Maybe he’d be willing to add a few more comforts, too.
“Tomorrow morning, remind me to tell you about a water closet,” I said, my eyes already closing. “I bet you can make one. And don’t forget the honey cakes. I want those, too.”
“As you will it, so be it, Goddess,” he said softly, the mattress sinking beside me.
“I will it,” I mumbled as his fingers brushed against mine.
A moment later, I felt the bangle wrap around my upper arm.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
I dreamedI was in a boat, and the waves were idly nudging it up and down. Cozy on the blanket in the bottom of the vessel, I rode the soothing movement. Nothing existed in my mind but the comfort of being in that boat. It didn’t matter where I was going or where I had been; in the present, nothing could touch me.
The feeling stayed with me as I drifted to that place between sleep and realizing I wasn’t in a boat. Instead, I was halfway lying on a wide, chiseled chest that moved slightly with each breath. Up and down. His hand slowly caressed my back through my dress.
If he knew I was awake, he didn’t say anything. So, I stayed where I was, soaking up the feeling that nothing could touch me, that I was safe and cared for. I pushed away the thought that it wasn’t really me he cherished and craved beyond reason, and for a few quiet moments, I let myself feel wanted. Me. Ashlyn, the human.
A content sigh escaped me.
“Do you hunger?” he asked softly.
“Not enough to get up,” I mumbled against his skin.
His hand stopped brushing over my back and pressed me closer. The key that I hadn’t used in days, dug into my sternum. Ignoring the discomfort, I settled in closer.
Gods, I loved the feel of him. The way we fit together so perfectly.
He shifted us, bringing me fully on top of his chest, and the way he hungered for me pressed into my thigh. Jerking my head off his chest, I gave him a panicked look.
“Stay as you are, Goddess. Part your limbs for me. Let me give you all that you desire.”
Goddess. Persephone. Not me. Yet, last night’s details lingered in my mind. I’d touched him. A lot. And I’d liked every single second of it. Too much.
“I changed my mind,” I said. “I’m hungry for food.”
Annoyance then amusement flickered through his expression.
“Honey cakes. So be it.”
He shifted me to the side and rose. When he did, I saw that he still wasn’t wearing any pants and the gold script still covered his skin. His lips curved at the sight of my attention, and he gestured to the table.
“Would you like to continue to review our contracts while you eat?”
I hesitated to answer. Yes, I did want to know more about all the crazy contracts he and Persephone had made. But now that my brain was less foggy with the need to sleep, my eyes didn’t want to focus on the words. They wanted to stare at every inch of beautifully exposed skin.
“Maybe just the ones on your chest for now. Would you like to put on pants and eat with me?”
Surprise lit his face, but pants quickly appeared along with another stool and table setting. I took my usual seat while he claimed the new one.
“Why are contracts written into your skin?” I asked. “Why not verbally agree to something?”
He chuckled, the low sound warming my belly.
“And surrender the opportunity to feel your willing touch? Never.”
For both our sakes, I changed the topic.
“What contract is your favorite, and what one is your least favorite?”
