Page 18 of Protected By Artemis

With her tongue, if possible.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Cade’s smirking face disappeared as she transported herself back to Olympus, just outside of Hephaestus’s workshop. She braced a hand against the wooden door as her knees nearly gave out.

Ugh, that was so stupid! What the hell did I do?

She’d made out with her sister-in-law’s brother in his office, that’s what she did.

And loved every minute of it.

“Oh gods,” she gasped. After all this time, she didn’t really think she’d ever feel that way about any man. She thought that she’d put aside those feelings, those wants long ago, but?—

“Are you just gonna stand there looking like you wanna puke your guts out, or are you gonna come in?” the voice from the doorbell camera asked.

“Yes, I’m coming in,” she called. “Just give me a sec.”Get yourself together! For Olympus’s sake, you’re a goddess, not some horny teenager with a crush.

This wasn’t about her or even Cade, after all, she reminded herself. This was for Geri, for her pack. Someone was trying to hurt them, and she made a promise to help find out who it was. She couldn’t let her hormones get in the way.

Yes, from here on out, things would stay strictly professional between her and Cade.

Chapter 4

Cade

The sun shone brightly over the pristine beaches of South Cay in the Turks and Caicos. The private island was a hidden gem, a paradise of lush greenery and turquoise waters. The air was warm and fragrant, carrying the gentle sounds of the ocean waves and the distant calls of exotic birds.

This idyllic setting was the perfect backdrop for the annual West Coast Alphas Convention, where the alphas gathered to discuss pack matters and, for Cade and Artemis, conduct their covert investigation.

He glanced around, taking in the breathtaking scenery. The clear blue waters and swaying palm trees were a far cry from the rugged landscapes of Alaska. Beside him, Artemis adjusted her enormous sun hat, which covered her face.

“That hat is ridiculous,” he grumbled. “It’s bigger than some of the palm trees here.” Still, he couldn’t stop looking at her luscious mouth and thinking aboutthat kissfrom yesterday.

That soul-altering kiss that had his cock aching all night and had him jerking himself off at least twice just so he could get some sleep.

“It matches my outfit perfectly. Besides, it’s functional. You don’t want me to get sunburned, do you?”

“Do you even sunburn?” he asked, leaning close. “Aren’t you a god?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course I burn, but I can heal myself. But why go through all that pain and trouble?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, you win. But if it blocks my view one more time, I might accidentally ‘lose’ it.”

“Welcome to our island,” a concierge greeted them warmly. “Mr. Andersen, here is your key. Your villa is number seven, with a beautiful view of the ocean. We hope you enjoy your stay.”

He thanked the staff, and they walked through the resort, a cluster of elegant villas, each designed to offer luxury and privacy, nestled amidst the island’s natural beauty.

“What a view,” Artemis said as they stepped into their villa. It was spacious, with large windows overlooking the ocean, a private pool, and a veranda perfect for late-night strategy sessions.

As they settled into the villa, he glanced at her. “Remember why we’re here. We need to figure out if any of the alphas might be behind the bombing.”

She nodded, her expression serious. “I know. We’ll have to tread carefully and gather as much information as we can without drawing too much attention.”

“First, we’ll mingle, get a sense of who’s here and what they’re up to. Then, we can start probing for any leads.”

She set her sun hat aside and turned to him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Sure, but first, I want to go for a swim.” Without waiting for a response, she snapped her fingers, her dress replaced by a bikini, before diving into the pool.

He watched her swim gracefully, her form easily cutting through the water. She then floated on her back, looking thoroughly at peace. He decided to join her and bombed into the pool, sending a splash in all directions.

---