I’ll never be able to sleep in my bed remembering all the pleasure we’ve dealt each other there. Never cook in my kitchen without replaying every word of every conversation we’ve had there. And the foyer? Forget about it.
She hasn’t even had a chance to add items to the main space the way she plans. I won’t be able to live here wondering what changes she would have made if given enough time. It will kill me.
“Eros.”
I realize I’ve been staring at myself in the mirror far too long and shake my head. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
No. Not even a little bit. I turn to her. It would be so simple to kiss her and do away with the need for any more words tonight. I know her body offers salvation that I can find nowhere else. But we’ve moved beyond just fucking, and I think we both know it. “Psyche.”
She twists her hair around one finger, her brows pulling together into a frown. “Yes?”
“I…” Fuck, why is this so hard? I clear my throat and try again. “I need you tonight.”
Her expression softens. “Okay.”
That nearly makes me laugh; I would if there was enough air in this room to fill my lungs. “You’re not going to ask me what I need from you before agreeing?”
“No.” She gives a small smile. “Why? Should I be terrified?”
If she knew what was going on in my head, the way I want to tie her to me in every way possible, she might be. I rub the back of my hand over my chest. “I…want to hold you tonight.”
That seems to surprise her. “Hold me? I thought for sure you were about to propose some freaky sex stuff.”
“Maybe later.” I should. She’s already admitted that she can’t separate sex and emotional attachment, so seducing her is the surefire way to ensure she falls for me just as hard as I’ve fallen for her.
Tonight, though, it’s not what I need. I need her body next to mine, the press of her against me, while I lie there and measure her steady breathing. I just need to fucking hold her. I look away, flushing despite my best efforts. “It’s fine. Forget it.”
“No.” Her voice goes quiet. “No, I’m sorry. That was an asshole response.” She steps close and slides her arms around me. It’s criminal how perfectly Psyche fits against me. How am I supposed to move on with my life after knowing there’s a person who’s the other half of my puzzle? Damn it, I’m a mess right now.
She squeezes me. “With clothes or without?”
“Without.”
Psyche laughs a little. “Okay. Come on.” She releases me and walks out of the bathroom, leaving me to trail behind her. I do without hesitation, and as a result, I’m treated to the sight of my wife stripping as she walks toward our bed. She shoots me a look over her shoulder. “You were staring at my ass, weren’t you?”
“Can you blame me? You have an excellent ass.” Big and bitable.
“I know.” She slides between the blankets and scoots over, making room for me.
I strip quickly and join her. The sheets are cool, and Psyche wastes no time plastering herself to me and pressing her nose to my neck. “You keep this place way too cold.”
I settle onto my back with her draped half across my chest. This. This is what I need. I can feel her heartbeat through my ribs, her soft exhales against my skin. A reminder that she’s here, she’s safe, and she’ll stay that way through the night.
She twines her legs around mine and snuggles closer. “Eros?”
“Yeah?” I sift my fingers through her hair, enjoying the weight of it against my palm.
“I meant what I said. I won’t let it get to the point where you have to make that choice—the one between me and your mother. There’s a solution here. I just need time to figure it out.”
I close my eyes, letting the soft weight of her against me lull my racing thoughts to a standstill. “If anyone can find a way through, you can.”
“Just…trust me, okay?”
“I do.” It’s even the truth. We don’t have enough time, enough space, to come up with a better plan than we already have, but all of it hinges on Demeter getting us a meeting with Poseidon. “Sleep now.”
“I will.” She squeezes me tight. “We’ll figure this out together. I promise.”
As sleep rises up and takes me, I almost believe her.
30
Psyche
By the time morning rolls around, I have something resembling a backup plan. It’s not a good plan, and if I tell it to Eros, he might lock me into the panic room and throw away the key. Of all the things I never expected of this marriage, his protectiveness surprises me the most. It’s not just in regard to the current situation with his mother. He’s constantly…taking care of me.