Page 44 of Primal God

Lilith says, “Okay, let’s get inside so we can take our baths. Dinner will be ready by then.”

The twins rush inside, and Lilith turns to me.

“I’ll put away all the pool toys before I go to bed.”

Honestly, the pool toys are the last thing on my mind, but I manage a nod. She gives me a small smile before following the twins.

When she’s gone, I exhale. Fuck. I need another drink.

A few hours later, I’m back in the kitchen, trying to tell myself that I’m not here just so I can see Lilith outside. And I know she’s out there, because I saw her on the security feed. She’s standing on the patio, smiling down at her phone, still in her swimsuit. Something pulls deep in my chest. What orwhois making her smile like that?

She types on her phone before setting it aside. Is it João? Is that who she’s talking to? I fucking hate that the thought makes me jealous of my son. Besides, he has a girlfriend. Does Lilith know that? Is she the type to even care? That thought has me going outside just as she dives into the pool.

She emerges and stops when she sees me. “Oh! Dr. Santos. I didn’t know you were out here.”

“I was just coming out for a swim.” What the fuck. Where did that even come from? “Mind if I join you?”

Her throat bobs as she swallows. “Uh, sure.”

I point to the pool house. “I’ll be right back.”

In the pool house, I close the door behind me and exhale loudly. Well, now I’ve done it. But I’m also not one to back downfrom a challenge, so I grab my black swim trunks and change. It takes a bit longer than usual because I have to fight my fucking hard-on, which is still noticeable when I walk out. Thankfully, it’s dark outside, so maybe she won’t notice. I dive into the pool in the deep end, hoping and praying the cool water helps.

When I reemerge, Lilith smiles at me.

“What?”

“It’s just funny seeing you with your hair out of place. You’re usually so put together.”

I shake my head, making her laugh more. “I guess that didn’t help?”

“Not much.”

I swim closer to her. “So, Ms. Wolfe, how did bath time go?”

“Better than usual. Clara was pretty tired.” She snorts. “And I learned my lesson with adding bubbles the first time, so no more mishaps.”

“I’m sure there’s a story there.”

“Just one that involves a lot of bubbles that took forever to clean up.”

I smile. “I see.”

A silence settles between us, but it’s not uncomfortable. Lilith leans back, floating on her back.

“I love it out here,” she says. “João never realized how lucky he was to have this.”

She’s looking up at the night sky, a wistful look on her face.

“I bought this land because of the views. Serafina never cared that we could see the stars out here, but I did.” I glance at her. “Did João ever show you the greenhouse?”

“There’s a greenhouse? Where?”

“Through the woods. The view of the sky is even better out there, if you can imagine. You should check it out sometime.”

“Maybe I will.” She reaches for one of the pool floaties, hugging it to her chest so she can face me as she flips over. “Your kids are pretty wonderful, Dr. Santos.”

“What brought that on?”

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