Harley's Achilles (The Rock Series Book 3) (12 page)

“Come here.” Achilles motioned to the tree and he sat down, holding his hand out to me. I took a seat next to him and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I leaned into him, laying my head against his shoulder.

“I met Brian when I was in sniper school. Eventually, he became my spotter. We spent a lot of hours together and that led to us goofing off sometimes, and one night, he kissed me.”

Achilles sighed and stared up at the sky.

“Neither one of us was out, but I think I was a little more lax than he was. I could never hold his hand, kiss him, or be near him in public off the job, and that took a toll on us. I wanted more and he couldn’t give it to me. That night, the night we were ambushed, I tried to shield him with my own body, but I still failed. One of the bullets went through me and hit him in the neck. I tried everything to keep him alive, and even approaching his own death, staring right at me, he couldn’t say the words.”

I took Achilles’ hand and held it. It must have hurt him to the core and I didn’t know how to make it better.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered inadequately.

“I stayed there with him, still hoping against hope that somehow, someway, they could bring him back. My arms burned and I couldn’t breathe, but I still got up, I still held that rifle in my hand and killed as many of them as I could before the chopper came in and leveled everything. It wasn’t until I woke up in the hospital months later that I was handed Brian’s letter. He said he loved me, but it was a little late in coming.”

“At least you knew he loved you, right? That has to mean something.”

“It would have made all the difference in the world if I could have heard it, Harley. My road to recovery was riddled with anger and doubt and all the while, my mother pushed me to be better. I owe her a lot for coming through this with my head still intact.”

I palmed his cheek and stared into his eyes. Achilles leaned in and I met him halfway. Our lips touched softly and an electric current ran down the length of me. His hand went to my cheek, and then to my nape as his mouth opened to mine. I whimpered as he pulled me into him, our tongues sliding and curling around each other. Achilles broke from the kiss and rubbed his nose on mine.

“We better go before we get carried away,” he panted.

I nodded, reluctantly, and Achilles stood, holding a hand out to me. I placed my hand in his and he lifted me from the ground. We stood there just staring at each other for the longest time.

“Have you ever been with a guy, Harley?”

I blinked and my mouth fell open in surprise.

“Is that a no?” Achilles searched my eyes.

“I actually have,” I admitted. “I was the pitcher, as Gareth says.”

“Okay, good. I’m a catcher.”

Achilles began walking and I froze up, almost tripping in surprise. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

Achilles stopped walking and turned with a smile on his face. He walked back to me and looked deeply into my eyes.

“I’m in control of everything around me, Harley. I like feeling out of control in the bedroom. Are you any good?”

“What kind of question is that?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Guess we’ll have to find out.” Achilles turned on his heel and began walking again.

“Achilles-whatever-your-middle-name is-Castellanos! You do not get to say something like that and walk away from me!”

Achilles’ laughter carried on the wind and I ran to catch up. Phoinix was seated on the back porch waiting for us when we got back.

“My father thanks you for all your help today. Your mother called, she is at home now.”

“Thanks, Phoinix. We’ll head out now. Have fun while you’re on vacation.”

“You as well. It was nice to meet you, Harley Payne. I hope before you leave you can sign something for me?”

“Of course!” I assured him.

“Okay! Wait right there!” Phoinix almost squealed.

I turned to Achilles. “He really is excited.”

“When they told me who I was going to work for, I reacted about the same way.” Achilles shrugged.

“Really?”

“No.” Achilles grinned and I swatted his arm.

Phoinix came back out with a pen and two of our albums and a huge poster. I signed all three and handed him back the pen.

“Maybe when you come visit America, you can get the rest of the guys to sign it.”

“I would love that! Thank you both for coming today and helping. I hope to come visit soon.”

“Why don’t we go out tonight?” Achilles asked.

“Really?” Phoinix glanced over at me.

“Sure, why not?” I agreed. “Where?”

“There is a karaoke bar here. We could head over after dinner?” Achilles asked.

“Sounds perfect!” Phoinix practically bounced on his toes. “I will come by.”

“See you tonight, Phoinix.” I shook his hand.

Achilles

I made good on my promise to play video games with Titus. Harley was seated on the couch across from us as Titus and I fought to the death in “Tekken.” We’d had dinner already and I’d let my parents know I was going to take Harley out and meet up with Phoinix. Titus landed a roundhouse kick to my face and I stared at him in surprise.

“You’ve been practicing!” I accused.

Titus chuckled and Harley broke out in laughter. We’d been playing for almost an hour, and in that time, I’d won two games. I narrowed my eyes at Titus and he feigned a look of innocence.

“I do not know what you are talking about.” He tried to look hurt.

“Who helped you, huh?” I glared at him.

“That would be me,” Phoinix said from behind us.

I turned on the couch and pointed a finger at him. “Not fair!”

“I am done for tonight anyway.” Titus stood up and handed the controller to Harley.

“We’re going out,” I said, standing and turning the game off. I hugged Titus and he kissed my cheek.

“Have fun tonight!” Titus mussed Harley’s hair on his way out.

I let my parents know we were leaving and then jumped into the car with Harley and Phoinix. We hit the road and Harley turned in the front seat to look back at Phoinix.

“You play a lot of video games?” he asked.

“When I am on vacation, I like doing nothing. It’s relaxing.” Phoinix grinned.

“I like to color,” Harley admitted.

“With crayons?” Phoinix asked.

“Yes,” I answered before Harley could. “Believe me, it really is stress relieving.”

We pulled up to the club and I parked off to the side. The parking lot was already crammed with compact cars and all sorts of bikes. Harley jumped out of the car and looked up at the blinking neon sign. I stood next to him as a guitar blinked on and off in blue and white.

“Cool.” Harley tilted his head. “I need one of those.”

“Uh huh.” I laughed, pulling him inside by his bicep.

Phoinix trailed behind us as we headed to the bar. The bar was filled with people, mostly drunks trying to sing karaoke. I winced as a man tried to hit a high note and the mic squealed in response.

“Ow.” Harley covered his ears.

“What do you want to drink?” I practically shouted.

“You mean I can?” Harley responded in the same fashion.

“I’ll watch out for you,” I assured him.

“Ouzo!” Harley laughed.

“He’s crazy.” Phoenix pointed at Harley.

“You have no idea,” I sighed.

An hour later, I was seated in the front row as Phoinix and Harley sang karaoke for the drunken clientele. They had gone through some Seventies songs and then had gotten back onstage for the Eighties. I hadn’t stopped laughing since they sang the first one. Harley was pointing at the monitor and Phoinix was grinning as they cued up another song.

“The Tubes!” Harley shouted into the microphone.

“She’s a beautyyyy!” Phoinix slurred.

I leaned back in the chair and crossed my arms as Harley bounced around on stage singing. He was changing the she’s to he’s and pointing to me as he did. I covered my face with my hands and exhaled slowly. If there was one thing I loved about my job, it was the crazy guy running across the stage right now, singing perfectly.

Oh, ouzo was a bitch.

Phoinix was bumping into Harley and both of them were cracking up. I smiled and then laughed. I couldn’t help it. The two of them were so comical, the whole place was busting up. Amazingly, Harley sounded good even drunk. The song ended and Harley almost tripped and face planted coming off the stage. I was at his side in a split second and he looked up at me with a huge smile.

“He’s one in a million guysssss!”

“Oh, I think we’re done here.” I grabbed Phoinix by his bicep and began walking.

“Wait a minute!” Phoinix grabbed a glass off the table as we walked by, swigging down the remaining liquid. “Okay, now we can go.”

Harley snorted in laughter and I couldn’t stop the grin forming on my lips. These two were going to be a handful. I got Phoinix in the car and then settled Harley in the passenger seat.

“How did I sound, Achilles?” Phoinix asked, leaning on the back of our seats.

“I don’t know if I should answer that.”

“You were good!” Harley clapped his hands.

“You are just saying that.” Phoinix rolled down the window and stuck his head out.

“Don’t puke on the car!” I pulled over and put the car in park. Phoinix was leaning out the window as I opened the door and he came with it. I untangled him and helped him to stand.

“I’m not going to puke. I just needed air.” Phoinix grinned up at me. “Seems you found the one for you?”

I glanced over at Harley, who was passed out in the front seat. I shook my head with a smile.

“What makes you say that?” I asked.

“I see the way he looks at you.” Phoinix closed his eyes. “I would like that someday.”

“You’ll have it.”

“Maybe.”

I helped him back in the car and drove him home, getting out of the car to walk him up to the door. Phoinix’s father opened the door and a wry smile lifted his lips.

“Singing?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for bringing him home, Achilles. Have a good night.”

“You as well!”

I drove home and parked the car in the garage. I looked over to see Harley completely passed out. I chuckled and got out, going around to his side. Harley was not small, by any means. He was six foot and weighed at least one hundred and seventy pounds. I moved him carefully and picked him up in my arms. He sighed and his head lolled into my shoulder. I stared at him. Even in sleep, he was perfection. His lips were so damned soft. I licked my lips just looking at them.

I carried Harley upstairs and placed him in bed gently. He rolled and mumbled something in his sleep, and I leaned over to hear him better.

“Harley?” I whispered.

“You make things better,” Harley mumbled.

“So do you, Harley. So do you.” I brushed his hair from his forehead and bent down to give him a kiss. Harley sighed as our lips met and I pulled back slowly, caressing his cheek.

“Night, Harley Payne.”

~*~

I woke up with a start and leaned over to look at the clock. I’d actually slept in. I sat on the edge of the bed and stretched my arms out, cracking my neck from side to side. I needed a good run. I dressed and headed down the stairs. Coffee was brewing and my mother sat at the table looking over recipes.

“Good morning, Achilles. Did you have fun last night?”

“Oh yes,” I laughed, heading to the fridge. “Have you seen Harley?”

“He is down at the beach. He was up early,” she informed me.

I peeked out the window, but saw no sign of him. That wasn’t odd, though. With the amount of vines and trees that grew between the house and the beach, it wasn’t uncommon for the view to be blocked.

“I’m going to head out for a run.” I bent and kissed my mom’s cheek.

I took the stairs down to the beach and looked in both directions. A figure sat by the water way at the other side of the beach. I headed that way and as I got closer, noticed that it was Harley. He was wearing shorts, sitting with his toes in the water. His shoes and socks were at his side. He looked up as I approached and a grin formed.

“Hey.” Harley half-waved.

I finally got to him and plopped down in the sand.

“Were you running?”  I asked.

“Yup. Got up early for some reason and felt the need. Must be all that alcohol in my system. Needed to run it out.”

“Want to run with me?”

“Sure.” Harley stood and I helped him as he put his socks and shoes back on. We ran together, side by side on the beach, the sun warming us. Being with Harley just felt…right. I thought back to when Mac approached me about a job. I didn’t think I was ready to be a full-time bodyguard, but then I saw Harley’s picture and read his story, and I couldn’t have said no even if I wanted to. Something about him called to me; maybe it was his vulnerability or the sadness in his eyes. We stopped by the docks and both sat down, removing our shoes and dipping our feet in the water.

“How many girlfriends have you had, Harley?”

Harley scrunched his brows in thought. “Before I became famous or after?”

“Before.”

“One or two. I wasn’t really a one-chick kind of guy even then. I dated one girl for two weeks, and the second for one. I just couldn’t devote my time to someone. Besides, I really didn’t want them to see what my home life was like.” Harley turned to me. “Was Brian the only guy you were with?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Wow.”

“I know. I’m so…inexperienced.” I chuckled.

“When you said you’d wait for me…you know, until I was ready. Did you mean that?”

“Of course I did. Why?”

“I think when we get back home, I don’t want to wait anymore.”

I searched his eyes and the meaning behind what he’d said became very clear. I swallowed hard.

“Do you mean…you want to? Or you want me to?”

“Oh, I want to, maybe later you can take me. You do top, don’t you? Or are you just a catcher? Because I gotta be honest here, I’d love to feel that.”

My mouth dropped open and Harley wiggled his brows at me. I leaned forward until we were nose to nose.

“I have to warn you. I can get a bit rough,” I said huskily.

“Damn,” Harley breathed. “That’s all kinds of sexy!”

“You are something else, Harley Payne,” I laughed.

We spent the rest of the day with my parents. My father played chess with Harley and I sat on the couch with my mother. Harley was so happy here, I dreaded taking him back to Arizona. I wanted him to stay happy and carefree. My parents absolutely adored him, my mother wanted to adopt him. Harley was laughing with my father — real honest-to-goodness laughter, and my heart ached for him. He’d have to go back home and deal with the parents who birthed him then ignored him. My mother’s hand slid into mine and I glanced over to see tears in her eyes.

“What is it, Mama?” I asked quietly.

“He deserves so much more,” she said. “You make sure he gets it, Achilles. Do not let him push you away.”

I searched my mother’s eyes. “What is it?”

“I think it will get worse before it gets better.”

“Well, I’ll be with him no matter what.”

“Take good care of each other, Achilles.”

“I will.”