Time Raiders: The Whisper by Elle James Page B

didn’t matter. She wanted time to get to know him and for him to do the same. Never in her life had she felt this strongly about a man. Never had she been willing to commit to one…until now.
    She had to admit a lot had to do with what had happened when they’d made love. The experience had been more than just sex, binding them with a connection that could not be ignored.
    At least on her part.
    Marisol blew out a long sigh. She was firm in her thoughts about Gunnar, but she had no clue as to his.
    “Did you know your eyes are greener when you frown?” Gunnar reached out and cupped the back of her neck in his large palm, drawing her down to where her lips were a breath away from his.
    “Glad you’re back among the living.” She kissed him, her lips brushing his lightly.
    Gunnar dragged her closer, crushing her to him in a mind-blowing caress that could have gone even further if the door to Athena’s office hadn’t been wide-open so that anyone could walk in.
    Marisol broke the contact first. “We shouldn’t…you shouldn’t…” She laughed, her hand slipping down over his belly, bumping into the hard ridge rising to tent his tunic. “Are you feeling better?”
    “You tell me.” He clasped her hand, holding it over his jutting member.
    “I’d say you’re feeling better there. But what about your head?” She smiled at him. “You had a hard landing.”
    “It was better than being a sacrifice to the sun god.”
    “You don’t mind?”
    “That you brought me to another time?” He shook his head and winced. “No. I don’t mind. I did not belong in Pachacuti’s Empire. Since you appeared, I have found new meaning. I would have gone to the stars to follow you.” Gunnar captured her hand and held it to his chest. “I haven’t known you long, but what I do know is that you are the center of my universe. I don’t know why. I just know it as the truth.”
    A huge weight lifted from Marisol’s shoulders and she hugged him to her. “Thank the stars.” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “I took the choice from your hands without explaining what was going to happen.”
    “You did the only thing you could, and for that I’m eternally grateful.” He lifted her face, brushing the tears aside with his thumbs. “Now kiss me.”
    She pressed a finger to his lips. “Wait.”
    Marisol jumped up from the couch and ran for the door to Athena’s office.
    Her boss reached it at the same time. The older woman peered over Marisol’s shoulder at Gunnar lying on the couch. “How’s our time traveler?”
    Anxious though she was to return to Gunnar and pick up where they’d left off, Marisol couldn’t ignore Dr. Athena Carswell. “He’s better. Were you able to locate the next medallion?”
    Athena nodded. “We were able to decipher the alien hieroglyphics. They indicated a location off the Black Sea in ancient Scythia during the reign of Queen Hippolyta.”
    Marisol tipped her head to the side. “I thought Hippolyta was a Greek myth.”
    Athena smiled. “Apparently not or the aliens wouldn’t have left the clue.” She patted Marisol’s arm. “Don’t worry. We have another recruit in mind for this mission.”
    “Beware of Centurians. I believe Pachacuti’s advisor, Kentar, was one. He wanted the medallion and almost got it.”
    “Our recruits have been warned.” Athena glanced at Gunnar. “In the meantime, you will have plenty of time to assimilate our friend into his new environment.”
    “Speaking of assimilation…” Marisol glanced back over her shoulder. “I’d like to borrow your office for an hour or so, if you don’t mind. I’m in the middle of—” she cleared her throat “—assimilation exercises.”
    Athena’s lips turned up at the corners and she waved at Gunnar. “I have a meeting to attend. I’ll be back in two hours. Will that be enough time?”
    “It should work out just right.” Marisol’s cheeks burned as she closed and locked the door, turning her attention back to