Did it matter? She’d felt his presence for so long, now here she stood, inches away. It was fantastical. Shocking. All she could do was marvel. He was real, and he was here, and he exuded primitive animal magnetism.

She thought, Perhaps I gave up on romance too soon.

He was big—huge—both tall and muscular. The most powerful male she’d ever beheld, and the most beautiful, golden from head to toe. While he had long, thick lashes, and soft, plush lips, a broad jaw and strong chin gave him a hard edge.

A realization hit her, something that should have computed already, and her heart began to race. He’d spoken to her. That meant he was alive. But he couldn’t freaking be alive. He was encased in ice.

“Vale!” she squeaked. “Are people trapped in here?” Can’t be real, can’t be real. I must be wrong.

“Nah. They’re statues,” Vale replied with an easy tone. “Some kind of tourist attraction, I think. Men and women will come from all over the world to view these frozen sexcakes.”

“Statues. Yeah, that makes sense.” A relief. A disappointment. A...mistake? “Statues” didn’t explain the golden god. Of course, Nola couldn’t talk about her experiences, so she forced a laugh. Maybe, if she laughed enough, she’d begin to find the situation humorous. “But sexcakes? That isn’t the word I’d use.”

“Why, Nola Lee. You’d rather call them life-size lady-boner figurines? Well, good call. I like that description better. Take a gander at this one.” Vale hiked her thumb at a dark-haired man with blue eyes. “Grade A filet.”

Were all the males alive, haunting people’s dreams?

—You are everything I expected.—

Was that disdain she heard in his tone? Yeah. Must be. An answering disdain shone in his eyes.

Her chest tightened.

Had he hoped to torment someone prettier? Someone stronger? Was he disappointed in her? Well, so what! She was disappointed in him for being too foolish to recognize her amazing amazingness...buried underneath her layers of disease, weakness and addiction.

She was a delight, dang it! Honest, kind and fiercely loyal. Rare qualities in this Dumpster fire of a world. She had so much love to give!

“Sexcakes is absolutely right.” She pointed to another dark-haired warrior. “I just made eye contact with this one, and I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant. With twins.”

Vale approached, her hazel eyes wide and dazed, her pupils blown. Well. She wasn’t as blasé as she’d sounded.

—He is nothing to you. Nothing! I am everything.—

He was...jealous? Nola rejoiced at the possibility.