Harley's Achilles (The Rock Series Book 3) (10 page)

“You are worth so much more than you think, Harley,” Achilles murmured. “You are truly a blessing in this world, and anyone who doesn’t see that doesn’t deserve to be in your life.”

“Why don’t they love me?” I glanced up at him and was shocked to see Achilles’ eyes. They were filled with so much sadness, it broke my heart.

“Because they don’t see you,” Achilles choked out.

He was shaking, but I didn’t know if that was from the cold or the conversation. I wrapped the towel around him and took his hand. “Come on, let’s get you inside and warmed up.”

I stood on the veranda as Achilles showered. I looked up into the night sky and for the hundredth time, wondered if Holden was up there watching me. Tomorrow was another day, and I hoped Achilles and I would spend it together doing something fun. After tonight, I needed some fun. I went back to my room and settled in under the covers. Achilles poked his head in and I sat up a bit.

“Goodnight, Harley,” he said quietly.

“Achilles?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for what you said tonight.”

“It’s the truth, Harley.”

Achilles closed the door and I sat there thinking about what had transpired on the beach. Was I just seeing what I wanted to see? Or did I really see what I wanted in Achilles’ eyes? I rolled to my side on a soft sigh and closed my eyes.

Achilles

I woke up at five in the morning and went for a run on the beach. I needed to clear my head. I’d almost lost it completely on Harley last night. Not only did I yell at him, but I was also seconds from kissing him on the beach. The hurt in his voice when he asked why his parents didn’t love him, it struck me so hard I almost couldn’t breathe. I ran to the docks and stopped, watching the men getting ready to go out for the day, all of them huddled around old oil barrels, warming their hands over the flames that licked upwards. I stood on the seasoned wood, looking out over the water. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the white envelope I had long ago set between two books.

I opened it carefully and began to read the last words of the man I had loved so long ago.

Achilles,

Even now, I feel like a coward as I write this. Afraid someone will wonder why I would leave a letter to my partner. You deserved so much better than I gave you. I should have shouted it from the rooftops that you were mine. I should have told you every day that I loved you. I should have done a lot of things. And if you’re reading this letter, it’s because I died without telling you how much you meant to me. I do love you, I loved you from the moment I saw you and I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I hope that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me. You deserve someone who will love you openly. Honestly. Of all the things I wish for, I wish for you to find love again. I will hold you close to my heart forevermore, Achilles.

All my love,

Brian.

I wiped at my eyes and lifted my head to see the sun rising on the horizon. Life went on, and I had to go on with it. I had another chance at love with Harley, but he needed to face his grief. I felt it last night. My parents were right; Harley did harbor feelings for me. I stepped up to the barrel and took one last look at the letter.

“Bye, Brian,” I whispered, dropping it in the flames.

I ran back toward the house, pushing my limits. I needed to let everything go. I needed to cleanse my soul. I kept running all the way to Apollo’s temple. I stopped and inhaled sharply. My lungs were on fire and I sat down on the edge of the cliff, watching the water roll in and out, letting my breaths move with it. I couldn’t deny my feelings anymore. Somewhere along the way, I had fallen for Harley Payne. Silly, sarcastic, naked-running--through-the-streets, Harley Payne. The moment I met him, I knew he was special. I smiled and tipped my face to the sun.

“Hey.”

I almost fell off the cliff from the shock and glanced over my shoulder to see Harley toeing the dirt.

“Hi.” I stood up and walked over to him. “What are you doing here?”

“Um, your mom said you sometimes run up here.” Harley glanced over at the temple. “It really is beautiful.”

“Why don’t I take you to see the sights today?”

“Really?” Harley ducked his head with a grin. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “But I do need to shower first.”

“Good, because I was about to comment on your stench.”

I gave him a wicked grin and Harley sprinted off, laughing as he did. I chased him down the beach. The little shit was fast. The sound of his laughter was like a siren’s song. His hair floated with the wind, almost like a halo around his head, and his eyes were bright with mirth. I caught him near the stairs and grabbed him, holding him firmly to my chest. Harley wrapped his arms around my neck and looked up with a devilish grin.

“For someone so young, you sure are slow.”

“Ah,” I nodded. “You finally figured out how old I am.”

“Yes and it pisses me off to no end that you act older. And bossier.”

I put him down on the ground and tucked a piece of wild hair behind his ear. “I know when your birthday is.”

“You do?” Harley cocked his head to the side.

“Yes. Christmas Eve. You were born at eleven fifty nine p.m.”

“Jinx told you,” Harley whined.

“No. Paul did.” That seemed to shock him and I grinned. “I did go see Paul while we were in Los Angeles.”

“So did I. He didn’t mention that you had, though.”

“Probably slipped his mind.” I shrugged. “Let’s eat and get ready to go.”

~*~

After eating with my parents, I drove Harley to the other side of the island to see the monastery first. We played car games on the way and Harley cracked me up with his “Oh, nope, another Greek license plate.”

Once we arrived, Harley grew serious as we entered the grounds of the convent. Potted rose bushes and other flowers lined both sides of the path as we walked toward the church itself. The scents of drying herbs and the sounds of swallows nesting filled the air. Once inside, Harley stood in awe, as did I, at the scene before us. Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling and religious icons were carved into the stone painted in vivid colors.

“Wow,” Harley gasped. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he whispered.

“I love coming here,” I replied in the same tone. “I always have a sense of peace.”

We walked along outside, Harley enchanted by the grounds and the carvings. When we finally got back in the car, I could tell he was excited to see more. He watched eagerly out the window as we drove.

“No wonder everyone out here has a tiny car. You can only fit one on the road.”

“Well, you also see a lot of people riding bikes.”

“Which temple is that?” Harley pointed out the window.

“Temple of Zeus.”

“Look at all the trees. What are they?”

“Pistachio. This island has figs, as well as olives and almonds.”

Harley was so excited; he was bouncing in his seat. I loved seeing him like that. So full of life. We parked and walked up to the temple. A few other tourists were making the rounds and snapping pictures. Harley stood in front of the large columns and whistled.

“What it must have been like to be alive back then,” he contemplated.

“I’ve often wondered what it would have been like. Living here, seeing the temples, walking the same earth they did.”

“You must love coming here. I’d want to come all the time.”

“Well, we have another temple to visit if you’re up for it.”

“Lead the way.”

The sun was setting as we parked near the temple of Apollo. My parents’ house was just over the ridge from it, so I decided to hit it last. Harley would have to see it at night.

“It’s a big fishing place, huh?” Harley stood on the cliff, watching the fishing ships below.

“Yes, they fish sponge mostly.”

“Sponge?”

“Yes, slimy suckers.”

“Isn’t there a temple of Apollo in Italy?”

“Yes. There are quite a few. I think you are speaking of the one in Pompeii.”

“You sounded so Greek just now,” Harley snickered.

“What is the origin of Payne?”

“English or French.” Harley shrugged. “Jinx swears it’s French, I think he just wants to share that with me.”

“You miss him.” I tilted my head, watching Harley.

“Yeah. I do, but I get it. When you find someone who makes you whole, you want to spend all your time with them.”

“Come on, let’s get closer.”

We spent an hour taking pictures in front of the temple. Harley posed in front of the columns and I couldn’t help but admire him through the lens.

I took him down the path and we walked along the water’s edge. Boats bobbed up and down on the water and the moon hung in the sky like a huge beacon, beckoning the fishermen to shore. I’d always loved it out here; the sounds, the smells, the sights. Greece was always home to me. Lights lit the entire shore, and the temple of Apollo was bathed in it. I turned Harley around to face it and a gasp escaped him.

“Wow! That is so beautiful!”

“I never get tired of seeing it. I always used to come out here at night and just sit, wondering what it was like to be alive back then, to be a Trojan warrior.”

“Is that why they named you Achilles?” Harley climbed up one of the rocks along the shore and sat down.

“I was a big baby and I had a head full of hair when I was born. My mother wanted to name me after a great warrior. So here I am.”

“I was named after a motorcycle.” Harley chuckled. “Not that I mind. If I ever have a kid, I’ll give it an awesome name like Hawk or something.”

“Hawk?” I snickered.

“Sure, why not? Poor Paul was the only guy who had a normal name in school. Rebel got his because he was constantly crawling out of his crib and he came early.”

“Yeah? What about Ransom?”

“His mom loved the name, so she gave it to him.”

I sat down next to Harley and propped my arms over my knees. “So you want kids then?”

“Yes. I want at least two, that way they have each other. I’m going to do right by my kids.”

“What will their mother look like?” I glanced off to the sea when I asked that because I really didn’t want to know. I wanted Harley for myself and God help me, I knew I shouldn’t. He was my charge and I needed to focus on that.

“Maybe I’ll adopt, who knows? I can’t see myself in a relationship with a woman long term.”

“Why not?”

“Um, we should get back, right?” Harley stood up and began crawling down the rocks.

“Harley, wait.” I caught up to him in the sand and took his hand. He looked down at our hands and then back up at me.

“What?” he asked.

“Why didn’t you answer me?”

“It’s not a big deal, okay? Just let it go.”

“I want to know,” I pressed.

“Why? I’m just your job, right? It’s not like you give a fuck about my life.”

My mouth hung open and Harley began walking back toward the villa. My brain kicked in, propelling me forward in the sand. I caught up to him by the stairs heading up to the house.

“Whoa, wait a sec.” I took his hand. “What the hell was that?”

“I heard you! You basically told your parents I’m just a job to you! That’s fine, it’s not like I’m not used to being treated like a job. I’m a pain in the ass, a mistake ─”

“What the hell, Harley?! Is that what you really think of me? Jesus, when you crashed the bike, I thought I was going to lose my fucking mind! I thought you’d fly over that cliff and then you’d be gone. When you were sick, I wanted to take your pain away, I would have done anything to take that from you. Don’t you get it?” I took his face in my hands. “I
see
you! Do you understand me? I’ve always
seen
you!”

Harley blinked and his eyes filled with tears. I leaned in, a hair’s breadth from his lips. Our eyes met and his lips parted. That was enough for me. I caught his lips with mine, savoring the taste of him slowly. My hand went to his nape and I pulled him up into the kiss. Harley invited me in, his tongue sliding erotically against mine. I couldn’t catch my breath, couldn’t feel anything but Harley’s warmth. His body melded to mine as the kiss deepened. I tried to convey everything I was feeling in that moment, so Harley would understand he wasn’t alone. He’d never be alone again. His arms wrapped around my neck and he gave himself to me freely. I broke from the kiss slowly, leaving soft kisses on his lips. I thumbed a tear from his cheek and palmed his face.

“Do you hear me, Harley Payne?” I whispered. “I see you.”

Harley nodded and then he was on me, his lips crashing hot and hard into mine. I grabbed him around his waist and hoisted him up, holding him close to me as we kissed. I nipped at his lips, loving the taste of his flesh on mine. My whole body erupted in chaos as Harley licked at the inside of my mouth, his hands threading into my hair, his soft mewls fueling my desire for him.

We broke from the kiss, gasping for air. Harley’s awestruck eyes met mine and a look of confusion crossed his features. I caressed his cheek, searching his eyes.

“What?” I asked, curious.

“This feels like déjà vu.” Harley’s brows creased in concentration. “I’ve kissed you before.”

“Yes.” I nodded slowly.

“You kissed me back.” Harley searched my features. “Why?”

“Because I wanted to. I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time, Harley.”

“You have?” Harley asked in astonishment. “But you never said anything.”

“I thought you were straight. I didn’t want to get hurt falling for a straight guy.”

“I thought you were straight, too.” Harley chuckled quietly. He sobered and eyed me. “You’re falling for me?”

“I was falling for you the second you ran down the street in your boxers.”

Harley grinned and touched my face. “I didn’t know. I thought all this time you were just saddled with me and hated every second of it.”

“I’ve loved every second I’ve spent with you, Harley Payne. You’re not just a job to me. You never were.”

“I’ve been falling for you from the minute you stepped foot in the room, I just didn’t know it. Then you would be on my ass night and day ─”

I snickered and Harley narrowed his eyes at me.

“You didn’t want me to be with women?”

“No. I didn’t. I still don’t. I want you with me, Harley.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because I love that you would do anything for your friends. I love that you came here with me and spent the day with my mother. I love that when you sing, you open yourself up fully. And I love that even after the way you’ve been treated, you still bring love to others. Look, I know you’re probably not ready for me, but when you are, I’ll be right here. Waiting.”

My mom’s voice carried along the wind and I looked up toward the house. She was waving at us from the veranda. I took Harley’s hand and he looked down, threading his fingers into mine.

“Come on.” Harley smiled up at me. “I think it’s dinner time.”