Page 9 of Waiting For Psamathe (Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency)

ZALE

I snuck a glance at Sama as we made our way down the stairs towards the entrance to the hotel. She looked extra beautiful this morning, and I knew it had nothing to do with how she actually appeared and everything to do with how I was seeing her. She'd shown me a different side to her last night, both emotionally and physically, and I couldn't wait to find out what we could be to one another.

"Just give me a moment, I need to tell the front desk to get them they need to clean the beach hut we were in last night before opening," she said, tapping my chest gently with her hand.

"Sorry about that."

Sama met my gaze, a small smile playing at her lips. "I'm not." She slipped away before I could say anything and went over to the front desk.

I was glad she wasn't sorry, because I certainly wasn't. I had no idea if I'd ever have acted on my attraction otherwise.

She returned a moment later. "All done. Shall we go in for breakfast? Unless you want to sneak out and go home."

"I don't want to sneak out," I assured her. "Breakfast sounds good."

"Great, because I'm famished."

"That's because you turned down a snack after the shower." The memory of which was going to be seared into my brain for the rest of the day.

She laughed and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Because I knew we were going to be able to eat soon." She guided me towards the dining hall. She nodded to the man standing at the welcome table and guided me further into the room. "I think you're going to like my normal table."

"I wouldn't have thought you came down here for breakfast often," I admitted.

"Almost every day. I could make it in my room, but why do that when I have a talented chef on staff?"

"That makes sense."

She comes to a stop by a table and I hurry around to pull out a chair for her. The way her face lit up told me I'd done the right thing. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." I sat down opposite her.

A waiter came over almost immediately, placing a pot of coffee and a koulouri down on the table between us.

"Would your guest like anything specific?" he asked Sama.

She looked at me, but I shook my head. Coffee and bread sounded perfect to me.

"That'll be all, thank you." She smiled at her member of staff and he disappeared to deal with other customers. "He'll be back soon with some yoghurt and toppings, but if you prefer anything else, I can ask him for it."

"This is good. And already fancier than anything I'd be having at home."

"What do you normally have for breakfast?" she asked as she poured the two of us some coffee, pushing one of the cups towards me.

"Depends on how late I'm running for work," I admitted. "But certainly not koulouri."

She tore off a piece of the bread and dipped it into her coffee before taking a bite. "Our breakfast chef is excellent at them."

"If that's true, we might have to end every date here," I responded, tearing a piece off and managing to scatter sesame seeds everywhere.

"Every date?"

Was it me, or did she look hopeful? I wanted her to.

"If you want more, that is."

"I do," she said softly. "Many, many more."

"Are you free tonight?" I asked. "I've got a shift at the sanctuary later, but I could pick you up at eight and we could go for dinner?"

"I like the sound of that," she responded, dipping more of her koulouri in her coffee. "Do you have any tasks that'll take you outside?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Thinking of coming out to watch me?"

"Absolutely. I love watching you with the seals."

A thrill travelled through me at her admission. I'd thought as much from the number of times she'd seemed to be watching me from the terrace, but it was good to have her confirm it.

Sama tensed slightly and concern filled me until a blonde woman approached. It took me a moment to recognise her as Aphrodite in her casual clothes, though she still looked beautiful.

"Morning," she said brightly.

"Morning, Aphie," Sama said. "Did you have a good night?"

"Almost as good as yours, it seems," she responded, her amusement written all over her face. "Good to see you again, Zale."

"Likewise," I said, not really knowing what else to say to her.

"Oh, is that koulouri?" she asked.

Sama nodded. "You should order some."

"I should, it's been ages since I've had some. Anyway, I'll call you later to talk about the event and book another one," Aphrodite said.

"I'm glad it was successful," she said.

"It was," the other goddess responded. "But I'll leave you to your morning after." She waved at us both and headed over to her own table.

Sama groaned. "She's going to be insufferable. She always is after her meddling works."

"Do you think she came here planning to meddle?"

"No, she just can't help it," Sama responded.

The waiter reappeared with a tray and set it down between us. Two clay pots of Greek yoghurt sat in the middle with a jar of pine honey and a selection of nuts.

"Thank you," she said to the waiter.

He nodded and disappeared.

Sama picks up one of the pots and starts to make up her breakfast. "Aphie is just like all of the other love gods. They think they see something between people and they can't help but meddle."

"Hence the stories," I mused.

"Hence Jinx. They found a way to meddle even more than they used to be able to." Her amusement was plain on her face.

"I can't say I'm complaining too much about her meddling," I said.

"Me neither."

The way she smiled at me made my heart constrict. She was so beautiful, and somehow, she wanted to be with me.

I was going to do everything in my power to be worthy of her.