They walked until the laughter and music were only a memory behind them. The beach stretched wide and empty under an unbroken moon. Above, Little Gus and Turos wheeled, wings slicing the dark. For once, they didn’t swoop or press in. They let the two of them be.
Selene stopped at the edge of the surf and kicked off her boots. Sea foam brushed her toes, and she glanced back at him with a smile. “Not afraid of a little water, are you?”
The surf climbed and retreated mere inches from his boots. “Have something in mind,i psychi mou?”
She glanced around them—not a soul in sight. “I’m a little surprised that you don’t.”
Grin stretching, he strolled right into the water, boots and all. He pulled her against him and dipped his nose into the hollow of her neck. Honeysuckle and lavender.
Selene shivered beneath his splayed hands.
Augustus nipped at her earlobe. “Twenty-one,” he said. “For a while there, I wasn’t sure we’d see the day.”
“I did.” She looked into his eyes. “You’re incredibly hard to get rid of.”
Augustus chuckled low and tipped his head toward her. “That mouth of yours?—”
“You love my mouth.”
He slid his hand into her thick hair and cupped the back of her head. A soft sigh slipped past her parted lips. Hot desire shot down his spine and settled in his core.
But it was inside his chest, where an ache appeared out of nowhere and swelled until his throat threatened to close.
He stroked her hair, tangling his fingers within the wind-tangled strands, and teased her lips with soft kisses.
Selene fisted his shirt and opened her mouth. Her tongue was hot, and she tasted like the buttery caramel of his favorite whiskey. And when she sucked his lip between her teeth, he surged up against her. Filled his hands with her breasts and waist and hips.
Drowning in the little noises of pleasure climbing her throat.
Breathing in the softness of her mouth.
Dying with every spark of searing desire racing through his blood.
He might be losing everyone else, but he still had this. He still hadher.
Augustus kissed past her jaw and down her throat. He paused just over her heartbeat and felt the throb against his tongue.
In the distance, laughter peeled into the night.
Selene drew away—just a touch. Her cheeks were a warm pink, her breath shallow. Eyes full of desire, and… Something else.
He smoothed hair away from her temple. “What’s that look?”
“Look?”
“I think you’re fighting the urge to eat me alive, but a part of you feels bad about it.” He winked. “Don’t. I’ll allow you every last morsel.”
She nudged his arm, and for a heartbeat, it was easy between them. Sweet. Playful. The tide curled around their ankles as though urging them closer.
But then her smile faltered, and the weight returned to her gaze. “I love you. You know that, don’t you?”
Augustus’s chest tightened, dread curling low in his gut. “Yes.”
“Loving you has changed my entire life.” She traced his lower lip with the pad of her thumb. “When you kiss me like that— You’re all I want.”
He canted his head. “And you’re all I want, Selene. What’s this about?”
Selene’s eyes shut for three eternal seconds, then she stepped out of his arms. She looked up at him, and the light was gone. “Ineedsomething else.” Her throat moved with a deep swallow. “I’m leaving.”
