Fuming, I walk by, brushing his shoulder. He can walk back alone for all I care. My world flips upside down when Leo hauls me over his shoulder. I shriek in frustration, pounding on his back. “Leo!”
“You want to walk away from me? Don’t you know I’ll chase you?”
“You are abrute!”
“I’ll follow you across every planet, every galaxy. I’ll tell anyone who looks your way that you’re off limits. Because that’s what you are—fucking mine.” He growls, and my body immediately responds to his words, heat pooling deep in my core.
“Put me down!”
“No.”
I huff, defeated, allowing my body to dangle. Leo doesn’t put me down until we’re standing in his apartment. He slides me down his chest until my feet are planted, my head angled up to look him in the eyes. His eyebrows furrow as he places a hand on my thigh. “What’s this?”
I slowly slide my dagger out and lay the blade in his hands. “It was a gift from Orion.”
Anger flashes through his eyes, gone faster than lightning. I take it Leo’s still not a fan of Riri after the fire stunt. “And when did you start trustinghimagain?”
“When did you stop trustingme?” I bite back.
“I trust you. I don’t trust him.”
“We want the same things, Leo. He’s allowed to make mistakes, too.”
“I don’t like the way he looks at you. I swear, if he touches you—”
“You’ll what?” I point a finger towards his chest. “I don’t have time for the jealous boyfriend bullshit. I don’tneedthis.”
Leo snatches my finger, pulling me against his hard body. He slides my dagger onto the island and grips my chin tightly, pulling my eyes up to meet his. Our lips are a breath apart as he murmurs, “You underestimate how much Ineedyou. I would destroy these worlds before I let anyone touch you.”
“Then how did Solene succeed?” I quip.
He shoots me a glare—I’m riding a fine line with him. Not wanting to push him over the edge, I put my hand on his chest. “You’re awfully possessive.”
His hand wraps around my wrist, a fierceness in his whiskey eyes. “Tell me you’re mine.”
I drag his hand with mine lower. “Or I could show you…”
“You’re impossible.” He nudges my nose with his.
“Impossibly yours,” I promise, sealing my pledge with a kiss.
Forty
“What is this?” I stare down at an item of clothing that looks like a thin, strapped bodysuit. Orion showed up bright and early for training, throwing the garment after me while I was still in bed. I’m groggy after getting home late from Leo’s, and the confusion from this outfit is adding to my irritation.
“Good morning to you, too, Sunshine. It’s called a swimsuit. Put it underneath something loose. We’re going to the river.”
“The river? What about training?”
“This is training.”
“Since when?”
“Since now. Get up.”
“I’m going, I’m going.”
I take care of my needs in the bathroom and slide the swimsuit up over my body. The material is slick and stretchy, contorting to my form. I cover the swimwear with thin, loose pants and a light sweater before rejoining Orion. “Why are we going to the river?”
