Page 111 of About Love and Revenge

Before I can respond, Odin comes to meet me, lifts me into his arms so I'm eye-level with him, and gives me a kiss so deep it instantly warms me all over.

I'm exhausted, emotionally drained from the doctor’s appointment, but after he hugs me, I'm pretty sure I'm also in my favorite place in the world.

“I missed you,” I confess. I don't usually reveal too much about my feelings for him, but today I need his warmth more than ever.

It's so rare for me to say something like that, that Odin pulls back a little so he can look at me. “Hey, what happened? Did the doctor say something that upset you? We can look for another one.”He says it all at once as he walks me to our room.

Odin isn't the anxious type, and his reaction shows me what Zoe has already said: that it’s getting through to him how much our relationship means to him.

“It was okay, I think. I just need to cuddle for a moment.”

As much as we love each other madly, this time there's nothing sexual about the way we're touching.

“I love your scent.”I think that telling the doctor so many things that I kept tucked away ended up breaking down the walls of protection I've hidden behind throughout my life.

After he lays me down on the bed but before coming closer, he stares at me. He's smiling a full-faced smile, and once again I think about how handsome he is.

“You hardly ever smile.”

“I didn't have much reason to smile before I met you.”

“Does that mean I do you good?”

“That's a very simple way of looking at things.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not today. No confessions. Let's just be together. When you're ready to tell me about the doctor, I want to know everything he said.”

“We can talk now. He wants to form a team with other professionals, like a psychologist, for example.”

“Does he already have specific people in mind, or do we need to look some up? If you think that's okay, I'd like to join you at some of your appointments. See how I can help.”

God, how can he be like this? How can I not be crazy about this man when he seems to know all the right things to say?

“I know you don't like being controlled, but I just want to stay by your side and understand better how to do my part.”

I place my fingers over his lips. “I adore you, Odin Lykaios.”

“Is that ayes?”

I kiss his mouth unhurriedly. “That's ayes.”

Masquerade Night

MANHATTAN - NEW YORK

I try not to run away the minute I enter the hall hand in hand with Odin, having no doubt that everyone present is looking at us.

He's kept our fingers entwined tightly since we got out of the car, and I'm grateful. As soon as we stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the venue, dozens of photographers were waiting for us. It seemed like the flashes were coming from all directions, which made my tension rise.

“Elina, the party is perfect,” Zoe says, as if she understands my nervousness. She is arm in arm with Christos, just steps away from us.

“Thanks,” I finally reply.

At my answer, Odin turns to look at me. “Have I told you that you look beautiful?” he asks, with a smile so sexy itmakes my knees go weak.

As always happens, in seconds it feels like it's just the two of us. “A few times, but I don't mind hearing it again. You're not so hard on the eyes either.”

---