Apollyon

His grin was small and secretive. “Cute.”

“Cute?”

“Mmm hmm.” He prowled toward the edges of the cavern, searching the shadows for gods know what. “But seriously, if you get out of those clothes, I can dry them.”

But I’d be totally naked. There was no need for me to be shy around him, but something about that, here…

He took off the cloak and shrugged off the backpack. As if he read my mind, he raised his brow. “I packed two blankets. They’re not much, but they’re big enough to cover you.”

My lips spread into a smile. Yep, Aiden thought of everything. “You’re awesome.”

The look he cast over his shoulder said he knew. “I know the clothes are bothering you.”

“Are not.” The last thing I wanted was to be whiny and weak in front of Aiden.

His gaze dropped. “They’re not?”

“Yeah…” My gaze followed his to where I was scratching at my hip. I stilled. “Okay. They are bothering me.”

“Delicate skin?” He stalked over, then knelt and unzipped the bag.

I stared at his wet, dark curls as he rummaged through the bag. “Yep, I have sensitive skin. Did you pack any lotion?”

“No,” he laughed. “But we have some trail mix.”

“Yum.”

“Also some mixed nuts…”

“Double yum.”

“And some water.” He tipped his chin up, eyes dancing. “Sorry. I couldn’t pack a McDonald’s for you.”

“Well, no one’s perfect.”

Aiden laughed again. Gods, I loved that deep, husky sound, and I’d never grow tired of hearing it. Not too long ago, Aiden hadn’t laughed enough. So every time he did, I cherished it like a most prized possession.

He placed the blanket on a dry spot and then stood. “I’ll go check the entrance just to make sure we’re okay for the night.”

I nodded, and he turned without a word, disappearing back into the crack in the wall.

Feeling oddly giddy, considering where I was, I turned to the pool. Just thinking about slipping into the warm water had my chilled, dirty skin begging.

But Aiden so wouldn’t approve.

Tugging off the cloak, I kicked off my boots, eyeing the water like it was a slab of filet. If the water was dangerous, it surely would’ve peeled the skin off my finger by now or have me running around, squawking like a chicken. Mind made up, I quickly stripped down and slipped my toes into the water. I sighed as the pool frothed and bubbled, and carefully made my way down the natural steps. Water lapped and fizzled at my hips as I moved further out. Warmth, heady and pleasant, seeped through my skin, into my muscles. It didn’t sting the numerous bruises or cuts—if anything, the water seemed to soothe them. The soft, seductive scent appeared to soothe the dull ache in my temples, too.

In the middle of the spring, the water reached just below my chest, but my presence stirred the water and the white-tipped foam reached my collarbone, bubbling around the talisman.

Closing my eyes, I let out a low breath. The water felt too good. I could stay in here all night, feeling the little bubbles teasing my toes, sliding up my legs.

It was heaven in the Underworld.

I smiled, thinking Hades had the good stuff when it came to spas and relaxation.

“Alex…”

Aiden’s voice pulled me out of my musings. I glanced over my shoulder, smiling sheepishly. “I couldn’t resist. Sorry.”

He didn’t look angry. Surprisingly, he didn’t look exasperated either. I couldn’t say he looked thrilled either, but…

Oh…

Aiden looked hungry.

My breath hitched in my throat, and it took me a few tries to find my voice. “Is everything clear outside the cave?”

Eyes hooded, he nodded.

I bit my lip. Of course it was fine. We were safe for the night, but resting wasn’t on my mind. What was was wholly inappropriate and I seriously had my priorities mixed up, but we were facing the unknown. This trip was dangerous and both of us could be hurt. Worse yet, Aiden could die.

Raw panic punched through my chest at the thought of losing him. I simply could not bear his loss. And because of that, I wanted to press pause. I wanted to live, to really live in the moment, and with Aiden, that was always possible. It was magical, actually.

I took a deep, long breath. “You… you should join me.”

Part of me expected that I would have to do a decent amount of begging. Aiden was “on the job,” and I was prepared to deploy every technique I knew, including whining.

So when he stepped back and slid off his boots, I was pretty damn surprised. Shock splashed over me as he quietly tugged his shirt out of the waistband of his tactical pants and pulled the wet cloth over his head.

I bit back a gasp.

His stomach was some serious perfection, a product of years of rigorous training. It looked like someone had placed paint rollers under his taut skin. And his chest…

Yeah, I couldn’t stop staring.

And the whole time he watched me with an intense gaze like heated silver. I felt the flush return to my cheeks as my breath quickened.

When his hands moved to the top of his pants, I did turn away. Only because I was sure I’d pass out and drown if I kept staring, and well, that would so kill the moment.

Clothing hit the rock bed and there was a second, too long, of silence, and then the water stirred in the pool, bubbling even more. Pulse pounding everywhere, I twisted toward him and lost my breath and my heart all over again.

Aiden stood there like a god.

So much taller than me, water grazed his navel. White foam lapped at the ribbed planes of his stomach, and I was struck by the image of Poseidon rising from the ocean.

Poseidon had nothing on him.

He glided through the fizzing water, hands out to his sides. I had to tip my head back to meet his gaze. “Hey,” I said.

One side of his lips curved up. “This probably isn’t a good idea.”

“Why?”

“I have a feeling I’m going to be very distracted here in a few seconds.” He reached out though, finding the band that kept most of my hair up. “Actually, I’m already distracted.”

My heart was trying to come out of my chest. “But we’re safe here. Apollo said so.”

“We are, but…” He gently pulled the band out and then set about rearranging the thick strands around my shoulders. A great deal of it sank below the surface. “But we should be careful. I should be paying attention.”

I stepped into the loose circle his arms created as he played with my hair. Placing my hand on his chest, I was thrilled by the way he jerked and sucked in a breath. “Can’t you multitask? I can.”

Aiden lazily tossed a damp strand over my shoulder and moved to another. “You’re such a liar. Your multitasking skills suck.”

“Do not. And we’re not talking about my multitasking skills.” My hand slid down, having a mind of its own. “I think you can handle doing two things at once.”

He’d gathered all my hair now, twisting it around his fist. “You do?” He placed a finger on my bottom lip, slowly tracing the curve. His lashes lowered even more, and only the thinnest sliver of silvery eyes shone. “You should be resting.”

“I will.” I took the last step forward. The bubbles fizzled and gave way. Stretching up, I looped an arm