Page 148 of Psycho Gods

I forced my shoulders to relax and tried to look approachable.

My lips curled up in a welcoming smile.

Corvus always grouched about how stupid John was with his “fucking dimples and constant smiles.” Most likely because Orion said Arabella liked to comment on how much she liked John’s jokes and smile.

Fucking John.

There was something intriguing about a grown man making jokes and acting so idiotic all the time. He was just so nice.

But if he was the type of man my Revered preferred, then that was exactly who I would be for her. Just because I wasn’t nice didn’t mean I couldn’t pretend I was.

My plan was simple.

Effective.

Failure was not an option.

“What’s wrong with you?” Arabella asked me with concern. “Do you need to use the bathroom? Should I leave? Why are you standing like that?”

She moved toward the door.

Frustration welled. I stepped in front of her and blocked her exit. “I’m fine, say your demands,” I snarled, annoyed that she was misinterpreting my relaxed demeanor.

Could she not tell I was pretending to be a nice guy? What was wrong with her?

She scoffed. “No need to get all huffy.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but my teeth clicked as I shut my lips, and I breathed deeply.

I would wait patiently like a normal, nice man would.

For her, I would pretend.

“Why are you making that face?” she asked incredulously, then whispered, “Are you having stomach pain? Sometimes I also get it after a battle. Don’t worry, I think it’s normal.”

I gaped down at her with disbelief.

She continued rambling, “It’s probably just an ulcer from worry. I read somewhere that loads of people get them, especially during violent times in history with lots of upheaval.”

A headache throbbed against my temple as I struggled to come up with a response to her inane statements.

What would a nice guy say in this situation?

“Do you need me to get you medicine for your stomach?” I asked slowly as I pulled my lips up into an approachable smile.

“No need to snarl at me.” She made a disgruntled noise. “I was just saying.”

I wanted to scream with frustration because I wasn’t snarling, I was fucking smiling.

Why can’t she tell the difference?

Stepping forward, I used my larger size to surround her.

Frost burned my tongue, and my heart thudded erratically in my sternum. My skin tingled with the urge to wrap my fingers around her cold flesh and dig my nails into her skin.

I needed to mark her as mine.

I wanted to hurt her until she cried with pleasure.