Page 127 of A Touch of Chaos

And he was fucked up enough to give it.

He repeated that to himself over and over, hoping that if he thought it enough times, it would stop his heart from racing when he looked at her and keep it from breaking when she decided he was her biggest mistake.

“Ari?” He shook her gently to rouse her.

“Hmm?”

“I think you… I mean, I’m not sure…but your sister might be worried.”

There was a pause, and while he couldn’t see her face, he imagined the reality of last night was settling in. He even leaned back a little so she wouldn’t hit him in the face when she jerked up and jumped from his bed in complete shame.

Except that she didn’t do that at all.

She rolled over to face him, looking sleepy and content. She even smiled. This had been part of his dreams for a while, and now that it was real, he hated the alarm going off in his head that told him to be cautious.

“Hi,” she said.

He took a moment to overcome the urge to narrow his eyes and ask her what was wrong, which would inevitably lead to some kind of fight. Then he would have only himself to blame for ruining the best morning of his life.

He swallowed the suspicion.

“Hi,” he said. “How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” she said. “You?”

He nodded.

She frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Isaidyes.”

“You didn’tsayanything,” she said. “You just nodded.”

“I realize I’m not well-versed in mortal customs, but I believe that meansyes.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why don’t you just admit something’s wrong?”

“Nothing is fucking wrong, Ari,” Dionysus said. “Just leave it alone, gods-dammit.”

Fuck, he should have just led with his initial question.

“So thereissomething wrong—”

“Why did you sleep with me?”

If she was going to insist, he might as well ask.

She blinked, surprised, and closed her mouth before answering, “Because I wanted to. Why do you think I slept with you?”

He didn’t answer.

“Dionysus.” She spoke his name like a command.

“You said you wanted to thank me.”

“Because I am grateful for what you did,” she said.

“I’m not sure I like when you say that,” he said.

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