned at the shoreline.

  He knew wheels were turning in her head, and he wondered in what direction.

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. “The Harvesters are accustomed to the hunt, to always chasing.”

  Ryder had a feeling this wasn’t going to go in a direction he’d like. “Yes. It’s the nature of this curse, I suppose.”

  “Why not take the fight to them instead?”

  Holy shit. He pushed himself upright on the towel. “Absolutely not.”

  She twisted to face him, settling on her knees. “There is nothing in the legends or the lore that says we can’t meet them head-on.”

  He tried to get his brain wrapped around this new direction of hers. “Probably because their mission is to kill the Medusa, and going to them simply makes their job easier.”

  “I’m tired of being prey.”

  “Are you tired of being alive?” he shot back.

  “Do you really want forever?”

  Ryder leaned back on one hand, startled, then glared at her. “That isn’t fair--”

  “It’s not fair to Jason to have to live on the run, hiding with my mother and Danny. There’s nothing in the lore that says he should have to be uprooted from the life he knows and move around so I don’t get killed.” Mena held his gaze. “I want
the same forever you talked about. I want it. But I can’t think about it, not really, when any day, a Harvester might stumble on us and kill me.”

  He tried to think of an argument that would totally shut her down. He couldn’t. But there was no fucking way he was letting her go right to the Harvesters. Not after he’d managed to get her away. Not now that he knew she was falling in love with him, too. “I can keep you safe, Mena,” he said instead.

  A sad smile curved her mouth, but didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You have, more than once, and I’m glad for it. But I can’t spend twenty years, or five years, or even another month, living like this. We’ve been on the run long enough. Nobody should have to live this way. Not you, not my mother, not Jason. Your business can’t operate indefinitely without you there.” She reached out to touch his hand, and he realized he’d fisted it on the beach towel beside him. “At least think about it, Ryder. We can take the fight to them, surprise them. We can beat them.”

  He knew she was aware the only way she could beat them was by passing the curse on to another cousin. Or dying, and he had no intention of letting her die.

  “Please.”

  He realized she still waited for an answer. “I’ll think about it,” he finally managed, twisting his hand beneath hers to catch her wrist. “I’ve had enough sun.”

  She nodded, her fingers tightening on his hand. “Thank you.”

  No fucking way.

  Ryder lay awake that night, long after Mena has fallen asleep, snuggled against his chest. He stared into the shadows, aware of the faint line of light sneaking between the closed curtains. Of the occasional drip coming from the bathroom sink. Of the muffled sound of a car door from outside the hotel. Mostly, he was aware of her soft, warm skin along his own, her quiet breathing, the familiar scent of her.

  There was no way he could allow her to go rushing off to fight the Harvesters on their own ground. Not after all he’d done to keep her alive.

  Yet... He stifled a curse. She’d played the forever card. The one thing he most wanted, and he could have it, if she trusted him and herself enough. If he let her do this on her own terms, there wouldn’t be forever, because the Harvesters would kill her.

  Fuck.

  But she did have a point. No one could be expected to live this way forever. Hell, his guys hadn’t signed on as partners or employees to do Medusa protection into eternity.

  He stifled a growl.

  He’d have to craft a compelling argument to keep her from rushing off to fight the Harvesters on her own.

  Or a decent plan to take her there and win this fight.

  He scowled toward the curtains and the tiny line of light between them.

  Because he wanted forever. He wanted Mena forever, and if he wanted her full trust, he’d have to give a little.

  Gods help him if he wound up losing her.

  On the other hand, if they succeeded, the curse would move on, and they could have that forever he wanted.

  He squeezed his eyes shut.

  This would have to be a helluva plan to work in their favor.

  Mena didn’t say anything to Ryder at all the next day about her suggestion. Not a single word. They lolled in bed till mid-morning, then lounged on the beach half the day. But she knew he was thinking about it. She knew it from the stiff set of his shoulders, from the way his mouth flattened each time they sat silently for more than a few seconds.

  He was considering it.

  She leaned against him and felt him start, then his arm came around her shoulders. “It’s going to be okay,” she said.

  He grunted, which made her smile.

  She settled closer, and he relaxed a little, his breath sighing out softly. “How about we call Jason and find some supper, and then go back to our room, so I can do some exploring?”

  “Exploring?” He tipped his head to meet her gaze, one brow lifting.

  She winked at him. “Mm-hm.”

  His eyes darkened. “I see. Well, if you’re on a mission, then we should get started.” He sat straighter, then pushed to his feet, catching her hand.

  Mena let him pull her up, happy to have found a distraction. He’d done so well distracting her after their last run-in with a Harvester, she thought maybe it was time to return the favor.

  And it seemed to be working. All through their chats with Jason, all through their meal in the hotel restaurant, his attention was now focused on her. She stroked the back of his wrist when he let his hand sit on the table beside his plate, her fingers gliding along a vein that reached to his knuckles.

  Ryder swallowed when she rubbed her forefinger in a small circle at the base of his thumb, and she smiled.

  By the time they reached their room, she knew he wasn’t thinking about Harvesters anymore. All of the tension in him now was anticipation.

  She decided he should anticipate a bit longer. “Why don’t you turn on some music?” she said as the door closed behind her.

  His gaze narrowed, but he released her hand and made his way to the television, clicking his way through the channels until he found music stations. While he searched for music, she locked and chained the door, then turned to him.

  He faced her from across the room, wary.

  She smiled and strolled toward him. “I think maybe some dancing. We’ve never danced together.”

  He swallowed, and she stretched to kiss his throat. His hands settled on her hips. “No, I guess we haven’t.”

  She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck to link at his nape. “Time to remedy that,” she murmured, leaning close.

  His arousal pressed into her belly. Plenty of anticipating, and he had no idea she meant to really torture him.

  She rubbed her cheek on his chest, relaxing in his arms

  as they swayed around the room. For a little while, she could almost believe they were just a normal couple enjoying a mini-vacation. And she needed him to believe it for a while, too. So she nuzzled his throat, nibbling down into the hollow where she flicked out her tongue to taste him.

  His fingers tightened on her hips. “Mena?”

  “Hm?” She licked him again. Salty, from the sea air. Musky--all Ryder.

  “How long are we going to do this?”

  She tipped her chin up and smiled at him. “A while.”

  His dark eyes went nearly black. “That’s what I thought.”

  She stretched on tiptoe to kiss him, lightly. “I want to explore.”

  He cleared his throat. “I guess you’re going to want to take your time.”

  “Absolutely.” She dragged her fingers through his hair, making him shiver. “I think it’s overdue, really.”

  His erection nudged at her belly. “Baby, you know I’m going to get you back later, right?”

  She laughed. “You’ve had your turn, Ryder. Now it’s mine, so shut up and enjoy.” She nipped at his lower lip and enjoyed the hiss of his sharp inhalation.

  She did take her time, unbuttoning his shirt as they danced, kissing her way across his chest, pushing his shirt off, and kissing around to his back.

  He set his feet while she worked her way over the muscles there, his breathing rough.

  “I really should have done this sooner,” she murmured between kisses. Then slid one hand around to his belly, lower, to wrap around his erection.

  “Fuck,” he muttered, jolting at her caress.

  “Oh, we will, but not yet.” She smiled as she squeezed, then released him to continue on her way. “Not just yet.” She eased away and tugged her own shirt off, then discarded her bra before stepping in to press her breasts to his back. Her tight nipples rubbed along his hard muscles, and his breath caught again. “You feel so good,” she whispered, slipping her hands to his belly and stroking upward.

  “So do you.”

  She pressed closer and stretched to kiss one shoulder blade. She really did want forever with this man, but they had to work on it together. Tonight, though...tonight was all about him.

  She teased
him, tasting, touching. Eventually, she shoved off her skirt and his shorts and got him horizontal so she could really explore. All the hard dips and ridges of his chest and abdomen. His stiff, swollen shaft jutting up.

  She licked the damp tip and noted the way his fingers curled into the sheets. When she eased her mouth over the entire head, his eyes squeezed shut, and then she stopped watching, instead focusing on the feel of him beneath her. She could tell by the way his breathing caught and roughened, the way his hips jerked to meet her, when he was getting close, and she simply eased back, instead stroking his strong thighs, his hair-spattered calves. When he relaxed a little, she bent close to suck him into her mouth, loving the salty taste of him.

  She lifted her head to admire his erection, then yelped when he yanked her over him.

  “I can’t. Not anymore, baby. I need to be inside you.” He didn’t ask, didn’t wait for permission, just positioned her exactly where he wanted her and thrust up, deep inside her.

  Mena cried out. Her inner muscles clamped hard at the invasion.

  “Fuck,” he groaned. “I can’t wait. So tight, baby.”

  She let him guide her movements with his hard hands on her hips. Quick, hard strokes of his cock inside her, and she went flying in moments, then heard his guttural curse a second before he pulled her hard against him, his release triggered by hers.

  She collapsed onto his chest, her quick breathing painful.

  Ryder wrapped his arms around her back, and she realized she was as sweaty as he was when his forearm slid along her spine. He panted underneath her, his body slowly relaxing.

  She woke from a light doze when he rolled her onto her side and stretched over to shut off the lamp on the night stand.

  “Shh,” he whispered. “Close your eyes.”

  She smiled and kissed his chest, obeying. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

  “Exploring is hard work.” The tease in his voice made her smile widen.

  “I enjoyed every minute of it.”

  “Me, too, baby.” He kissed the top of her head.

  For a few minutes, they were silent, breathing softly, in the dim light from across the room. He stroked from her nape to her hip, slowly. Gently. She listened to his steady heartbeat.