Page 81 of Golden Burn

“I want you to talk about them to me. Whenever you need it.” Etta wipes her eyes and yawns beside me. I can tell she’s ready for sleep, but right before she does, she looks out the window toward the Roman sky. “I’ll keep up the tradition of scaring him occasionally, girls, don’t you worry. I think you’d be pleased that I found him a kitten to play with. It has one eye, just like him, and I think they’re going to be best friends.”

My insides turn into a puddle of water.

“Say hi to my mom for me. She’s the lady with the curly brown hair and gives the world’s best cuddles, and she’s probably still harping on about the time I took all the dogs in the kennel for a walk at the same time. Thirteen, if I recall correctly.”

I rub my eyes, a smile forming. “Impressive.”

She yawns again, but I don’t need to say anything. Her eyelids have already drifted closed, her body soft and heavy against me.

I kiss the back of Etta’s hand, savor the taste of her skin.

And I notice right before I fall asleep that out of all the stars in the sky, there are three in particular that are much brighter than the others.

31

Etta

‘Butterflies’ - Kacey Musgraves

The morning sun beats against my cheek and warm lips press to my neck, encouraging me to wake. Groaning, I lift my arms and hold that delicious presence to me, forcing them to continue. A deep chuckle rumbles as I dig my fingers into the tough body, my lower stomach springing to attention.

My lashes flutter, revealing a glimpse of Odin’s ear and neck and shoulders. The front of him is buried in my neck, his chest flattening against my soft breasts.

“Morning,” I moan, opening my legs to allow his lower body to fit better. Flush with mine. Odin’s hands grip onto my waist as his hips buck just a tad.

He smothers me with his weight. Pressing me deeper into the sheets. I cling to him as he continues to press his lips to my neck, trailing sweet lines of ecstasy over my collarbones.

I’m a puddle of steaming toffee as Odin caresses me, winding my body up till I’m damp between my thighs. I think for a moment his hands might travel to that spot, he might press his thumb to my clit and make me come in a matter of seconds. What a wonderful start to my morning.

But he pulls away from me and leans back. My nails scratch his skin. They’re so tightly curled into him. He hovers above me, close but not touching. Our breath mingles in the air and his scent captivates me, infusing me with a ferocious wave of desire that did not abate at all last night in the car. If anything, it’s made it worse becauseI knowhow good it is. How goodweare.

I smile when I see his eyepatch is still gone. It’s hard to resist the temptation to kiss him right on his scar.

“Morning,” he says, low and rough.

“Can you wake me up like this all the time?” I ask, breathy and star-struck.

Odin smirks. “If you want me to.”

“I do.”

Placing his hands on either side of my head, Odin peels himself off me. Instantly, I’m shivering and reaching for the sheets. “Breakfast is ready.”

Breakfast is between my legs, I want to say, but Juniper takes that as her cue to jump on the bed and worm her way between our bodies. “Juniper!” I screech with laughter when she steps all over my stomach. Odin moves out of the way as I shove Juniper off the bed. She trots out of the room, tail wagging happily, clearly pleased with herself. If she’s going to cock block me, then I’m sending her to Martise’s room.

“I’m coming,” I moan, throwing the sheets off my body and striding out of the bedroom. My stomach growls when I see the impressive breakfast spread on offer, but a familiar sound coming from my right overpowers my hunger. “Is that…?”

On the couch, Ford sits like the fucking Godfather, stroking the ginger kitten I found last night on its tiny head. The image of the two of them together makes me burst out into laughter. The kitten is so small it fits in Ford’s large palm, surrounded by bulging muscle. I glance over to Odin. He just shrugs and continues drinking his coffee.

“I’ve decided to name him Romeo,” Ford announces. “I will take no objections.”

I approach the couch, my feet propelling me across the room. God, I love kittens. “Romeo sounds wonderful,” I say and take a seat next to Ford. He passes me Romeo, who doesn’t seem to be happy about being separated from his knight in shining armor. But once I start to pet him and calm him with my voice, he purrs softly. The sound is so welcome I fight back tears.

Ford stands. “Dom wants to see you this afternoon,” he says to Odin. “Wedding prep.”

“What about me?” I ask.

“No, no,” He waves his hand. “The bride is to spend today relaxing. Martise is coming over to stay with you.”

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