by Nicole Hall
Ana shook him off and twisted the box’s weight away from her hip. With the first step, a spike of pain burst out of her knee and up her thigh, and she hissed out a breath. Only a few more steps to get into the apartment, but they might as well have been miles.
The sheriff leaned past her to set his box in the entry, then did the same with hers. Ana concentrated on the stained wood in front of her feet as the waves of agony slowly subsided. She should have known better than to let his hands distract her.
Before she could protest, he’d scooped her up and carried her into the sparse apartment. Ana couldn’t fault him for his form, he didn’t jostle her knee at all as he kicked the door closed. Unfortunately, she’d wrapped an arm around his neck to steady herself, which put her way too close to his mouth for comfort.
“Is the couch okay?” He turned his head to ask the question, and Ana realized his blue eyes were shot through with gold.
She nodded, and they maneuvered her to a sitting position with her knee resting on one of her two throw pillows. As glorious of a distraction as Shane turned out to be, the pain in her leg reared up for a second round.
After a second, the ache in her knee abated, but her thigh refused to relax. Ana pushed on the hard knot with the heel of her hand, but she couldn’t get good leverage without her knee flaring up. She winced as the cramp went on and on while she tried to breathe through it.
Her self-appointed savior squatted in front of her, and she glanced up into his face.
“What’s wrong?” His calm tone reminded her of the doctors after her surgery.
Ana licked her dry lips. “Muscle cramp.”
His hands hovered over hers, but he stopped short of actually touching her. “Can I try?”
“I can handle it. I’m not weak,” she gritted out.
“I never thought you were. Come on, Ana. I’m trying to help.”
Her name on his lips in that honeyed voice sent hunger spiraling through her, a weird contrast to her throbbing leg. She grimaced and moved her hands to give him access. Instead of massaging as she’d done, he gently stretched her leg to lengthen the muscle, careful not to aggravate her knee.
When he did finally put pressure on her thigh in long, slow strokes, the cramp started to ease. Ana closed her eyes and let her head fall sideways against the couch. Her sweat had dried to a sticky film, so her hair adhered to the side of her face where she leaned. Despite the cold air, heat thrummed through her in rhythm with his touch.
“Since I’m getting up close and personal with your thigh, maybe you can finally start calling me by my given name.”
Ana cracked her eyes open. “Why is this so important to you?”
“Because I want you to see me as a friend, not an authority figure.” He concentrated on his movements, giving her the rare chance to look her fill.
Tousled dark hair and stubble along a strong jaw could have been any number of suitors she’d rejected, but his eyes always tripped her up. It wasn’t the color—though she liked the dark blue—but the compassion he never tried to hide. As if he could read her thoughts, he glanced up to meet her gaze.
Ana didn’t bother pretending not to stare. “What makes you think I don’t see you as a friend?”
“I’ve noticed the way you are with Kora and David, even Dax. You let them in, at least a little bit. You’ve known me just as long, but with me, you’re guarded. Why is that?”
Warning bells went off in her head. Those were the kind of questions she needed to avoid, but she wasn’t sure she could feign icy indifference with him trying ease her pain.
“I don’t know you as well as I know them,” she whispered.
“You would if you gave me a chance. Ask me anything you want. I’ll give you an honest answer, and you’ll know a little more.”
She broke the staring contest to watch the motion of his hands—warm and callused against her skin. Should she play his game? Curiosity ate at her. He hadn’t demanded anything in return, so what harm could come from asking a question? Worst case scenario, he lied to her about something inconsequential.
Except, she didn’t want to ask something inconsequential. She wanted to know if she could trust him. Her time in Deckard would come to an end at some point, and she’d better have more than spotty magic and an injured knee on her side.
“Why did you go into law enforcement?” Ana forced her gaze up to meet his, wanting to see his face when he answered.
“I wanted to help people. As simple and complicated as that. Unfortunately, law enforcement doesn’t always succeed in that endeavor, but I try.”
His sincerity never wavered, but Ana had proved in December that her judgement couldn’t be trusted. Still, it was a nice answer. Now the real test began. He’d asked why she revealed more of herself to her friends, and the answer was that they never asked for more than she could give them. They accepted her mysterious past and her unwillingness to talk about anything before she’d moved to Deckard.
If he pushed her to open up, she’d know this whole conversation had been a ploy.
He flashed her a smile that caused her pulse to race. “Was that enough of an answer?”
Ana nodded. “For now.”
“See, quick and easy. No harm done.”
He had no idea. Shane—and he’d always be Shane now in her mind, he’d won that much—continued to rub until the knot in her thigh subsided completely. His fingers lingered even after the pain had ceased, stroking her skin, and Ana fought the urge to slide off the couch and into his lap.
Talk about mixed signals.
Instead, she scooted around him to stand. “Thanks for your help. Really.”
He straightened next to her, and Ana hesitated as she stared up at him. One answered question didn’t make someone trustworthy, but he was right that she’d taken a chance on a few of the others in town. She was under no obligation to answer if he asked something too personal.
“In the interest of fairness, I’ll give you one question, but I make no promises to answer it.”
Shane rubbed his chin. “Only one, huh? What’s your middle name?”
The question surprised her enough that she answered without thinking. “Nicolaevna.”
He cocked his head. “There’s a story behind that name. Maybe you’ll share it with me some time.”
Unlikely, but then, she’d have thought the same thing about developing magical powers, meeting a god, and going into hiding. All of which turned out to be extremely likely.
“I suppose we’ll see.”
Shane smiled at her restrained response as if she’d just challenged him. Maybe she had. If his pursuit of friendship was any indication, he wasn’t the type to give up easily. Ana moved past him to open the door.
He picked up the not-so-subtle hint and made his way to the exit, stopping next to her to search her face. “I have one more question.”
Ana crossed her arms and leaned against the frame. “Now you’re getting pushy.”
“A simple yes or no, I promise. Are you going to the Lantern Festival tonight?”
“I hadn’t planned on it.” Why hadn’t she just said no? She’d made it sound like all she needed was a good reason to attend.
“I’m meeting Kora and David at nine. Why don’t you join us?”
Because she couldn’t afford to like him any more than she already did. Not to mention, people would definitely notice magical glowing hands after nightfall. Unfortunately, she couldn’t tell that to Shane. “That was two more questions, and I don’t enjoy festivals.”
He raised a brow. “You moved to a small town where there’s a festival almost every weekend.”
“That doesn’t mean I enjoy them.” Ana hated that she had to lie and stay hidden. Leaving her old life had given her the chance at freedom, but her current life squandered the opportunity.
Shane shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Maybe you haven’t gone with the right people.”
And was he the right people? She pressed her lips t
ogether to keep the words inside. Eight months, she’d been hiding. For what? To live the same lonely, sad existence she’d had before?
Ana wavered, staring across the room at the bland, grey couch which doubled as her bed. Almost nothing in this apartment was hers. She’d left Magnolia with a suitcase and a backpack to come to Deckard, where she’d lived for months in Moira’s guest room.
Before the accident, she’d been plagued by restless energy, pushing her body to the limits on the practice floor again and again. Ana’s injury had forced a change, but the twitchy feeling didn’t go away, slowly building again until it clamored in her head, as if she needed to stretch and move. Taking over the apartment had been a big first step in claiming her life, but she wanted that forward motion to be a beginning not an end.
Shane watched her and waited. Hot air blew across her legs from the open door, reminding Ana of his quick actions when she’d hurt herself by forgetting to be cautious.
She tried to discourage him one more time. “Aren’t the festivals just an excuse to get people to spend money?”
“Partly, but they’re also an excuse to socialize and create a sense of community. They can be fun if you let them.”
“I seriously doubt that,” she muttered.
“Then give me a chance to prove your terrible opinion wrong. I promise you’ll have fun.”
Ana wanted to go. Not for the festival, she’d been mostly truthful there, but to spend time with people she enjoyed. Add Shane to the mix with his quiet confidence and undeniable charms? That cop car fantasy wasn’t too far off.
He must have sensed her caving because he held his hands up in surrender. “You’ll be with your boss and her husband in addition to me, and I promise to leave the handcuffs at home.”
“Okay, I’ll go, but don’t be disappointed if I cling to the shadows and want to leave early.”
A broad grin spread across his face. “I promised you fun. If that means lurking and people watching, I’m with you, but you have to at least try the funnel cake.”
Ana bit her cheek to keep from smiling back like a giddy child. “I can agree to that.”
“And I’m paying.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I can pay for myself.”
“Nope. I refuse to allow you to use cost as an excuse to not have fun. Besides, what kind of a date would I be if I didn’t?”
Ana tilted her head. “Since when is this a date?”
He reached out and pulled one of her hands free to kiss her knuckles. “Since I convinced you to spend time with me.”
The touch of his lips sent heat rushing through her. “You and my boss and her husband and most of the town. Not very romantic.”
Shane rubbed his thumb across her fingers then let go. “I like to start small and work my way up to grand gestures. I’ll swing by around eight forty-five. Wear something comfortable.”
“There you go again, dictating my clothes.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “In that case, I’d like to put in a request for a unicorn onesie. The horn just does it for me.”
Ana couldn’t help it—she laughed at his antics. “Go away, Shane. I have things to do this afternoon.”
He did a ridiculous, triumphant dance out of her apartment that involved wiggling arms and a hip maneuver she’d like to see again in different circumstances. “I knew we’d get there. I’ll see you tonight, Ana Winters.”
She shook her head and waved at him as he bounded down the stairs. A little thrill of excitement wouldn’t let her hold back the smile anymore as she closed the door. In less than an hour, Shane had coaxed her into friendly banter and a sort-of date. Not to mention given her fodder for her fantasies with his touch.
The man was more dangerous than she’d given him credit for. She’d have to be careful at the festival. One night of fun could ruin all her careful planning, especially if his temptation proved too much to resist.
Ana ripped open the first box where Shane had set it and started unpacking new linens—yet another gift from Kora and David. She absently stacked them on the couch while she replayed the encounter in her head. Nothing stuck out at her as suspicious, but how would she know until it was too late?
What she did remember clearly was the silky promise in his voice.
See you tonight, Ana Winters. He was half right. She’d meet him tonight, but he wouldn’t be seeing Ana Winters.
Technically, Ana Winters didn’t exist.
Did you enjoy your first chapter? Snag your copy of Divinity Bound today!
DIVINITY BOUND
© 2021 Nicole Hall
All rights reserved
A Note from Nicole
I love Greek gods. Can you tell? This series will have a lot of twists and turns, but it’ll be rooted in all that juicy mythology we can’t get enough of. Personally, my favorite has always been Hades, and I’m making sure each of the major gods gets some book time. Which are you most excited to see? Send me an email at [email protected] and let me know.
Special thanks to Joel R. Williams III, SSgt, USAF for his knowledge of the Armed Forces. Any mistakes made are my own. As always, I would be nowhere without my editing gurus: Nicole Schneider, Liz Gallegos, and Jo Perry.
Curious about Kora’s magic and Ana’s secrets? You’ll find out more in Ana and Shane’s book, Divinity Bound. Want to know Dax’s real name? See if he tells in the Goddess Forsaken Bonus Scene, click here or find it on my website (www.nicolehallbooks.com).
Join Muse Interrupted Romance, my Facebook group, for daily shenanigans and sexy man chest pictures. Sign up for my newsletter, for first access to new releases plus extra content, giveaways, sneak peeks, and first looks at new covers.
If you have time, would you mind leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Bookbub? Reviews help other readers like you find books they love.
~Nicole
Also by Nicole Hall
Modern Magic series
Modern Magic
Accidental Magic
Insidious Magic
Treacherous Magic
Impulsive Magic
Rebellious Magic
Chaotic Magic
Rise of the Old Gods series
Muse Interrupted
Goddess Forsaken
Divinity Bound
About the Author
Nicole Hall is a smart-ass with a Ph.D. and a potty mouth. She writes stories that have magic, sass, and romance because she believes that everyone deserves a little happiness. Coffee makes her happy, messes make her stabby, and she’d sell one of her children for a second season of Firefly.
Let Nicole know what you thought about her sassy, magical world because she really does love hearing from readers. Find her at www.nicolehallbooks.com or Muse Interrupted Romance on Facebook!
Want to find out when the newest Nicole Hall book hits the shelves? Sign up for the weekly Muse Interrupted newsletter. You’ll get a welcome gift plus new release info, giveaways, exclusive content, and previews of the new books especially for fans.
GODDESS FORSAKEN
Copyright © 2021 Nicole Hall
All rights reserved.
No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Under no circumstances may any part of this book be photocopied for resale.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and co-incidental.
Cover designed by Germancreative
Edi
ted by Jolene Perry, Waypoint Author Academy