“I see the way he looks at you and the way you look at him.”
She groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “This is unfair.”
Thanatos’ fingers wrapped around her wrists, gently removing her hands from her face. “Unfair? You are assuming we have not considered it. That we do not want this too.”
Her lips parted as she looked at him. “Wait.” Had they discussed this? She sat up straight, and he released her wrists. “I need to understand what you’re really proposing.”
Thanatos propped himself up on his elbow, giving her his full attention.
“Are you saying you and Anubis have talked about sharing me? Like, I’m some arrangement you two came up with?”
He looked guilty. “We have talked, yes. But—”
“Without asking me how I felt about it?” The words came out sharper than she’d intended. Not because she didn’t want it—she wanted it so much it hurt. But because, once again, decisions about her life were being made without her. “I appreciate that you don’t have a problem with it, but shouldn’t I have a say in how this works?”
He grabbed her hand quickly, threading their fingers together. “We discussed this to prevent any jealousy or rift in our friendship.” He seemed to choose his next words carefully. “The truth is, I have never felt this way about anyone. Never wanted to keep someone before. And the thought of sharing you…” He met her eyes, letting her see his vulnerability. “It should bother me. Logically, I know that, but when I see the way Anubis looks at you, and the way you look at him, I do not feel jealous. I feel relieved.”
“Relieved?” That wasn’t what she expected.
“Relief knowing you will have someone else fighting for you; protecting you. Caring for you, if you let us.” He caressed his thumb over the back of her hand. “Our agreement was based solely on whether you wanted us. Both of us. But I should have talked this over with you before now.”
The tension eased from her shoulders. They weren’t deciding for her; they were waiting for her choice. That knowledge soothed some of the discomfort, and she settled back down, offering him a small smile.
“What do you need?” he asked.
Biting her lip and worrying the flesh, she looked up at the ceiling and let out one worry she’d been holding onto. “I don’t want to become a wedge between the two of you. Your friendship.”
“It will not change anything between us,” he said with certainty. “We both want you to be happy.”
“But I’m only one person. And what about the curse? What if something happens to me and—” Her thoughts evaporated as he rolled on top of her again, pinning her beneath him with nothing but his gaze.
“We will not let anything happen to you,” he promised.
Iliana’s heartbeat raced wildly as he lowered himself, the press of his body grounding and arousing in equal measures. She believed him, even though she shouldn’t. Promises couldn’t stop fate.Then he shifted, his erection pressing hard against her thigh, and another wave of heat rolled through her. Thanatos grinned.
Before he could make another move, something distracted her. Her nose twitched, catching a scent. “Is the food burning?”
He froze above her. “Shit. Yes. Such a waste.”
She playfully patted his shoulder, fighting a smile. “It’s fine. There’s more food out there.”
Growling, he dipped down to capture her bottom lip between his teeth, then sucked on the abused flesh, soothing it with his talented tongue. “I was not talking about the food.” He rolled his hips to make his point.
Iliana giggled as she watched him pull away, muttering curses as he teleported out of the room. She stood from the bed on shaky legs, stretching with a satisfied sigh, planning to clean up—
Familiar arms wrapped around her waist from behind. A very naked, thoroughly aroused Thanatos materialized, pulling her flush against him. His cock pressed insistently against her lower back, hard and ready again.
Warm lips moved against her neck as he spoke. “The food is ruined.”
She angled her head, exposing her neck as she surrendered to him.
“But I think,” he said, placing a kiss just below her ear, making her moan. “I found something better to sink my teeth into.”
He was right. Dinner could wait.
Chapter forty-eight
HYPNOS
