So why hadn’t Máax proposed his solution to begin with? And if Brutus worked for the gods, then why would he challenge Máax like that? Something didn’t sit right. Especially that bit about Brutus becoming so protective. The look of wrath on his face when he’d stormed from her house left her more mystified than ever. What had she done wrong? And why did it bother her? Probably because Brutus had saved her life, and it meant something to her. Just as it meant something that Máax had saved her, too.
Gods, caring about people is so hard. She almost cared too much.
“Are you ready, Ashli?” Máax’s warm, rough hand covered hers, jarring her from her uneasy contemplation. “Come.” He positioned her directly under a palm tree that stood a few yards from her back porch. “You must stand directly above the magical tablet I have buried here.”
Really? Really? Did he just say “magical tablet”? Maybe he parked it next to his sister’s magical unicorn.
Well, consider yourself lucky. At least he’s not whipping out the DeLorean and asking you to hold a lightning rod.
“Sure,” she replied, “weady as I’ll evew be.” Damn, her tooth hurt. She hoped there was a good dentist in town twenty years into the future.
“Excellent. I am taking you straight to our cenote about two hundred kilometers from here; I need to make a quick stop.”
Whoa. “What? I thought we were staying hew.” A few decades into the future, yes, but here. Here was important.
“I don’t have time to explain; however, I promise we will return to your home after I take care of something.”
Her hands trembled. “Máax, I’m not weally weady for all of this. It’s too much. Can we just take it one step at a time?”
He grumbled something unintelligible under his breath. Probably more of that annoying Latin. “No. I am sorry, Ashli. Normally, I would default to being a gentleman—Okay, perhaps not—I would probably insist. As I am about to do now.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because there is something important I must do,” he said in a soft, reassuring voice, then gently brushed her cheek. “There is nothing to fear. I promise.”
Well, if he said so. Right? After all, the guy was the God of Truth. If he said, “Nothing to fear,” then he meant it.
But then why did her stomach signal otherwise?
“Time to go.” Máax firmly gripped her hand, sending a shock wave of tingles charging through her body. Still, her cold feet seemed unable to move. Before she mustered a protest, the sand beneath her feet began to vibrate and hiss. A dark manhole-sized fissure opened in front of them. She tipped her body forward and peered inside the vertical wind tunnel. It swirled with bits of debris and sand on the surface, but there was no bottom, nothing inside. Just darkness.
Knees shaking, she stumbled back a step. “Maybe this isn’t such a goow ideaw.”
“I’m sorry, my dear Ashli, but there is no time for further deliberation.”
She felt a hard tug on her arm, and then her body fell forward. She yelped when the force of the opening grabbed hold and sucked her in.
“Waaaiiiit.” A flash of light momentarily blinded her. She now stood in the jungle at the edge of a dark green pool of water. Speckles of sunlight filtered through the treetops, and a multitude of unseen birds chirped loudly all around her. There had to be hundreds from the sound of it.
“Holy shit.” She spun on her heel. “Was that it?”
“Yes. That was it,” said the deep, sexy male voice at her side. She felt his rough hands slide down her arms. “However, this next part of the journey will not be so pleasant. Hold your breath.” Máax scooped her up in his arms.
“What the hell? Máax!”
“Sorry, love, but it must be done.” He hurtled them both toward the dark, murky water.
Lying on a warm, fluffy bed, Ashli awoke in a large, sunny bedroom. She held her breath listening for anything to orient her, but her thumping heart sounded like a loud drum inside her head. An odd, uncomfortable feeling covered her body, as if her limbs had gone to sleep and were just now coming out of that pins-and-needles phase.
Slowly, her eyes swept the room. Not one item looked familiar. A bright red painting of some pre-Hispanic dog hung on the wall next to a large flat thing. A television? The furniture—nightstand, table and chairs in the corner, and the dresser—was that rustic Mexican style she liked, but also unfamiliar.
She looked down the length of her body, relieved to see she wore her favorite white cotton summer dress. Something familiar! But there was also a necklace with a black shiny stone hanging around her neck.
She carefully sat up, wondering if she’d suffered another head injury. She wiggled her toes and wobbled her head between her shoulders. Nope. Everything felt okay.
Her eyes returned to canvassing the room, immediately settling on a picturesque set of doors that led to a balcony overlooking the ocean. It looked like a perfect day outside. Was she at an oceanside spa? The giant bouquet of fresh lavender sitting on the table sure made it smell like it. So how had she gotten here? Where exactly was “here”?
She moved to slip off the bed but was abruptly pulled back. “Ah, you are awake.”
She yelped. “Máax? You scared the hell out of me.” She looked toward the direction of his voice and noticed the deep indentation of his body right next to her on the bed.
His familiar, electrifying touch slid across her midriff and pulled her the rest of the way down. “My apologies.” His lips brushed against her cheek and left a trail of salacious tingles on her skin. “How do you feel?”
She felt… She felt… great, actually. Like she’d had a really long nap after a run on the beach. And lying next to Máax, who caressed her with the entire length of his body, an undoubtedly naked body, had an instant effect. One that fired up the old girlie parts.
Vrroom?
“Relaxed. Except where are we?” She couldn’t remember—well, anything really.
“This is your home.”
Her home? She propped herself up by the elbows. “This doesn’t look like it.”
“Ah yes. Well, apparently your little beach house was wiped out ten years ago in a hurricane. It was rebuilt. This house was made with reinforced steel beams running thirty feet into the ground. You also bought the land to both sides permitting us to build something infinitely grander.”
Her home was gone? She felt mortified. She’d loved that home. “I lost my house? And I bought land?”
“Well, your Uchben-managed trust purchased it, but yes. And yes, your home is gone. I am sorry. But such is nature. A cruel bitch,” he said casually, as if she’d lost her favorite pair of socks.
But this wasn’t casual. It was…
Devastating.
“Are you all right, Ashli?” Máax’s hand brushed her cheek.
She nodded and sat up again. “Yeah. It’s just—wow. It’s really gone?”
“We saved your belongings—some, anyway. They’ve been put into storage further inland, where they’ll be safe.”
“How do you know all this?” she asked.
“You’ve been asleep for about a day. The Uchben, including Brutus, have already been here. They debriefed me on everything.”
“Brutus? He stayed here the entire time I was away? Shouldn’t he be retired by now?”
Máax chuckled. “I may have forgotten to mention that Brutus is one of our elite guards and therefore immortal. But no, he oversees things for us and has had his hands quite full these past years.”
“Oh.” How strange. But of course, why wouldn’t Brutus be immortal? He worked for gods and surely that meant many dangerous assignments; they couldn’t be worried about him dying all the time. Made sense. On the other hand, living forever sounded—well, like forever. I think I’d go crazy. Especially considering the plethora of strangeness that accompanied her life. An eternity of this weirdness might be too much.
“So. You’re sure I’m okay?” Why couldn’t she remember what happened? Everything w
as a giant blur after she’d gone into that portal.
“You are perfect,” he replied. “Never better. It was only your home that had a little trouble.”
“Oh.” She needed a moment to digest. For some reason, she thought everything in the future would be exactly the same, just maybe more modern. Twenty years wasn’t that much time. Was it?
“Does your new home not please you? Is it not beautiful?” Máax asked.
What could she say? If the rest of the home was as nice as the bedroom, she knew it was gorgeous. The only issue was that it wasn’t her home. And that people in these parts might confuse her for a telenovela star or a drug lord. Lavish was an overstatement.
Well, she told herself, you’re alive; that’s what matters. And she was with Máax.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” she said gratefully.
“Of course I did. I want you to be comfortable here.”
His lips skimmed hers. Their warmth and inexplicable familiarly melted away the sadness and sense of loss. It was amazing how Máax could do that—heat her up, make her toes tingle, turn her into a raving sex loon with one simple touch. Squaaaawk!
A blistering urge to have her hot, lusty way with the god sideswiped her. She wanted to seek comfort in that potent male body—yes, yes, invisible, but she knew exactly what was there—and lose herself in the powerful emotions he triggered. She didn’t care that it might not lead anywhere. Like the last time they’d gone at it like frisky little chipmunks in her kitchen, her entire body craved him.
Before she could act on those impulses, she found herself standing, being tugged toward the bathroom.
“They’ve included every comfort known to womankind: a sauna, jet tub, and champagne bar.”
She leaned inside the doorway. Her entire previous beach house could fit inside. “It’s incredible. Really, but—”
By the hand, Máax tugged Ashli into the hallway. Raised ceilings with large skylights above and white tile flooring beneath illuminated every corner with bright, cheery sunlight. Máax dragged her through the rest of the new home complete with six guest rooms, five more baths, a study, one giant living room, and a gourmet chef’s kitchen.
How had he planned all this?
“And then there is this…” Máax opened the double doors to her new beachside patio.
What the…? She felt like she’d won the grand prize on a game show. And look! It’s your newww open fire pit and stainless steel outdoor kitchen, Ashli! But wait! There’s more! That’s right. It’ssss hand-carved furniture! Wild applause.
“Máax. This is all too much.” He’d gone overboard, turning her sweet, charming tropical bungalow into a multimillion-dollar mansion. Not that she wasn’t grateful, because she was, but it was all too strange.
“Nothing is too much for you.” Máax pulled her into his body. His electrifying hands cupped the back of her head. “I want you to be happy here.”
“I didn’t come here,” she whispered, “for a house. I came because I wanted to live.” And, maybe, to be with you.
“And live, you shall. For a very, very long time—forever, if I can help it.”
Her brain tripped and stumbled. “What did you mean by that?”
“Why don’t you let me finish showing you the house?” he suggested.
“Máax? What is going—”
Whoa. She suddenly remembered Máax throwing her into that pool of dark green water in the middle of the jungle. “Wait! What happened at the cenote?”
The sound of Máax scratching his thick beard perked up her ears. Why was he thinking so hard about his answer?
“Let us go inside,” he finally said.
She swiped for his hand or arm or some piece of him but missed. “No. Tell me now.”
Máax was silent. Was he still there?
“Máax?” She waited for several moments.
“Yes,” he answered. “I am here.”
“What’s going on?” Why did she have a bad feeling?
A gust of wind blew her hair over her face. She pushed it back and caught a glimpse of the ocean. Her ocean. At least that hadn’t changed. She’d give anything for a swim right now to calm her nerves.
“It is simple,” Máax said coldly. “I took you to my realm and filled you with our light. You are immortal now. This is why your eyes are now turquoise. Like mine.”
They are? “What? Sorry?” Did he just say immortal?
Máax grabbed her hand and placed it over his heart. “I am truly sorry for not telling you, but—”
“Sorry? You’re… sorry? You can’t just do that kind of crap without telling a person, Máax.”
“Ahhh,” he argued, “but I can. I am a god, and by definition, that is our right. We meddle. We make decisions. We use the powers and gifts bestowed upon us by the Universe and Creator to keep humans safe.”
He couldn’t possibly be serious. Could he? “Okay. But this is my life! You had no right to—”
“Are you saying you are displeased that you will live?” he asked smugly.
She closed her mouth. That wasn’t the problem. Not even close!
“Because,” he added, “I know you merely pretended to be comfortable with the notion of death, but I saw the truth. You came here because you wanted to survive. I merely took things a step further and granted you immortality.” He paused, giving her a moment to process.
True. She did want to live. He’d given her a glorious glimpse of what life could be like when filled with passion for a man who was so incredible, so powerful and sexy that he made her knees wobble. And he could never die. Ever. He’d never grow old or sick. He would never leave her. That was, if she decided to stay with him, which, at this very moment, was not sounding like a ticket to Happy Ever After Land. How could he make her immortal and not discuss it with her? How?
“So you see,” Máax continued, “you made the choice, I simply gave you what you wanted.” He said proudly, “And I fixed your tooth.”
Conceited, smug, sonofabi—
“I also gave myself something I wanted—well, needed, actually: you.” He added, “And your safety as well.”
Her fury wavered for a moment but rebounded quickly. It was one thing to want to save her, but treating her like she was… she was… not his equal. Uh-uh.
“I’m going for a walk.” She turned toward the beach. “And you better not follow me.”
“You should not be alone,” he argued.
Really? Really? “You know, for a deity, you’re not very smart.” She threw out her arms. “I’m immortal now, remember? I don’t need your protection anymore.”
She didn’t need anyone. Never had. Because she was a survivor. Uh-huh. That’s right.
Ashli stomped down the beach, anger spouting from her ears. So much had happened so fast that she couldn’t quite make it all feel real inside her head. Okay, the anger felt real. Sort of like a wasp break-dancing in her frontal lobe. The hollowness felt real, too. She’d left her home, her café, her life.
Well, you didn’t really have much of a life, now did you?
Maybe not, but it was her life. And she’d left it all because Máax had convinced her that the future would be a safe place. Then why did she feel more in jeopardy than ever?
Because Máax deceived you. How was that possible? Wasn’t he supposed to be the God of Truth?
He made you immortal without telling you, which isn’t the same as lying.
Loophole! It’s a loophole, and no excuse for not asking you. Stupid god!
As Ashli marched down the shore, the sound of the crashing jewel-colored waves soothing her temper, something caught her eyes. Or should she say a whole lot of somethings?
“Wow.” Ashli pivoted on her heel and took in the scenery. Several new eco-resorts, tons of swimmers, enormous houses—the place looked so different. So many more people now. Where had her quaint little Mexican beach town gone?
Her heart sank as one more cherished object simply evaporated into the past, nothing but a m
emory.
And what the hell is that? Ashli said to herself with disgust, her gaze zeroing in on a foul, two-story structure that looked like Chuck E. Cheese’s and Tarzan went out for a wild night of tequila shots and ended up having an illegitimate architectural love child. It was horrendous. Giant plastic palm trees with flashing lights, gaudy jungle murals, and bright red umbrellas with a cartoon drawing of a topless male monkey bearing a six-pack and drinking a cappuccino assaulted her eyes. The cheesiness made her monkey-nauseous. And it was in the exact same spot her café used to be!
No. No. Noooo… Monkeyccino’s? Wh-wha-what? Where had Cielito Lindo’s gone?
Despite the urge to monkey-hurl, she couldn’t prevent her feet from guiding her body straight for the doors. When she stepped inside, a burst of cool air hit her face, as did the obnoxious decorum, which was equally as “cheesified” as the outside with stuffed monkeys and fake plants hanging from the ceiling, a rope with a swinging Tarzan manikin, and an indoor waterfall. But what shocked her most, besides the place being three times as big as her café had been, were the waiters. Topless Ricky Martin look-alikes with oodles of bulging muscles and ripped abs, wearing surfer shorts, bow ties, and little monkey ears, served coffee to a mass of hungry, giggling women. Holymotherofmalemonkeystrippers! What had they done to her café?
The place was packed with tourists, mostly females, sitting around sipping frothy milk shakes.
Ashli glanced at the wall-sized menu above the registers. One hundred and fifty pesos? Christ, did the drinks come with a free lap dance and a gold bracelet? That was outrageous!
Was this Fernando’s doing? And where was he?
Calm down. Maybe the place was sold. But wouldn’t Máax have told her? Yeah, like he told you about your trip to deityville?
Ashli strolled past the short line and placed her hands on the counter next to the register. “Disculpe, señor. Se encuentra Fernando?”
Accidentally...Over? Page 14
