Page 23 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

A day and a half, closer to two days later, I still felt drained after retelling my history.

I’d gone back to Fennick’s that night, and I was a wreck, even if it was hard to tell from the outside.

What broke me was when he crawled into bed and took me tenderly into his arms to hold me.

The dam holding back my tears broke. I sobbed for hours.

He let me soak him and the bed, and never reprimanded me or told me to stop.

He murmured words of comfort, held me, and rocked me as much as he could with me snuggled up to his chest.

That chest, covered in fine, soft hair and firm muscles, was my pillow.

He made me feel protected, something I’d rarely felt in my thirty years.

I’d gotten to that point with Peaches and Ernie, and then it was ripped away.

After that, I refused to allow myself to get close enough to anyone to be hurt when I had to move on.

Even after a few days here in Needles, I knew moving on would hurt terribly.

While I liked Fennick’s friends, it was he who would devastate me.

Yesterday, after a night of crying and restless sleep, I woke up to a headache.

No surprise. Fennick had insisted I stay in bed, and he took care of me.

I was given breakfast in bed. He didn’t push me to talk about what I revealed.

We chatted about movies, books, music, and television shows we liked, loved, or hated.

Last night was another night of me sleeping in his bed.

When we were preparing for bed, he’d gone to the closet to get a blanket and a spare pillow.

I stopped him and said it was ridiculous for him to sleep in the chair.

We’d slept together the night before. We could do it again.

When he got into bed, I teased him with the promise of not crying all over him and making him waterlogged.

His laughter made me smile. Somehow, we ended up with him spooning me.

Being in his arms made me feel safe while stirring up my desire.

Finding his hand cupping my breast in the morning or his erection pressed into the crack of my ass didn’t frighten me or turn me off.

They seemed to indicate that he desired me.

My only doubt was that he hadn’t attempted to kiss me since Friday, when I shared my past. Maybe his hand and erection were unconscious responses to stimuli.

I was afraid to ask, so I kept my mouth shut.

If he made no other move soon, I’d have my answer.

Despite his assurances that I shouldn’t feel responsible for those women and babies, my past might’ve turned him off.

He might have thought he had to give me a place to stay and maintain the illusion that he was fine with me.

This morning, I refused to stay in bed, wallowing in self-pity, any longer.

I insisted that I get up and prepare food for the barbecue at Banner’s house today.

Fennick and then Banner, when he was called, tried to dissuade me, but I needed something to occupy my mind. They gave in, and I got to work.

Now, it was time to take that food to Banner’s place and have a good time with the Sentinels and Asa’s group.

I was curious to see how they were doing.

The only one I dreaded seeing was Hadar.

I kept praying that he had miraculously forgotten his interest in me.

Was it likely? No, but I could still hope for it.

I’d gotten on a roll with the cooking. Fennick helped me prepare the food.

I enjoyed the experience. We talked more, and it was things that you’d talk about when dating and learning about each other.

I hadn’t told him I was nervous about attending the barbecue without him.

I knew he had to work, and his work was important.

However, he informed me last night that he would be coming with me after all.

It seemed he’d spoken to one of his coworkers whom he often covered for, and asked if he’d pick up the day.

The man had said yes. When I expressed my guilt about what he had done, Fennick quickly assured me that he had wanted to stay with me, and it was his idea.

On the way to Banner’s house, I took in the scenery on the drive and then his home when we arrived.

Like Brax and Fennick, he lived outside Needles, and his property had no neighbors on either side.

I loved how each home was its own gem tucked away in the terrain around Needles.

There were four vehicles there. I recognized the one that belonged to Brax and Cerys.

The three others, I had no idea who they belonged to, but I assumed they were probably Keir, Royal, and Gunnar’s vehicles.

Fennick and I were gathering the various dishes we had made, which we had carefully packed in boxes. I was prevented from carrying any when Nico and Keir came hurrying out of the house.

“We’ve got this. Don’t you carry those,” Nico said.

“Did you call them out here?” I asked Fennick.

“Nope. I’ve been within your sight the whole time,” he answered. I narrowed my eyes at him, but I remained quiet. As the three men carried in the boxes, I got the doors for them.

“Everyone is either out back, since the weather is so nice, or in the kitchen,” Nico explained as I followed them through another lovely home.

I could hear the murmur of voices coming from various spots. Entering the kitchen, I was greeted by Twyla and Cerys first. They came right to me and gave me hugs. Banner wasn’t far behind.

“There they are. Lord, what did you make?” Banner asked, eyeing the boxes.

“Hopefully something you all like and enjoy,” I responded.

“I’m sure we will. Did you let Fen help?” Banner asked.

I grinned. “Yes, so eat at your peril,” I said, recalling the conversation at his office. We were chuckling when I was greeted again.

“It’s good to see you, Akiva. We’ve been asking how you are,” Thea said as she, Trevor, and the others in the house approached.

“I’ve been well, and it looks like you’ve been doing well at Royal’s place,” I replied.

We weren’t at the hugging stage, which was weird when you thought about it. I felt okay exchanging hugs with the Sentinels and their ladies, but not the ones I traveled with for two weeks. Instead, we smiled and nodded.

Before we could say more or start unpacking the boxes, the French doors off one end of the kitchen swung open, and in barreled Hadar.

Not far behind were Asa and then Royal. I wasn’t able to hold back from stiffening.

I wanted to relax today, not dodge Hadar all day.

I felt Fennick’s arm come around my waist. He brought me close, and his lips landed on my temple.

Below a whisper, he said, “Relax. I’m here. ”

My body obeyed even though my mind was still playing catch-up. I had to smile at him. When I did, I heard the low rumble that slipped free of Hadar. I chose not to look at him or acknowledge his presence. Royal came to us and leaned over far enough to kiss my cheek.

“There you are. I was hoping you’d get here soon. I wanted to see how you’re doing and to know what deliciousness you brought.” He rubbed his hands together.

I giggled. “I swear, you guys act like you never eat and are starving twenty-four seven. Fennick kept sneaking bites the entire time we cooked and baked.”

“Baked?” Royal perked up even more.

“Akiva, it’s so good to see you. You look well. I see our hosts have been taking excellent care of you. We’ve been lucky to experience the same,” Asa said.

I held out my hands so he could grasp them. I squeezed and smiled. I liked Asa, and, aside from Hadar, I thought his entire family was warm, close, and loving. I guess every family has a dud in them.

After greeting Asa, I knew I couldn’t procrastinate any longer.

I met Hadar’s stare as his dad let go of my hands, more in response to his son’s impatience than desire to move away.

Hadar scanned me. Did he think I’d be exhibiting signs of abuse or neglect?

That was my first thought. It was swiftly modified to the realization that he was checking out my body.

I wasn’t dressed in anything revealing, but my clothing did cling to my curves.

His hungry expression made me want to shrink away, but I refused to do that.

“Akiva, it’s good to see you. I’ve been worried.” He attempted to take my hand, but I kept one at my side, and the other was around Fennick’s waist. When Hadar noted it, his mouth tightened.

“I don’t know why you’d think there was any reason to worry about me. I was in good hands.”

“Yeah, well, we were under the impression you were still with Brax and Cerys. It wasn’t until this morning that I learned you were at his place.” Hadar glared at Fennick.

“I don’t see how it matters which house I was at. Regardless, everyone is super nice and has made all of us feel welcome, haven’t they?” I directed the question to his dad.

“Oh yes, very welcoming. We’re trying not to overstay our welcome.

The search is on for work and places to stay.

It sounds like the Knights’ issue isn’t one to disappear any time soon.

I feel better knowing my family will be where we’ll be safest. Trekking all the way to Arkansas or Tennessee without knowing a safe place exists isn’t the way to go. I see that now,” Asa replied.

“We only have their word that these Knights and Pytho exist. The Oracles didn’t mention them. And a bright light flashing doesn’t prove that the other guy was Apollo,” Hadar grumbled.