Page 78

Slowly pushing backward, she said, “I think clothes would be a good idea. Unless you want to go to your side of the pool, where I can continue to admire you from afar.” Atlanta would not ruin her new chance at life, even the fear of him.

“Admiring, were you?” he teased.

“Certainly. You are a work of art. I think your soul is beautiful too.”

“You don’t know some of the things I’ve done or the violence that I am capable of. My soul isn’t beautiful.”

Her brows tugged. “Oh, but it is.” She had only known him a short while, but he was good. She could see it in his aura even if he could not. Thane’s aura was bright and warm, a very light shade of green intermixing with amber and gold. The green would mean he was connected to nature and had high empathy for those around him. The bright gold was usually a sign of responsibility, compassion, and harmony. It made her smile, harmony for someone who’d been named War. There were some faint swirls of red which showed that side, and of course the deep gray around his heart when Valeen was near. But that wasn’t there tonight.

The reason why she was so surprised by Fennan and Piper’s dislike of Hel was because she had seen his aura, and it was not dark or black. Hel had flecks of gold about him, but was mostly a cool blue with shades of gray. Blue was a sign of loyalty, passion, thoughtfulness, and an even temper. Someone with his color would not lash out without thinking. He was also a planner. The gray in him was different from Thane’s. It wasn’t sadness, it represented some less-than-moral things, but it wasn’t his dominant color.

Her sister was the most complex she’d ever come across. She had a warm brightness overall with a mixture of purples that melted into maroon and red. The purple would be courageous, sensitive, confident, and creative; the red shades were for a fiery temper and strong will and often stubbornness.

“How could you know that?” Thane said, interrupting her from her thoughts.

“It is a gift. You are beautiful inside, but I see you can have the potential for a brutal side in battle.”

He chuckled. “I am the god of war.”

“Yes, but you are much more than that. And I can see how deeply you care because you loved my sister, but you are not angry with her for choosing someone else. Hurt maybe but not angry.”

He dipped his hands into the water and splashed his face. “You see too much.”

“You would prefer I did not?”

“I don’t know.” His throat bobbed as he watched her carefully. “And I mean this in the most respectful way, but could you please get lower under the water?”

She didn’t realize she had stood taller, and half her breasts were out in the open. Rather than do as he asked, she smiled and arched a brow. “Do you ask that because my immodesty bothers you or because you like what you see?”

He groaned and scrubbed his hand down his face. “Katana, you know why. I may be composed but I’m not a saint. I’m very much a male who is very much attracted to you, and it’s beena whilesince…”

“Since what?”

“I’m getting out.” His voice was husky. “It’s much too hot in here.”

He slowly waded through the water, drawing closer to her. Was he going to turn toward the steps and get out or… Her heartbeat faster when he kept his eyes on her, not taking the turn she expected. Warmth pooled between her thighs and her stomach tightened. She swallowed hard, and watched the tenseness on his face soften to something more sensual.

It would be so easy to explore the god of war’s body. But she wasn’t ready to give her heart to anyone yet and neither was he. Unless this could be something casual without heartstrings attached.

She’d been with a few others before she married Atlanta, but those relationships happened from courtship and commitment. She’d never had sex with someone she wasn’t in an exclusive relationship with, but the flutter in her belly made her want to try. It would be so freeing, a defiance to the caged bird she’d been.

No, it was the night air, the hot water on bare skin that was making them both heady. Add their mutual loneliness and it was a recipe for trouble. Time and sunlight would prove if it was something she wanted. Would Valeen even be fine with this? Her sister didn’t want Thane in a romantic way anymore, but she’d still loved him once. Was it a betrayal?

“I’ll get out,” he whispered as if he had to talk himself into it.

Breathless, she nodded. “Yes, you said that.”

Reading his expression was impossible. It was as if he was waiting for her permission to touch her, and yet begging her not to give it.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, knowing that’s what he truly wanted her to say. Even if he was tempting and her body craved intimacy she hadn’t had in too long.

Without another word he made his way up the steps, water cascaded down his muscular back, over his firm, round, bare buttocks. He turned slightly, making his desire for her quite evident. To say he was well-endowed was almost an understatement.

With a towel that had hung on the tree branch, he dried off and dressed while she stayed in the steamy water, waiting for him to leave. But he didn’t go anywhere. He leaned against the tree and said, “I’m going to walk you back and make sure you get inside safely. Because even if I want to do ungentlemanly things to you right now, I am still a gentleman.”

Chapter 25

VALEEN