We stare at each other for what feels like lifetimes, but it’s closer to mere seconds until Gemini winds back to life.
“Come,” he declares theatrically, followed by two quick claps of his hands. “Let’s discuss this further by the pool. I feel like a swim.”
Dumbstruck, I mutter, “You have a pool?”
“Yes, it’s in the atrium,” Gemini says over his shoulder as he walks away.
“You have an atrium?”
23
VEIL
At this time of night, the atrium is veiled in darkness, and only the lights from the pool help to illuminate our surroundings. However, I can still make out the shadows of countless plants and vines hanging from pots or tucked into corners, their large leaves reaching up to the glass ceiling.
I can only imagine how beautiful the atrium must be during the day, when the sun radiates over the pool from every angle.
This might just officially be my favorite room in the entire house.
“Why did you never mention the atrium before?” I ask Gemini as I follow him to a row of lounge chairs, fresh towels already neatly folded and waiting for us.
He made us change into bathing suits before showing me to the pool.
He shrugs, running a hand through his hair, and flashes me a smile. “What’s the fun in telling you everything?”
I roll my eyes and look away. His laugh is so carefree. And it caresses my skin much too smoothly.
Strolling up to the diving board, he climbs up and stretches himself into position, arms above his head. His pink swim shortsride up his thighs with the movement, and my eyes drop to his stretched stomach without even a second thought … then a few inches lower.
I swiftly catch myself, but it’s too late. By the time my gaze lifts back to his face, he’s staring at me with a crooked grin. He winks and then pushes himself off the diving board. Tucking his knees into his chest, he executes a flawless front flip before disappearing into the water with barely a splash.
I watch him swim a lap before I take off my silk robe, revealing the white one-piece Gemini chose for me. With its plunging neckline and thong bottom, it’s just as revealing as a skimpy bikini.
After the first week, Gemini stopped watching me undress. And something tells me eventhatis a calculated move. I just don’t know what for … yet.
Instead of diving in like Gemini, I take the steps leading into the shallow end. The water is deliciously warm, and I drop down when I get deep enough, fully immersing my body and head. I pop up, dragging my hand over my wet hair, and let out a small yelp when I realize Gemini is standing right in front of me.
His wet hair is slicked back, and water drips down his face, some droplets catching on his lips. “Boo,” he says with a dark sneer.
I physically recoil, blood turning ice cold.
Gemini’s expression turns innocent, and even that gives me whiplash. He tilts his head to the side like a curious dog. “What just happened?”
The water trickles around me as I slide my body backward, distancing myself from Gemini until my back hits the side of the pool. He hasn’t moved, still eyeing me like I’ve gone mad.
I certainly feel that way.
“It’s what you said in the maze before telling us to run.” My voice trails off as I linger on the thought that I’m the only one alive from that small group of sacrifices.
Gemini stays expressionless for a beat, then flashes me a toothy smile. “Such fond memories,” he says with a nostalgic sigh.
Rage spikes through me as if I were being skewered from the inside out. “Yet, for me,” I spit, my heart slamming into my chest, “the day I met you was the worst day of my life.”
“Oh, love,” he says with a mocking pout, fixing me with his stare as his body slowly glides to mine. His hands land on either side of me, boxing me in. “Maybe we should rectify that then.”
I swallow hard, some needy part of me cracking at the desire for him to pin his body against mine. The odd mixture of lingering fear and adrenaline at being this close to Gemini Foley is as intoxicating as the promise of ever-lasting life.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I rasp.
