Page 21 of Touch

If there’s anything her people understand, it’s the desire to remain above mortals, in a literal as well as figurative manner. In this respect, the male nods, not dwelling on the matter for long. Instead, the paperback snares his attention, stenciled artwork of two clasping, naked bodies ornamenting the outer edges.

“What have we here?” he purrs.

Love clutches the book to her stomach. “Nothing.”

“That nothing looks like fun.”

“It was until you interfered. I was getting to the good part.”

“The sex you’ve never had?”

Showing embarrassment will accomplish nothing but entice the cocksucker’s perverted sense of humor. Nonetheless, Love is tempted to smash her knuckles into his pretty face. Forget his looks. That Envy’s rakish behavior is considered sexy in their world is a testimony to the flaws of every god and goddess who lusts after him.

Anger cuts a glare toward Envy. “Leave her alone,” he growls, which stuns everyone. As an afterthought, the rage god adds, “We’re wasting time.”

Grimness eclipses sarcasm. Her peers are notorious for flouting Love’s impish ways and judging her misdeeds—except Wonder, who’s not entirely innocent herself. Regardless, they haven’t gathered here to ridicule Love and watch her squirm. A year has passed since they last saw one another, back in The Dark Fates during a brief period of rest. It’s far too early for a reunion, so there is only one explanation why her crew would abandon their assigned turfs.

Envy wags his finger at Love. “Bad goddess.”

Love scowls but plays innocent. “What have I done now?”

“Take your pick,” Wonder hints as if this is a round of trivia.

But because Anger can be counted upon to get to the point, he snarls, “What the fuck is wrong with you? Beating the shit out of those humans? Dealing with mortal rage is my job.”

Envy inflates his chest, which doubles his size in the process. “And it’s my turn to suggest we cut the little goddess some slack. This mountain hamlet isn’t your sector, that inconvenient human may be killing her, and yet she’s bewitched. According to what we’ve been told, Love’s no longer acting like a puritan. In fact, I’d bet my immaculate wardrobe she’s been a walking puddle since they met.”

“Ugh.” Sorrow grimaces. “For fuck’s sake, spare us the anatomical details. No one’s in the mood.”

“Can’t help it, my nymph,” Envy defends, then regards Love. “It’s obvious. The signs are all over you.”

“Keep your thoughts to yourself,” Love spits out.

“As if I’ve ever done that. So wound up, you don’t know what to do with yourself. It’s unfathomable how you can be in charge of matchmaking and not have been railed by now. Look at you. You’re ripe as a cherry and still a virgin.”

Her blood percolates. Although she cannot feel heat, her body produces it as though intent on giving her feelings away. She fights the urge to cover her cheeks and fantasizes about ways to make Envy’s anguish a reality. Eternal impotency comes to mind.

Anger gnashes his molars. This is hardly the first time Envy has baited Love, but it’s the first time the rage god reacts on her behalf. For some reason, Anger looks ready to shove his peer through a meat grinder.

Still, Envy’s remark has been an ongoing point of contention since the beginning. The Fates have tolerated Love’s chaste status for eons, though patience from their dimension will wane eventually. She’s a love goddess, and sooner rather than later, she must act like one.

Love has been instructed on the mechanics of intimacy, yet she has not experienced it with a partner, refusing the offers she’s received to spread her legs, to ride and be ridden. Her excuses are plentiful, if not impressive in everyone’s eyes. When her kind fuck, it’s meaningless especially when compared to the way humans let their hands roam tenderly.

“I could help you with your quandary,” Envy coos.

A familiar tune from him. In his inflated head, it makes the utmost sense to think with his cock in times of crisis.

Love’s not a fraction of the prude he assumes her to be. She has cravings like the rest of them. While it was fine in her early years, being dormant has caused a sexual frenzy on her body lately, the past few centuries testing her hunger for a swift, rough pounding. Apart from Envy, she has come close to indulging with certain deities who’ve expressed their wishes to bed her.

Very close. Many times.

She might have given in by now, if not for one fact: She’s Love. Either it’s a miracle, or it’s her nature to hold out for a profound mating. In essence, a pipe dream.

Until then, her pussy and clit are taken care of, courtesy of Love’s fingers. And yes, she enjoys making herself climax. Consistently.

“Let it go,” Anger growls at Envy, then slices his graphite eyes to Love. “The Court knows the human can see you.”

“Impressive considering they weren’t here to witness a thing.” Love crosses her arms. “Might they teach me that trick?”

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