Page 83 of For the Love of the Gods

Dominic had changed into a black long sleeve since this morning—I was pretty sure the navy shirt he’d started the day with had a rip in the neckline now, torn by my hands perched on the dining room table—and had pushed the sleeves up to his elbows.

I almost groaned in annoyance. He looked perfect.

His mouth pulled into an amused grin, close to a full smile, at the state of disarray. “What happened here?”

I gestured towards the remaining books, spreading my hands out. “I had an idea.”

Dominic looked down at the books then to my Shadowwalkers emerging from one of the hidden rows. He smirked at something in their tall, strong builds, but kept quiet.

“About?” he asked, both our hands still on the book. The closest we’d ever get to holding hands.

“I was looking at zealots and religious groups to…” I trailed off, searching for the right words.

“Looking for someone who would retaliate at the loss of an identity,” Dominic finished.

“Yes, like Odell said.”

“Hmm,” Dominic hummed. “Look into the Thanatos Society yet?”

“Just did,” I breathed, unsure what to do with a conversation where we agreed. “Marcus is going to talk with Raiden.”

“Good idea,” Dominic said, then pulled the book from my hand. “You have a lot of those, hidden behind those pretty eyes.”

“Don’t sound so shocked,” I bit back, reaching for the book again. Dominic shook his head but leaned towards me, crowing me against the bookshelf. He leaned over me, bringing his face down right over mine, static sparking the tip of my nose.

My eyes zeroed in on his lips, waiting for the moment he touched them to mine in a savage hold. Just a little closer.

Right as I was moving my hands up to pull him towards me, I heard the powdery slip of a book being reshelved next to my ear. Dominic pulled back, smirk on his lips instead of my own.

I kept theAssholerestrained, just so he didn’t know he'd taken something I wanted.

Dominic went back to shelving like the tension in the room didn’t kick up a notch. If this was how it was always going to be around him from now on, I’d never know a moment’s peace.

But somehow I couldn’t find the words to complain.

The books were all back to their resting spots and the floor looked normal again within a few minutes. I sent the Shadowwalkers back to their shaded origins and turned to Dominic, who was leaning on the bookshelves, arms crossed.

I swallowed, and immediately tried to distract from Dominic’s knowing stare at the motion. “Why did you come in here?”

“I’m going to Purgatory to grab the taxes deposit,” Dominic explained. “Figured you might want to come with.”

I did, actually. Surprisingly. Whatever. “And willingly spend time with you?”

“Oh, we spend plenty of time together,” Dominic said, drawing out the last word. I forced my lips into a frown that I was pretty sure looked more like a pout than anything. Dominic was the only person I knew who could actually frown. And look good doing it.

I plowed right through that reminder. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Dominic didn’t move from the bookshelf. “Try again. With a little more feeling this time.”

I breathed out, huffing. “Dominic, can we please go to Purgatory?”

“Well, when you beg like that, I guess we should,” Dominic said, finally pushing off the bookshelf. I tried to scowl at his back as he walked toward the door, leaving me behind.

I walked after him and right through a portal to the gates of Purgatory. He stopped abruptly, sending me crashing into his hard back. My hands were squished between us low on his spine and I used them to push off.

As I took a step back, Dominic turned quickly, snatching up my left hand and sliding something onto my fourth finger.

“That felt like an attempt to break my finger. Try hard—” I broke off when I looked down at my hand, all words lost.

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