Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
But was I any different? My time with others hasn’t been as blatantly publicized, but I was hardly celibate during our breaks. If I’m going to be honest—and I can be nothing but honest right now—part of me was relieved for that freedom even as I missed her.
“What are you saying?”
She seems to force her hands apart. “I’m saying…” Another of those long exhales. “That neither of us is really built for monogamy, and maybe if we stop trying to cram ourselves into that box, we’ll be happier. Maybe if we try something new we can have some semblance of a steady, healthy relationship.” She shrugs. “It’s working out for my sister. Maybe it would work out for us, too.”
Part of me wants to argue. My parents are incredibly happy and stable without needing to be polyamorous. A lot of people are. But I can’t argue because Eris is right. “Last night…”
“It fit.” She gives a soft smile. “I don’t even like him most of the time, but I can’t pretend that it didn’t feel like you and I suddenly balanced each other out in a way that I’ve never felt before.”
That’s exactly it. It felt balanced. There’s something deeply ironic about Theseus potentially being the stabilizing glue that holds us together. I swallow hard. “And Pandora?”
“I like her. A lot.” That softness on her face becomes more pronounced. “If there’s a way we can make it work with the four of us, I would very much like to. I know that sounds naive considering our current climate and the fact that both Theseus and I might be dead before too long, but—”
“You won’t die.” I refuse to let it happen.
This morning, I was still reeling from being in bed with Theseus and Eris, but it was downright lovely in the kitchen with the four of us, Pandora and Theseus bickering in the way only longtime friends can, Eris relaxed and indulgent, and me… I could be at home there. It felt almost wrong to want that in the moment, but maybe that was because it clashed with what I thought I should have.
“I want it, too. Him with us.” I take a deep breath. “But three days to make it happen? That’s an impossible task.”
“Maybe.” She pushes one of the containers over to me. “Eat something and let’s talk. We might come up with something brilliant.”
“You have a lot of faith in us.” I take the container and start to eat. Strangely enough, I’m not even remotely surprised to find Pandora has divined Eris’s favorite restaurant and ordered the takeout from there. It might be a manipulation tactic, but I don’t think so. She obviously cares for Eris as much as Eris cares for her.
Eris taps her fork against the side of her container. “What if we tie him to my bed and fuck him until he can’t think of anything but us?”
A surge of heat goes through my body at the thought. I like what I’ve shared with Theseus when it’s just the two of us, but I like what we shared with the three of us, too. I clear my throat. “That might work, but only until he recovers his senses.” We share a look and I surprise myself by laughing. “Eris, we can’t keep him chained to our bed indefinitely.”
“Pity.” Her smile. “I like that. Our bed.” She lifts her drink. “Let’s make it the truth.”
Two days ago, I never could have guessed that I’d be here, contemplating a future with the woman I loved and lost and the completely unsuitable man that I’ve teetered right over the edge of falling for. Now, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
I touch my drink to hers. “Deal.”
32
APHRODITE
I wish I could say I have a plan to bring my husband around. I don’t. I have the possibility of a plan, but that’s hardly the same thing. Everything rides on me—on us—being able to convince him that he’s best suited to switch sides against the man he thinks saved him. Some good fucking and a little bit of infatuation isn’t going to be enough to combat that. I don’t know what will be enough…
But Pandora will know.
Her knowledge isn’t what has my heart racing as Achilles drives us into my parking garage and pulls up in front of the elevator door, though. He turns, bracing one arm across the back of the passenger seat so he can look at me. “Two of my people will do a quick walk-through of your place and then you can go up.”
“That’s not necessary.”
He doesn’t blink. “We’ve been through this. Your sister put me in charge of your security and—”
“And you take it very seriously, which I deeply appreciate.” It takes more effort than I want to admit to keep my tone light and my frustration nowhere in evidence. Achilles is doing his job, and as loath as I am to admit it, he’s quite good at it. Holding it against him just because his presence is necessary is shitty.