The rain picks up as we reach the treeline. Soon, my clothes are completely soaked through and my body shakes from the biting cold in the woods. I think to ask Ari where he’s taking me but I save my effort. I doubt he’d tell me anyway.

And a surprise or two never killed anybody.

I hope.

After a few minutes, I spot a cabin in the distance. Thunder shakes the trees over our heads again. The torrents come harder and Ari picks up our pace a little. I’m nearly out of breath by the time we reach the cabin. It comes out as gentle, white wisps in the air and I begin counting the moments before we get inside.

If we can even get inside.

Does anybody live here?

Ari doesn’t pause. We step up onto the porch and he turns the doorknob, pushing it open as if he owns the place.

Hell, maybe he does.

“Come on,” he says, tugging me in. “It’s warm.”

I step inside and — oh, yes — is it warm. A fire burns in the fireplace across the room. I kick off my soaking wet sandals and bolt toward it, falling to my knees on the plush carpet in front. I take deep breaths, heating myself up from the inside out as I tease my fingertips with the dancing flames.

“Here.”

I look up to find Ari standing over me holding a large bath towel.

“Thank you,” I say, gladly taking it and draping it over my trembling shoulders.

He turns and I watch him as he takes his jacket off and hangs it on a hook by the door. His shirt and pants are as soaked through as mine are but I wonder if he even feels it. Does he feel anything at all? Warmth? Cold?

Does a god feel pain?

I close my mouth, too nervous to even ask.

Ari clinks around the kitchenette and I turn back to the flames, embracing the warmth as much as I can.

“Would you like some tea?” he asks.

“Yes, please,” I answer.

He pulls two mugs from the cupboard and sets them down by the stove.

I scan the cabin again, nodding at the rustic, yet modern, furniture. Interesting decor, but I really like it. It’s homely and comfortable and I find myself settling into the carpet a little more.

“Nice place,” I say. “Is it yours?”

“No.”

I chortle. “Then, whose is it?”

“It’s yours.”

I rub the towel to dry my fingers. “What?”

Ari pours a bit of steaming water into the mugs from a kettle — though I’m certain I never heard it scream. “We needed somewhere to go,” he says. “You thought it up and I made it happen.”

I open my mouth to argue but as I look around again, I realize that he’s telling the truth. This place, right down to the shaggy rug and the paintings on the walls... I’ve imagined it before.

A home fit for a hermit like me.

Ari walks over and sets the two mugs down on the coffee table by the rug. “That’s it?” he asks. “No argument?”

I smile. “Let’s just say it wouldn’t be the wildest thing I’ve seen today.” I pick up the mug and bring it to my nose to inhale its warmth. “Thank you,” I tell him again.

Ari lowers himself down with a smile. “You’re welcome,” he says as he settles beside me.

I blow into the mug before taking a sip. I recognize the scent inside; the same herbal tea that’s been my favorite since I was a child. Should be no surprise that the cabin of my dreams is stocked full of it.

I swallow it down with closed eyes, relishing in it as it spreads throughout my body. My chilled fingers tremble against the mug. I hold it tighter to try and get warmer but even the burning fire can’t combat my soaking clothes.

Ari silently rises to his knees and shifts to kneel behind me. He rests his hands on my shoulders and I freeze as curiosity takes hold of me. He slowly rubs my arms along the towel, sparking a little heat to climb up my shoulders.

“Do you mind?” he asks.

I shake my head once. “No. What about you?” I ask.

“What about me?”

“Do you get cold? I mean... colder than you already are.”

I hear the amusement in his voice as he says, “No.”

“Must be nice.” I turn my head a little to see the slightest edge of his face behind me. “Do you feel... the heat of the fire?”

“I feel everything you do,” he says. “The only difference is that my survival doesn’t depend on it the way yours does.”

“You don’t get sick?”

“No,” he answers.

“Do you get hungry?”

“No.”

“But you eat,” I say, raising my mug. “And drink. I’ve seen it myself.”

“I do because I enjoy it.”

“Do you feel pleasure?”

I close my mouth the second the word passes my lips. His hands pause on my arms and I stiffen, silently hoping he doesn’t acknowledge the question.

“Yes,” he answers.

I set my mug down and clear my throat. “Cool,” I say, cringing.

Ari’s hands move again, slowly abandoning the safe spots on my arms. They climb to my shoulder blades with added pressure and he draws slow, purposeful circles with his thumbs. I think to say something but the ripples of heat spreading along my spine feel far too good. I close my eyes in simple, quiet submission as his hands rise to the back of my neck.

“Tannis.”

I flinch, his voice right behind my ear. “Yes?”

His warm breath tickles my nape. I wait for him to speak, either through voice or some form of telepathy, but he doesn’t. It’s almost as if he tries but can’t find the words. It’s strange, to say the least. Never thought I’d see a god speechless.

Finally, I feel his mouth press into my skin, right where neck meets shoulder. One small, simple kiss and my heart pulses with lightning.

He turns his head away. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“No, it’s okay, I...” I nearly stop myself but the diminishing chill urges me on. “I want you to.”

Ari goes quiet again. The rain echoes in my ears, tapping louder and louder against the roof above. The fire crackles with an undying flame. My pulse pounds in my ears, counting down to… I’m not even sure what.

I can’t believe I said that. Should I take it back? I should take it back.

Shit.

His lips graze my skin again and my toes twitch. The towel slowly falls from my shoulder, guided by his hands. He pushes my hair to the left and kisses me again, this time full of heat and longing. My survival instincts flare up. His kiss, his touch. It’s keeping me warm. My skin loses its biting edge.

But I want more.

I flick the buttons on my cardigan. Ari pauses, obviously observing as I pull it back off my shoulders. He takes hold of it and helps slide it off my arms, leaving them bare and wet as I shiver in my tank top. He tosses it away, along with the towel and bends down to kiss the skin between my shoulder blades.

I let out a trembling gasp; rugged and involuntary. Ari reaches one hand around me and rests it on my belly while the other slowly slides the strap down on my tank top. I allow myself to lean back, gently guided by his firm touch. I rest my head on his shoulder as he kisses me harder on the neck and pulls me closer to him.

“Tannis,” he whispers, his lips on my earlobe. “You feel amazing.”

I can’t say a word, completely lost in a cocoon of warmth, but I still tremble in cold, wet clothes. His hands glide down past my breasts, gripping the bottom of my tank — but he stops himself. I feel the hesitation on his breath as he battles with himself.

I shift, driven by nothing more than instinct, and slowly turn around to face him on my knees. Ari watches me, his eyes maintaining a gentleman’s focus on mine, as I slowly pull my tank off over my head. My chest heaves in my white bra as I drop the tank beside me, happy to be rid of another layer of damp clothing.

Ari licks his lips and takes a deep breath as he finally looks down. He pinches my hips, tension fighting through his body as he admires me.

“Haven’t you seen this before?” I ask.

He looks up. “What? You?”

I nod. “You’ve been watching me for... ever, right? I kind of figured that you’ve looked in while I was—”

“No,” he says over me.

I blink in surprise. “You haven’t?”

Ari smiles and hugs his arms around my waist. “Your body is yours to give, Tannis. Not mine to take.”

My breath hitches. “But I thought...”

“The deal I made promised a companion. You were never meant to be my slave, nor would I force you to be one.” He takes a breath. “I meant it when I said I didn’t own you, Tannis.” His eyes fall, though they never lose their warmth. “I never will.”

I kiss him, surprising myself as much as him. His hands crawl up my back and I cup his face, both of us embracing each other as only we can. He pulls me onto his lap and I feel his damp shirt on my skin.

My hands hover over his buttons, locked with nervous unease.

I’ve never undressed a man before.

I look at Ari and he gives me the slightest nod. I can continue if I want, it says. I can take my time or stop altogether. I can steal a peek or strip him down to nothing. I’m in control.

I’m in control of a god.

Whoa.

Thunder strikes overhead and I startle, bringing a lovable chuckle to his mouth. Ari kisses my collarbone and holds me closer, comforting me in case I need it. I kiss him one more time, still getting used to the action, as I pinch the first button on his shirt.

I slip it free. And another. And another. I hold my breath, feeling Ari’s eyes on me the whole time until I reach the end. Ari relaxes his arms down to his sides as I slowly push the shirt back over his wide shoulders. My mind flashes back to the dream and I’m surer than ever that it was real. I bite my lip, tempted by the same chiseled form I saw from his bed. I touch his pecs, far too nervous to dare and venture elsewhere.

Ari kisses my blushing cheek. “Are you okay?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah,” I say, my voice a soft squeak.

“Do you want to go further?”

My tongue twitches. “I...”

“We don’t have to do anything,” he says, his hands soft on my waist. “But if you wanted to see... or feel... we can.”

“You show me yours, I show you mine?”

He laughs. “Something like that.”

I bite my lip. “I saw you. Last night.”

“I know.”

“I didn’t mean to...”

“I didn’t mind you did.” He looks up at me and smirks. “Are you trying to say that you saw mine and now you want to show me yours?”

My pulse skips. Who the hell am I right now? I’ve never been this girl before in my life but I don’t want her to go away either.

That warm ribbon curls up my spine and I smile back.

“Maybe,” I say.

Ari shifts forward, easily guiding me onto my back on the carpet. I inhale sharply in surprise as he lays me down and positions himself between my legs.

I stiffen from head-to-toe as Ari kneels over me and lays his hands on my thighs.

“Stop me,” he says as he feels up my jeans toward the zipper, “if I go too far.”

My entire body spasms with nerves and lust. Ari studies me, his eyes locked on my face, as he pulls the button free and pinches the zipper. He takes it down so slowly my back arches from the anticipation.

His lips curl as he looks down my body and hooks his hands along the rim of my jeans. With a quick tug, he pulls them down over my ass and I instantly turn my head to look away as blood rushes to my cheeks.

The warm fire tingles my bare knees. Ari leans forward and places his hands on either side of me. “Still okay?” he asks.

“Yes,” I whisper.

He lowers down to kiss me, teasing my tongue with his. “Can I kiss you more?”

I swallow hard, knowing by the way he said it that he didn’t mean my lips, but the thought sends a pulsing need through my body.

“Yes,” I say.

Ari pauses, his eyes gliding downward like a predator admiring his prey. Any other night, any other man, I’d be nervous or scared but after today... after taking his hand and falling and surviving.

I feel safe.

He kisses my neck, making me sink even deeper into his embrace. I let out an involuntary sound, one of pleasure and greed. His hand crawls up my side to rest just below my bra and I hold my breath.

Then, he stops suddenly. “Tannis, you...”

I clench with nerves. “What?”

He raises a hand to my face. “You are far more beautiful than I ever thought you’d become,” he says.

I snort, an automatic response. “Yeah, okay.”

He pinches my chin, soft and playful. “Dammit, girl, have you no idea what power you have over me?”

I pause. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“But...” I stutter. “I’m nobody.”

“Oh, Tannis,” he whispers, shaking his head. “You’re still telling yourself that?”

Ari kisses my chest, his lips pressing toward my heart. It pounds even harder for him and he smiles as he kisses a little deeper into my cleavage.

My body buzzes, the cold rain on my skin completely forgotten. The fire blazes and our bodies entwine as fantasy takes over my mind. Me and a boy, lying on a thick rug before a burning fireplace. How many times have I foolishly thought of this moment before casting it aside — knowing that it’d never happen this way? And yet... here we are.

Me and Ari.

A man I hardly know.

A god who sees me as so much more than I am.

Is he right? Am I more?

If I told him to do something, would he do it?

Can I really control a god?

I swallow hard as I touch my abdomen. “Will you kiss me here?” I ask, my voice shaking.

Ari raises a brow and shifts downward without a word. I move my hand away and he puckers his lips before leaving a firm kiss just above my navel.

I smile, driven by fantasy. “And here?” I ask, pointing a little lower.

He obeys and kisses me next to my fingertip. I begin to move my hand and he snatches it, smoothly bringing it to his lips.

“Anything you want,” he says, his breath on my knuckles. “I’ll do. I’ll show. I’ll teach.” His eyes connect with mine. “Just say it and I’ll do it. What would you like to feel, Tannis?” he asks.

I gulp hard. “Whoa,” I whisper.

Ari chuckles and kisses my navel again before pushing up onto his knees. “I’ve thought about this,” he says, looking down my curves. “About you...” His breathing labors. “Nothing has ever turned me on more than the thought of being the first man to...”

I bite my cheek as I watch him flex with restraint. “Can I see you?” I ask, the words falling from my tongue before I can think twice about it.

Ari’s gaze stays on me as he reaches for his belt. He tugs it open and pushes his zipper down, not hesitating for a moment to expose himself to me.

I gasp as I look at him. I’ve seen little more than a shadowed outline, a mere peek compared to how much he’s showing me now. It stands hard between us; long and thick in the orange firelight.

“You’re not ready.”

I flinch and look at him. “What?”

Ari lowers down and balances on his arms above me. “Here, now,” he says. “You’re not ready.”

He’s right. I know he is. In fact, I feel more relief than grief.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“Don’t be,” he says, his smirk climbing. “I’ve waited this long for you. I’ll keep waiting.”

He kisses my mouth and my pulse skips all over again. Every piece of me throbs beneath him, begging for me to change my mind and let him take me...

Seriously, who the fuck am I anymore?

“You...” I stop, my cheeks burning.

He looks at me, smiling again. “What?”

I swallow hard. “You can still... kiss me, if you want.”

His eyes show a sinister light. “On the lips?” he asks.

I nod. He does it, soft and slow with his eyes open.

“And here?” he asks, shifting down to my chest.

“Yes,” I answer, breathlessly.

He kisses me near my cleavage again, pecking twice as he lays a hand on my belly. “Here?”

I tremble. “Yes.”

Ari continues down, leaving a trail of warm kisses down my navel. He reaches the top of my underwear and stops, his devious eyes peeking up as he licks his lips.

“Here?” he asks.

I quiver with a desire I’ve never felt before but don’t want to ignore. “Yes,” I tell him.

His lips touch me again, half on my skin and half on white cotton. I let out another small, pleasurable sound. He slowly hooks a finger over my underwear and pulls one edge down to expose my hipbone, but nothing more. I twitch, my body reacting to this new invasion as he kisses my skin. He gently pulls the elastic down a little farther, exposing the edges of the tuft of dark hair on my mound.

Ari kisses me there, this time letting out a deep, pleasing groan as he inhales. He flexes, once again showing that hard restraint but I don’t want him to. I find myself easing my head up, eager to watch and see and feel.

What would you like to feel, Tannis?

Everything.

I reach down, clawing my fingers through his hair. A visible shudder travels his spine and he turns his head up to look at me. He kisses my hand and gently bites into the flesh of my palm. I see the passion in him. Passion for me.

He lets out a warm groan and clutches my underwear, quickly yanking them down to my ankles. I gasp, taken back by his sudden, firm touch but it just frees another moan from my throat.

Ari stops above me and looks down. He nudges my knees apart, forcing me to spread them wider, and I tremble beneath his lustful gaze. My cheeks fill with blood from desire or nerves, I can’t be sure. I just know I don’t want him to stop.

Ari lowers down with a growl on his breath. “Tannis,” he whispers. “Can I taste you?”

I roll my fingers through his thick hair again. “Yes,” I answer.

He kisses me again, hard and firm, before climbing down my body. I bite my lip, unable to believe I said yes.

Yes, use your mouth on me.

Yes, violate me.

Yes, bring me pleasure and pain and everything in between.

Ari settles between my knees and teases my thighs, leaving nibbles and kisses in a soft line as he drifts closer. My core vibrates with heat, throbbing and waiting to feel him for the first time; to feel any man for the first time.

His tongue grazes my flesh and I flutter my eyes closed, trying to withdraw myself as my body erupts with deep throbs. I freeze in place, unable to think or move, though I don’t want to either. I want to lie back and submit to the pleasure boiling just beneath the surface as his tongue digs a little deeper inside of me.

Words escape me and I whimper quietly as my tongue taps the roof of my mouth. Ari rests a strong hand on my belly, giving me something to cling to as a flurry of pleasure radiates through my limbs. My thighs twitch and my toes curl. I forget about everything. I forget about my life; my hopes and my dreams. For a split second, I’m nothing but his.

“Ari,” I moan softly, biting down hard on my bottom lip.

He turns his head away and breathes hard into the flesh of my thigh. “Dammit, Tannis,” he whispers. “You taste so good.”

He immerses himself again and my back instantly arches. I’m so close yet so far. I can hardly breathe yet my chest keeps heaving. Shit. Shit.

Shit.

Don’t stop.

Ari squeezes my hand as I feel him turn his head again. “Can I make you come?” he asks.

I open my eyes and look down at him. The fiery lust in his eyes almost sends me over the edge as I admire his wet lips and rising pecs.

“Yes,” I answer again.

Ari props my knees up onto his shoulders. Again, I gasp, unprepared for the sudden, dominant move but I don’t say a word to stop it. I let my bare feet rest on his back and I swoon as his tongue takes me again.

I let the sensations wash over me, giving myself full permission to enjoy every second of it. As I near the edge, everything feels so much sharper. The heat of the fire on my skin. The rub of his soft face on my inner thigh. The pound of blood in my veins. I tremble and lurch, held down only by the strength of his hands and the will of his tongue as my world falls apart.

I hold my breath as the tension breaks. I grip the rug beneath me, white knuckles poking out as I come for him. My senses explode and for one, perfect moment, I feel nothing at all. No heat, no soft rub. No pounding blood.

Just nothing.

And when it’s over, I feel the lump in my throat and the stiff pain in my knuckles and I cry.

“Tannis?”

I feel his hand on my cheek. I feel my toes sink into the carpet though I don’t recall sliding them off his shoulders. I feel—

“Tannis?”

I open my eyes. Ari leans over me, his cool touch chilling my raging skin. “Hi,” I say, my dry throat cracking.

He wipes my cheek with his thumb. “Sit up,” he says.

I push up with my hands into a sitting position as Ari sits beside me, facing me. Without thinking, I collapse forward onto his chest and he cradles his arms around me. His fingers gently trace from my shoulder blades to the small of my back as he kisses my forehead and I release the small sob inside of me.

“You okay?” he asks after a few minutes.

“I’m fine.” I sniff and shake my head. “I have no idea where that came from.”

Ari chuckles. “I do.” His lips graze my temple. “It’s normal. Don’t worry.”

I raise my head to take in a deep breath. “Can you do it again?” I ask.

His smile stretches and he cups my face, drawing me close to kiss me on the mouth. “Some other time,” he says. “Now, I should probably get you home. I promised your parents they’d get you for dinner.”

I nod. “Well, yeah, I didn’t mean… like again right now…”

He stands off the floor and takes my hand to help me up. “Oh, young Tannis,” he says, pushing my hair back behind my ears. “Be with me… and you’ll be amazed at what I can do to you.”

And just like that, my heart shifts.

Yesterday, I would have smacked him in the face for a comment like that.

I would have rejected every dimple on his pretty, little face because I’m more than a prize.

But now, standing here on weak ankles, held up by his embrace and begging for more…

That ribbon wraps slowly around my heart once more and tightens even stronger than before.

And I can’t do a thing to stop it.