“Stay out of trouble. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Dax winks behind me at Adonis.
“There is nothing you wouldn’t do, Dax,” Adonis says as he folds his muscular arms around his chest. Lightning flashes through the large window, lighting up Adonis, making him look like the celestial god I know he truly is. His smile darkens, and his blue eyes are almost glowing. “Precisely,” Dax’s grin sharpens, and a shiver of satisfaction runs through me.
“Alright,” Jules taunts with her hands on her hips, “are we done with all this mushy ‘I love you’ bullshit? We got some detective business to do, boys.”
I pat Dax on the chest and then walk over to Adonis. “Let us know if we can help in any way, okay?” I say to everyone.
“Just keep on reading through the grimoire. Maybe you guys will find something different that will jump out this time,” Killian says in a hopeful tone.
Hours pass while Adonis and I read the grimoire page for page. Whatever I can’t quickly translate from Latin to English, Adonis does for me.
As I take a moment to pause, I lift myself off the chilly marble floor. I arch my back, twist my neck, and interlace my fingers, eliciting a cascade of satisfying pops and cracks from my weary joints. Each sound resonates in the stillness, leaving me feeling a touch lighter as if shedding an unseen weight.
Looking over with an amused expression, Adonis raises his dark brows in mock disbelief. “Damn, woman,” he retorts, a teasing lilt in his voice, “you sound like you’ve just crawled out of the grave.”
I smile at him. I need to stretch, so I bend down to grab my ankles, open my legs and stretch. Then I place my hands on the floor, doing a few yoga poses: downward dog, child’s pose, triangle pose, and cat-cow. Right away, my body starts to feel better.
“Do that downward pose again for me. I liked that angle of you,” his throaty voice is low and sends a shiver up my spine.
Just before I bend over in front of him, lightning cracks again, a few times in a row. I jump out of my skin. Adonis’ tattooed arms wrap around my waist as he holds me tightly. His hot breath on my ear, “Someone is a little spooked. I thought you loved storms?”
I grind my ass against him, knowing what it will do. “I do love storms. This lightning is just off the charts, and I got startled, that’s all...” he deepens our embrace and rubs his hardness on my back. “Want to go fuck in the rain?” I ask as I move his tattooed hand up to my throat.
He lightly tightens his grip, and I moan.
“Is that what you want? Me to fuck you out in the rain. Outside. Where someone could walk the trail and find me railing you?” His chest vibrates against my back as he speaks low.
“Mmmm, yes.” Damn… a part of me would fucking love someone to catch us. I love having Killian and Dax watch Adonis fuck me and vice versa with them. It’s a kink of mine that all three make sure I get off from.
“You are mine, Dani. Only Dax and Killian can ever watch us fuck. You’re shit out of luck if you want anyone else watching.” He tightens his grip on my throat, and I am now utterly soaked.
“How about we play a little game?” I close my eyes as he traces my lips with his fingers and then slides his hand down to my chest.
“Mmhmm,” is all I manage to say.
His touch claims my body, making me feel so alive. Like I am the most important thing in his world…
“I’ll wear my mask. You run and hide. I’ll give you seven minutes. When I find you, Dani, I’m going to fuck you hard. The hardest I’ve done yet. And I’m going to do it while you’re naked in the woods and bent over in that fucking downward dog pose you like so much. How’s that sound, my perfect goddess?”
I could come right here, right now. “I like the sound of that.”
Adonis lets go of my throat. He returns his lips to my ear and whispers, “Run, Dani,” his voice smooth like butter.
My insides do a flip, and I dart towards the backdoor. I run down the long hallway. Candles are lit on the wall, shedding light on the gothic artwork that hangs in a line—I don’t even know who the artist is.
My shoes squeak on the clean floor as I get to the door. I grab a raincoat that hangs and put it on, not caring whose it is. I quickly open the door and dart out the back. I pull my hood up over my head, hoping it will keep me somewhat dry.
It doesn’t.
The rain pours down, soaking me immediately. My white high-tops are instantly dirty from the drenched ground.Thunder booms and lightning cracks as I make my way through the thick forest.
I should be scared, knowing what lurks here. But I’m not. Not when I know what my prize will be for hiding.
I dash past towering ancient trees, their knotty roots entwined with the earth, plunging deeper into the heart of the forest. Uncertainty lingers with every step, yet an instinctual pull guides me forward, whispering that this path is the right one.
As it cascades from the lush green leaves above, the rhythmic patter of rain creates a soothing symphony that encases me, a melody of nature that calms my soul. Each droplet dances on the ground, merging with the rich, loamy soil beneath my feet.
Clusters of mushrooms spring forth from the wet earth, their vivid caps contrasting with the velvety moss that blankets the surrounding landscape like a soft green carpet. Scattered throughout the forest, the vibrant canna lilies stand tall, boldly unfurling their brilliant petals. They are among the few flowers resilient enough to thrive amidst the relentless rain, painting the damp, shaded corners of the woods with splashes of color against the backdrop of deep greens and browns.
