Eros by Helen Harper Page A

the house. Skye scurried to open it. After not having spoken to anyone all day, it would almost be a relief to have another human being to talk to. When she managed to pull open the heavy wooden doors, she saw a slight man flanked by two younger women standing on the threshold.
    ‘Ms Sawyer,’ he said, bowing with a flourish. ‘I have been sent here by a Mr Kamadeva to help you organise your wardrobe.’
    Flummoxed, she gazed at him.
    He explained further. ‘We are to measure you up for some new outfits so that you can better meet the needs of your employer. He has suggested some lovely material which you may want to consider and a range of dresses that may suit you.’
    The man waved a swatch of floaty, chiffon-like fabric in front of her. Skye gaped. ‘I don’t need any clothes,’ she said.
    He smiled at her patiently. ‘Ms Sawyer, your employer wishes to help you become more,’ he paused and looked her up and down, ‘stylish. You should take advantage of this opportunity.’
    Skye found her voice. ‘Are you suggesting there’s something wrong with what I’m wearing?’ There was the slightest hint of a screech to her voice. She looked down at her functional black skirt and blouse. What the hell was wrong with what she was wearing?
    ‘Absolutely not. Just that perhaps you might be more comfortable with more of a,’ he licked his lips, ‘range of clothing.’
    Skye felt a flame of rage building up inside her. How dare he? There was nothing wrong with what she was wearing. She was damned if she was going to flounce around in something which not only wasn’t appropriate to her position as a personal assistant but which was paid for by her boss. It made her feel like some kind of chattel. She firmly declined the man’s offer, with as much politeness as she could possibly manage, then closed the door and marched off to her room.
    Halfway there, she abruptly halted. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. How did her employer know what she was wearing? They’d never met face to face. Skye glanced up at the high ceiling. Were there hidden cameras placed around the entire mansion? Were they in her room? The idea that she was constantly being watched sent trickles of fear down her spine. This was not good.
    Coop’s eyes followed her as she stomped off. The set of her back and the tight line around her mouth indicated that she wasn’t best pleased. He was confused. All the women he’d had round before would have been thrilled to have a new wardrobe. Why she was so angry? She could wear whatever she pleased, but she looked uncomfortable in that cheap formal suit and he knew from the size of her suitcase that she’d not brought much with her. It was most curious. Eventually, deciding that the ways of women were a mystery, he let it go without pursuing it further. He didn’t even mention it to Hermes when he phoned later on to find out what was going on with Apollo. It was a private incident between him and Ms Sawyer, not one which should be aired to others.
    ‘I do have work of my own to do, you know,’ Hermes grumbled. ‘I can’t spend all day trailing around after the bloody God of Sun and Light. Sooner or later he’s going to notice me. He’s already in a foul enough mood as it is because he can’t find the girl.’
    ‘Come on, mate,’ Coop had replied. ‘I’m either out making more fools fall in love, or I’m making sure Ms Sawyer is being kept occupied. She zipped through all those tasks I left her yesterday so I had to come up with more today just to make it seem like I really need her around.’
    ‘You mean Kamadeva needs her around. I can’t believe you picked that as a name. What if she looks you up?’
    ‘What if she does? She’s hardly going to believe the truth, is she?’
    ‘You’re playing with fire, Coop. Anyway, how long is all this going to take? You can’t keep her with you indefinitely.’
    ‘It’s only been two days. If I’m to make Apollo pay for being a prick, it’s going to