My eyebrow arches at her clear annoyance. She’s very obviously miffed that her brothers are loving on Maliki, which is endearingly amusing to observe.
Only, after a few seconds of enjoying the scene, a realization hits me square in the chest—a realization that instantly dismantles my amusement. “You’re here,” I say, my eyes widening. “You’re here!”
Maliki looks at me and smirks. “Yeah, trouble, I’m here.” He disentangles himself from the massive paws and comes toward me in a pair of dark jeans and a black button-down shirt.
I throw myself into his arms and inhale his leathery scent, the smoky tendrils seeming to curl around me in a subtle claim. He kisses my neck and then my cheek before pressing his lips to my ear. “Did you miss me, little mystery?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
Except another thought occurs to me right after, causing me to pull backward and look up at him.
“This is real, right?”
He frowns. “What?”
“This isn’t a dream?” I press.
He stares at me for a beat, then cocks his head. “Well, I suppose that depends on what you want to do. Would youlike to make this a fantasy, trouble? Because that could be kind of fun.”
“I’m serious, Maliki. Am I still dreaming?”
“Still dreaming?” he echoes. He arches a brow for half a beat before adding, “Oh, I see. That’s where Morpheus misted off to. He’s been playing with you in the dream world, yeah?”
His use of the wordplayinghas my stomach twisting as fresh heat warms my veins.
Playingis certainly an accurate term.
In fact, I want to go back toplayingin the water. Straddling him again.Feeling his warmth against mine…
“Mmm, playing indeed,” Maliki murmurs, his hands going to my hips as he lifts me effortlessly into the air. “I’m going to assume the bedroom is this way, then.” I grab his shoulders as he starts carrying me back the way I came. “Maybe we can make our own dreams come true.”
“Maliki…” His name comes out a little breathy.
I’m still not convinced this is real.
But I’m not sure I care anymore.
Maliki is here. He’s warm.And he’s taking me to the bed.
“This gold gown looks beautiful on you, by the way,” he says, his mouth at my ear again. “I assume Hades manifested it?”
“I… I don’t know,” I whisper. “I think so, though. I don’t remember falling asleep.”
“Yes, he mentioned that you nearly drowned.”
My eyes widen. “I did?”
He sets me on the floor by the bed and looks down at me. “Hades said you passed out in the bath.”
“Oh.” My nose crinkles. “I don’t remember that.” But I do vaguely recall asking for a bath. Which… which isn’t like me to do.
But I’m not exactly sure what’s normal for me anymore.
Everything feels… strange. New. And oddly exciting.
Er, well, that latter emotion is purely a result of the way Maliki is admiring my gown right now.
That, coupled with what Morpheus did to me in my dream, anyway.
