Page 22 of Guided by the Stars
When Love Strikes
Logic defies every last word I’ve been told. Gods from books simply should not exist. Now I find myself living with two of them who were forced to take action to protect me. For the past two days, they’ve answered all my questions and even Alexius has relaxed enough to try to help clarify the impossible. I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it. This all should be a dream, and yet deep in my core, I trust my instincts and believe the illogical.
“If only you were here, A,” I whisper, the warmth of my breath fogging up the glass as I stare through my window into the pitch blackness of the night.
It’s a view Adriane would die for. The pulsing light of the stars burning bright mix with shades of yellow, some white, and even a little blue. They blend perfectly together, circling around the moon as its silver glow illuminates the world below, lightening the shadows as they creep over the forest.
We all should be like the moon. In the darkest of moments, it rises, shining its brightest. Even if no one cares to watch it.Her words creep under my skin, reminding me of her strength. I was miserable when life brought us together. An empty shell of who I used to be, spending my days closed off to the world, wanting nothing more to do with it. Yet, day after day, Adriane would come and try to bring me back to life. Eventually, she convinced me to sneak out, calling it the moonlight hour and a promising view to help with all my pain.
Of course, the misery I felt didn’t go away. Yet, life became brighter with Adriane at my side. It didn’t take long for those nights to become our tradition. Any time one of us had a shitty day, we would sneak behind Miss Mavery’s back, collecting snacks from the kitchen and stealing her liquor. Once her snoring started, we were good to creep out through the broken window in the attic, leading us to a cold, damp roof, four stories high. No matter if it was freezing cold or hot as hell, we would sit together, cursing our problems to the world with the moon shining over us, creating an illusion that we had control.
The sound of water startles me out of my thoughts and I glance back towards the bathroom door. At night, I’ve been keeping it slightly ajar, finding comfort in the faint light that seeps through. Whoever is there is oblivious to my pathetic version of a nightlight.
“Control, yeah, that’s not something I have right now,” I groan, tiptoeing over. My fingers slide against the cool steel handle and my mind freezes as movement catches my eyes.
He’s standing with his elbows stretched out wide and his back towards me. Stunned, I watch his fingers creeping lower, gathering the material of his shirt from behind his head. Inone quick motion I watch him tug it off and toss it to the side, along with any intention I had of closing this door.
A huge eagle meets my eyes. Its head is resting right under Alexius’ neck, with wings spread wide across his broad shoulders, gliding along as Alexius runs his hands through his hair. I know it’s wrong, I should listen to that little voice telling me to walk away. Instead, my head stretches forward, rewarding me with the complete view of his reflection.
The air suddenly grows heavy around me and I swallow, drinking him in greedily. He’s covered in tattoos. They start across his chest, down past the six-pack abs, and even more are hidden lower. Every inch of him is alluring; the muscles, his skin, the small patch of hair above his jeans, all of it seductive, begging to be licked.
My teeth sink down, biting back the temptation to demand a taste and a shiver rolls down my spine as I watch his fingers unbutton his jeans. They drop, leaving me breathless seeing him in a pair of black boxer briefs outlining every huge detail of him.
Heat is creeping everywhere. I can feel my damn boxers growing wet, but I gulp down my breath, silencing my presence as his fingers skate past the elastic around his waist. Oh, dear God! This guy kidnapped me and my damn eyes are glued, zoned in as he bends over, pulling the boxers with him, and a whimper escapes me.
I lean my overheated body against the cool door for support, entranced by his sinful body. I was definitely not wrong. He’s massive, thick, and growing hard.
“Ahem.”
The deep vibration of him clearing his throat freezes me. Panic replaces lust and I swallow hard, lifting my head, our eyes meeting in the reflection of the mirror.This cannot be happening.He’s not covering himself, or even moving. Theonly thing he’s wearing is a smirk. “Anything I can help you with, love?” he asks, giving me a wink.
Shit!
I slam the door and make a running leap to crawl under the comforter. I’ve never met anyone who boils my blood in so many ways. I can’t believe I just stood there.Why didn’t I close the damn door!
I pull the cover over my head, refusing to answer the knock or the strong, distinctive low voice of Alexius calling my name, attempting to convince me to open that door. There is no way I’m facing him before the sun is up.
After a few hours pass and light beams into the room, I convince myself it’s time to face the beast. I fight the reluctance, climb out of bed, and get ready, all the while talking myself into the confidence Adriane carries. There’s no other choice. I’m already a prisoner in Olympus, I refuse to be confined to a room by some boy.
That confidence is tested the minute I enter the living room as both boys’ heads pop up, looking right at me. Daemyn is sitting with one leg up on the couch, his arms resting on his bare thigh. He’s in a black shirt and matching boxers that reveal tattoos running down his legs, making it almost impossible not to stare.
Alexius is in his usual spot, sitting with his arms sprawled over the back of the couch, like the god he is. He’s wearing a white t-shirt with jeans. His look is complete with that same damn smirk plastered on his teasing face.
I suck in a sharp breath, mumble a ‘Good Morning’, and make my way to the rocking chair next to Daemyn.
“Good Morning, love. How’d you sleep?” Alexius says in a heavy, sarcastic tone, and Daemyn shakes his head, watching our exchange with interest.
I force my eyes to stay locked with his and keep my voice even and casual, “Not great. I had a few unwanted images pop up. Complete nightmare, really.” I throw a small one-sided shoulder shrug and roll my eyes for good measure.
“Nightmare, really?” Alexius lifts his thumb, rubbing his bottom lip. My eyes shoot straight to his mouth. He knows what he’s doing. It’s such a simple move, enticing my traitorous body. Heat radiates to every limb as images of him and his damn happy-trail play on repeat in the back of my mind.
“Yeah, really. Horrible, actually,” I say, raising my brow and ignoring the higher pitch in my voice. I can play this game all he wants. You pick up a thing or two, growing up with an older brother whose friends loved to terrorize you.
With a short laugh, Alexius gets up and takes quick steps toward me until his jeans scratch against my knees. He’s standing tall over me with a proud look on his face that tells me I should be running.
I swallow the sudden lump in my throat while every hair on my body rises to life. My body stiffens and screams at me to back down. Of course I don’t listen to it. Instead, I tilt my head towards him and raise my brow once again, daring him.
He stares for a second, then he bends over and places his hands on the sides of the chair, caging me in. I suck my breath in, meeting him eye for eye as his scent of rain invades my space.
