Page 19 of Sequel to the Easter Bunny

“This wasn’t exactly how I’d planned to have you again.” He presses his forehead to mine. “Say the word and we’ll go. We’ll find another way.”

I kiss him, letting this be gentle. “I think we both know there isn’t going to be another way.”

Do I think this is what Juun wanted, specifically? No.

But Lako doesn’t seem like the type to hide her appetites. She must have known what the Yule Cat would request… or at least have a vague idea.

Jack’s gaze is fixed on Lako, his jaw hardened, his eyes faintly narrowed…

“Why don’t you like her?”

His eyes meet mine again and there’s a pain in them I didn’t expect. “You’re not the first Ester sent to me.”

“I didn’t think I was.” I remember very clearly how he expected me to run in fear.

“Some of the others might be lurking in the shadows… All of them chose Lako’s servitude over me. I don’t relish the idea of sharing you with the god so many have already chosen over me before.”

All of them.

I don’t want to know how many.

I raise my hand to his cheek, brushing my fingers across the soft fur of his face. “I chose you. I would choose you every time, no matter who the other god on offer is.”

He catches my hand in his, pulling my fingers to his lips and kisses them. “I suppose we should both be glad the others ran.”

“We play Juun’s game, and get to make them jealous.” I can show any of the ones who rejected him exactly what they’re missing.

His eyes clear and his lips twitch with a smile as he shakes his head at me. “I don’t care if they’re jealous.”

“Okay.” But I plan to make sure everyone in this room regrets that they’re not the one who has him.

“This time is going to be soft and sweet, just like you.” I kiss him and draw in a deep breath. “She gets what we give her.”

When I turn to look back at Lako, there’s a sleigh bed in the open space before her throne and a wicked twitch to her whiskers.

“We want you to be comfortable.” She says, purring. “Never let it be said I’m not a gracious host.”

“Never.” I say, lowly enough that Jack will be the only one to hear.

He lifts me up again. My feet don’t touch the ground again until we’re back in front of Lako, but he very studiously avoids that bed.

“Do you plan to make me wait forever?” She asks with a low chuckle.

“Of course not.” Jack’s hands smooth over my shoulders, the sleeves of my gown drop to sag around my arms.

Lako’s eyes grow round as the fabric loosens.

“Ooo! Yes. Unwrap her.” She flutters her fingers together, clapping with no sound. “I love presents.”

Jack’s hand pauses at my stomach and I know the command in her words doesn’t sit well with him.

So I slide my arm from one sleeve and reach up, running my fingers through the hair at his neck. He looks down at me without any other prompting. “It’s okay if she thinks she’s in control. We both know better.”

This time, I don’t bother to lower my voice. I let her hear it, and it’s met with a chuckle I ignore.

“I like your pet, Eebie. She has a mouth on her.”

When I turn back to look at her, Lako smiles, all sharp teeth. “I’ll enjoy watching her use it.”

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