Free Games of Zeus 02- Silent Echoes by Aimee Laine Page A

figure out why the hell I lost my—” my entire interest in going after every pretty girl . “Night and day, I’m hounded by nothing but social impotence. And, I can’t believe I just used that word.”
    “It’s unreal, Ian.”
    “That’s putting it lightly.” And I’m going to find out why.

8
    Tripp and Lexi’s old farmhouse wrapped Taylor in figurative comfort as she walked in. Four straight weeks of renovation—four months before—and the place gleamed as if it were a new build. Pride swelled in her heart at what she’d helped recreate.
    Lexi grabbed towels from a closet, laid them on a bed and added a set of clean clothes. “We got word it’ll probably be a week before they release your house.” Lexi’s calm tone didn’t let Taylor’s irritation or anger bubble. “I have other stuff you can wear if these don’t work, and you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want. Or at Emma’s. We share and share alike. Or wherever.”
    “Thanks.” Taylor clung to the footboard rail. “Thanks for everything, Lexi. I’m not sure what I’d have done without you guys. I promise not to overstay, though. I’ll get with Riley—”
    “Not without Tripp’s permission, right?” Lexi gave Taylor a light squeeze. “He told me about the whole conflict of interest thing.” With another pat to Taylor’s arm, Lexi said, “Make yourself at home,” and backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.
    “Okay, mom.” Even as she said it in a whisper, Taylor’s lips curved. Emma had once said, during the renovation, that if anyone were on the straight and narrow path, it would be Lexi. Taylor could see that, but the package came with an innate kindness, too, and for that, she’d be grateful—for the friendship, and especially for not having to call her parents.
    Taylor stripped off her three-day-old clothes and pulled on the soft underwear, T-shirt and sweat pants Lexi provided. A waft of Ian’s scent passed over her. She closed her eyes, drawing it in, not wanting to let it go. It reminded her of being outside, on a farm, where horses and cattle roamed free, and she’d stand at a fence and watch as farmers plowed their fields, their oxen and horses dragging equipment up and down rows of green and dirt.
    At a knock, she broke from her mental musings and slipped toward the mirror. “Who is it?” She retied her ponytail.
    “It’s Ian. I need to talk to you for a minute.”
    Taylor froze for a second. She steeled herself, and with a deep breath said, “Come in.”
    • • •
    Never had a woman brought up so much tangled emotion in Ian, and he’d dealt with all kinds in his thirty-five years. Hand on the door knob, he gripped and turned. He had to know more. Couldn’t wait for her to primp or nap or do whatever she wanted while he paced like an angry dog waiting for his next meal.
    Once opened, all anger vanished.
    Taylor stood by the closet, backlit by the large window, the sun highlighting her in a way that made him want to grab her and hold her tight and prevent all evil from touching her.
    She motioned for him to join her. “You can come in-in if you want.”
    He stepped inside and closed the door with a thunk of old latch hardware.
    Taylor lifted a hand, finger extended. “I’ll need to update that before—” She stopped. “No, no. Never mind.”
    “The old stuff gives this place character,” Ian finished.
    “It does. Yes. That’s what I was going to say.” She ran her hand along the closet’s woodwork. “Do you believe in fate, Ian?”
    “Yes and no. Why?”
    Taylor gave him a small shrug. “Just seemed like the right question to ask.”
    “I think fate exists, but it’s what we do with it that leads us to our ultimate destiny.” Ian repeated the line his grandmother had used throughout his childhood. “That kiss we shared …”
    “Comfortable,” she said.
    “Familiar,” Ian said, realizing she understood where he’d planned to go with his question.
    Taylor nodded.