She nods, a worried look on her face. "Are you going straight home? That's probably best."
"For now." I don't point out that I have to work tonight. I still don’t know how I'm going to figure that part out. I can't leave Kassam unattended—actually, I can't leave him at all—but if I don't work, my fridge stays empty. I need those tips. "Love you."
"Be safe," my mother says, and pats my arm.
I feel a little lost as I grab Kassam by the arm and head out of my mom's shop. Immediately, the full force of his magnetism hits me, and I wish I'd brought the box of crystals along. I suck in a breath, glancing over at him.
Kassam just smiles that same wicked smile he always has. "Feel better?"
“Better” is not the right word. Visiting my mother solved nothing. She can't help us, and all I've done is make my mom incredibly horny for my new lover, which makes me cringe to the depths of my soul to think about. Nothing was solved just now. I'm still adrift and alone, and my clothes feel far too constricting in certain areas. I just shake my head and head for the car, unable to voice how frustrated I am. I need answers, and I need help, and all I'm getting is more turned on by Kassam's presence.
The moment I sit in the car, my phone buzzes with an incoming text. I pick it up and glance at the screen.
* * *
MOM: Whew. I couldn't think while he was in the room. That man is potent, Carly. Be careful when you're driving.
* * *
CARLY: I haven't even left the parking lot yet.
* * *
MOM: I had an idea.
* * *
Oh thank god.
* * *
CARLY: I'm listening.
* * *
MOM: You should get married.
* * *
I stare down at my phone, wondering what autocorrect has changed. We should get…martinis? We should get…marked-down sushi? What? My mom keeps typing slowly, so I wait. As I do, Kassam puts his hand on my knee. He squeezes it, and when his hand stays, I realize it's both comfort and need. I want to snap that Hedonism needs to give me a break for an hour, but I know it's not his fault. If he's telling the truth, he's cursed.
What's even more annoying? I want him to slide his hand higher.
* * *
MOM: Hear me out. I've read a lot of books about the old gods and faeries and the like. They're not trustworthy, but if you can get them into a binding agreement with you, that's the only safety net you have. Take him to some fly-by-night chapel, make him promise to love, honor and cherish you. He can't get you killed then.
* * *
MOM: It sounds squirrelly, but we're dealing with squirrelly things right now.
* * *
Kassam leans over, pressing his mouth to the side of my neck, and I bite back a moan. "My light," he murmurs. "I need you."
I look over at him, panting and distracted. "Five…five minutes," I manage. Good lord, how am I possibly going to get anything done if I can't go five minutes without wanting to jump on his dick and ride him? I never thought pleasure-seeking would be a curse, but it's definitely a distraction.
"I can give you five minutes," he agrees, his hand drifting down my arm and then brushing across my breast. He manages a little smile. "I will let it whet my appetite."
That makes me laugh, slightly hysterical. "Whet your appetite? Yours is non-stop."
"Hedonism," he agrees, his thumb drifting over my nipple and teasing it. "It is never-ending. Some think it is the best of flaws, but it can be a bit much."
A bit much. I'll say. I reach over him into the glove compartment and pull out a box of breath mints. "Here. Distract yourself."
Kassam's eyes light up and he shakes the tin, fascinated. "It smells wonderful."
"Tastes even better," I agree, shivering as I pick my phone up again. I have to fight the urge to crawl into his lap and just forget everything for a few hours. Focus, Carly, I remind myself, and slap my cheek. Focus.
I read through my mom's texts again. Get Kassam to agree to marry me in order to protect me. It sounds very fairy tale, but then again….I glance up as one crow, then another, land atop my car hood. They caw in excitement, staring through the windshield at Kassam as if they know him. A few more crows flutter in, and I glance over at the god, who is eating mints by the handful.
Right. This could actually be a fairy tale. My Disney princess here has the requisite birds and animals eating out of his hand, after all. I ponder my mother's words.
* * *
ME: I can't believe you're suggesting marriage. Even weirder, I can't believe I'm considering it.