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“Do you want a coffee?” I call over my shoulder, skipping merrily over to the espresso machine. I don’t wait for an answer, preparing cappuccinos for the both of us.
I turned around, passing him one of the steaming cups of warm liquid gold, and collect my plate. He quirks a brow at me in silent question, looking between me and the mug.
“You’ll love it, trust me.” I gesture him with a nod of my head to the table with my waiting friends.
“Bossy, princess,” he grumbles behind me, but I hear his echoing footsteps follow a moment later.
“I’m not bossy, I’m a boss,” I throw over my shoulder, smirking up at him with a teasing wink. Turning back, I narrowly avoid another student who jumps out of the way at the same moment. Heat creeps to my cheeks, not looking nearly as nonchalant as I’d hoped.
“Ya, ya,” he murmurs behind me. Satisfied that I won’t plow into someone in the next ten seconds, I whip my head back to him. Catching the amusement in his emerald green eyes and the small grin that plays on his lips—that is, until he notices my stare and quickly schools his features.
I glance forward and snicker under my breath, only to realize we’ve almost missed the table. I turn sharply and narrowly avoid sloshing my scalding cappuccino all over me in my haste.
“Liv,” Kali exclaims, excitedly hopping from her chair and wrapping me into a tight embrace. I stand awkwardly, holding my plate and my cup out, not wanting to spill either of them all over the floor, especially following my previous near misses.
I spot Domenic over Kali’s shoulder to my relief, and he graciously saves my food and life juice from their impending demise. I wrap Kali in a proper hug with my hands now free, grateful to see my friends again. Her long red curls tickle my arms, and I tighten my embrace. Although I saw them only moments ago in history, we haven’t had a chance to truly catch up in weeks.
“I just saw you in class,” I say jokingly, pulling away from her after a moment.
“I know, but it’s not the same.” She relays my thoughts exactly, giving me one last squeeze before pulling back from me. She drags out a chair for me, her eyes widen as she looks up, glimpsing Maximus over my shoulder.
“Oh, we’ll need to find another chair,” she says distractedly, her easy smile turning down into a frown as she glances around worriedly, as though the absence of an extra chair would change the fate of the world.
“No need,” Maximus grumbles over my shoulder. I turn to protest, not wanting him to walk off and leave me. The development of our relationship fills me with bubbling joy, and I want to share that with my friends.
My jaw drops open a moment later in indignation when he pulls the chair that Kali offered me towards him. He places his plate and mug onto the table and slides into the empty seat. My brows shoot up, and I let out a squeak of protest, unable to actually put words to my outraged thoughts. He actually stole my seat, instead of getting his own, the actual nerve of this mother—
My thoughts are cut off as Maximus’ massive hands wrap around my hips, catching me off guard. He spins me around, hands leaving my body only for a moment to reposition themselves. My hair spins around me from the sudden motion, my dark brown curls whipping against my face, momentarily cutting off my vision. He pulls my hips down, bringing my ass down onto his lap.
I gasp in surprise as my backside makes contact with his crotch, and I bite back the sound I want to make at the last moment. This is definitely not the time for that, I realize, glancing around at the shocked expression each of my friends wears.
Kali is still standing, her eyes searching around the room, apparently desperately attempting to find us a chair. Having taken his seat after saving my lunch, Domenic just eyes Maximus warily, his lips pursed as he assesses us. Zina covers her mouth, but I can still see the amusement in her gaze, and she casts furtive glances our way, not wanting to outwardly gawk at the god of destruction. Which is precisely what Lucas does, his hand poised above his plate and his discarded fork lying abandoned on the table. He moves his hand up towards his mouth and opens his mouth. Clearly so enraptured at the strange display that he can’t even discern if he’s actually eating or not.
“We can share,” Maximus states plainly, as though it was every day that I just sat and ate lunch perched on his lap. I mean, I wish that happened every day—so maybe I just shouldn’t complain. With that thought, I settle in, making myself comfortable. I jerk in surprise as I feel his cock twitch against the curve of my ass. The pressure makes me want to move my hips again, but I begrudgingly decide to suppress the urge, knowing it would be way too obvious in front of everyone. His hand tightens on my hips, stilling me anyway. He’s no fun. I cover my mouth and clear my throat, covering up my pout. To my chagrin, the sound also serves to jerk everyone around the table out of their thoughts and bring their focus back on us.
“It’s fine, Kali,” I giggle, motioning for her to take her seat. Her lips purse but she finally concedes, reluctantly tucking herself into her chair.
I pull my plate over, choosing to dig in while the others continue their gawking. Maximus awkwardly grasps for his own, grumbling under his breath when he can’t reach it around me. Ha—ha—ha, he really didn’t think that one out now, did he? I graciously decide to take pity on him, sliding it beside mine, close enough he can reach around me. He clasps his fork, skewering a piece of steak before bringing it to his lips.
“Thanks,” he mutters under his breath, before taking his first bite. I almost choke around a bite of chicken as laughter bubbles up in my chest. The word of gratitude forced out as though on the tongue of a petulant child. He wraps his free hand around my upper thigh, gripping the soft flesh there in warning. I swallow thickly at the touch while greedily sipping the smooth liquid caffeine down, letting the velvety texture coat my tongue. A moan slips past my lips, and I’m honestly not sure if it’s from the coffee or Maximus’ hand so close to the apex of my thighs.
Kali snorts out a laugh at that, assuming my appreciative moan is from my coffee, unable to see exactly where Maximus’ hand is sitting right now, much to my relief. I glance at the others, cringing inwardly at the heated look on Domenic’s face, silently hoping he schools it before—
Maximus’ chest rumbles behind me, exuding a deep growl. Of course, this is happening, we haven’t even been sitting down at the table for five minutes, and this god is moving his hands to lift me off him, undoubtedly so that he can march over to the opposite end of the table and knock Domenic clear across the dining hall.
Such a silly asshat, doesn’t he realize whose lap I’m sitting on. Deciding to remind him, I adjust myself in his lap, so my backside brushes against his length, and he stiffens—in more ways than one—beneath me. I glance back over my shoulder at him, quirking my brow in question and run my hand up the inside of his thigh, making him shudder beneath me. His chest deflates, and his muscles loosen, dropping the earlier tension as he relaxes back into the chair.
I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful I could assuage him for the time being. I really need to have a discussion with Domenic. After he and Nelle were together at the bar night, I honestly thought he’d let go of the small crush he held earlier last month when we first met. This can’t go on every time, I want to have one or more of the guys around my friends. I already had to talk Mateo and Maximus out of throttling Domenic, much to their chagrin.
“So, Liv.” Kali clears her throat, glancing around apprehensively before focusing her gaze on me. “Are you nervous … for tomorrow?”
I stiffen at her words and a pit forms in my stomach. So much has happened this morning, I completely forgot the first trial is tomorrow. I exhale a shaky breath in a feeble attempt to calm myself.
I jerk in surprise as Maximus’ hand runs up my arm, rubbing my bicep in a comforting gesture. His large, calloused hands smooth over my skin, and I lean into his touch. His caress holding off the icy grip of fear that threatens to close in around me.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” Maximus answers for me, his strong voice sure and steady. “She’s ready for anything that comes her way.” Heat radiates through my chest at his words, and I can’t help the goofy grin that spreads across my lips. I relax back into him, and he slides his hand down from my arm to wind around my waist, pressing my back closer against his chest.
I usually don’t like others answering for me, but his response is perfect. Helping to bolster my confidence at the same time. My shoulders pull back at his words, and my breathing slows, allowing his sentiment to reassure me.
