Page 43 of Heir of the Beast

I see him now that I’m close, and I groan inwardly. I try to keep my head down, but I can’t.

He looks unnaturally handsome tonight with the low lighting. His platinum ringlets are pulled back in a messy manner, probably making every female secretly throw their panties at him.

How could such an alpha-male warrior have such glorious hair? Because he is a god, that’s why. He’s probably the real Apollo the Greeks wrote about. I can’t believe that creature kissed me the other day.

Then a thought occurs. Maybe I imagined the whole thing? I start to panic, hoping I’m not so infatuated that I could do such a thing.

I carry wine, filling up glasses, until I get to him and hold my breath.

He is talking to a man sitting to his right, seemingly in a deep conversation, the candlelight flickering over his muscled forearms. His tan skin looks rich, and smooth, thick veins grace his taut skin.

My hands are shaking as I fill up his half-full goblet. Don’t mess up, and please don’t breathe, be still my heart. I do it, and the glass is full without a single drop spilled on the silver tablecloth.

As I stand up straight, his hand snatches my wrist, preventing me from standing fully.

I gasp.

His dark gaze meets mine, and I am lost. Everything falls away.

Apollo pulls me closer. “Tell me,” he says in my ear, in that accent that turns me into a wild animal. “What if there’s nothing on the menu I am interested in?”

I take a harsh breath. “I-I can talk to the cook,” I whisper.

“No good, I doubt they have what I’m looking for,” he murmurs, his thumb moving over the pulse in my wrist.

I glance up and see that no one is paying attention to us. Drunken laughter pierces the air. “Then, I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I’m not sure what you want.”

He clicks his tongue and licks his bottom lip. “I think you do, and I want it now.”

I feel lightheaded and note that he appears to be a bit drunk with his heavy-lidded allure. “I don’t,” I lie.

I cannot believe he is coming onto me in front of everyone. I could get punished for this.

I am just glad the lights are down low, and the wine flows like water here. I don’t need to be accused of being a tart by the headmaster and whipped later.

“Liar.”

“You’re going to cause a scene,” I say desperately. “Stop.”

He frowns and tilts his head looking adorable. “I believe you’re the first female to tell me that.”

I whisper close to his ear with a grin, making him tighten his grip on me, “I’m glad I am your first for something. Now dry your eyes.” I rise to leave before we start gaining looks.

He jerks me back down. “I want you.”

I suck in a quick breath, not knowing what to say to something like that.

“Tonight.”

My stomach flips, and I feel dizzy. “Why?”

“Because I can think of nothing else, and it’s driving me half-mad,” he hisses in my neck, and pulls me closer.

“I want to lick every inch of your body until you scream my name. I want you in every way possible,” he confesses with an erotic glimmer in his black gaze.

I can say nothing.

My brain is misfiring.

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