as well. Her silky dark hair was pulled up on the sides and clipped back with green and gold grape leaves that glittered under the lights. Soft curls fell down her spine, swishing over her shoulder each time she turned. Her make-up was dramatic, accentuating her unique violet eyes and drawing attention to her plump red lips. But it was the outfit she wore that really set him on edge.
The top consisted of nothing more than a bra with cap sleeves, made out of some green shimmery fabrics that looked as if the only things covering her ample breasts were leaves. The matching skirt was so low on her hips every male in the place could see her toned abs and belly button, and so short it barely covered her ass.
Each time she laughed, the sound was like fingernails on a chalkboard, making Zagreus’s nerves go haywire. Every time the male moved his hand against her bare skin, he saw red. And when she glanced Zagreus’s way with those familiar, evocative eyes—as she was doing now—that heat he’d been trying to ignore all day flared hot and wild inside him.
Fragmented memories filled his head, causing his skin to tingle. Her long fingers rushing across his flesh. Her lithe body climbing over his. Her warm breath fanning his cheek. And her luscious lips whispering, “It’ll never be too late, dios. Not for you and me.”
The music changed. He watched as she smiled at her dance partner, then eased out of his arms and stepped toward a nearby table where she reached for a goblet of wine.
Most of the females were dressed in the same skimpy outfits as Talisa. The males were all shirtless, and every one of the partygoers were barefoot. But none captured Zagreus’s attention. None were like a beacon he couldn’t ignore. None but the intoxicating female staring at him over the cup at her lips while bodies swayed together at her back.
His pulse kicked up as she set the glass down, moved around the table, then headed his direction, her smoldering eyes never leaving his.
She shouldn’t be here. She should already be back in her realm, as far from him as she could get. And never in a million years should she be staring at him like that.
He fixed an impassive look on his face as she drew close and crossed his arms over his chest. She stopped mere steps away, but he didn’t meet her gaze. Was determined to keep his eyes on the ridiculous party instead. And he wasn’t about to be distracted by her skimpy outfit. Or that eroticly spicy scent he remembered oh-so well.
“You stick out like a sore thumb, you know.”
He tightened his jaw and didn’t respond, continuing to look past her in the hopes she’d get the hint and move on.
“It’s a festival, not a funeral.”
His focus wavered, and he made the mistake of glancing at her. Mischief twinkled in her eyes. Mischief and heat and all kinds of temptations he couldn’t give in to.
“You should try smiling instead of scowling.” A coy grin curled her lips. “It would make you look less miserable.”
He forced his gaze away and looked back out toward Nysa and Rhen pressing against each other, then to the other nymphs and silens already partnering up for what he knew would come next.
He was always miserable. It was the one thing he could count on in his never-ending life. And lucky him, he had only more misery to look forward to when she wised up and returned to her own world, where she belonged.
She belongs with you…
He ignored the voice in his head, the one that was responsible for every one of the fuckups in his life, and tried to figure out how long he had before the silens passed the point of no return.
Soft fingers wrapped around his forearms and tugged. Surprised, he looked down again only to realize Talisa was drawing him away from the column and out of the shadows.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked with a scowl.
“Dancing with you.” She let go of his arms, stepped close, and skimmed her hands up his chest and around his neck. “Or trying to, at least. What do you think I’m doing?”
Her sinful body grazed his. The amulet on the chain around her neck pressed between them. His grey matter fogged, just as it always had near her. Only this time was worse. A thousand times worse. And he wasn’t sure why.
Reluctantly, he let his