Page 220 of The Delta's Rogue
“We should go to the banquet hall for dinner.” I say the words, but I don’t move an inch.
He chuckles. “No one will care if I’m not there.”
“Hera might—”
“Hera gave up her right to care when she left me for Poseidon.”
He drops the information casually, like it doesn’t affect him in the slightest, but under his indifference is a hint of enmity.
“She left you?”
“She did.”
Thatisnews. No matter how often or how far Zeus strayed, Hera stayed at his side. For her to leave now, after all this time…
He takes advantage of my stunned silence and spins me to face him. “Your main excuse is no longer a concern.” His demeanor switches back to that of a paramour, as if we’re two secret lovers meeting within a hedge maze. “What else is holding you back, Selene? Why won’t you give in to this undeniable chemistry between us?”
Massive hands roam my body—up my hips and into the dip of my waist, then around to the small of my back. I hate every second of it. A shiver of disgust shakes me, and my hands brace myself against his broad chest.
I lower my eyelids to hide the true sentiment fueling the tiny shiver. “I’m only here for the night. I return to the moon tomorrow.”
“I can visit you there.”
“You know that’s not allowed.”
“It is if you invite me.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” I repeat weakly. My words deny him, but I do nothing to convince him any part of me agrees with what I’m saying.
“Such a flimsy argument, especially when I can sense how much you want this. I can hear your heart racing and feel your skin warming under my touch.”
If only he knew the racing heart is because I dread what I must do. If only he knew my skin is heated because of the anger I keep shoving aside so I don’t ruin everything.
I pretend to consider his words, that I’m engaged in some inner debate. I trail my fingers along the V-neck of his shirt, teasing his collarbone, as I give him a resigned sigh. “It can only be one night, Zeus. This one night, and that’s it.”
“One night?”
I strip my dress off and drop it to the floor as my answer. He rakes his gaze over me, and a groan vibrates in his chest.
My throat tightens, and even though I want to push him away, I don’t.
His touch switches from gentle to fierce and controlling as he tugs me flush against him, hovering his lips over mine. “Then I guess I have one night to convince you to make it more.”
I stare at theceiling. The sheet stretches across my bare chest, tucked under my arm to keep me covered.
Zeus lies on his back beside me with one arm slung behind his head. He breathes deeply, satisfied and relaxed after our three rounds. Three seemingly unending rounds.
The virility of the male gods surprises me at times. It shouldn’t, but it does.
While Zeus is sated, smug, and fulfilled, I’m empty and hating myself—hating him. Hating that his actions forced me to degrade myself. That what I experienced with him is only a fraction of what my females went through at the hands of those involved in Zeus’s foul scheme. Hating that all it took for those weak males to act on their depraved thoughts was a nudge in that direction from someone with power and influence. Zeus and Lyall gave them the tools, but those men were the ones who turned their depraved fantasies into reality.
Those men are dead now. But what’s stopping Zeus from starting over with others? What’s stopping him from finding a new scapegoat?
This has to end. That’s why I was willing to play this part—to seduce him. So my wolves can have their revenge.
I slide out of the bed—thank the stars Zeus is not the cuddling type—and slip my dress on before heading to the bathing area. I press my finger to my lips as I peer around the privacy screen to silence my guest. It’s unnecessary,though.
Brenna sits on the floor, her knees hugged to her chest and her stare vacant. My appearance catches her eye, and she uncurls herself. Her body moves like it’s on autopilot as she exits the bathroom.
