Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

shared the same cautious smile and sharp eyes, but there was more

of Jason?s and Ariadne?s prettiness about him than Hector?s blunt

masculinity. He shook Helen?s hand politely, but his curious stare

followed her long after the introduction was over and it began to

make Helen feel uncomfortable. She wondered if he was just reacting

to her taboo name or if he had heard unflattering things about

her from someone in the family. His stare made Helen jumpy. She

tried to hide herself behind Lucas.

?Okay, everybody out. I have to get started on dinner,? Noel

ordered as she entered the kitchen, waving her hands in a shooing

motion. Helen found herself being pulled out the back door by

Lucas.

?It?s a good idea to stay out of my mom?s way when she gets like

that or you?ll end up chopping vegetables for the next hour,? he

said. He led her back outside toward the grassy lawn between the

tennis courts and the pool.

?I don?t mind helping,? Helen said, starting to head back toward

the house.

?I do,? Lucas said with a sly smile, tugging on her hand. ?Besides,

I thought you wanted to learn how to fly. Isn?t that what caused all

the fuss earlier this afternoon??

Helen could tell he was upset and trying not to show it. ?About

that,? she began, scrunching her face up guiltily.

?Yeah, that was bad. And it was all my fault. I should have taught

you to fly as soon as we healed from our fall, but I didn?t trust . . .?

he said, stopping himself and shaking his head ruefully. ?Never

mind. The point is, once I learned I could fly all I wanted to do was

get back in the air. I couldn?t sleep, I couldn?t eat. It was stupid of

me to think you would wait.?

183/395