“Last night…”
He shakes his head once. “Don’t ruin it.”
I go still.
He rolls closer, his forehead brushing mine. “Don’t explain it away. Don’t pretend it wasn’t real.” His voice lowers. “Let yourself have this. Even if it’s just this morning.”
Said the pot to the kettle. My throat tightens so fast it hurts. I shut my eyes, breathing, trying not to dissolve into a puddle.
His hand finds my jaw, thumb brushing my cheek. “I’m not asking for forever, Artemis. Just… honesty.”
Another heavy beat stretches between us.
“I wanted you.” His voice doesn’t waver. “I still want you.”
My breath catches. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He presses a soft kiss under my eye, featherlightand barely there. Then another. And another. Like he’s mapping my face with the devotion he wants to give me.
“Just me, right?” The desperate vulnerability in my cracking voice is so fucking embarrassing. I hold my breath like the answer might set me on fire. Or extinguish it. I’m not sure which I’m hoping for.
He brushes the side of my nose with his. “The exclusivity talk? So early in the morning?”
My face is hot, but I nod. “I don’t like the idea of you buying this place to spend time with someone else.” There. I said it out loud. No fear. Except all the fear making my body tremble. And the nausea welling in my stomach. I need him to say it’s just me more than I need my next inhale.
He doesn’t even try to hide it. “It has good rental potential. It’s a good investment.”
My heart sinks.
“But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I bought it with you in mind. Somewhere for us to spend quiet time.”
Relief floods my veins, and I manage a shaky exhale. “Somewhere with its own woods for you to chase your prey.”
He grunts. “Don’t tempt me,Duende.”
When he reaches my mouth with his, he hovers. He’s not pushing, not claiming, he’s just waiting. I love how much he loves consent.
“I… uh.” I swallow. “I hope it’s okay, but Ares knows we’re.” I clear my throat. “Together. Here. Now.” I brace for a storm that doesn’t come.
His brow lifts.
“He texted to ask if I knew where you were. And I didn’t want to lie to your brother and have him send out the national guard.” My eyes widen. They probably could do that. They have connections. “Or worse, they all come looking for you.” It’s happened before, and it’ll happen again.
“It’s okay. I must be late for something if Ares is chasingme down. You took it out of me.” His lazy smile is a drug I want to be addicted to. I might already be. I kiss him first.
He makes the softest sound, hungry in a way that feels like it has nothing to do with sex or anything physical and everything to do with me. My heart flexes, and when we pull apart, I’m breathless.
“I want you again.” His words are murmured softly against my forehead.
My stomach flips. “Breakfast first,” I manage, though part of me most definitely wants him again. A really hard part.
“I normally have eggs and spinach.”
I poke his side. “I guess it sucks to be you because I want bacon. And toast.” I’m not surviving this morning without carbs and caffeine.
He laughs, it’s warm and real. “Deal.”
It’s domestic, natural, and easy. And hopefully it lasts beyond the magical walls of this house on the edge of civilization. On my way to the kitchen to make breakfast, I heave out a satisfied sigh. God, please let this be the beginning.
