Page 148 of G.O.D.S Omnibus

“Can I ask you a personal question?” I wait until Amelie nods, then continue. “Sex, how do you make sure everyone is getting some without leaving anyone out?”

“We’ve fallen into a good routine. It was hard at first with the demands of this job, and I felt like I would never see them. Just pay attention to your routines and when each person is home.If all else fails, group sex totally counts and frees up some of your time. Like Kalen takes up a lot of my time outside of the bedroom, so I make sure I find some alone time with the others. Even if it means waking up a bit earlier to go for a run with Onyx, having breakfast with Sawyer, or singing with Slate. Over time, it just becomes natural.”

“Do they fight over you?”

She throws her head back and laughs. “All the time, mainly the twins and Kalen. Sawyer likes to think he’s too mature and old for that. He isn’t even thirty.”

Amelie and I talk for another half an hour before her assistant comes in to remind her she has another meeting. I also have a hot date, so we end the call after exchanging numbers, and she promises to keep in contact. I hope she does; she seems awesome and can relate to having multiple boyfriends. Not that I would introduce any of the guys as my boyfriend quite yet. I’m only just accepting my fate. They were all made for me, and since I’m here, I might as well see where things go. I’m not an idiot, though. I’m sure some of them will tire of the situation, and I need to keep my walls up enough to protect my damn heart.

After the call, I find Kai waiting in the kitchen. Case is also there, seated on the kitchen bench, and the two are mid stare off. I sigh—Case needs to forgive his brother.

“What’s going on here?” I ask, heading to Case and stepping between his legs. “You really should forgive him. I’m here now.”

He lifts his head to look at me, his green hair faded from the vibrant colour it was when we first dyed it. His finger traces the tattoo on my collarbone as he smirks at me. “It’s not that simple. I have years of hurt to work through, and I blamed him for it.”

“Case, I know you did, but holding onto that only hurts you. Kai is an amazing person, and I really think you should at least try.”

“I’ll think about it,” he mumbles. His sage-green eyes—identical to Kai’s, except his contain golden flecks—lock onto mine. “You better go on your date now. I’ll see you in the morning.” He bites down on his lip ring, and I lean forward and place a soft kiss on his cheek.

“You ready to go?” I ask Kai, who is leaning against the table, his ass half perched on the tabletop with only his hands holding him steady.

“Sure am.” He pushes himself off as I give him a once-over, taking in his outfit.

I’m glad I asked him what to wear. He’s dressed in a pair of dark-blue jeans, ripped at the knees, with a white long-sleeved, button-up shirt. Kai’s normally unruly black hair is brushed to one side, and by the light sheen gleaming from the kitchen lights, I think he might have even used gel to keep it in place. I’m not sure that I have ever seen Kai with his hair brushed down neatly.

As we walk out of the house and down the front stairs, Kai clicks the button on his keys to unlock his car, then races down to open the passenger side door. I slip inside and he shuts it, running around to the driver’s side to join me.

We don’t drive for long before Kai pulls over in an industrial area. It’s slightly built up, and a café is still open, with a bunch of hipsters sitting at a table outside sipping coffee. We both get out and he comes around to my side. His hand automatically falls to the small of my back as we walk down the sidewalk, soaking in each other’s company. As we pass the café, the once lively hipsters go quiet, heads turning in my direction. Interest shines in their eyes as they survey me, but it’s quickly gone when Kai stares down at them.

We continue along the sidewalk until Kai steers us towards the door of the next building over. The sign hanging on the wall tells me he’s starting our date off at a small art gallery. Heleads us inside, the door chime alerting the people inside to our presence. The owner steps out from a door to the right, greeting us as soon as the door closes.

“Kai, I haven’t seen you in such a long time,” the lady gushes, rushing over and pulling Kai into a hug. She would have to be in her fifties, even though she looks amazing for her age. “And who is this beautiful young lady?”

“Aunt Carol, this is my girl, Jolie.” I open my mouth to correct him, but decide to keep the remark to myself. “It’s our first date.”

“Oh, how wonderful! It’s nice to meet you, Jolie.”

After we exchange greetings, she leads us to a pair of seats where two easels are set up. She lets Kai know that if he needs anything she will be upstairs.

“Um, Kai?” He turns to look at me. “I can’t draw.”

“It’s okay, we’ll only be drawing that fruit bowl.” He points to a pedestal in the centre of the room with a bowl perched on top. “And I will help you.”

Kai tries to explain how to sketch out the picture first. I nod along with him, pretending that I understand what he’s saying.

I line up my pencil with the paper and look up at the bowl of fruit. Who knew it would be so hard to draw a damn orange? It’s a circle for fuck’s sake. Who can’t draw a circle? Me, apparently.

Kai looks over at me and snorts. “Princess... I’m not sure what’s happening, but here, let me help.”

He picks up an eraser and brings his chair in closer to mine, abandoning his own picture.

“Start with the fruit bowl and then add the fruit.”

He sketches out the bowl, even adding the intricate swirls and patterns. I watch as it takes him a few minutes to complete. I hadn’t even managed to draw an orange in triple that amount of time.

“Thanks,” I murmur quietly.

“No need to thank me,” he says, shuffling his chair back to his easel. Picking up a paintbrush, he finishes the banana that’s already half painted.

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