Between Two Kings (Split or Swallow, #2)

by Lindsay Straube

Tem had never been fucked against a tree before. They were alone in the forest, but it didn’t matter—Tem would’ve let Caspen fuck her with a crowd present.

Her orgasm slammed into her so sharply that her vision went black. By the time it returned, Caspen had finished too.

Tem had chosen Caspen. But it wasn’t because she didn’t love Leo. It was because she wanted more for Leo. And in doing so, she had accepted less for herself.

With Caspen, her desire was primal and raw, visceral, consuming her like a hungry animal. With Leo, it was slower—a glowing coal that smoldered deep within her chest.

Even without the influence of alcohol, she felt uncommonly warm. And every time she looked at Leo, she only felt warmer.

She was helpless, as she always was with Leo.

She pictured Leo—his blond hair, his dexterous fingers. Caspen had only mentioned sleeping with other basilisks, and the specificity was not lost on her.

Because with you, the reward is worth the wait.

Tears were imminent. “But I’ve done bad things, Gabriel. Really bad things.” “You did your best with the circumstances you were given.” He clasped his warm hands over hers. “That’s all anyone can hope to do.”

It is a dangerous thing to love two people. You must prepare yourself.

“Whoever was betrayed must kill the betrayer. My father did not want to kill my mother. But he had to. The blood bond forced him to.”

“Because you sent him away.” That was true. But it didn’t mean she’d fallen out of love with him.

Apollo’s beauty was harsher than Caspen’s.

“I’m taken, Apollo.”

They were standing a foot apart. They weren’t even touching. Yet Tem knew what he said was true.

“My brother and I have done this dance for centuries, Temperance. It would be a mistake for you to think you are the first person to find yourself in this position.”

Even though she’d just slapped him, he looked at her as if she’d kissed him. And perhaps, in his opinion, she had. The slap was as good as a kiss. Both were an exchange of power. Both were a passionate, raw reaction. The slap only confirmed that Tem was out of control with him, that she was unable to resist her emotions. She’d thought she was drawing a line between them, but now she realized she was doing the exact opposite.

“I have dreamed of slapping Apollo many times. As have others, I am sure. I am pleased someone finally did it.”

Tem. My love. Relax.

“Tem.” Gabriel turned to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You won’t let me flirt with Caspen’s hot brother. You won’t let me drink from the cum fountain. And you won’t let me come in the fountain. What am I even doing here?”

I want you all the fucking time.

“Tell me, Tem. Say it.”

You called, Temperance?

I can do it better. And faster.”

And then?

Apollo! Apollo! Apollo!

“One more word,” Apollo snarled, “and I will kill you.”

Apollo. He looked at her. Temperance.

She was not special; she was not unique. And yet, this was special. This was Apollo.

There were no rules with Apollo.

Nothing she did could hurt him; he was invincible. Nothing she said would insult him; he had heard far worse. Apollo had seen it all. He’d had every woman, every man. It was impossible to have any impact on him whatsoever. It was freeing to feel like that, to know that nothing could shake him. It had taken Tem too long to come to this conclusion—to realize that he wasn’t bad for her. That he wasn’t bad at all.

I need you again and again and again. I need you every fucking day and night. I need you. I need you. I need you.

like he was suffocating and she was the air he breathed.

“I’ve missed you every day, Leo. Every. Day.”

“All I could do was think of you. Every time I thought of you.”

They were not supposed to end. Ever.

He was always there for Tem, comforting her in the middle of the night whenever she woke up to cry. He stroked her spine, murmuring words of comfort until she fell asleep against his chest.

Love is complicated, after all. It never goes away. Only changes.

You are the most capable woman I have ever met, and I have always wanted more for you. At first, I thought that meant me. But now I understand you are whole all on your own. I have no doubt that the life you live will be sensational.

You are extraordinary, Tem.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to love you. I only hope I was worthy of your love in return.

You’re in the whiskey I drink, the books I read, the stars I see. You’re a part of me. Is it the same for you? Or did I imagine us?

“Your husband is diabolically hot,”