Chapter 21

The rattling call of the antique phone beside the bed jolted Bellona awake a few hours later. Rafael was sprawled out beside her, and she fumbled for the offending phone before it woke him up too.

What? she murmured into it.

Buongiorno, Bellona. So nice of you to pick up at least one of your phones. The voice on the other end was a purr of sex, danger, and authority that had her sitting bolt upright in seconds.

I broke my cell phone last night. What do you want, Romulus? Ive only been asleep for four hours, so make it quick, Bellona replied. She thought Set was keeping him updated on the Rita situation because pissing off Rom was the last thing they needed.

I would like you to come for an afternoon walk with me at the Giardino degli Aranci, Romulus replied.

Cant you find anyone else to throw a stick for you? Im busy, Bellona grumbled. She stared at Rafael. I have things I need to do today. Important things.

I wont keep you from your new pet for long, sorella. In fact, I want you to bring the mortal with you.

Bellona growled. Hes not your concern.

Hes one of my citizens. Of course he is my concern. Especially because theres violence all over the city because of you two. Romulus laughed huskily. Besides, I want to meet the man brave enough to bed you. I was always under the impression you bit their heads off the next day.

Bellona hummed. Youre just jealous Ive never found you interesting enough to want to give you a ride.

Im not that brave, and I like all my parts where they are. Ill expect to see you at 2 p.m., Romulus replied.

You better be buying the gelato, Bellona said and hung up.

Romulus rarely went out of his way with everyday squabbles of the city, so he either had information she needed, or he was worried. Or both.

Either way, she didnt want to argue with him when they had all been getting along recently. He still controlled the city whether anyone knew it or not. Laverna owned the underground, but everything else belonged to him, the Lupo Di Roma.

Bellona stayed on good terms with both deities as much as possible because they could hold grudges for centuries. She still was mad at Laverna for taking Rafael, but that would pass. They had other things to worry about.

Bellona rolled over and took in Rafael, wrapped in her sheets like a pretty present. It was obscene how anyone could look so sexy after only a handful of hours of sleep.

Rafael had been so gentle with her the night before. He had ensured she had eaten the food Set had made for her and drunk enough water before tucking her in bed and wrapping himself around her. If it had been anyone else, she would have told them to fuck off and stop babying her. Rafael, once again, was the exception. She liked him taking care of her.

Her wound had healed enough that she now had a golden starburst of scar tissue on her side. Just another to add to the collection. Rafael didnt seem to mind any of her scars, which made her feel things she couldnt really process. It was like her chest wasnt big enough to contain them.

Bellona was still staring at him when his hazel eyes opened. His sleepy smile made heat and longing burn through her.

What are you doing awake? he murmured.

Romulus wants to meet with us. I thought this would be settled without getting his attention too much, but no such luck, Bellona replied. She stroked her fingertips over his chest because she couldnt be so close and not touch him.

Rafael propped his head up on a pillow. Should I be worried?

About Rom? No. We know where we stand with each other. He knows if he threatens you, Ill turn him into a new wolf skin rug.

Rafaels eyes widened. Wait, are you telling me he actually turns into a wolf?

Every full moon without fail. We dont need to deal with him until this afternoon. Bellona bit her bottom lip. I told him I had things to do this morning.

Oh? What kind of things? Because you are meant to rest after getting so hurt last night, Rafael asked disapprovingly.

Things like sucking your pretty dick and then riding you so hard you see the face of god. Bellona waved her hand carelessly. You know, important things.

Rafael stroked his fingers over the curve of her cheek. You are the only god I want to see when Im coming, bella dea.

Excellent answer, Bellona replied. She kissed her way over the sharp ridge of his collarbone and traveled down to suck on one of his nipples.

Rafael stroked his hands over her arms. Are you sure youre healed enough? I dont want to hurt you.

Im fully healed, Rafael. There isnt much that Circes moley cant fix. Bellona flicked her tongue over his nipple again. Id only stop wanting you when Im dead.

Rafael laughed softly. Then do as you will, goddess.

Bellona took her time to enjoy every part of him. Their lovemaking had been frantic or focused on her so far, and she wanted him to feel as cherished as she did. She mentally cataloged every sweet little sound he made. She unwrapped the sheets from him and ran her fingertips over his hardening cock.

Rafael wasnt remotely shy or self-conscious. He put his hands behind his head and watched the show. Bellona didnt know why she found that so damn sexy.

She licked him slowly, savoring the salty taste of his skin, before she sucked on his crown. She had never really taken much time with other lovers, but she would with him. She wanted him to feel as out of his fucking mind as she did when shed sat on his face. Her pussy clenched at the memory, and she sucked him down.

Fuck, Bellona, Rafael groaned, his stomach muscles flexing as she went down on him again.

She wrapped her hand around his base, giving it a gentle squeeze as she worked him before giving his balls the same attention and making him shake.

You keep doing that. Eyes on me, goddess, he said.

She gazed up at him and did her best to make him sigh and squirm beneath her mouth. Bellonas other hand went to her pussy, teasing her clit in slow circles.

Bellona, stop. I need to be in you before I lose my fucking mind, Rafael panted, and she lifted her mouth off him with one last suck on his tip. You wet for me?

Always, Bellona replied and straddled him. She lined the head of his cock up and slowly sank down on him. Her whole body loosened with the rightness of it. No one had ever felt so good inside of her. The only noise in her head was the chant of his name and the swirling vortex of desire and possession that he created in her.

Rafael sat up to give her a long and dirty kiss. Ride me, Bellona. Make me come for you, he begged against her lips.

Only because you ask so nicely, she said, rolling her hips and making him groan as he lay back against the mound of pillows. Rafael cupped and squeezed her breasts as she fucked him with all the pent-up energy and aggression that was coursing through her.

Rafael brushed his fingers over her panting lips. Suck them for me. Get them good and wet.

Bellona obediently opened her mouth for him, covering his fingers with her saliva. Rafael pulled them free and dropped them to her clit. Bellonas back arched, a rough cry breaking from her lips as little snaps of lightning danced through her. She was so close to coming that she didnt know if she could wait for him. Rafael must have sensed it because he sat up again, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her down onto him faster and harder.

Bellonas body exploded in light; Rafael shouted her name, and everything was liquid fire between them. Bellona licked the sweat on his neck, her hands burying into his hair. They were both panting and wrecked, and nothing had ever been so good.

Fuck, Bellona, you sure know how to wake a man up in the morning, Rafael said, brushing the damp hair back from her face so he could kiss her.

Not any man. Just you, she replied, resting her forehead against his. Only you.