Read Online Aphrodite's Passion by Julie Kenner - Free Book Online Page A

of you.” Taylor tapped a few more keys as Zoë wandered over. Hoop and Deena stayed put in front of their game. Lane got up, but as soon as she did, Zoë turned to her.
    “You might as well go check on him,” she said.
    Lane’s shoulders sagged. “I just got him put down. What’s up now?”
    “
He
is. Or he will be.”
    Lane’s mouth twisted. “You’re sure?”
    “You know that little noise he makes before he wakes up with a nightmare?”
    “He’s making it?”
    “Sorry. You want me to go check on him?”
    Lane just shook her head. “No thanks. It’s all part of mommy duty. You’ll get there soon enough.”
    Hale’s stomach tightened, and he examined his sister’s face, wondering if...
    “Quit fretting,” she said to Hale as she noticed his expression. “Not now. But hopefully someday.”
    Surprisingly, Hale realized he was slightly disappointed. Maybe he wasn’t ready for fatherhood—or even husband-hood—but uncle-hood might be fun.
    “Hale?” Zoë squinted at him. “Are you okay?”
    “Fine,” he said, his voice gruff. Hopping Hades, what was wrong with him? Frustrated, he kicked at the side of the computer hutch. “So what have you got in mind?” he demanded, glaring at Taylor.
    “You move in,” the mortal said.
    Hale balked. “Excuse me?”
    “I said—”
    “Move in?” Hoop interrupted. “Why not just let Superjock play the invisible man?” he asked, twirling a Risk game-piece between his fingers. “He can snoop all around her place and no one will be the wiser.”
    Hale wasn’t too keen on the Superjock nickname, and he shifted his glare from Taylor to Hoop.
    “What? You can’t do that? You guys got Protector police or something?” Hoop asked.
    “There’s that whole treaty thing,” Deena answered. “They’re not allowed to break into someone’s house and start rummaging through their things.” She cocked her head, then looked from Zoë to where Hale was perched. “Are you?”
    “No.” Hale agreed, half-wishing they were allowed. He turned back to Taylor. “What did you mean I ‘move in?’”
    Taylor pointed to the monitor, which Hale couldn’t see from his perch on the hutch. “Today’s classified ads. Tracy’s looking for a roommate. Move in, and suddenly you’re all set to form that strong, devoted bond of Mortal-Protector friendship that Zephron told you and Zoë about.” Taylor paused. “And that I know you’re so looking forward to.”
    Hale scowled at Taylor, sure his brother-in-law was being sarcastic, but the mortal just smiled innocently. “Not happening,” Hale said.
    “The bond, or the moving in?”
    “The moving in,” Hale said. “For the good of the mission, I’ll get the girl to bond with me. I’ll make that connection. I’ll do whatever it takes to persuade her. But believe me, I don’t need to move in to do that.”
    “Uh-huh.” Taylor’s voice was dubious.
    “She only has to bond with me,” Hale said. “Not me with her.” Which was fortunate, since he didn’t intend to share any sort of emotional bond with a mortal. The fact that he’d become friends with these mortals was simply a testament to how much he loved Zoë. And his sister’s little in-crowd of mortals was unique, anyway. Hale put up with them, but that didn’t mean he was suddenly opening his arms to the friendship of the whole mortal population.
    Frustrated, he hopped off the hutch and moved to the sofa, flopping back against the cushions. He couldn’t keep the kind of distance he wanted if he was living on top of her. Not that being
on top of her
would be all that unpleasant, but that wasn’t his mission. No, for some inexplicable reason, Zephron had picked Hale to befriend the mortal. To make nice with the girl, get her to trust him, and then persuade her to give up the belt.
    Still, Zoë and Taylor were probably right. Moving in would help. But Hale just couldn’t stomach it. Eating breakfast together and sharing the living room television ... well,