Growling, I plop back down, then wince because I’m still naked. The jacket Hades wrapped me in is sprawled out beside me, the fabric having slipped off during one ofmy falls. I’m not even sure when. But it doesn’t matter because I am now covered in sand.
“Pricks,” I mutter. “One problem at a time.”
I focus on the heels first, the straps impossibly difficult.
“Why does anyone wear these?” I ask no one in particular. “They’re impractical. Nonfunctional. Andwhy are there straps?!” I yank on it, irritated by the hook.
I am not an inept individual.
“I will master this shoe,” I tell myself.
“Well, feel free to take your time,” a silky voice replies, causing me to freeze. “I’m rather enjoying the show.”
A shadow blocks the sun, allowing me to look up.
Right into a pair of striking blue-green irises. “Morpheus,” I breathe.
“God of Dreams,” he replies, his gaze running over me. “And a dream you indeed are, my heart.”
I’m pretty sure I stop breathing.
Not only am I naked, but he also caught me having a pep talk over a pair of shoes.
And he called memy heart.
That’s new.
I… I think I would relish it more in any other situation. Alas, I’m currently on fire. And it has nothing to do with the hot sun.
“Would you like some assistance?” he asks softly, crouching before me. “I imagine walking in the sand is difficult with those sinfully sexy heels on.”
I swallow, my shoulders dropping.
“This really can’t get any more embarrassing, can it?” I mumble, more to myself than to him.
“Embarrassingisn’t the term I would use,” he murmurs, his exposed forearms bracing on his thighs.
He’s dressed like Maliki was back in my bedroom—in abutton-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows and a pair of dark slacks.
The only difference is that Morpheus’s shirt is white. Maliki’s was black.Is he even still wearing it? And where is he, anyway?
Hades said he was going back to help Maliki.
Help him with what?
“Arousing, perhaps,” Morpheus goes on, drawing my focus back to where he’s crouching before me. “Adorableworks, too.” He smiles. “Want to give me your foot, little dreamer?”
I stare at him and decide,Why not?As I already said, I’m fairly certain this can’t get any more embarrassing.
He may find itarousingandadorable, but I don’t.
I feel meek again. Ridiculous.Small.
How did I go from enjoying the best pleasure of my life to falling onto a sandy beach framed by cliffs and a vast ocean?
“Where even am I?” I marvel, glancing around as I lean back on my palms and give Morpheus my foot.
“Mykonos,” he says, the word foreign to me. I don’t know if he’s answering my question or saying something random.
