the tears building in my eyes. Was it wrong to hope for a miracle? Because thats what we would need to make this work.
Oh, Alex. He gathered me into his arms, holding me tightly against him. I burrowed my face in the space between his neck and shoulder, inhaling deeply. What we didit was the best thing Ive ever done and it wasnt just some sort of fling.
I know, I murmured.
And Im not going to let you gonot because some stupid law says we cant be together.
Dangerous words, but I melted along with them, cherished them. I wrapped my arms around him, trying to keep old fears and worries at bay. Aiden was taking a huge risk to be with meso was Iand I couldnt deny our feelings because of whatd happened to Hector and Kelia. That fear wasnt fair to Aiden or to me.
Aiden rolled onto his back, fitting me to his side. And Im not going to lose you to Seth.
The air hitched in my lungs. Somehow, being so lost in Aiden, Id completely forgotten the unforgettablethe fact that Id be Awakening in two weeksand all the ramifications of that. Fear tasted like blood in the back of my throat. What if that changed the way I felt about Aiden?
Crap. What if the bond twisted those feelings back to Seth?
And how in the hell had I forgotten about Seth in the first place? Out of sight and out of mind was totally not justifiable. The thing was I did care for Setha lot. Part of me even loved him, even though I wanted to hurt him most of the time. But my love for Seth was nothing like what it was for Aiden. It didnt consume me, didnt make me want to do crazy things, be reckless, and in the same breath, be safer and more cautious. My heart, my body didnt respond in the same way.
Aidens hand skimmed over my arm. I know what youre thinking, agapi mou, zoi mou.
I took a shallow breath. What does that mean?
It means, my love, my life.
I squeezed my eyes shut against the rush of tears as I remembered the first time hed said agapi mou to me. My gods, Aiden hadnt lied. He had loved me since the very beginning. Knowing that filled me with steely resolve. I rose up and stared down at him.
He smiled, and my heart jumped. He reached up, tucking my hair back behind my ear. His hand lingered. What are you thinking now?
We can do this. I leaned down and kissed him. We will do this, dammit.
His arm circled around my waist. I know.
Gods, I know this sounds really lame, so please dont laugh at me. I grinned. But Ive been terrified of this Awakening, of losing myself. But but Im not anymore. I wont lose myself, because well, how I feel about you, it would never let me forget who I am.
Id never let you forget who you are.
My grin spread. Gods, were crazy. You know that, right?
Aiden laughed. I think were pretty good at crazy, though.
We stayed in each others arms longer than we should have. I was reluctant to let him leave and I think he was, too. Rolling onto my side, I watched him throw his clothes on. He grinned when he caught me. I wiggled my brows. What? Its a nice view.
Wicked, he said, sitting beside me. His hand skimmed over my hip. There was something fierce in his gaze. We will do this.
I snuggled closer to him, wishing he didnt have to leave. I know. I believe that.
Aiden kissed me once more and whispered, Agapi mou
CHAPTER 23
EVERYTHING AND NOTHING CHANGED AFTER HAVING sex. I didnt look any different. Well, there was the goofy smile plastered over my face that I couldnt get rid of. Other than that, I looked the same. But I did feel different. I ached in places I had no idea someone could even hurt. My heart also did that fluttering thing every time I even thought his name, which was so girlie and I loved it.
Letting my heart instead of my hormones decide when to do it made what Aiden and Id done special. And when we passed each other throughout the day, the looks we stole suddenly meant more. Everything meant more, because we both were risking it all and neither of us regretted that.
I spent the better part of the afternoon and evening playing Scrabble with Deacon. I think he regretted asking me to play, because I was one of those Scrabble playersthe kind who played three-letter words every chance I got.
There was a part of me that kept expecting the gods to zap one of us for finally breaking all the rules. So when Apollo popped in on our fourth round of Scrabble, I about had a heart attack.
Gods! I clutched my chest. Can you stop doing that?
Apollo looked at me strangely. Where is Aiden?
Slowly rising to his feet, Deacon cleared his throat and
Aiden placed his hand on the small of my back. I expected him to tell me to shut up, because I was yelling at a god, but thats not what he did. Alex has a point, Apollo. I didnt even know the truth. Even we are taught that the gods decreed the separation of the two breeds.
I do not know what to say, Apollo said.
I smoothed my hair down. Please dont say youre sorry, because I know it wouldnt be true.
Apollo nodded.
Okay. Now that weve gotten this out of our systems, lets get back to the point of this visit. Aiden pulled me to the couch, forcing me to sit down. And seriously, Alex, no hitting.