Page 17 of The Puppeteer and the Poisoned Pawn
“Whoever is hosting can feel any alters that linger close to the front.”
That makes sense.
“Well, thanks for getting me drunk. It helps.” Hell, he’s so good-looking. I don’t know why I’ve been so mad. Why hasn’t he tried to kiss me? Do I want him to? I like getting to know him, but wow, he’s beautiful. And he carries himself with so much power and grace.
I really want to touch his mouth.
“You’re staring.”
“Am not.”And drooling.
“Is it strange for you? To speak to different people in one body?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No. I know it should be. But I like it. It’s an adventure getting to know everyone.” I smile lazily, relaxing deeper into the water and attempting footsie with him.
“You’re touching my foot.”
“I know. Touch mine back.”
“Why?”
“Err. It’s a way of flirting.”
“You’re flirting with me?”
I deadpan. “Careful. I’m in a fragile state. If you reject me, I might burst into tears.”
This time, the corner of Aquarus’s mouth curls upward.A smile!“Yes! I knew you had a smile waiting to come out!”
“You can’t flirt with me when you’re this… naked.”
“And wet.”
His smile, or attempt at a smile, slips away. Those large pupils seem to dilate even more. A calloused hand finds my foot, stroking it underwater.
“Mmm,” I sigh, heat pooling between my legs.
“I’d like to see you again, little siren. Maybe when you’re of sound mind, I can do more than flirt with your foot.”
“Iamof sound mind.”Ish.
But his focus disappears. And I know he’s going back to the sea. There’s the sound of a trickling waterfall as he steps out of the bathtub. But I stay put, wrapping my arms around my knees against my chest, trembling at the sudden cool draft kissing my naked body.
“Skylenna.” The accent is gone. It’s replaced with a familiar warmth. Like reading your favorite childhood storybook. Like smelling chocolate and being taken back to a sweet winter memory.
Kane.
I look up from where my head rests on my knees. He’s standing by the vanity with a towel around his waist, and holding one out for me, the way he did when I bathed in the lagoon. I’m not sure why he’s come to the front. If there was a trigger, I’m not aware of it.
My stomach clenches and rolls, but I step out of the tub, holding my hands over my breasts and panty line. With water streaming down my body, I walk to him with quivering legs from the alcohol buzzing through my veins.
I didn’t want him to leave. It’s as if he popped the bubble I was safely in. Now, I’m back in the real world. My eyes burn, and my heart twists.
I hope the water pouring from my hair will disguise the tears in my eyes. But one look at Kane wrapping me in the large fluffy towel, and I know he sees me falling apart.
“I can’t talk to you,” I say, holding back my leashed anguish.
“I know, honey.”