4. Negal

That wasnt so bad, Margo said as she walked into the elevator. Kian was a little intimidating, but Ive met worse in the advertising agency I work for. She pressed the button for her deck. Do you think he was trying to be nice for the poor humans sake?

I told you that he was a good guy. I dont know why he has such a reputation.

They were alone in the elevator, and Negal considered pulling Margo into his arms for a quick kiss, but the ride was too short, and by the time he completed the thought, the automated voice announced the third deck.

Perhaps he was nice to me because of you. She took his hand. After all, you are a visiting god, right? A dignitary of sorts.

He shook his head. Not a dignitary. We are not here in any official capacity. The people back home dont even know that immortals exist.

They had spent a lot of time together today, and yet there hadnt been enough of it for him to tell her anything significant about himself or to learn more about her. It was impossible to cram everything there was to know about a person into a few hours, and on top of that, he knew that she might be made to forget everything he told her, so what was the point?

Margo stopped in front of her cabin and pulled out her phone from her purse. Tomorrow, we are going to sit down somewhere, and you are going to tell me about yourself.

He chuckled. Is that an order?

Yes.

As she lifted her phone to open the door, he put his hand over hers. Not yet.

She lifted a pair of questioning eyes to him. We dont have to say good night out here. You can come in and we can have a quiet cup of tea together.

If the invitation had come from any other female, he would have assumed that tea meant something else, but in Margos case, tea meant tea.

Still, he would take whatever she was willing to give him, including sharing a cup of tea, but he needed to kiss her, and he wouldnt be able to do that with Dagor and Frankie inside. They hadnt attended the wedding, and they would probably be in their bedroom with the door closed, making up for lost time during Frankies transition, but they might be taking a break from their marathon lovemaking, and he didnt want to take the chance.

He cupped her cheek and lowered his head, so their lips were almost touching. Frankie and Dagor might be in there, and I want to kiss you good night.

He waited for her to close the fraction-of-an-inch distance between their lips.

Mischief dancing in her eyes, she wound her arms around his neck and teased his lips with hers. Like this? she whispered.

Yes, but I need a little more.

Gripping her hips, he pulled her closer to him and took over the kiss. She tasted of the sweets shed eaten for dessert and the vermouth shed drunk and her own unique taste, which was sweeter than both.

Delicious. Addictive.

She moaned, and as her fingers threaded through his short hair, he regretted it not being longer so she could tug on the strands, claiming him as he was claiming her with this kiss.

Hoisting her up, Negal hooked one of Margos legs around his waist and ground his erection against her center. Despite the layers of clothing between them, he could feel her heat and imagine how wet she was for him.

A groan escaped his throat, and in answer, she rubbed back against him. Wanton, uninhibited. He had a feeling that if there was no one in the cabin behind the door he was pressing her against, she wouldnt have objected to him taking her to bed.

Margo, he breathed as he propped her up with one hand so he could free the other one to smooth over her exposed thigh.

Her heated core was like a magnet to his roaming fingers, but as he got so close that he could actually feel the heat radiating from her, she stiffened, and he immediately retracted his hand.

I apologize, he murmured. I got carried away. Gently, he eased her back down to the ground, taking a moment to carefully adjust her dress, ensuring everything was properly in place.

Dont be. She smoothed two shaky fingers over her puffy lips. Im the one who should be sorry.

She was panting, a beautiful blush painting her cheeks crimson.

Never. He cupped the back of her head and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. I shouldnt have rushed you when you werent ready. I want it to be perfect between us, and that can only happen when you are fully ready for me.

Thank you. Her shoulders relaxed, and a teasing smile lifted her lips. Tea? she asked.

I would love some.

As Margo opened the door, Frankie and Dagor looked up at them from the couch with twin fake-innocent expressions.

Negal stifled a chuckle as he took in their languid state. They looked like a couple of satisfied cats, lounging lazily on the sofa after making love for hours.

They hadnt attended the wedding because Frankie was supposedly still recovering from her transition, but anyone could have guessed the real reason.

How was the wedding? Frankie asked.

Beautiful. Margo put her purse on the bar and filled the kettle with water. Such heartfelt vows. She shook her head. You could see the love shining through their eyes.

We saw it on the ships channel, Dagor said. Not live, but the rerun is already available. You can watch all the previous weddings as well.

Thats so cool. Margo pulled two mugs out of the cabinet. Do you want tea? Im making some for Negal and me.

No, thank you. Frankie lifted her half-empty cup of coffee. We are good.

Do you need help? Negal asked.

Margo eyed him from under lowered lashes. Im tired, but Im not dead. I can still make tea.

Touchy female. The funny part was that she was touchy about things no other female he knew cared about.

He lifted his hands in surrender. Just asking.

Come, take a seat. Frankie beckoned with a wave of her hand.

Negal unbuttoned his tux and sat down on one of the armchairs. Can I ask you a favor?

Of course, Frankie said.

I need you to keep an eye on Margo. Can you leave your bedroom door ajar so you can hear her and check on her from time to time?

Sure thing, Frankie said with not much enthusiasm, and he could understand why. She and Dagor probably planned to continue their lovefest, and they wouldnt be able to do that with the door open.

Im fine. Margo put down two teacups on the coffee table. I dont need babysitting. She sat on the other armchair. Frankie is fresh out of her transition and needs rest.

Bridget said that you need to be watched for reaction to the drugs for seventy-two hours, and it hasnt been that long yet. You are still mortal, and Im worried about you.

Negal was also worried about Karen and how her transition was progressing. Once he was done here, he planned on going down to the clinic and checking up on her.

I have no problem keeping an eye on you. Frankie leaned on Dagors shoulder. Ill check on you during the night.

I will do that, Dagor said. You need to rest. He looked at Negal. If thats okay with you.

Hey. Margo snapped her fingers. I thought that gods were an advanced species, not cavemen. You should ask me if Im okay with that, not Negal.

Dagor dipped his head. Apologies. Are you okay with me checking up on you?

Although it is not necessary, yes, and thank you.

Negal was glad that the nightgown shed gotten at the boutique earlier that day was not as revealing as the one she had borrowed from Frankie the night before. He would have definitely had an issue with Dagor checking up on her if she was sleeping with that flimsy thing on.

Margo cast him a sidelong glance. Does that meet with your approval?

Of course. He reached over the armrests of both chairs and took her hand. I just want to make sure that you are okay.

Her eyes softened. Thank you for worrying about me.

Always. He leaned over and kissed her knuckles. Sleep well and dream sweet dreams. Naughty ones of me, he wanted to add.