CHAPTER16
“Are you... hungry?”Brian asked as he started up the car.
Athena felt as if she could not remember how to breathe.
How could this man be so cavalier when he’d ultimately gutted her with his presence, his touch, his spirit?
She’d never bared her immortal soul to anyone in the way she had divulged all of her inner most thoughts and feelings to this man as if they were nothing.
A good warrior keeps themselves impartial.
They must remain focused on victory, and nothing else.
The memory of the words echoed in her brain, as she remembered her father speaking them.
There was no mortal explanation to why she felt so drawn to Brian, to his warm eyes and soothing touch. No reason whatsoever, as to why when the man wrapped her in his arms or held her against him, she felt like she could be free, as if she could finallygivea part of herself she’d longed to, to someone who would handle it with the care it deserved.
And in the elevator as he hugged her, her inner animal felt it, too. This... divine connection. It had taken far too much concentration to keep her wings sheathed, as his touch soothed her so much she’d wanted to wrap all of herself around him.
Would he look at her like a monster if she sprouted gold-tipped wings?
Or would he run his fingers along her feathers and send the same shivers through her body as he did when he touched her skin?
The fact that she was contemplatingshiftingin front of this man was like a siren going off, that should have deterred her.
But she found she only wantedmoreof Briony Leehan and the gifts he gave her.
“Starving, actually,” she said with a smile.
“Any suggestions?” he said as he palmed his steering wheel, heading out of the parking lot.
Athena felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, but she did not answer. For Brian held her full and undivided attention.
“How do you feel about sushi?” she asked curiously.
Brian shrugged.
“I’ve never tried it.”
Athena raised her eyebrows. “Not a fan of fish or...”
“I kind of always wanted to, but I have no idea where to start. There’s like... a million different kinds, and most of my dates weren’t exactly into trying... new things.”
She watched his expression turn to one of pain. A sparking fire inside of her told her to press on, despite the cautious demeanor he’d suddenly taken to.
“I know a place not far from here. It’s near Freaky Tiki, if you know where that’s at?”
Brian nodded. “Actually, I do. I’ve passed Freaky Tiki a bunch of times, but never went in.”
Athena smiled. “Well, tonight you’re going in.”
Brian smiled back, the sight causing her insides to flutter. He had a beautiful smile, the way his eyes relaxed, how his lips turned up softly.
His words were dark and inviting, and in his eyes she could see a gleam of mischief.
“Are you always this bossy on a first date?”
Athena chuckled as she reached over the console, setting her hand on his thigh, the motion drawing a slight gasp and curse from Brian.
