I opt to glaze over the dangerous elements. "Not much yet, but we'll get there. Right, Kassam?"
"Actually," Kassam says, squeezing my sweaty hand. He glances down at the red handfasting ribbon holding our joined palms together. "The ceremony is not complete until we have consummated the marriage, is it?"
I freeze in place, turning toward him. My nostrils flare and my jaw clenches with sheer outrage. That son of a bitch.
"Well," my mother hesitates. "I figured that wouldn't be a problem for you two, but yes, that is part of quite a few of the ceremonies—"
"Then it is best we do so promptly to ensure Carly's safety." He gives me the barest smile. "Since that is what this is all for."
Bastard. It takes everything I have not to blurt the word aloud. Maneuvering, sneaky-ass bastard. I won't kiss him so he's going to turn this into a game? This is my fucking life. "I'm sure we can wait a few hours—"
But Kassam looks right past me and at my mother. "The sooner the better. She is already in grave danger. Did she not tell you of last night's encounter?"
Oh, double bastard. At my mom's worried look, I shake my head, plucking at the red handfasting ribbons on our hands to untie us. "It's nothing, Mom. He's just being dramatic."
"After Lachesis warned Carly, another god showed up in her dwelling," Kassam states. "Someone is seeking her out. This is why we must be careful. If these vows are sacred and will bind Carly to me, then we must make sure she is bound, yes?" He snatches my hand the moment I untie the handfasting bindings and heads into the back room, the one my mom uses for her card readings. "Give us a few minutes. This will not take long."
I make a wordless sound of protest, even as Kassam drags me after him, sending orgasmic pulses through our joined hands. I don't dare look over at my mother, because I'm humiliated as the god pulls me toward the room. "We're not doing this here," I manage to choke out. "Kassam, no—"
"Carly, yes," he says, pulling me into the plain little room and shutting the door behind us. He scans the surroundings—my mom's folding card table, the two cheap metal chairs, and then the counter stacked with tarot decks and rune stones, along with books and more crystals. He sweeps the counter clean, everything crashing to the floor. "You wanted a marriage, you will get a marriage—in all ways."
"You're being an asshole," I hiss at him. "Is this because I wouldn't kiss you? I sure don't want to now."
"No, this is because you are my wife," he says, voice succinct and clear as he turns to me. "And because I have now vowed in front of the gods to keep you safe from harm. So hop onto the counter and I will fuck you appropriately, so we may consummate our relationship and you will be protected."
"I am not doing this here!" Not with my mother outside the door, knowing what we're doing. It violates every rule of mother-daughter-ness there is.
Kassam turns to me, ignoring my protests. He hauls me against him, and I practically stumble, my hands slapping against his chest. He ignores my efforts to push him away, unzipping my jeans and thrusting them down my legs. "Step out."
"I am not," I hiss.
He kneels in front of me, his silver eyes hazy and his expression one of absolute determination. "Carly. You agreed to see to my needs, did you not? We have copulated many, many times already. Your mother knows this. Your body knows this. This will keep you safe. Do not be stubborn."
"You're doing this because you're mad at me," I pant. It's getting harder to think, especially as he gently lifts one foot and pulls my jeans free, then the other. I didn't put on panties earlier when I left, imagining I'd only be gone for a few minutes, and now I'm bare from the waist down. He cups my ass with his big hands, pulling me closer to him.
Kassam squeezes my ass, gazing at my pussy. "Mad at you? No." He glances up at me. "I am doing this because I like fucking you. Because I like those little sounds you make when I am deep inside you. I am doing this because I am Hedonism…and because I owe it to you to make you as safe as I can. If that means we have sex here instead of in another store like the one we were in last night, then I will gladly do so. Unless you have somewhere else you'd rather go?" His hand skims across my hip and down my thigh, and it takes everything I have not to part my legs and just pull him in. "Tell me to stop right now, Carly, and I will. You are in charge."