I hated how his presence made every part of me sit up, tingle, and crave to be acknowledged. To be touched. To be wanted.
My hands balled in my lap as I did my best to fight off the electricity that slipped over my shoulders and down into my core, a live wire connecting him to me, transmitting things we both refused to admit.
Every set of eyes locked onto Sully as his shadow fell over mine. I fought the urge to hide under the table, flicking a quick look at Jealousy who smiled conspiratorially my way.
I didn’t move. I didn’t spin to face him. I didn’t want anything to do with him.
He should’ve stayed away. I should’ve done more to stay out of his orbit.
I waited for Pika to flutter with his attitude and comical authority. Only, no chirps or parrot chatter sounded, only the brusque, powerful breath of a man I wished I was immune to.
“Good morning, goddesses.”
My skin showered in goosebumps. My belly clenched and heart raced.
Jealousy noticed, her smile widening.
Dammit.
Calico instantly lost her stick-up-her-ass pose and slipped into sensual. “Good morning, Sullivan.”
“Morning, Sullivan,” the other goddesses parroted.
“What brings you to Divinity this morning?” Jupiter purred.
Jealousy rolled her eyes, reaching for her muesli and inserting a huge spoonful into her mouth. If that wasn’t a clear indication that she felt nothing toward Sully, I didn’t know what would. She basically shovelled food and chewed as if watching a highly entertaining telenovela right before her, allowing the rest of us to provide the script and screw-ups.
“I’m ticking off things on my to-do list,” Sully replied in a toneless, chilly voice.
“Can I be on your to-do list?” Neptune murmured.
He didn’t reply, his shadow staying firmly over me.
“I suggest you run along and spend your time elsewhere.” His suit rustled as he stepped closer, coming to my side. His tall frame, his overbearing presence, it all pressed me deeper into my chair.
I flatly refused to look up. I bowed my head, encouraging loose hair to curtain my vision. Had he heard what they’d said about him? Did he see my reaction to him?
My determination to run swelled to unbearable.
I couldn’t allow myself to continue feeling this way. Dreaming this way. Being this utterly stupid. If someone had divined my future and told me that I’d be kidnapped, sold into slavery, and been idiotic enough to feel anything but loathing toward the man trapping me in servitude, I would’ve slapped myself. I would’ve been so disappointed.
I am so disappointed.
The girls looked as if they’d refuse, but Sully growled low in his chest. “Leave. I won’t ask again.”
With a piercing, hateful glance at me, the four glided away, their hips swaying, their femininity leaving a trail of lusty gossamer-like silver snail tracks.
Jealousy went to stand, but Sully muttered, “You can stay. Finish your breakfast.”
She slowly relaxed back into the chair, unobtrusively picking up her e-reader and becoming falsely engrossed in the blank screen.
Sully moved to face me. His shadow no longer cloaked me, allowing the hot sunshine to do its best to rid my traitorous goosebumps.
Without a word, he placed a black box on the table in front of me.
I froze.
Jealousy sucked in a breath, despite her attempt at giving us privacy.
When I didn’t move, Sully grunted, “For you.”
Bracing myself, I tilted my chin.
Our eyes instantly locked. Two mirroring pieces, knotting together, plaiting together, unable to be undone. My heart malfunctioned, skipping and kicking, pounding so hard my ribcage became its drum.
His throat worked as he swallowed. For a second, I thought he’d leave. His to-do list had been ticked. I wasn’t worthy of more time.
The stormy, icy look on his face remained from dealing with his other wayward goddesses. But in a flash, he bent forward, fisted my hair, and jerked my ear to his mouth. “Open your gift, Jinx…you earned it.” He taunted me cruelly, but it only added gasoline to my flaming blood.
I bit my lip as my skin ignited with lust.
Jealousy was right.
After elixir and Euphoria and the rampant hunger of my unchained libido, I wasn’t just Sully’s slave, I was my own.
His thumb traced the base of my skull while his other fingers buried themselves deeper into my hair.
I went instantly wet.
No question.
No doubt.
Just need.
I forgot about Jealousy sitting right there. I forgot about the other goddesses who might be watching. All I could think about was him. His touch. His scent. His power.