Chapter Eight

Aliana’s POV

Shoving myself back under the spray, I tried to force the sensation away until the water pounded against my skull. Trying to brush off any thoughts of old gods and erotica novels that I surely had to quit. And I most definitely was going to stop thinking about a silly kiss that had left my body a quivering mess. Whose flame still felt like a chain low in my belly pulling me towards him…

No!

Just--- no!

I had more pressing matters to figure out. Like getting back to my normal life, and figuring out how to get rid of the likes of Alban Kodra! As in real-life bad situations! And not whatever rabbit hole, fairy tale alternative reality this shit was!

But my body didn’t care about reason...

The heat curled low in me again. Insistent and undeniable. By the time I climbed out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel softer than anything I’d ever touched, my legs still felt weak and my pussy throbbed. Even out of the water, my fingers came back wet and slippery, and I had to stifle a moan from how sensitive I was!

Shit!

This was not good! And so I did the only logical thing anyone in my situation would do. I lied to myself! I told myself it was exhaustion. That I’d been pulled in by his god-like beauty, by the whole amazement and magic of this entire place.

Anything but what it really was...

I pushed open the door--- and froze!

Dikaios sat perched on the balcony railing as though it were a throne, looking up into the heavens above. His long legs stretched casually before him, one hand holding a silver goblet of wine. The moonlight painted his body in stark light and shadow and---

And he was shirtless!

Que the drool...

Every line of him was carved perfection! His arms were toned and thick, his fingers long and slender as they effortlessly curled around the stem of the chalice. Broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist, muscle rippling with every languid movement. Scars traced faint paths across his chest, a testament to battles long past. And unable to help myself, my eyes dropped to the V-line that dipped beneath his jeans-like trousers.

Holy wet-dream, Batman!

Now I had to cross my legs for real – and no amount of lying to myself could ever explain this away…

I wanted him!

Hell, I think I desperately needed him. I didn’t understand it, I didn’t even know him, and hell, I wasn’t even sure it was possible, but---

“You like what you see, little girl?”

His voice felt smooth like silk, stirring more of that fire he’d ignited inside of me. Even when his words made me feel small and inexperienced, the pulse between my legs wouldn’t be denied. And trying to cross my legs didn’t help much either. If anything, trying to quench the pulsing need only had more slick dripping from my folds…

My head snapped up, wanting to snap at him--- only to realize that he was looking at me.

His crimson eyes burned, drinking me in as if I were a meal he’d been starving for. It didn’t help the desire burning in my belly. Hell, if anything, it only spread it lower, making me clutch the towel tighter around me. My skin prickling everywhere his gaze lingered…

“I-I-I…,” I stammered, hoping I could say something smart or at least tangible. But my mouth went dry and my breath got heavy. My heart stuttered in my chest, and my skin tingled, yearning for his touch. For him to hold me and wash away all the bad memories of today…

As if sensing my desire, the horned shadow set the cup aside, rising fluidly to his feet. For a moment, I feared that he might stride across the balcony and vanish into the night. Instead, he came toward me. Each step was deliberate, his presence filling the room until I couldn’t breathe…

He stopped just in front of me, close enough that the heat of his body burned through the towel. His hand lifted--- and I held my breath, wondering what would come next...

Nothing!

His hand just hovered near my cheek, as if he were waiting for permission.

Waiting for me to accept him…

Could I?

“Who---?” I asked once more, my voice cracking, and I had to swallow hard before I could continue: “Who are you?”

What kind of creature had I set free?

What kind of pact had I signed? And was this overwhelming need for him part of that? Was this even my own free will? Or was I just being used? Like a mindless, horny puppet for his own desire…

“You already know who I am,” he said, his voice low, wrapping around me like smoke. His lips curved slowly, dangerously almost, as he moved closer. “But friends,” he murmured. “Call me Ani.”

My lips parted, a reply trembling on the edge--- but I never got the chance!

He kissed me, again...

And this time, it was a claim!

Fierce and consuming, his mouth moved against mine with such possessive force that my knees nearly buckled. I gasped into him, and his hand slid to the back of my neck, holding me in place, deepening the kiss until sparks exploded behind my eyes.

The fire returned instantly, curling through me, flooding every inch of me with need. My fingers clutched at the towel, grabbing onto anything to keep me from collapsing under the force of it. But---

I needed more!

Without thinking, I curled my fingers into his hair, stroking his horns and pulling him closer. There was a growled kind of hunger rumbling at the back of his throat, as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth as if it was ambrosia. His hand moved to the top of my towel--- and with a hard thug, it came loose, pooling at my feet.

I gasped, jumping back. Heat curled throughout my body and blossomed in my cheeks. Instantly, my hands came up, wanting to hide myself from him. Hell, cussing him out was on the verge of my tongue--- before he pulled me flush against him.

Looking up, I found his crimson eyes peering into mine. Gleaming with a hunger that had my body shaking.

Not from fear…

But because I wanted more!

“Perfect,” he whispered--- and then claimed my lips again, as if they were for him and him alone. And with a slow, devastating certainty, I realized something that unraveled everything I thought I’d ever know about myself. That my body – this body that had always been mine, always obeyed my will – was no longer mine at all.

It belonged to him!

His body was firm and hard, hot against my cooler skin. His fingers were calloused, the thickening sensation heightening the heat that gathered low in my belly like molten lava. I felt his hands roam further down my back, pressing my core against something hard that definitely bulged in his pants.

Shit!

He felt huge, and--- I couldn’t help myself. I’d never done something like this before, but I wanted to feel for myself! I’d read books and had gotten to the second stage with one of my boyfriends, so I knew what to expect – I hoped! Though I’d never been kissed like this before, and I’d never been with someone like Dikaios before – a god! But since he clearly wanted to play dirty games, I could play too...

I slipped a hand into his jeans, happy to find it loose and easily accessible. My heart jumped in my chest, shivering with excitement. If I had even remotely thought I knew what to expect, I’d been sorely mistaken!

His shaft was hot to the touch, thick and rough with veins. His size was impressive too, and for a moment I almost panicked, thinking about how that could fit inside of me…

Wait!

Wasn’t I jumping the bone a little---?

He let out another growled moan, his fingers flexing against my ass as he pushed himself deeper into my hand.

Fuck!

His kiss grew harsher, more demanding with each stroke. My pussy throbbed, slickness dripping down my thighs. Too empty inside, too achingly bare.

I needed more!

I needed---

HIM!