Page 52 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

I hesitated, watching him move around past the island. He pulled a couple of bottled waters from the fridge, a bag of chips from the cabinet, napkins, and paper plates. Then he moved to the French doors, opened them, and walked outside. “You coming?” he called over his shoulder.

I rushed to grab the bag of sandwiches and chased after him. He set us up beneath the umbrella on the patio, overlooking the pool and hot tub. Trees shaded the perimeter of the backyard. It was late spring, warming up to summer. The weather was perfect.

“It’s beautiful back here,” I found myself saying.

“You like it?” he asked, gaze searching my expression.

I nodded. “It’s like a little slice of paradise.”

“I had the pool put in after acquiring the property. Most goblins don’t like water, but my mother…” He trailed off. “Anyway, got it from my fae side, I guess.”

I hummed, avoiding his gaze, taking a seat and shuffling things around before unwrapping my sub. I could see him out here swimming. Alone. The thought of him in a pair of swim trunks, water droplets dripping down his skin, over his tattoos, had my heart rate spiking.

Bastian inhaled through his nose, sniffing. My eyes shot to his face in time to see his pupils dilate. “What are you thinking about, sugar?” His voice pitched low.

My body betrayed me, heating.

“That’s not fair,” I snapped. “And it’s intrusion into my privacy.”

He chuckled. “Is that what it is? Not like I can just turn it off. Can’t help what I am.”

“Well, it’s not like I can—” I stopped myself before I said anything embarrassing.

“—control what you feel for me?” He finished, lifting an annoyingly perfect eyebrow.

God. Sometimes I hated that stupid dumb face of his. Hated how perfect and handsome and…ugh.

“You’re unbelievable,” I muttered, grabbing my sub and shoving it into my mouth, taking a bite. I chewed slowly so I wouldn’t have to speak, wouldn’t have to admit that he was right.

At last, he did the same. A long silence stretched out between us. It wasn’t until we nearly finished that the conversation picked up again.

“What happened last night?” I asked after swallowing. “The mayor’s thing? Is that why you got the phone call?”

Bastian sighed, leaning back in his chair. He picked up a chip, regarded it with interest, then tossed it into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “More or less, yes.”

“You work for WBI, don’t you? That’s why everyone knew you at my apartment.”

“Sort of—yes.”

“Sort of?”

“I work for a special branch of WBI, the Supernaturals Affairs office. It’s…a subset. SA for short, since we all love our acronyms.”

“The SA?” I frowned. “Never heard of it.”

“You wouldn’t have and you’re going to pretend you haven’t. Surely you don’t think the world is ignorant of supernaturals?”

“Well, I mean, I figured the few people who do know about them keep it quiet.”

“They do, mostly. It’s better that way. Less dangerous. Can you imagine if the world… Well, never mind. That’s not the discussion we’re having.”

“So… What does the SA do?”

“Also not the conversation we’re having,” he said, holding a chip between his fingers, playing with it.

“Okay? Then, what is the conversation we’re having?”

“Aramis isn’t paying me for his favor.”