Page 16 of My Karmic Destiny

“Welcome back, little reaper,” the strange dark-winged god greets me.

This time, I’m waking up on a massive, silk covered bed. I throw myself upright and launch off the bedding. “Why am I back here?”

“You aren’t excited to see me?” He steps closer. This time, he’s shirtless and his straight black hair drapes around his broad shoulders like a cape.

If I were into gods, he would be tempting, but fuck that noise.

He gives me a wink as he slides his hand over his washboard abs. Yeah, he knows what he’s putting down, hoping for me to pick up.

“Uh, I don’t know where you’re getting the idea that I’m into this schtick, but I don’t swing that way.”

He blinks at me. “What way?”

“Gods. Sorry, bro. I’m sure you think you’re irresistible and usually no one can say no to your charms. And I get it, your charms are not… insignificant.” I glance down at his perfectly formed body. But it doesn’t get me revving because I have a hot-as-sin boyfriend at home. “I’m not in the market for a self-centered god.”

“Oh, love. Aren’t you precious?” He side steps me to sit on the edge of his bed, pretending he wasn’t just stalking toward me like I was prey. “No. I don’t have any interest in rolling around naked with you and giving you the best orgasm of your life and ruining you for mortal men. Because, no offense, even as a demigod, you aren’t my type.”

Yep. I got it right—egomaniac.

“Reverse psychology isn’t going to work on me.” I smirk, crossing my arms.

An invisible rope loops around my waist, pulling me to stand between this god’s long, muscular legs. Our noses are close to touching. His voice drops to a threatening tone. “I don’t intend to act like the others in my pantheon, but if I choose to make you my plaything, I could make you worship at my feet. Make no mistake about that.”

I don’t flinch. I don’t give him the shiver of fear he wants to elicit. “Is there a point to this dream-napping?”

“Oh!” His entirely black eyes twinkle with mischief. “I love that phrase. Such a play on words. I’m keeping it.”

His hold on me is released, but I don’t immediately rush to take a step back. That will only confirm he’s rattling me. And he isn’t… not yet.

“Why am I here?” I say as evenly as I can. I suspect he’s much like the guys when I first arrived at the Karma house. He enjoys taunting me. Hewantsme to squirm.

He reaches out and trails a finger down my cheek and neck, stopping at my cleavage. “I thought you were going to claim all that luscious man meat down there in that big ole house,” he drawls.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Why do you care who I fuck?”

“I don’t. I’m just a facet of your subconscious. You want them, and I’m bubbling up to remind you of that.”

“So you really aren’t a god fucking with me?” I’m pretty damn sure that this is a god playing with me for pure entertainment or for some payback for helping to end a god’s life.

“Why would a god like me waste my time with a little, insignificant thing like you? What could I gain from you being with three guys? Logically, I’m only a dream. Existing only in your twisted head.”

“I don’t know. You could be the god of lust or something.” I tap my lip in thought. “But I’m not getting that vibe from you.”

He grins like we’re playing some game. “Silly, I represent the god of dreams. Isn’t it obvious? I am in your mind. You should have figured that out. And why wouldn’t your mind dream up a dream god? You think of everything in context to divinity. Is it surprising that I would be a character?”

“I suppose not.” I give up.

“Good. Now go after your dreams and all that delicious sex.” He dismisses me with a wave of his hand.

With that, I’m awakened to warm lips on my neck.

“What the fuck!” I bolt forward, knocking Dante off me and onto the floor.

“Tessa!” he gasps. “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Cautiously, he climbs back up onto my bed.

We’re both on top of the covers. I remember that I passed out after returning from work. Dante was probably trying to snuggle with me when I woke from my strange dream.

“I didn’t mean to wake up and send you flying.” I reach out to help him off the floor.

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