Poseidon followed the path of Kiiara’s freckles, tracing along her stomach with his finger. It was the break of dawn, and light filtered through a crack between the blinds and window, allowing him to admire the sexy curves of the sleeping beauty.

He hadn’t slept the two hours since she’d fallen asleep, but held her in his arms and listened to her steady breaths. There was little in his life that gave him joy. Ennui was a significant problem for him and his fellow Gods and Goddesses. For the first time in centuries, he was enjoying himself, especially the feel of her against him. It had been the best night of his life, making love to her time and time again. She was an incredible lover, and he was tempted to wake her for another round.

His mind told him that was a bad idea. He shouldn’t have had sex with Kiiara at all. They were going to part ways soon and never see each other again, and that thought had his gut twisting.

Kiiara stirred and slowly opened her sky-blue eyes. When she stared longingly the way she was now, Poseidon lost all reason. “Morning, beautiful. Sleep well?” he asked as he continued caressing her soft skin.

“Mm, good morning. What little sleep I got, yes,” Kiiara murmured and grinned slightly, her lip lifting at the corner.

“You’ll get no apologies from me. It’s not my fault your body is so demanding,” he teased and traced upward to outline the full part of her breast. He felt goose bumps dance across her skin and she giggled.

“No apologies needed, and, other than my muscles screaming in pain, I feel like a new woman. I am famished, though. Think Gabriella and crew are awake yet?” she asked as her foot found his beneath the sheet and rubbed against it.

“I haven’t heard anyone, but I imagine they’ll be up any minute now. We should shower and go downstairs to see,” Poseidon suggested as he watched Kiiara’s nipple pucker under his scrutiny.

Kiiara quickly jumped from the bed and dashed to the bathroom shouting, “I get first dibs on the shower.” She started to close the door, then cracked it, poking her head into the bedroom. “And you stay put. I can’t handle another couple’s retreat right now,” she declared with a sexy smile and shut the door.

Poseidon laid in bed thinking about Kiiara and what he was going to do. He wanted to lavish her with attention and show her how much she’d come to mean to him but that seemed cruel. He didn’t see the point when he would turn around and leave her in a few days. No, he needed to put distance between them.

Poseidon contemplated taking Kiiara home, but he was in a hurry to get to the Bahamas and plan his attack on Hain. He was so close to retrieving his trident he could taste it. He felt confident that the traitorous man hadn’t connected to its power after Gabriella’s description of what she had witnessed a few days ago.

Lost in thought, he didn’t hear Kiiara exit the bathroom. When she plopped down on the bed beside him, he jumped.

“Wow, where were you just now?” she asked and kissed him lightly on the lips. That fast, his cock hardened and lust slammed home.

How he wanted this female for his own. Kiiara made him feel alive like nothing he’d felt before. But she wasn’t a part of his world and never would be. Poseidon had to accept it and move on.

He broke the kiss, needing to put distance between them. “Just going over the plan for the Bahamas. I’m going to shower, and we’ll say our goodbyes and get going.”

Kiiara roamed a hand down his chest. “I was kind of hoping you would ignore what I said and join me in the shower. I was lonely in there,” she confessed and her eyes hooded as desire swam behind pools of blue.

He resisted the temptation to ravage her even though every cell in his body craved another taste. He picked up her hand from where it played with the fine hairs on his chest and kissed the tips of her fingers. “We need to get going. Hain will be there soon, and I don’t want to miss this opportunity. Go on down and join the others. Eat something, and I’ll be there after I clean up,” he instructed and stood.

He didn’t miss the hurt that flashed behind her eyes, but he couldn’t console her. It was killing him, but he had to do this. It was best.

“Fine,” she spat.

Kiiara quickly jumped from the bed and stormed out of the room. He knew enough about women to know she wasn’t fine. He had hurt and angered her. Maybe that was best, he thought, as he got up and walked into the bathroom.

As he glanced at his reflection in the small mirror, his subconscious yelled loud and clear.

You dumb sonovabitch!

* * *

Kiiara stormed from the bedroom and resisted the urge to slam the door. Poseidon’s comment cut deep, and tears burned her eyes as she fought to hold them back.

As soon as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, Gabriella’s smile quickly vanished when she met Kiiara’s gaze.

“What’s wrong, sistren?” Gabriella asked and stopped stirring the contents in a large bowl.

“I don’t know. I’ll never understand men,” Kiiara sighed and plopped down on a barstool at the island.

“Gwaan, all of you,” Gabriella blurted, shooing the kids out of the kitchen, then turned to Kiiara. “Tell me what happened.”

Kiiara waited until she thought the kids were out of earshot. “I don’t understand. We had the most incredible night if you know what I mean,” she said and looked knowingly at Gabriella.

The woman nodded her head and sashayed around the counter to sit beside Kiiara. “And then this morning, he’s acting like the sight of me is repulsive. I shouldn’t be surprised, I knew he would break my heart, but it sucks,” she shared with a shrug.

“From my experience, these immortals are fools. If Poseidon can’t see how fortunate he is to have you, he never will. Run as fast as you can and don’t look back. It’s a heartache you don’t want, trust me,” she admitted and patted Kiiara’s hand.

“Like I said, I knew the score. I just figured he’d bid me adieu in a few days. I wanted to make the most of our time together. Now, I wish last night didn’t happen,” Kiiara confessed.

That was a lie. If Kiiara hadn’t made love to Poseidon, it would’ve eaten at her for the rest of her life. Regret didn’t come from things people did, but those that they didn’t do, and she couldn’t live that way. Kiiara would always be grateful for the experience with him, just not the aftermath.

“Be thankful that you know where you stand. It’s so much worse to pine for something you will never have,” Gabriella shared, and Kiiara had to agree. Her situation with Hain was unimaginable, and Kiiara didn’t think she would’ve been near as strong in Gabriella’s shoes.

“I suppose you’re right. Maybe this is for the best. It might’ve been too hard to say goodbye if our bliss had continued for a couple more days,” she reasoned.

“Good morning,” Poseidon boomed as he walked into the kitchen. Kiiara’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him. Freshly showered, his long blond hair was pulled back and fastened with a leather tie. His black t-shirt and leather pants paid homage to his perfectly sculpted body.

That fast, her mouth watered as she eyed him from head to toe, remembering the way he felt underneath her as he satisfied her need.

“Good morning,” Gabriella answered then added, “coffee, either of you?” Kiiara nodded enthusiastically even though a jolt of caffeine might not be the best idea for her raging desire.

Poseidon shook his head then looked towards the back of the house. “Do you mind if I check out the damages now that I can see it better? There might be something of significance,” he professed.

“Suit yourself. Breakfast will be ready shortly if you’re hungry,” Gabriella conveyed as she poured batter into a hot skillet. Kiiara couldn’t wait to taste her pancakes, imagining they were going to be epic, and her stomach rumbled in anticipation.

“I’m good, but please feed this one,” Poseidon said and lightly tugged Kiiara’s hair. Kiiara looked his way, and he grinned. Why was he smiling and acting playful now? A few minutes ago he hadn’t wanted anything to do with her.

Her half-smile must’ve hit a nerve because Poseidon grabbed her hand and tugged. “We need to talk,” he gritted and pulled as he led them through the house and out the back door.

When they stepped outside, Kiiara jerked her hand from his. “What? I didn’t even get my coffee,” she snapped and glared at stormy eyes.

“If I hurt your feelings before, I apologize. I wasn’t pushing you away. I’ve got a lot on my mind where Hain is concerned, that’s all,” he explained and shoved hands in his front pockets.

Really? That was it. No hug, no embrace, no kiss-and-make-up? This man was a piece of work. If that’s how he wanted to play, Kiiara could play it better.

“You didn’t so don’t worry about it. As soon as I eat, we can get going. I’m as anxious as you are to find Hain and take back what belongs to you,” she replied.

Poseidon’s brows furrowed but he didn’t say anything. After a few moments of silence, Kiiara turned and walked back into the house, making sure to sway her hips just right.

That’s right, she thought, you’re going to miss this when it’s gone.