Filthy Gods (American Gods 0.5)(13)

“Yes,” he finally spoke, the smugness gone from his voice and expression. A sound I couldn’t understand echoed in his voice. “She offered to help my mother this summer. We compete at Yale. She’s my greatest rival.”

My throat grew tight and I struggled to hold his powerful gaze. I watched as his mouth relaxed and opened.

“Your greatest rival?” The woman laughed, her nails dragging painfully across the expensive crystal. “How ancient. Plus, I couldn’t believe anyone being as intelligent and savvy as you, Nathan.” Her hand reached out and stroked the edge of his. He didn’t move away from the touch.

Yet, his gaze still held mine.

“You would believe that until you saw her singlehandedly destroy men with that sharp tongue of hers,” he said, a smile growing ever so slightly at the corner of his mouth.

My chest felt light, too light as I gawked at him.

Wasp’s cheeks hollowed out.

“It seems you’re invincible to my sharp tongue,” I said, tilting my head to the side.

That earned a smile and it blinded me like the sun. “I’d argue the opposite.”

A heat grew and I couldn’t stop myself from flushing.

And then the heat cooled as a splash hit my skin.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, her slender hands picking up the crystal glass. “I’m so clumsy.” She laughed again.

I slowly looked down at myself, seeing the harsh red stains on my white clothes.

When I glanced up at her, she hid a smile behind her fingers, as if trying to appear upset.

Standing in front of them, in a room full of people so much more powerful than I, I felt small, humiliated.

I swallowed.

“Juliette,” Nathaniel said, standing.

“No,” I bit out harshly and turned back to the Wasp. “Have a lovely evening.”

Her smile wavered and I turned away, rushing out of the dining hall and down the hallway. A few couples stopped at my appearance, but I kept walking, hoping I could outrun the embarrassment.

I slammed open the woman’s bathroom and stalked to the sinks, grabbing the ridiculous deluxe paper towel imported from France and wetting it.

The red stains looked like blood as I scrubbed, blinking back angry tears. She had done it on purpose, it hadn’t been an accident. I’d been crossing the line.

I shook my head, mumbling curses to myself.

At the sound of the door opening, I glanced up at the mirror, ready to excuse myself, but then I saw him.

Nathaniel walked in, shutting the door behind him.

I dropped my head again and focused on the stains. The stupid stains that weren’t coming out, only slightly fading.

“Are you here to apologize on behalf of your date?” I hissed between my teeth.

Nathaniel stayed silent for a moment. “No.”

I huffed. “You rich boys move on fast.”

Again, silence followed, the only sound my harsh breathing and my hands viciously scrubbing at the stains.

“She felt threatened by you,” he said.

My head snapped up. “What?”

He shrugged lazily, his hands stuffed into his pockets. “She felt intimidated by you.”

I shook my head, again scrubbing. “She has everything. Beauty, money, a bright, easy future ahead of her. I’m just the maid, remember?”

“No, she doesn’t.” I looked up when I heard the bite in his voice. For once not cool, not composed. I saw his throat muscles move as he swallowed and he took a step forward. “She doesn’t have your intelligence. Or your anger.”

I scoffed and bowed my head, viciously scrubbing at the red stain on my skirt. “Anger is not a desirable trait, Nathaniel.”

His fingers touched my wrist and I froze. His long, tanned fingers wrapped around my wrist and he lifted my hands from my skirt. “You’ll rub your hands raw, Juliette.”

I reddened, curling my hands into fists. I saw the pinkness on the tips of my fingers. When I became stressed, obsessive, I couldn’t stop.

“Your anger is desirable to me,” he said and my eyes snapped up to his, capturing my entire attention.

I tried to straighten, tried to gather my wits, but under his gaze, I felt naked. “You’re the only one who makes me furious.”

A smile stung his mouth. “Good.” He looked far too smug. “I’m the only bastard who gets your wrath.”

I hated how his words made me weak, made me loose and warm and giddy. I wasn’t that girl. I wouldn’t lose focus on my end goal. My future.

“You should get back to your date,” I said and pulled my hand back.

He watched me for a moment. “She’s not anyone important, if that’s a concern of yours.”

I fixed my lopsided skirt.

At my silence, he edged closer, hands in his pockets. “But maybe we should set some ground rules to our affair.”

My stomach heated at the word affair. It made it sound so forbidden and secret and sacred.

“Until summer ends, we won’t be with anyone else,” he said, watching my expression.

I nodded.

His mouth twisted ruefully. “Give me your word, Juliette.”

I swallowed at his tone. “I agree.”

His body relaxed from my words and I stared at him in wonder.

“And why were you having dinner with her?”