Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
It…makes my mouth water.
“Icarus?”
Right. I’m staring. From the tension in his thick muscles, I can tell he’s considering putting some distance between us. I make the big guy nervous, and it delights me to no end.
He takes what I can only assume is an attempt at a fortifying breath. “What’s your condition?”
“I’m very scared, you see. I went to bed alone and woke up being carved to pieces.” It takes effort to put a quiver into my voice…but not as much of an effort as I would like. The truth is that Polyphemus scared the shit out of me. I have no tolerance for torture, it seems. Not for enacting it and not for receiving it.
Another way my father was right about me.
I shove the thought away and focus on the man before me. “If you mean to give me your protection, I want it twenty-four seven. I want to be by your side every hour of every day.”
“Out of the question.”
I didn’t honestly expect him to agree, but when bargaining, it’s important to start with the most outlandish ask and then negotiate your way to what you really want. “I understand that I can’t attend confidential meetings, but aside from that.”
“The shipyard is no place for tourists. You’re going to get yourself killed, and I just got done promising to keep you safe. No.” He shakes his head sharply. “I’ll put Orion on your security detail, but you’re not leaving the house.”
We’re getting closer, but we’re not quite there yet. “Poseidon.” The way his body clenches when I say his name brings to mind all sorts of interesting possibilities. I’d love to say that my focus is solely on manipulation, but the truth is I’ve been depressingly celibate since arriving in Olympus. It’s too dangerous to take people to bed not knowing where their alliances stand. Ironic, considering the very outcome my father was afraid of is the one I’m living right now. Captivity. Being used against Circe. A traitor to my people.
Poseidon licks his lips. They’re very nice lips. Sensual and full and completely at odds with his perfectly groomed beard. He’s such an interesting combination of rough and gentle. It intrigues me despite myself. Finally, he says, “What?”
“You’re the only person in this city who seems to give a damn if I live or die.” The words are intentional, but it doesn’t make them less true. Fuck, that’s depressing. I push through, not willing to spiral right now. There will be plenty of time for that later. “I only feel safe with you.”
I’m close enough to him that he has nowhere to back up to, but he crosses his arms over his chest, almost as if they can be a barrier between us. “There are places I’m going on a day-to-day basis where you can’t come with me, Icarus. You want safety, and not being at my side is what’s required to give you that safety.”
Almost there. I have him just where I want him. I allow my shoulders to dip, my spine to wilt. It hurts, but it’s worth it to see the way his eyes go soft. “But what about at night? I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep, considering the last time I did, I woke up with a knife embedded in my skin.” Not strictly the truth, but it serves for dramatic purposes.
He shifts from foot to foot. It’s a slight movement but it’s there all the same. I really do make him nervous. How fucking delightful. He swallows. “What do you suggest?”
“I want to sleep with you.” I sink enough insinuation into the words to make his flush deepen quite prettily. I laugh and press a hand to my cheek. “Wow. That sounded like I was coming on to you, didn’t it? But you understand what I mean, don’t you? I feel safe with you, which means I’ll actually be able to sleep. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”
He stares at me for a long time. Long enough that I have to fight the urge to fidget. There’s a wealth of knowledge in his amber eyes, and I have the sudden sneaking suspicion that he sees right through me. I’ve done this song and dance before; I’ve used seduction to ensure safety or gather information or any number of things I’ve needed in the moment. It’s seduction that paved the way for my archive of blackmail material. I’m good at it. Fucking spectacular, even. And yet this big man doesn’t seem to be falling for it.
I guess I need to up my game. Or that’s what I tell myself as I take the small step forward that brings us almost chest to chest. He drops his arms in surprise and I take advantage of that new space to press my hands to his pecs. Fuck, he’s huge. He’s easily six inches taller than me and his shoulders are twice as wide. He could destroy me.