“No, I really don’t. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a beautiful witch who loves animals and photography just as much as I do, those are good reasons to want to get to know you better,” he said.
I frowned.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s just that when you put it like that, it sounds so logical that you’d be interested in spending time with me.”
“I’m aware of that, it seems to be you who’s struggling with the concept.” He shrugged. “But it’s fine. If you need time to decide if this is something you want to pursue, then I’m okay with that. Time is something I have.”
I nodded, mostly because I couldn’t think of what to say.
“We should get ready, Orion has just entered the oasis.”
My eyes widened. “How do you know that?”
“Menhit gave me temporary access to the oasis’ magic along with strict instructions not to let Seth’s dog escape. I can tell when people are coming and going.”
“I’m not sure which part of that to question first.”
“Okay, let me try and answer your questions...” He tapped his chin for a moment.
“I didn’t ask any yet.”
“Yes, but I can guess what they are. So let’s see...it’s a magical oasis that has a barrier around it, Menhit can decide who to let in and out. Yes, Seth has a dog, he’s called Tut...”
“Tut?” I echoed.
“Yes, Tut. He’s very sweet, and he’s here because Seth and Menhit are dating. How did I do?”
“You actually answered one more question that I’d thought about.”
“The name of Seth’s dog?” he guessed.
“No, his relationship status.”
“Argh, I was going to guess that one but I changed my mind at the last second.”
I let out a small laugh. “I’m glad I can keep you on your toes.”
“I look forward to you doing it more,” he responded with a hint of promise in his voice, which I took to mean that he was being more than serious when he said he was looking forward to spending time with me.
And that he had good reasons to be interested. When he listed the reasons like that, it was clear that he actually meant it. I just had to decide whether it was worth the risk of getting hurt, though my instincts were screaming that it was going to be worth every hint of potential heartbreak to explore what this could be between us.
I just hoped I was brave enough to not run away.
CHAPTER 7
Chelsea
My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Part of it was down to how easy it was to spend time with Baal, but the rest was down to something else. I was getting a proper taste for the career I wanted to pursue, and I was loving every minute of it.
Baal leaned over the chair next to me. “So, how do you think that went?”
“Good, I think. I definitely didn’t expect Orion to be so free with his...” I trailed off, not sure what the protocol was when talking about a god’s private areas.
Baal chuckled. “You’ve seen nothing yet.”
“I don’t know whether you’re flirting with me, or warning me.”
“Definitely warning you,” he responded with a grin. “Though if you want me to flirt, that can be arranged.”
I bit my lip, trying to resist the urge to ask him to do just that. “Who’s next?”
“Kuaket.” An amused expression crossed his face. “If you think Orion was free, you’re in for a big surprise.”
“Dare I ask?”
“Kuaket is...”
“I’m what, Baal?”
I turned around at the sound of a woman’s voice to find a gorgeous dark-haired woman standing behind us in the oasis with nothing but a snake strategically draped around her.
I stared with wide eyes, unsure what to make of her.
Baal cleared his throat and shot me an apologetic glance.
“Well?” asked the woman I was reasonably sure was Kuaket.
“I was just going to say that you were a free spirit, Kua, and even you can’t deny that.”
She let out a laugh that filled the air. “You’ve never been a good liar, Baal.”
“I don’t need to be one,” he responded.
“Hmm, true. So where do you want me?”
“Where do you think would be best?” he asked. “This is just our base, but pretty much the whole oasis is at our disposal. Though it would probably be best if we stayed away from Bastet’s cattery.”
“Are you worried that my snake will make a snack out of one of her cats?” Kuaket asked with a chaotic smile on her face.
“Yes,” Baal responded bluntly.
“I’m shocked, everyone knows how good I am at handling snakes.” She reached out and touched his arm suggestively.
Jealousy reared up inside me at the way she was acting towards him, though I had no idea where it came from. He’d only admitted to being attracted to me, there was nothing else going on and I had no right to feel this way.
Baal stepped back. “I’m sure that’s true, even so, it’s probably best if we don’t tempt fate.”
“Oh well, your loss if you don’t want me to show you my charming abilities,” Kuaket said.
Baal grimaced. “How about you put your abilities to good use on that tree over there?” he asked, pointing towards a cut-off log that looked like it would be a good fit for Kuaket’s small form. I wondered if he’d picked it out in advance, or if he was just thinking on his feet.
She cocked her head to the side and studied the log. “You know, I think that will work.”
She sauntered over to it, swinging her hips back and forth with more exaggeration than was entirely necessary.
“Like this?” she asked, placing her hands on the top of the log and arching her back. One of her legs bent at the knee and slightly raised. Her snake barely seemed to register what was happening other than when she moved it into position so that it was covering everything she needed it to. It seemed as if she didn’t care who saw her while she was naked, but she did care about what showed on the photos. Then again, those could be Horus’ rules and not the ones made up by the chaotic goddess in front of us.
“Looking good,” Baal confirmed. “If you lean your head back, it’ll be absolutely perfect.” He lifted his camera and looked through the lens, nodding and giving me the thumbs up to start doing my thing.
I stepped into position and lifted my own camera, starting by taking some test shots.
“Okay, Kua, you’re good to move, but make sure you do it slowly or we won’t be able to use the photos,” Baal said.
“Got it,” Kuaket responded, starting to do precisely as she was instructed, much to my surprise.
There was no denying that the poses she was striking would be considered sexy, but Baal didn’t seem bothered by it. If anything, he was completely oblivious to the naked woman in front of us other than as a subject of his photographs.
“How about something a little more risqué?” Kuaket called, dropping her shoulder so more of her was exposed.
She didn’t even really seem to be paying much attention to us and appeared as if lost in a world of her own.