by C. M. Owens
“You have to. I want a man excited at the other end of the aisle. I think two nights away will be enough to build the suspense and anticipation.”
“And your scent. Don’t forget that will be building as well,” Deacon chimes in.
“It’s just two days. My scent won’t be too strong,” I say dismissively, but Devin completely ignores the conversation as he goes back to my previous statement.
“There’s the real reason you’re doing this,” he says with narrowed eyes. “I don’t need two nights alone to be excited to see you. I swear every second with you is intoxicating enough as it is. Don’t leave me,” he pleads.
Drat! My stupid big mouth.
“No. I want us to have that moment of built up excitement, and I want to be that bride whose groom is thoroughly thrilled to see her,” I playfully pout.
“I will be elated to see you regardless of any unnecessary time apart. I love you, and I think it’s foolish for us to separate for any amount of time when we don’t need to,” he mumbles.
“Please don’t do this. You know I love you, but I really want this opportunity to give our wedding a little more oomph.”
He frowns, but he doesn’t argue the matter any further. I stand to my feet as I walk over to the kitchen to grab some more coffee.
“You know, I could just skip the bachelorette party, and then I could stay here until tonight,” I murmur leadingly.
He laughs while joining me.
“Clara has been on my ass to make sure you go, and she’s very annoyingly tenacious. I’d rather not deal with her wrath. Just go, and I’ll sit on the edge of my seat waiting to see you. I’ll probably call every hour and sulk the whole time, but you’ll have your big reveal,” he mutters with resentful reluctance.
“Thank you,” I say victoriously while wrapping my arms around his neck and standing on my tiptoes.
“I’ve got to go with the others to do some last minute work, even though now I’m wishing I didn’t have so much to do. I wasn’t prepared for your surprise departure, but we’ll be gone for a month. I don’t want to have to do anything but devote my full attention to you while we’re gone, so I suppose it’s a necessary evil.”
I squeal a little excitedly as I bounce up and down in his arms. “I can’t believe we’re going to Greece for an entire month.”
He smiles a full flashing, wondrous grin that nearly brings my knees to a wobbling buckle.
“Anything for you, baby. I told you I’m going to make sure you enjoy our eternity together. It starts the moment our wedding is over,” he murmurs softly as his lips graze mine.
“It started the moment I met you,” I seductively counter.
He smirks deviously, and I feel him lifting me from the ground before flashing into the bedroom with me still firmly attached to his grip.
“I thought you had somewhere to be,” I tease.
“They can wait,” he seduces.
His lips devour mine with an animalistic growl as he places me under him on the bed. His strong, toned, and divine body hovers over me as he drinks me in.
His provocative lips brush against my neck until returning to their home on mine. I moan as his body calls to mine, and the sizzling crackle of Aphrodite’s passion sparks between us.
“Contain it,” he cautions with a smirk.
I smile as the smoke slowly fades from the room, and his body rushes its incredible force over mine as he jerks my shirt over my head. His gripping need is just barely shying from a painful grasp, and it’s enough to send me into an erotic tremble.
Two more days until I have proof I’m his.
I tug at the short white dress that hugs me completely. Each part of my body is very accentuated by the thin, formfitting fabric, and my legs glisten under the glow of the dimmed lights of the apartment.
I smile as my eyes drift over to the wall of pictures Devin has proudly displayed. In the course of three weeks he’s very ambitiously filled several albums full of pictures and turned his favorites into oversized pieces of arts.
The close-up of us laughing is my favorite, and he hung it in the center of the rest to show the world how happy we always are with each other.
My large, heavy curls swirl perfectly into place when I look into the mirror to offer myself one last bit of confidence. I hate going out, and I always feel out of place in large crowds, except for when I’m with Devin. He makes everything better though.
I slip on the high white heels just as the elevator doors slide open, and Kry’s jaw tries its best to slap the floor when he sees me.
Ther stumbles into the room with his wide eyes glued to me, and he almost flips over the couch. Hale gives me a devilish grin as he starts to stalk toward me, but Devin pulls at the back of his jacket to halt his attack.
“Wow,” Kry gushes.
Devin smirks and narrows his eyes as he walks over to me.
“You shouldn’t be allowed out in something that makes you look like that,” he smolders, and his lips rush mine.
“You’re right. Perhaps I should cancel,” I lead.
He chuckles a little and shakes his head. “Not a chance. Clara is on her way up as we speak, and I think we should all be ready to cover our ears.”
The doors open again, and Clara’s shrieks almost pierce my eardrums. I look over to see everyone lowering their hands from their ears after heeding Devin’s warning, and I scowl at him for laughing at me for not having done so myself.
“Oh. My. Damn. You look so frigging hot,” she exclaims.
Melissa rolls her eyes as she steps off the elevator, and she seems stunned when she glances around the incredible penthouse.
The perfect view of Manhattan calls to anyone who steps in, and her eyes narrow as she stares at our overwhelming collage of photos.
“You guys really like pictures, huh?” she snarks.
Jane comes running over to hug me as Devin responds to Melissa’s rude comment.
“I used to hate pictures actually. After I met Adisia, a lot changed,” he says adoringly.
I smirk as I look around at the warm neutrals that cover the walls to offer more of a welcoming appeal than his once stark white preference. Her eyes hide their roll, and I smile at the apologetic face of Clara.
I had almost forgotten how insanely envious Melissa is.
“I’ll return her on your wedding day,” Clara chuckles out.
Devin grabs my hand and pulls me into his arms as if he isn’t going to release me. Clara giggles a little at his overzealous reaction, and his lips cover mine with desirable promise as the divinity of his touch overwhelms my senses.
My fingers tangle in his hair, and then Clara’s impatient hands start trying to pull me free.
“We need to go. The club will be completely crazy tonight,” she reminds.
“Can’t we just stay in? It is my bachelorette party after all?” I ask hopefully.
“No,” she exasperates. “That’s a slumber party, not a bachelorette party. You have to be wild and carefree for one last night.”
I laugh a little, and Kry walks over to hand me my packed bag. Devin frowns as he looks at it while refusing to fully release me.
“Who will be driving?” he asks curiously.
“I rented a limo,” Clara chimes in.
“I could have gotten you a car had I known this was going to lead to a night away,” Devin pouts.
I smile a little, and I hear the impatient huffs of Melissa agitating me further.
“I’ll see you soon,” I promise, and my lips offer a soft, reluctant ado.
“I love you,” he murmurs through our kiss.
“I love you. Have fun at the bachelor party tonight.”
“Oh, we all will,” Deacon growls out like an excited predator, and Camara slaps his arm for his crude tone.
He shrugs innocently, and then he pouts a little.
“You’re not going to Connecticut with them are you?” he worries, his truly whipped self being revealed, and she accidentally lets a
smile escape.
“No. I’m coming back home. When will you boys be wrapping it up?”
“We’re going to party like rock stars, so… dawn I guess,” Ther snickers.
Devin rolls his eyes, and then he kisses me again. He’s griped about the bachelor party he wishes to skip, but if I have to go, then so does he.
“Bye,” I grumble, and he still refuses to release me.
I smirk a little, and Camara laughs as Clara struggles to pull me free.
“Dude, she’s just going to be gone for a couple of nights. You’ll be reunited in no time,” she gripes.
“It’s just too long,” Devin pouts.
I smile a little more, and his lips claim mine again despite Clara’s adamant protests.
“Oh good grief. You two are ridiculous,” she scolds.
“You have no idea,” Kry exasperates.
Jane giggles a little as she takes a better look at Kry, and he frowns slightly at the mortal displaying her attraction. It’s humorously distracting enough to give me an opening to escape from Devin’s heated grip.
“Be careful,” he murmurs.
“I’ll be with her,” Camara offers encouragingly.
“I’ve seen your bachelorette parties, in case you’ve forgotten,” Devin grumbles.
She laughs incredibly hard, and my eyes arch up questioningly. I’m sure he crashed several of those parties during his promiscuous days.
“Well, you won’t be seeing ours,” Clara warns.
Devin holds his hands up innocently, and then we escape onto the elevator before he can reclaim me again.
His pitiful frown is almost enough to make be run back off, but it’s just two days - two long, torturous, days. Why am I doing this again? I’m not even out of the apartment building, and I’m already dreading spending five minutes away.
You can do this. There will be some really hot sex if you do this.
The limo is waiting outside, and Clara squeals again as she pulls me inside.
Camara looks about as enthused as I do, but I’m glad she agreed to come. I feel out of place enough without anyone who understands the world I now exist in.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Clara giggles out.
“And he’s so frigging hot,” Jane screeches. “I mean, they all are really. Devin is definitely the hottest though,” she murmurs and then turns to Camara. “Sorry. I forgot you’re with the Scottish guy. He’s pretty damn tasty too though,” she adds with a crude sort of bluntness.
Camara smirks lightly as she licks her lips. “Yes he is,” she smolders, and I’m forced to laugh at the private joke they have no clue about.
Camara’s wild has prompted her to bite him numerous times while under the influence of her animals, and Deacon is constantly nagging at her for such. I’ve accused her of doing it intentionally, but she never confirms nor denies.
I think she enjoys torturing him on occasion, and I don’t blame her for showing the warlord some sweet conflict.
“Your ring is ridiculous,” Clara sighs as she holds my hand in hers. “Let me try it on.”
I smile as I pull it off, and she gasps loudly when she sees my branded finger.
“Holy crap! When did you get that?” she exclaims.
I smile as I stare down at the ocean embroidering his name around my finger before responding.
“I got it a while back. Devin got one like it with my name on it,” I proudly announce.
“That’s so cool,” Clara gushes as she continues her examination.
“Yeah, if they stay together,” Melissa retorts.
A low growl threatens to Melissa as Camara glares at her, but they can’t hear it, fortunately. She’s gotten more protective of me lately… they all have actually.
“Why is she here again?” I whisper to Clara.
Camara smirks at the comment she’s not supposed to hear, and she continues glaring at Melissa who is slinking down under the pale blue swirling eyes she can’t fully appreciate with her mortal eyes. I stifle a laugh as Clara whispers back.
“She’s Henry’s sister. I’m sorry,” she sighs.
“It’s fine. Camara might scratch her eyes out before the end of the night though,” I playfully warn.
“Yeah, I see that. You two are pretty close now. Should I feel cheated on?” she jokes.
Camara’s deadly gaze ends as she’s caught off guard by the humorous question, and she covers her mouth to hide her smile.
“Sorry. I have been cheating on you, but you’ll always be my first love,” I tease.
She elbows me in the ribs and then grabs the aching limb in complete shock.
“Wow. Since when do you have a rock hard core?” she gasps.
I laugh a little, and Camara can’t hold back the laughter she’s been restraining any longer.
“I work out these days,” I lie with a shrug.
“That’s an understatement,” she growls as she continues rubbing her throbbing elbow.
“We’re here,” I say with a chuckle to distract her from her new fascination as she continues cautiously poking my firm body with her finger.
We step out, and I tilt my head curiously.
“When did they rename it?”
Camara grins as though she has a secret, but Clara joins me in the discovery.
“Aphrodite’s Passion. That’s a hot name,” she muses.
“It’s an ironic coincidence,” I accidentally blurt out.
“Huh?” Clara quizzically offers.
“I mean, it’s just odd. Let’s go in. Devin should have us on the list,” I subtly add.
She shrugs and the bouncer pulls up his list as we approach.
“Name?” he barks without even looking up.
“Aphrodisia Titan. Devin Cole was supposed to have us put on the list,” I murmur with a little bit of uneasiness.
His eyes widen when he finally looks at me, and he rushes to remove the velvet rope that’s blocking our path.
“Yes ma’am. You ladies head on in, and have a wonderful night,” the brawny man says with fearful excitement.
“Okay… Thanks,” I mutter with a touch of confusion.
Camara laughs a little more, and then she takes my hand to start dancing the moment we walk in.
Her body sways with the grace of a swan and finesses of a prowling cat. I laugh a little as I attempt to mimic her motions, and suddenly eyes begin turning their attention to us.
“Whoa,” I gasp.
“Holy smoking hot female,” Clara scoffs. “When did you learn to dance like that?”
“Like what?” I ask in complete bewilderment.
“Your hips were just moving like a sexy wave crashing against a smoldering hot beach. I feel like I barely know this new Adisia,” she pouts.
“Sorry. I swear I haven’t been working on any new moves. I was just trying to blend in,” I murmur apologetically.
“I’m just jealous. Don’t apologize. It’s as if you’ve taken a dip in the coveted seduction pool and came out hotter, spicier, and sexier than hell. I need to find that pool myself.”
“Clara, don’t be ridiculous. You’re one of the sexiest women I know. Let’s have a good time.”
“I could use a drink,” Camara says with a leading tone.
I smirk at the silent request, and a guy walks over to us with a too-big-for-his-face smile.
“We need drinks. Vodka for us, and cosmos for the rest,” I instruct with my green-eyed force.
“Got it,” he says with a happy-to-please tone.
He darts over to the bar, and Clara’s mouth pops open in gaping disbelief.
“Who the hell ordered you a strong dose of confidence, and where can I get double?” she rumbles.
I laugh a little harder, and the guy promptly returns with two other guys helping him deliver our drinks.
“Thanks, now go dance with someone,” I order, and they all do as I say.
“Wow. I need you to teach me,” Jane gasps in a graveling tone.
Camara sputters her drink to the floor, and I hold back my roaring laughter at yet another private joke. Perhaps I should visit Melissa in a few decades to show her what I look like then.
“Let’s move this party to the VIP lounge,” Camara insists. “It’s seriously loud down here.”
I follow her up the stairs, and the others ride our heels. The man at the door speaks to Camara, and she points to me.
“That’s Aphrodisia Titan. Devin Cole put her on the list,” she adds.
He doesn’t even check the list before opening the door with haste. I smirk as we walk in, and I almost lose my breath when I see the pictures of Devin and me hanging on the wall. He must have had someone put them up for tonight.
“Ms. Titan?” a timid girl asks.
“Yes,” I answer.
“Mr. Cole instructed us to make sure you had everything you needed for tonight, and the lounge is solely yours. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do,” she eagerly responds.
“We could use a lot of vodka, and keep it coming,” Camara chimes in. “And keep the other girls loaded with their drinks as well,” she adds.
“Yes ma’am,” she quickly replies, and then she scurries over to the bar to fill our request.
“Since when do you drink straight vodka?” Clara ponders aloud.
“I’ve acquired a taste for it. My tolerance has gotten a little bigger, and it takes a bit more to get me drunk.”
“You look like you’ve lost weight. How does it take more to get you drunk?”
“I don’t know. Let’s go dance. I don’t know why, but I really want to,” I say to distract her.
“Okay,” she giggles out.
“I’m good with that,” Camara chirps, though I know she really doesn’t want to since we just left the obnoxious music below.
The floor is loaded with people, but I don’t feel as nervous as usual. Aphrodite’s confidence is offering me courage as my body sways to the beat, and I feel the sizzle of seduction dripping from me.
My eyes flash green to silently command the flocks around me, and they all fall back before attempting their foolish feat.
