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“How did I find you? That’s seriously the first thing out of your mouth?” he blurts, the words leaving his lips in a furious rush. He goes to open his mouth again but thinks better of it, taking a quick glance around at the small groups surrounding us. I sigh in exasperation, standing from the table.
“Liv, you don’t have to—” Nelle starts, her gaze flashing to Adrian. Her normal, boisterous personality vanishes. She crosses her arms, eyes narrowing on him.
“It’s okay,” I interrupt, patting her arm in comfort. There is no use in running. Besides, I’m not even sure I could anymore. I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but my powers have felt pretty nonexistent since I brought myself and Kali to the mortal realm. Sure, I can still feel the pool of energy within my chest, but the fear of using it is too great. The flames that flowed from me now flood my mind. I won’t risk my friend’s safety, just for my petty attempt at escape, especially after how futile it turned out to be.
Adrian’s hand closes around my upper arm, a little tighter than what I’m used to from him. I observe him closer, seeing the bags beneath his eyes, the hollow look to his typically playful, handsome face. My stomach twists with guilt. The last time I saw him, he could barely keep himself upright with the amount of power he expended. The multiple portals he needed to make to avoid any other creatures coming in from the infernal realm had drained his energy.
“Hey,” Jeremy steps forward, blocking off our path. He puffs out his chest in an attempt to look intimidating, but his form is lanky next to Adrian’s chiseled muscles. Even if he wasn’t a god, Adrian could knock him on his ass without breaking a sweat. Adrian and I both cock an eyebrow at his attempt. He eyes Jeremy up, huffing out a breath in irritation at the minor inconvenience.
“I suggest you move. Now,” Adrian says firmly, the words coming out roughly through his gritted teeth. Jeremy jumps at the sound, yet he stupidly stands his ground. Apparently braver than I gave him credit for.
“It’s fine,” I sigh in exasperation. My annoyance at this stranger, ratcheting up even higher than before. I realize the mistake I’ve made when both of their gazes jump to me, Jeremy’s in surprise, and Adrian’s—well, the best description would be cold fury. My stomach drops at the sight, expecting that rage from Maximus or Mateo, not from my fun, playful, and caring Adrian.
Adrian pulls me after him until we’re out of sight and coming to a stop behind one of the nearby villas. That’s when I feel the cool glide of his power washing over us, shielding us from view. I wobble slightly on my feet, the haze of alcohol finally hitting me. I hadn’t even realized the effect of the alcohol before now. Having been on edge with going through the motions of flirting with Jeremy.
“Are you drunk?” The tired words leave his lips on a sigh of frustration.
“Are you?” I ask on a sharp gasp, giggling to myself at his pursed lips. He scrubs a hand down his face in exasperation. His eyes look even more tired than before. I reach up and pinch his cheeks, wanting to see him smile. I pull them wide, frowning when it doesn’t work. I really don’t like seeing him like this.
“I think you need a shot,” I announce, my hands leaving his face abruptly. I swing around, ready to march over to the bar when my sandal catches on a rock, my momentum carrying me forward. The sandy ground, getting closer by the second. Adrian’s strong hands wrap around my waist, halting my descent.
“I don’t need a shot,” he almost growls, pulling me back up to face him. I waste no time wrapping my arms around him, snuggling into his chest.
“You saved me,” I croon, banding my arms around him even tighter. I feel him relax into my embrace slightly. Tension still radiates off of him. He huffs out a sigh, the rush of air ruffling my hair.
“Why did you do it?” he asks, the words spoken so softly I almost don’t hear them.
“Do what?” I ask distractedly. With my eyes now open, I see his half unbuttoned linen shirt, exposing his bare chest beneath. My giddy drunken state, now turning to one of lust with his body pressed against me. I turn my face into his chest, letting my lips catch on his taut skin. He moans at the contact, relaxing into my touch—some more of his tension washing away. I trail soft kisses up his body, raising up on my toes to do so. I feel his body react to my touch, his hand threading through my hair to cup the back of my head. Needing to feel me against him, just as much as I need the warm comfort of his skin.
My lips reach his collar bone, teasing the sensitive skin there. I hear the sharp intake of breath at the contact, and I smile against his skin. Happy that I can make him feel like that. Maybe I could even be happy with just the physical aspect of the relationship. I used to just be satisfied with that. Never wanting the emotional connection. I skim my mouth up to the crook of his neck, sucking on the sensitive skin there. He presses me into his body, needing the contact, the connection.
He stiffens, hands moving to my shoulders and pushing me away. He keeps his hands there, holding me at arm’s length, not allowing me to curl back into the comfort of his embrace. My skin feels cold despite the warm afternoon sun beating down on us.
“Leave?”
My brows furrow at the words that slip past his lips. His voice wavering slightly. The sad, angry look from earlier returning. I tilt my head, racking my hazy mind for the meaning behind this single word packed with so much emotion, my heart can barely take it. It’s not a demand, but a heart-wrenching plea.
“Why did you leave?” Adrian’s words click in my mind, continuing our previous conversation. Before drunk Liv decided that giving in to the feeling of lust sounded much more appealing than having a serious discussion.
My jaw drops, my mind searching for the right words to say. I really didn’t want to see Adrian in this much pain. “Maximus said,” I start, not even knowing where I’m about to go with that thought.
“I don’t care what Maximus said,” Adrian spits out, vitriol leaking from each and every word. “He lied to you, Liv.” The words hit me like a freight train. My mind goes over the interactions with Adrian and the other guys once more. Seeing the real genuine connection. Never seeing the forced responsibility Maximus made me believe was there. Or rather, I made myself think. I roll the words Maximus uttered to me once more, my eyes widening as the realization hits me. He never actually said half of the things I allowed to poison my mind. My own issues of intimacy, stuck on the few muttered words, amplifying them, giving them power.
“How could you just leave me—leave us, just like that. Like we never mattered to you at all. Like I never mattered to you.” The words burst from his lips in a rush. As though they had been bottled up for the past week. Allowing him to stew in the hurt and betrayal I made him feel. All because of my own issues. In not wanting to let myself get hurt, I hurt someone that I—
“Then I find you at a resort in fucking Mexico. Half drunk with another man’s hand on your leg. Acting like he should be the one comforting you and seeing if you’re alright instead of me. Instead of your mates,” he seethes—teeth gritting together.
I part my lips, wanting to assure him nothing happened, wanting to apologize. When he steps away, his hands drop from my shoulders. My heart leaps in my chest, fear tightening it at the loss of contact. I step forward, raising my hands out to him, wanting to make everything better but he steps out of my reach. I come to an abrupt halt when my fingers hit an invisible barrier.
“I can’t think. I can’t focus when you touch me.” He breathes on a pained sigh. As though the lack of contact is driving another dagger through his chest—right along with the others I’ve already plunged there. My hand drops in defeat, my shoulders slumping. The relief I felt when I saw his face evaporates, leaving me in the same state. I struggle to pull in each breath. The feeling of loss cripples me. Our eyes lock on each other. Both feeling the same emotions, yet unable to comfort each other.
“I have to go,” he whispers, his body dissipating before my eyes. I cry out a sound of protest. Not even recognizing the words leaving my lips, but it’s too late. All that stands before me is thin air and his footprints, still embedded in the soft sand. Before I even register what is happening, I fall to my knees, the impact vibrating through my bones. Yet my brain doesn’t even register the pain. My hands, having braced my fall, dig into the sand around me. The grains falling through my fingers, leaving nothing left but emptiness.
