Page 16 of Sweet Obsession

“Out of the question.”

I didn’t honestly expect him to agree, but when bargaining, it’s important to start with the most outlandish ask and then negotiate your way to what you really want. “I understand that I can’t attend confidential meetings, but aside from that.”

“The shipyard is no place for tourists. You’re going to get yourself killed, and I just got done promising to keep you safe. No.” He shakes his head sharply. “I’ll put Orion on your security detail, butyou’re not leaving the house.”

We’re getting closer, but we’re not quite there yet. “Poseidon.” The way his body clenches when I say his name brings to mind all sorts of interesting possibilities. I’d love to say that my focus is solely on manipulation, but the truth is I’ve been depressingly celibate since arriving in Olympus. It’s too dangerous to take people to bed not knowing where their alliances stand. Ironic, considering the very outcome my father was afraid of is the one I’m living right now. Captivity. Being used against Circe. A traitor to my people.

Poseidon licks his lips. They’re very nice lips. Sensual and full and completely at odds with his perfectly groomed beard. He’s such an interesting combination of rough and gentle. It intrigues me despite myself. Finally, he says, “What?”

“You’re the only person in this city who seems to give a damn if I live or die.” The words are intentional, but it doesn’t make them less true. Fuck, that’s depressing. I push through, not willing to spiral right now. There will be plenty of time for that later. “I only feel safe with you.”

I’m close enough to him that he has nowhere to back up to, but he crosses his arms over his chest, almost as if they can be a barrier between us. “There are places I’m going on a day-to-day basis where you can’t come with me, Icarus. You want safety, and not being at my side is what’s required to give you that safety.”

Almost there. I have him just where I want him. I allow my shoulders to dip, my spine to wilt. It hurts, but it’s worth it to see the way his eyes go soft. “But what about at night? I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep, considering the last time I did, I woke up with a knife embedded in my skin.” Not strictly the truth, but it servesfor dramatic purposes.

He shifts from foot to foot. It’s a slight movement but it’s there all the same. I really do make him nervous. How fucking delightful. He swallows. “What do you suggest?”

“I want to sleep with you.” I sink enough insinuation into the words to make his flush deepen quite prettily. I laugh and press a hand to my cheek. “Wow. That sounded like I was coming on to you, didn’t it? But you understand what I mean, don’t you? I feel safe with you, which means I’ll actually be able to sleep. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

He stares at me for a long time. Long enough that I have to fight the urge to fidget. There’s a wealth of knowledge in his amber eyes, and I have the sudden sneaking suspicion that he sees right through me. I’ve done this song and dance before; I’ve used seduction to ensure safety or gather information or any number of things I’ve needed in the moment. It’sseductionthat paved the way for my archive of blackmail material. I’m good at it. Fucking spectacular, even. And yet this big man doesn’t seem to be falling for it.

I guess I need to up my game. Or that’s what I tell myself as I take the small step forward that brings us almost chest to chest. He drops his arms in surprise and I take advantage of that new space to press my hands to his pecs. Fuck, he’s huge. He’s easily six inches taller than me and his shoulders are twice as wide. He could destroy me.

But he stands there, perfectly still, as I shift up onto my toes. “Unless you want me to seduce you?”

His mouth moves and he stammers. Actually fucking stammers. “I…uh…what?” It’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. Poseidonclears his throat. “No. That isn’t necessary. I said I would protect you, and you don’t need to be in my bed to ensure it happens.”

Maybe not, but it’s a good way to tip the scale in my favor. Sex creates intense emotions in most people. Maybe not at first, but give it enough time and that shared intimacy starts to mean something. I’ve never let that get in the way of my end goals, but my partners start to feel special, valued, like they can trust me with their deepest secrets. Andthat’swhere the real value is. Having sex with Poseidon is no great sacrifice. He’s handsome and shows every evidence of being kind and considerate. I’d still do it even if he wasn’t, but it certainly makes for a more pleasurable experience.

I press even closer until our breath mingles in the bare space between our lips. “I don’tneedto be in your bed…but maybe Iwantto be.”

“Icarus.” On his lips, my name is a plea for mercy.

Too bad I have none. “Poseidon.” I shift one of my hands to the back of his neck and dig my fingers into his thick red hair. I pull, mostly to angle his head to where I want it, but the moment I do, his knees buckle.

His. Knees. Buckle.

He catches himself on the edge of the counter and stares down at me with something like wonder. Maybe that’s the sensation in my chest right now, warm and strange and confusing. Surely Poseidon isn’t submissive. He’s one of the Thirteen, for gods’ sake. I’ve read my father’s reports. He runs his teams of people with an iron fist and a mutual respect. I anticipated him being tough and strong and maybe a little kind, but not enough to outweigh his dominance.

And yet that same man is staring down at me with his eyes too wide and his lips parted. As if I’ve shocked him. As if I’ve introduced him to something he didn’t even know he needed.

This development should be enough to cause me to retreat, to come at this from a different angle, but I can’t escape the look in his eyes. I can’t stop myself from tugging on his hair again, harder this time. Hewhimpers.

Holy fuck.

I don’t make the decision to kiss him. My body does it for me. I guide him closer, and he moves with my touch, putty in my hands. And then his mouth is on mine, and all my plans dissolve in the rush of sheer need. He tastes like the spices of the meal we just ate, and he has to be approaching forty, but his lips are almost tentative against mine. As if he’s waiting for me to guide this connection.

Later, I’ll have to figure out what the fuck I feel about this, but right now I’m riding on instinct. I bite his bottom lip, wanting to hear that whimper again. Wanting to taste it. He gives me exactly what I desire. I suspect he’s gripping the counters right now because he very carefully doesn’t touch me. He letsmetouchhim.

But only a hand in his hair and one pressed against his chest so I can feel his racing heart—and itisracing. For me. Because I’m kissing him. Power surges through me, heightening my desire, turning it into something even stronger than I could have anticipated. I kiss him harder, deeper. This was meant to be a soft, careful seduction. But there’s no room for either of those things now. Not when his hands finally touch me, his palms pressing to my hips, his fingers digging into the curve of my ass. He moans against my tongue and pulls me hard against him, obviously craving more contact with asmuch fervor as I do.

The press of his chest to mine sends a wave of agony through me. My wounds. I’d completely forgotten. My sound of pain is barely a whisper, but somehow he hears it. Poseidon rips his mouth from mine and uses his hold on my hips to set me away from him. “That’s enough.”

I stare at him, my breath coming hard in my lungs. There’s no space for argument, but as my heart slows and my lungs settle in my chest once more, knowledge takes root inside me. It’s not enough.

It won’t be enough until I possess him fully.

10

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