by C. M. Owens
I pull his lips to collide with mine, and the passion flows from my mouth to his, rushing his game.
His grip becomes more needy than restrained, and his body becomes heavier against mine as he ends the torment. I hear the shattering of more bulbs as the energy of the room fuels my fire.
Will there ever be a time when he doesn't completely rule my body?
I hope not.
"I'm too tired to go anywhere now," I force out through rasp breaths.
Devin snickers at my mortal fatigue as he pulls me from the bed.
"We need to meet the others. We're already late for our meeting with Hagar, and now you won't have any time to gamble tonight."
I smile shamelessly as I revel in the incredible afterglow of our intimate, and slightly destructive, tousle. The shattered glass from so many bulbs gives me pause, and Devin scoops me up before I can plot a path to a safe spot.
"I wasn't thinking. You get ready on the bed," he says as he puts me back on the soft folds. "I'll clean this up before you get cut."
He hands me my bag, and I start rifling through it to find a new outfit to wear, since the black dress didn't survive his immortal grip. I giggle a little as I swat the shards left of it off the bed.
"I'll buy you a new one," he says with a menacing smirk.
"I'm still waiting on the replacement corset ensemble you shred to bits," I tease.
His eyes flash with excitement, and his wolfish grin spreads.
"Are you trying to keep us in here all night by reminding me how incredible your body looked in that salacious little number?" he seduces.
"No," I giggle. "I'm just reminding you that your list of things to replace is growing."
"You're right. I'll replace the corset first. That way I keep a chronological order," he smolders.
I roll my eyes as the girly grin spreads bigger across my face.
"I'm sure that's the real reason."
"I'm sure it's not," he dares. "But, it's seems to be less crude than my actual intentions," he playfully adds.
I laugh a little more as I start to pull out some fresh underwear, and a breeze splashes against me as Devin clears the dark room of all the harmful debris so fast my eyes can't gauge him at all.
"I'll take care of the other rooms while you finish changing," he says while replacing the bulbs in a blur of speed.
"Wow. You came prepared," I muse.
"I had the hotel load me up with as many light bulbs as they could fit in the supply closet," he teases.
I blush a little at the presumptuous forethought, and then I roll my eyes when his taunting gaze offers me a little more embarrassment.
"I thought you were going to clean the other rooms," I urge.
"Yes ma'am," he plays.
I just laugh as he saunters out, and then I pull out another daring dress Camara procured for me.
The blue marvel drapes from one shoulder to offer a sneak peek of what's underneath. The short hem should play well in the night air of the Vegas life. The very tight fit shows off every inch of my body as it hugs me almost too much.
Camara has no shame.
The mirror gasps as it sees my unruly mane left over from the spontaneous, and somewhat elongated, sexcursion we just embarked on.
I quickly brush through the tangled mess, and then I focus on the smeared makeup that has almost completely abandoned me.
I pull out my small travel bag - I finally got a slut bag - and steadily reapply until I finally feel pleased with the end result.
I deliberately strut out on my tiptoes, and Devin's eyes widen as he catches sight of me.
"You really do want to stay in here all night," he breathes.
"I just wanted to look halfway decent for our first night in Vegas."
"You surpassed your set goal. You're stunning," he gasps, his mouth falling to a gape.
I blush under his enamored gaze, and his lips trap mine without dally. His firm grip pulls me in tighter to his incredible body, and I giggle a little at his sudden adoration.
"Let's go to the meeting we're already late for," I murmur against his lips.
"I changed my mind. They can handle it without me," he plays.
I laugh a little louder as I grab my purse, and he carries my hand in his as we stroll like a normal couple into the decadent elevator.
"Why do these padded rooms have windows? I thought you couldn't soundproof them with windows," I ponder aloud.
"You can when you have insight into technology that shouldn't exist yet. I need to install them in all my homes, but that's going to take a while," he smugly releases.
I roll my eyes at his slightly arrogant remark, and he leads me out the doors to the brightly lit streets of Sin City once again.
I smile as I pass Elvis, and then Elvis again, and then Elvis - this one wearing a Hawaiian ensemble. I had always considered that to be a cliché, but apparently it's also true.
We turn into a casino, and I jump slightly when a loud roar erupts hysterically at a winning table. Devin laughs at my startled response, and his hand grips me a little tighter as we approach a lounge area.
"Hagar," he says with chipper enthusiasm as we approach a beastly man with a shiny bald head and a draping beard that tangles at his chest.
Wow. He's a bit intimidating.
"Devin, you're late," he growls.
Theia and the others flash glances of disapproval for our tardy arrival, and I slouch as I fidget awkwardly.
"I'm sorry. My fiancée and I got a little wrapped up in the city air. Please forgive me," Devin says with a smirk.
Hagar's eyes widen as he turns his attention to me. His mouth trembles a little as he continues to assess every inch of me, forcing me to squirm with more discomfort.
"All is forgiven. I'd be a little caught up as well if I was you. I didn't know you had gotten engaged," he sighs dreamily with a hypnotized tone, his eyes still gaping into mine. "Where the blazes is her ring?" he scolds suddenly.
Devin laughs a little as he pulls my hand up to his lips. "There was a rewind. I had her ring custom made, and now they're having to do it all over again. She'll have it back soon enough," Devin warmly counters.
I blush feverishly under the smoldering eyes of the man I love. I was worried he had forgotten about my ring.
Hagar's eyes calm down, and then he continues with a more businesslike tone.
"I heard of the rewind, and Hale has told me what it is you wish for me to do. I have a wife now, Devin. It's dangerous for me to become associated with someone taking on Safina. She didn't rise from her tomb that was locked away in the belly of the earth to simply lose in a fair fight," he says.
"If you don't help us, you're helping Safina. Has my mother shown you the end of the fight?"
Hagar tilts his head to the side. "No, and what do you mean I'm helping her?"
Devin motions for Theia to join him, and she intertwines her fingers with Hagar's as she pulls him into a private booth. Devin leans over to kiss me on top of the head before whispering in my ear.
“I hope you didn't think I forgot."
I smile a little bashfully. "I wasn't going to press the issue, but I did wonder if it had slipped your mind."
He tilts my chin up, and I can't stop smiling like a fool. He's acting so differently here. There's still that intense bridge between us, but it's also so effortless, fun, and completely beguiling. I can't help but enjoy his lightheartedness in the face of the monstrous war ahead of us. It's calming, and it's pretty damn hot, too.
"I'd never forget to buy my soon-to-be-wife an engagement ring," he says, grinning.
Wife. Hmm… That sounds so good.
"Well, I'd never forget to give my soon-to-be-husband a surprise, since I'm the only one capable of doing such," I say with a childish giddiness.
His eyes light up and his excited tone is so adorable.
"You giving me back my picture?"
I laugh a little as I pull out a small box wrapped in crisp white paper and a sleek bl
ack ribbon tied elegantly atop.
"This isn't big enough for a picture," he says while holding it to his ear and shaking it lightly.
I laugh again as I see the enormous smile plastered to his face. He snickers lightly like a child as he pulls open the ribbon, and carefully rips open the paper to pull out the black box inside.
He gingerly removes the lid, and his eyes narrow suspiciously as he pulls out a Vegas souvenir pen set.
"I wasn't expecting that," he says with bemusement.
I laugh a little more as I motion to what's under the false bottom of the box. He pulls out the slither of cardboard, and his eyes widen as he unfolds the brochure to the inn my father manages.
"Is this what I think it is?"
"Click the pen," I giggle out.
He lets out a bit of a chuckle as he entertains my odd request. As he pushes the pen, his eyes light up. Music frees itself from the hidden music box within, and it plays the wedding march with a fast, somewhat cheesy, but effective rendition.
"You want to get married at the inn?" he says with more excitement as he swirls me around.
My feet slowly find the floor again, and his incredible lips glide against mine.
"Yes. I do," I say with a dorky romantic intended pun.
Vegas is bringing out the cheesy in me.
"Where did you get this?" he laughs as he holds the pen up.
"Vegas if full of wedding shops. I asked Camara to find me anything that played this tune, and she came back with this. I wrapped it while I was in the bathroom. I love you."
"I love you too, babe. When are we getting married?" he questions with giddy enthusiasm.
"As soon as I'm immortal again."
He frowns a little, and I move in closer to his body.
"Why do we have to wait until then?" he pouts.
I smile at his rush to see me walking down the aisle.
"Because I want a bed-breaking, electrifying, wall-shaking wedding night," I seduce.
He swallows hard against the knot that has instantly formed in his throat, and his face glows a faint shade of red as he adjusts his collar.
"I don't need all that. I just want to be married to you," he says before gulping.
I smile at his hesitation to finish that sentence considering my very enticing and salacious remark.
"I want to be married to you too, but I also want it to be the most magical night we've ever had. I think we both know my awakened Aphrodite half will aide with that," I seduce more.
"I'll do whatever you want me to," he murmurs as my fever explodes from within.
He lifts me to meet his lips, and my fingers tangle in his hair. His firm hands grip me through the thin garment snugly tailored to my body.
"You two have to keep the seduction level a little lower. People around you are starting to feel the effects," Hale warns.
Devin slowly releases me, and I can see all the eyes in the room staring at me. Damn, this is new.
"Her mortal and immortal waves are starting to collide. Her mind and emotions have been set to immortal, but her body is playing catch up. We probably need to rush Theia along," Persia murmurs in a low whisper.
We don't have to rush Theia though. She and Hagar emerge from the private booth and rejoin us with heavy eyes.
Theia has had to relive those terrible memories over and over. I can tell it's starting to take a toll on her. She hasn't even told very many others from our group because she knows they'll want to see. They're just contacting their contacts to start readying for the big fight they know is coming without hearing about the rewind.
"I'm going to take your mother back to the apartment. She needs to rest for a while," Phillip murmurs with concerned eyes as he steadies the body of his weakened wife.
"I'm fine. It's just a little rough after the initial reviewing," she lies.
"Go back. Get some rest. We can take care of everything else," Devin assures.
She frowns slightly but nods in appreciative defeat. Hagar's ghostly appearance brings down his once intimidating stock.
"I'll help you," he affirms with a tone of astonishment mingling with fear.
"Thank you," Devin says while shaking Hagar's hand. "We're trying to keep everyone roped in together. We don't want to be surprised again."
"I'll tell my wife, and we'll join you in a few hours," he murmurs gently before turning to walk away.
Hale walks up with mischievous eyes, and I can see Deacon smirking a little as well.
"Time for Stasia, playboy," he teases.
I hide my scowl, but I know my eyes are burning furiously. It's a good thing I'm mortal right now.
Devin grumbles in distaste for the taunting remark, and I feel myself pulling away from his grasp as I turn to follow Camara's lead.
He quickly pulls my hand in his before I fully escape, but I don't fight his touch. I have to try to trust him.
"A strip club?" I squeal in disbelief as we stand in front of the flashing sign advertising the unexpected destination.
Deacon roars out his laughter, as do some of the others. Devin's face is completely flushed as he tries to answer me.
"I'm sorry. This is where she works."
Oh that conniving bitch.
"No wonder she requested the meeting be here," I growl. "What immortal spends eternity flashing her goods on stage?"
"The kind who enjoys a man's lust," Gemma snorts in disgust.
At least I'm not the only one completely grossed out. I hate knowing Gemma is my only ally though.
"Well. I think this is the best meeting place I've ever been asked to come to," Hale says with a menacing hint.
I roll my eyes as I huff, and then I shrug Devin's arm off from around my shoulders as we walk in.
"Please don't be mad at me," he murmurs against my ear.
"You could have warned me," I gripe. "What time are we supposed to meet her?" I ask as we walk through the hazy lights barely offering any real illumination.
"Right now," Devin murmurs over the music with a slight grimace on his face.
A new song starts playing just as a lean, perfectly measured blond struts out onto the stage with all of her beauty and seductive poise.
She flips her hair as she quickly bends forward, and her eyes lock in on Devin's as she slowly pulls back up. He looks away promptly to break eye contact, but it's not like he needs his eyes to see her.
Fucking psychic.
I'm sure she's doing nothing to block his visions either.
"So you saw this coming, and we still came?" I growl.
"We need her," he mumbles.
"Do we need her, or do you just want to enjoy a show?" I snark.
"I'm not enjoying this. I avoid these visions, and I'm blocking her out right now," he assures.
"Then I guess you should be able to block out a vision when you hold a present too," I say in order to enforce my suspicious tone.
"When provoked by touch, I can't help but see. I've already told you this. Please don't question whether or not I'm telling the truth," he almost admonishes.
"Don't get pissed at me right now. I'm not the one dragging you to a strip club to watch my ex perform a striptease for me," I harp. "I’ve also heard how incredibly good you are at lying, playboy."
He shakes his head, and turns his back on the stage as he stalks toward the bar.
Camara walks over to attempt to offer me an encouraging smile. I take a deep breath, but instead of fresh air, I collect stale seduction, lust, and desperation.
My anger is almost boiling over at this point, and I'm begging Aphrodite to loan me some of her confidence because mine has been smashed to bits by this blond bombshell having her fun on the stage.
I almost throw up in my mouth when I think of how intimate and wild the two of them had to have been. There's a reason Gemma hates her, and I'm sure there's more to it than just the murder attempt.
The song ends, and she scoops all of her cash up as she slides her lingerie back on before walking off the s
tage.
I walk over to stand beside Hale who is in less of a teasing mood now that he sees how truly upset I am by all of this. He slides his arm around my shoulders, and I lean against him for support just as Devin returns.
"Devin," she squeals excitedly, and I notice there's a thick, Russian accent.
Great. Hot and foreign. As if my confidence needed another low blow.
She throws her arms around him, and his drink sloshes as he pats her very stiffly before quickly withdrawing. The furious red grows with intensity as I glare at the two of them.
"Thank you for meeting with us," Devin says very cordially.
"Of course. You know I like to do things for you. The payment is always so… rewarding," she seduces as she drags her finger up his chest.
Like I'm supposed to stand here and be okay?
Hale's grip tightens on my shoulder, preventing me from trying to take on an immortal. Devin withdraws from the stray finger as he cautions her.
"I've already told you I'm engaged."
At least he did that much.
"Yes, but you didn't say what you were engaged in?" she replies with a fake coyness.
"It's not what I'm engaged in, it's who I'm engaged to," he clarifies to the blond pretending to be an oblivious bimbo.
Her eyes scowl into Gemma's, and Gemma doesn't do anything but step toward her fearlessly.
"You had better not be engaged to that troll," she snarks.
Gemma starts to lunge, but Deacon restrains her by the elbows, pulling her just far enough away to keep her from ripping Stasia's head off.
"Did I provoke that as well?" Gemma scoffs to Devin.
He rolls his eyes at the two women fighting for his attention while my hands fist at my sides. I fucking hate feeling out of place when he's supposed to be mine.
"I'm engaged to Adisia," he sighs.
"Adisia? I don't know an… Adisia," she murmurs with confusion.
Devin starts looking around, but I stay cowered beside Hale. His eyes narrow when he sees the close contact I'm sharing with the sexy sun, and he walks over to pull me away from Hale and into hell.
