His tail swishes once, twice. I suspect it may be a warning sign.
As I reach for a piece of salmon, Zeus makes his move. With lightning speed, he swats at my chopsticks, knocking them from my grip. When I bend to retrieve them, he seizes the opportunity, snatching the salmon.
“Hey!” I yelp. “That’s mine!”
Zeus doesn’t even bother to retreat. He simply raises a paw while he chews, claws extended, and gives me a look that says,Try me, human.
“Are you even tasting that?” I ask. “Because that’s top-quality salmon, and you’re gulping it down like it’s kibble.”
A soft laugh from the doorway freezes me mid-lecture. Athena is leaning against the frame, arms crossed with an amused smirk. She’s wearing white jeans and a simple white shirt, her hair loose under a white fedora.
My heart stutters at the sight of her. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to watch you lose an argument with my cat.” She holds up a bag. “Lucky for you, Mom made me bring this over.”
“Your mom?” I blink in surprise. “That’s so thoughtful, but there’s no need. I already have dinner.” I gesture to my half-eaten takeout, now carefully guarded by Zeus.
“Trust me, refusing isn’t an option. She insisted.” Athena strides into the kitchen, placing the bag on the counter. “Apparently, you made quite the impression.”
Zeus immediately abandons his sushi conquest and pads over to Athena, stretching up on his hind legs toward her. The transformation is startling—from fierce predator toneedy house cat in seconds. He makes a small mewling sound I’ve never heard before.
“Hello, little prince,” Athena coos, lifting him into her arms. Zeus settles against her chest, his purr rumbling loudly enough that I can hear it from where I stand. “Have you been terrorizing Ruby?”
“We’ve reached an understanding,” I say dryly. “He gets whatever he wants, and I pretend I don’t mind.”
Athena laughs, scratching behind Zeus’s ears. He closes his eyes in bliss, looking smug. “How’s it been? Living here?”
“It’s been nice,” I admit. “Though the bed situation was a challenge.”
“Let me guess—he takes up most of it?”
“All of it. I moved to one of your guest rooms.” I begin unpacking the containers from the bag Athena brought. Inside, I find pastitsio, stuffed filo pastry, and salad. “This looks amazing. Please thank your mother for me.”
“I will. How’s work?” Athena asks, still cuddling Zeus, who has now draped himself across her shoulder like a fur stole.
“Busy. I’ve just signed a new major client.” I glance at her. “What about you? How’s it been with your family?”
Athena sighs, gently placing Zeus back on the floor. “It’s great to see them, but also draining at times. I can’t be entirely myself around them.” She chuckles. “Plus, I can’t find anything in your house.”
“Same here.” I laugh along. “They’re lovely, by the way,” I say. “Your mother and sister.”
“They like you too.” Athena meets my eyes. “Mom thinks you’re sweet, smart, and polite.”
“High praise from a Greek mother. I’ll take it.” The tension that’s been simmering betweenus intensifies in the quiet kitchen. It’s been days since we’ve been alone together, but now, with only Zeus as witness, the pretense feels impossible to maintain.
“I should put these away,” I say, gesturing to the containers, but making no move to do so.
Athena nods, and when I reach for the containers, her hand covers mine. Her thumb traces the inside of my wrist, and I forget what I was about to do. She’s standing close, her eyes holding mine with unmistakable intent.
Without warning, she steps forward, backing me against the refrigerator. Her hands find my waist, and then she’s kissing me fiercely. My hands instinctively tangle in her hair, pulling her closer.
Her mouth moves against mine with a ferocity that leaves me gasping, and I lose myself in the sensation of her lips, her tongue, her hands that are everywhere at once. When we break apart, breathless, she keeps me pinned against the refrigerator, her forehead resting against mine.
“Fuck. I did it again,” she whispers.
“I’m not complaining,” I murmur, my hands still wound in her hair.
Zeus makes his presence known again, meowing loudly at our feet. He stretches up against Athena’s leg, demanding attention.
