Page 23 of Goddess of Storms

“Sounds like you have it all planned out,” Nile states before asking, “Why does Phoenix get alone time with you?”

“To make him more uncomfortable, of course. You idiot, the cult knows us together. If I’m with him, they are less likely to recognize us. Now is not the time to be a jealous asshat,” I remark.

“Harper, there’s a ball cap in my bag, why don’t you slip that on. Maybe it will help you blend in,” Stone tells me.

“Sure I’ll try it, what can it hurt?” I say as I rummage in his bag.

By the time my fingers grasp his cap, we are at the store. I tie my hair up in a ponytail, pulling it out the back and checking in the mirror to check if it disguises me at all. Maybe at first glance, they won’t notice me.

Turning back, all eyes are on me. “What?”

“Be safe, and you,” Stone points his finger at Phoenix, “Keep your hands to yourself.”

Phoenix raises his hands in no contest, as Stone and Nile laugh.

Nile chirps in, “You idiot, to protect her you will have to act like you two are together. They will be on the lookout for a blonde all alone. And her spark is worse than her bite.”

Phoenix

Fuck, I don’t know if I can pretend. I have a strange pull to her, to touch her, and be near to her. I’ll try and keep as much distance as I can.

Harper hops out of the Jeep, pulling the seat forward for me, I join her.

“Excited to be my shopping buddy?” Harper asks, taking my hand in hers.

Where her fingers touch mine, it’s like wildfire and I want more. “Do you feel that?” I question her as we walk into the market.

“What? The air conditioning? It’s a gods-send really!” she replies.

I breathe a little easier, knowing it’s just me. How would I explain it to Nile and Stone?Oh by the way, Harper is my soulmate, too. But I don’t want to share. Yep, I can see that going over really well.

Harper releases my hand but pulls my arm around her waist and she guides a cart down the first aisle.

Stopping, she scans the shelves and pulls some refried beans. Holding them up, she then turns to me, “This kind okay?”

Still milling over my thoughts and what the fire embrace could mean to me, I just nod and she throws them in the cart. I’m in a daze, aisle after aisle. Until I remember, fuck I’m here to protect her and I’m acting like a lovesick teen. Maybe I should kick my own ass.

“That should about do it, let’s get some fresh fruits and veggies, then we can check out. Unless there was something else you wanted?” she asks.

I scan her cart. It's a good staple to junk ratio, so I can’t complain. “Looks like you're a pro. Let’s get the rest and get out of here. You head to the produce, I’m going to grab some extra bottled water. And I’ll meet you over there.”

Harper frowns, “I’ll turn around and go with you. I don’t want to lose you in the store.”

I start to argue and then I remember we are supposed to stick together. These emotions inside of me have me all sorts of confused.

“You’re right as always,” I walk around behind her and place my hand on the small of her back as we head towards the water.

“Sorry,” I whisper, “This lack of sleep must be getting to me. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Is it that or the bond that is forming between us?” she asks lightly.

I drop my hand and her smile returns.

“Did you think I didn’t notice? This isn’t the place or the time for this talk. We will have a little chat when we get to the cabin,” she promises.

A lump is stuck in my throat and all I can do is nod. We reach the water and I grab a couple cases and add them to the bottom of the cart.

“Produce here we come,” Harper states a little too enthusiastically.

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