The kernel popped, hitting the lid with a sharp ping. I added the rest, watching them dance in the hot oil. Soon, everything would change. But tonight, we'd pretend it was just another evening. We'd laugh at stupid movies, eat popcorn, and act like tomorrow wasn't the end of everything we knew.
The popcorn began popping in earnest, a crescendo of tiny explosions. I shook the pot, feeling the weight shift as the kernels transformed.
"Hurry up!" Rhea called from the living room. "The movie's about to start!"
"Coming!" I called back, pouring the popcorn into a large bowl, adding butter and salt.
Just one more night of normalcy. One more memory to hold on to when everything fell apart. Just one more day. We could do this.
I carried the bowl back to the living room, where Elin had already settled on the couch, Rhea curled up beside her with a blanket. They both looked up as I entered, and for a moment, I saw what might have been in another life—a simple family night,without the shadow of cartels and arranged marriages and fake identities hanging over us.
"Did you burn it?" Rhea asked, reaching for the bowl.
"Perfect, as always," I replied, settling on Rhea's other side. "Unlikesome people’sin this room."
Elin threw a pillow at me as the movie's opening credits began to roll. I caught it one-handed, grinning despite everything.
Chapter 42
Afterthethreeofus had a relaxing evening full of laughter and genuine good times, I cleaned up while Elin got Rhea settled in the safe room. It made me feel better knowing that should anyone bust in, all Rhea would have to do is shut the door and she’d be immediately untouchable. When that was all done, I followed Elin into the bedroom, watching the sway of her hips as she moved ahead of me. Unable to stop myself, I reached out and smacked her ass.
“Hey!” Elin turned as she jumped, a smile on her face. Lifting her finger at me, she narrowed her eyes. “Watch it, Pretty Boy.”
I just smirked back at her. I would take whatever she wanted to dole out.
As we walked in, my shoulders relaxed. Her bedroom was a place of comfort and functionality. Dark grey walls with warm driftwood accents hung on the wall.
When I made to join her in the shower, she braced her arms in the doorway, facing me. “You think you can just slap your Goddess’s ass with no repercussions?”
“It’s such a beautiful ass, I had to show it some love,” I stepped closer and whispered into her ear.
She turned her head to look at me and smiled. Her smile was everything. I leaned in to kiss her and she pulled back.
“Nope. No kisses and no showering with Goddess. Go get ready for bed.”
I blinked at her, surprised at the denial. “But—”
“No buts, Pretty Boy.” She stepped back and shut the door in my face.
Groaning, I went and flopped onto her bed, the mattress dipping beneath my weight. The dark green sheets, cinnamon and burlap-colored blankets, and a couple of olive pillows littered her bed, all of which smelled like her, and damn did it make my blood run hot.
"Thank you," I called out as the water hissed from the showerhead before settling into a constant stream. "For letting Rhea stay here. For protecting her."
"Of course." Elin's voice echoed from the bathroom.
At least one problem had been solved, even if a hundred others remained. I leaned back against the pillows, the events of the day replaying in my mind as I stared at the ceiling. But those thoughts quickly gave way to others as I remembered Elin's touch earlier, the way her eyes had darkened when she’d looked at me during the movie.
Before I realized what I was doing, my hand had slipped beneath the waistband of my pants. I wrapped my fingers around my cock, already hard and aching. I shouldn't have been doing this here, now, but I couldn't stop myself. My breath came faster as I stroked, imagining Elin's hands on me instead of my own.
I was so lost in the sensation that I didn't hear the bathroom door open. "Starting without me?" she whispered, her voicesmooth. I hadn’t realized she was there until her shadow fell across the bed.
My eyes flew open to find her standing over me, hair damp, wearing nothing but a thin robe that clung to her still-wet skin. Her eyes gleamed dangerously as she took in the sight of me pleasuring myself on her bed.
Without a word, she leaned down and wrapped her hand around my throat, her grip firm enough to make my pulse jump beneath her fingers.
"What have I told you about touching yourself without permission, pretty boy?" Elin's voice was silky, her breath warm against my ear as she pressed me into the mattress. My body trembled, caught between fear and anticipation.
"I'm sorry, Goddess," I whispered, my voice breaking as her fingers tightened.
