Page 155 of God of War (Legacy of Gods)

“Yep, all good. You can join me now.”

“I will not join you.”

She peels her eyes open. “Why not?”

“I don’t like baths.”

“You liked it just fine yesterday when you gave me one.”

“I only did so because I thought you were asleep.”

“And you can’t do it now?” The pain in her voice would move any other man.

She has the ability to turn anyone with a cock into a puppy at her feet.

Lucky for her, I have the capacity to resist her charms when need be.

“No,” I say point-blank.

Her lips tremble and moisture turns her eyes a glittering blue. “You’re such a bastard. I really hate you.”

“Good. It’s dangerous to love me. But you already know that.”

I turn around and leave. As I close the door, a bottle of shower gel crashes against it.

The next morning,I wake up refreshed after I finally got some rest.

Hungry, too, after fasting for about twenty-four hours.

I don’t remember my life before I swore off food, so, in a sense, my stomach is used to surviving on my stash of protein bars or just waiting until I get home. Whenever I’m on a business trip, Sam cans her food so I won’t have to go on an extended fasting journey.

I stroll into the kitchen and pause when I take a quick inventory of the table. Strawberry cake, freshly baked croissants, scones, jam, and clotted cream. The menu is definitely different from my usual granola or scrambled eggs.

Needless to say, I’m a creature of habit. It comes as a form of control. I don’t appreciate any miniature changes in my life.

This is why marrying Ava is no different than inviting a disaster under my roof.

“What’s the meaning of this?” I ask Sam, who’s busy wiping clean some utensils.

“I thought you could use a change.”

“Do you even know me? I don’t like change.”

“Very British of you.” She pauses. “Why don’t you try it? You might like it.”

“Are you serious? You’re well aware of my disregard for sweet things.”

“Very contradictive, considering you married the sweetest girl.”

I pause. Sam continues wiping away as if she didn’t just drop a bomb.

“Did you just call Ava sweet?”

“She is. Not my fault you’re too blind to see it.”

“Who are you and what have you done to the emotionless Sam I’ve known my entire life?”

“I’m not emotionless. I’m selective. Like you. Now, sit down and eat. And before you ask, I made nothing else and will not be making anything else.”

---