Page 64 of Primal God

You’re the best, Lili.

I don’t reply, because I don’t know if I am ‘the best’. There’s a part of me that really wants to wait a bit and tell him that Dimitri said no. I sigh as I get out of bed. But that’s not who I am. No, I’m the girl who makes her bed as soon as she gets up and then goes right into the bathroom for my morning skincare routine. Which also means I’m the girl who’s going to march down to Dimitri’s office and ask him if it’s okay if Adam picks me up.

I stall a bit longer by putting on make-up and pulling my hair into a high ponytail and dress in denim shorts and a dark blue t-shirt. My sneakers are khaki colored, in case we’re going hiking or something, which I really hope we aren’t.

Okay. Time to do this.

Out of habit, I check on the kids. Isadora isn’t in her crib, which means she’s likely with Dimitri. The twins are still fast asleep, so I close their door softly, so I don’t wake them.

I’m about to go downstairs when I hear Dimitri’s voice coming from the opposite direction. Of course, I knew his room was this way, but I’ve never had a reason to seek it out. Isadora’s giggle has me moving. His door is slightly ajar. I peek around the door to find him wearing grey sweatpants and nothing else. Isadora is on his bed, watching him as he holds up different shirts.

“What do you think of this one, my sweet girl? No? Me, either.” He tosses it aside. “This one?”

I clear my throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have a quick question. Well, two, really.”

Dimitri says, “Ask away.”

“One, what are you doing?”

His lips lift. “I was asking my fashion advisor which shirt she thinks I should wear.”

I move into the room, unable to stop myself. His scent lingers in the air, calling to me.

The room isn’t what I expected, making me wonder if he changed the style after his wife passed away. I only think this because there’s a definite vibe around the house that doesn’t carry to this room. The rest of the house is done in florals and has a feminine touch. This room is dark. Black walls, dark furniture, dark bedding, and not a personal effect in sight other than a photo of all four of his kids that sit on the dresser. Mychest is tight because I know the truth. I know there’s one more child that should be in the photo…

I say, “And how is Miss. Isadora doing at her job?”

“Well, she thinks I should wear the blue shirt, though I was leaning toward the black one.”

He holds up each respective shirt, but all I see is his sculpted chest. I immediately regret not feeling it when I had the chance in the pool.

Blinking, I ask, “What’s the occasion?”

“A date.”

That is literally the last thing I expect to come out of his mouth and my gaze snaps to his. He seems…unsure of himself.

“A date?” I let out a shaky laugh. “Wow. That’s not what I was expecting you to say.”

Especially considering what happened in the pool…mainly the part when he pushed me away. I thought at the time it was guilt over his wife, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe it was guilt because he’s been talking to someone else and felt like he was cheating on that person.

His gaze searches mine. “Well? Which one?”

“You always look good in black.” I back up. “I should go.”

“Lilith.”

The one word has me stopping.

“Yes?”

“You said you had two questions.”

“Oh. Right. Would it be okay if my friend picked me up here? He’s not going to stay or?—”

“It’s fine.” He smiles. “Enjoy your day off.”

I nod and take a step toward the door before stopping. I’m so damn conflicted that it’s hard to think, much less walk. He’s been pestering me, wanting to know my boyfriend’s name, and then today it’s like none of that matters. Dread swirls through me. What if I’ve read the situation wrong this entire time? Whatif he wanted to know Adam’s name because he wants to make sure I’m safe? What if I’m the one who made it into something it’s not?

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