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They reached the car, and Jake opened the door for Erin. “My pleasure, Miss Erin.” He paused with a hand to his ear, listening to an incoming message. “My apologies, Erin. I didn’t realize the mayor would leave the council so soon. Blaine should join us shortly, if that’s alright with you. If not, I can arrange other transport for you.”
Erin couldn’t deny the thrill that ran down her spine at the thought of seeing Blaine again. She fiddled with the hem of her dress, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nerves. “Sure. I don’t mind. It’s his car, after all.”
Erin got into the car, and as they waited for Blaine, she continued to ask Jake questions, her curiosity driving the conversation. She wanted to understand the challenges both she and Blaine faced in their personal and political lives.
When Blaine arrived, he slid into the car beside Erin, his expression unreadable. As he placed a gentle hand on her thigh, she shivered at his touch. “I hope you don’t mind me joining you,” he said, his smile suggestive and flirtatious.
Erin shook her head, her heart fluttering with his intimate proximity. “Not at all.”
As the Bentley glided smoothly through the city streets, Erin stole a glance at Blaine, her mind filled with questions. “Blaine,” she began hesitantly, “are you going to keep a closer eye on me now that the intensity of my power has been revealed?”
Blaine sighed, his brow furrowed in thought. “I knew for myself when I saw you summon your temple from the earth itself. Your power will probably draw both admiration and scrutiny from the council. They’ll want to ensure you use your abilities responsibly and in line with their goals.”
“So I can expect Maria to be hounding me?”
Blaine sighed. “Not just Maria, although she certainly excels in that arena.”
Erin nodded. “Does it change how you see me?”
“As for me,” he paused, a hint of a smile on his lips, “it means we have a shared understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that come with our gifts.”
Erin nodded, considering his words. She couldn’t help but wonder how much the council knew about their relationship, and if it might complicate matters further. “Do you think anyone on the council knows about us?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Blaine’s smile grew wider as he regarded her. “Well, that depends on what you mean byus. What do you think this thing between us is?”
Erin felt her cheeks flush, and she looked away, struggling to find the right words. “I’m not sure,” she admitted, her voice soft. “But there’s a connection here, something powerful. And I worry that if the council knows about it, they might try to use it against us, or at least me.”
The atmosphere inside the Bentley was charged with emotion, and Erin could feel the heat of Blaine’s body beside her, a comforting presence amidst the uncertainty.
Blaine reached out, his hand covering hers, his touch warm and reassuring. “You’re right, there is something powerful between us. But we can’t let fear dictate our actions. I’d advise we move forward with discretion and trust that whatever bond we share can withstand the challenges we face.” Blaine leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear, causing her to shiver. “I’d advise that we keep our encounters private,” he whispered. He shot her a look, and Erin knew the answer without him having to say the words. “The council is pure politics, Erin. How do you think they would feel knowing that the two most powerful devotees in the region were aligning?”
“I’m not sure we’re aligned in purpose, unless you mean horizontally,” Erin quipped back, briefly recalling a steamy encounter they shared, a memory that made her heart race and her cheeks flush.
Blaine moved his hand from her thigh to her chin, gently lifting her face to meet his gaze, and said, “I can assure you, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore that alignment in the future.”
“I suppose that remains to be seen,” Erin whispered.
As they neared Erin’s home, the Temple of Dionysos, they were both surprised to find a large crowd of people gathered there. She felt a pang of disappointment that her time with Blaine was ending, longing for more time alone with him. But then the sight of the crowd sent a jolt of anxiety through her, and Erin knew she had to address the situation immediately.
“I’m sorry, Blaine,” she said, her voice strained with worry. “I need to see what’s going on.”
Blaine nodded, his own concern evident in his eyes. “Of course. I’ll leave you to it.”
Before Erin stepped out of the car, Blaine pulled her close for a passionate and lingering kiss, leaving her breathless and wanting more. Erin stepped out of the car and hurried toward the temple, her mind racing with questions. What was happening? Why were so many people gathered at her temple? As she pushed her way through the crowd, she couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was about to change once again.
CHAPTER44
BLAINE
Blaine York stared out the window of his sleek black sedan, his heart heavy with the weight of conflicting emotions. Jake maneuvered the car with practiced ease through the gathering crowds, leaving the Temple of Dionysos behind them. The early evening light cast long shadows across the road, deepening the furrows in Blaine’s brow as he considered his growing affection for Erin and his responsibility as mayor.
“You seem deep in thought, sir,” Jake observed, his tone tinged with concern.
Blaine sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure what to do, Jake. I know we’ve just met, but Erin has become important to me almost overnight. I worry about her future here in Denver and what surprises her deity has for us all next.”
Jake nodded slowly, his eyes flicking between the road and Blaine’s face in the rear-view mirror. “It must be difficult trying to balance your feelings and responsibilities as mayor,” he said. “Weren’t you the one who told me everything has its perfect time and that when the moment comes, listen to the gods and your heart?”
Blaine smiled at that, grateful beyond words for the kindness of Jake’s words. He felt a wave of relief wash over him as he realized he didn’t have to make any immediate decisions about Erin. Not tonight, at least. All he had to do was take things one step at a time and see where they led him. With a newfound sense of peace, Blaine settled back into his seat. “Yes, I suppose I did. But truth be told, I don’t think I’m worried about my heart or myself.”
