by C. M. Owens
Once I have all of them turned to face the wall, I rifle through my bag to find something to wear. Aphrodite’s will to be desired has infected me more and more now that I’ve left her alone.
A simple, strapless white corset with a rhinestone trim catches my eye. I smirk deviously as pull it on and couple it with a dark pair of denim jeans that mimic the same stone effect on the back pockets.
I work in the diamonds Devin gave me when he still loved me, and then I brush through my hair enough to give it a sexy, tousled appearance instead of bed-head.
“You ready?” Hale asks, and then barges on in as I pull on a pair of white high heels.
“Oh. Sorry,” he murmurs while covering his eyes.
“It’s fine. I’m ready,” I say deviously.
Those covered eyes become revealed before gaping open in disbelief. The sun swirls as he tries to refrain from doing something foolish. His mouth cocks open slightly, and then he raises one side of his brow to question my attire.
“I’m not sure that’s supposed to be worn without a shirt,” he says with a semi-seductive tone.
“People do it all the time, and Aphrodite feels like building my confidence,” I smolder.
“Well, I think that could be arranged. I’m damn good at confidence building skills,” he provocatively dares.
“Down boy. It’s just Aphrodite’s passion. It flooded your mouth. I told you that you need to find release,” I tease.
“This sucks, you know?” he asks pitifully.
“Think of how Jace feels. Your kiss was an accident,” I foolishly say without thinking.
“What do mean?” he asks very seriously.
“Nothing. Let’s go,” I grumble, and I grab my purse before flashing out the door.
“You kissed Jace… for real?” Hale calls out. “And yet you’re mad at Devin for doing the same.”
“We were on our honeymoon, not separated. My kiss with Jace was a moment of desperate weakness. Aphrodite is suffering, therefore so am I - according to Persia anyways. Apparently it’s dangerous for me to deny her for too long, and that night she bested me for a brief moment. That’s why Jace was gone when you came to pick me up. He had to go find release,” I explain. “He knows it wasn’t him I wanted.”
“Are you sure he knows? He doesn’t seem to upset about another rejection,” Hale observes.
“Jace has changed a lot over the four months he’s been with me. He’s backed off big time, and that night caught us both off guard. Besides, it was Devin’s name I called out during our torrid make-out session, not his,” I confess.
“Well that would be a buzz kill,” Hale scoffs.
It didn’t stop Jace.
“Whoa. I feel like I’m really over dressed,” Camara interrupts.
“It’s a strip club. I’m just half way there already,” I joke.
She smirks a little, and her eyes narrow suspiciously at me. I give her a shrug, and Hale starts ushering us out the door.
We follow his brisk pace out of the apartment building, and he stops in front of a wildly roaring building.
“Just a heads up, this club is for immortals only. You’ll have to flash your eyes to get past the bouncer,” Hale whispers, and then he steps up to face the hulking bouncer.
I follow his lead, and offer the bouncer a sneak peak of the goddess within. His jaw pops open, and he sways as if he’s under some sort of spell I never meant to cast.
My scent… Damn,
“Yeah, it’s back. The skunk wore off much quicker than last time, and that’s another reason everyone disappeared,” Camara says to confirm my inner thoughts.
Oh poor Hale got double dosed.
“Sorry, Hale,” I murmur softly.
“I’ll survive,” he says with a forced grin.
Camara flashes her eyes, and then everyone in the room stirs as we walk in. The black lights bring my white corset to life under their illuminating glow, and now I’m agitated by Aphrodite’s craving for attention when all eyes glue themselves to me.
“Damn it,” I grumble, and then I see our group.
Jace tilts his head as though he’s uncertain about what he’s seeing, and Devin’s glass breaks in his hand when his eyes fall on me. The bartender instantly replaces his shattered drink.
“What the hell are you trying to do to us?” Kry gripes in exasperation.
“It’s not her,” Hale chuckles. “Her goddess is craving some attention. It’s not good to starve an Aphrodite of needed desire.”
“She’s getting plenty of needed desire right now,” Deacon grumbles under his breath.
“Wow,” Ther startles out when he walks up.
You’d think I was standing here naked. This damn thing covers up as much as a strapless shirt. I suppose it’s the idea of it rather than the actual garment.
“Couldn’t find your clothes?” Gemma snorts as she walks over.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” I snark. “Then again, I should have been since Devin will be single soon enough.”
She gives me a grin to display her excitement for my announcement. Devin flinches, and I see the pain pronouncing itself in his eyes. He starts to speak, but a man walks over to us.
“Devin, Graven will be ready for you in a few sets. He has some other matters he’s attending to first,” the husky man informs.
“Thanks,” Devin slips out, and the man whisks away.
“Go a little bit easier. He’s not dealing so well,” Kry whispers.
“I haven’t been dealing so well since I saw his lips on his ex’s. It’s a fucked up world,” I growl, and my eyes stain themselves green as the atmosphere full of desire for my body intoxicates me.
I smirk as every man in the room feels the draw to me, and I feel worshipped almost. The half-naked girl on stage grows irritated by the lack of attention she’s getting, and I feel Devin’s arm wrapping around my waist protectively.
“Please stop. You’ll start a fight in here if you continue,” he cautions.
“Stop what?”
“Stop seducing. Aphrodite’s presence is strong, and it’s stirring up every bit of desire anyone can muster. It can cause men to experience temporary madness, and I shouldn’t have to explain what they’ll try to do,” he warns.
I turn to him, and my eyes return to blue as I roll them.
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re immune to me,” I scoff. “I would have made you leave Nina behind the moment she showed up,” I growl, and he grabs my hand in his.
“Need I be punished more? I’ll continue to take it if you’ll just come back to me. I’m not immune to everything. Your scent is driving me as insane as the others,” he explains.
“I haven’t punished you at all. I’m not capable of doing the things you deserve, but I don’t feel like discussing it now,” I murmur hatefully.
“Just keep talking to me. I need to feel you acknowledging me in any way you will,” he pleads.
My eyes soften when I hear the sincerity in his voice, and it makes my fleeting moment of coldness melt. I stare up into his swirling blues, and his body begins to gravitate toward mine.
“Devin. There you are,” a girl’s voice chimes in, and Devin’s eyes close as exasperation and dread mingle in his expression.
“Felicia,” he sighs with complete fret.
I stare at the tall, blazing redhead as she struts around to be right up against him. Her tight, black dress hugs her too tightly, and her chest is almost bursting free.
“I knew you’d be coming here,” she seduces, and her finger trails up his chest until he grabs it to halt the climb.
“This is my wife,” he interjects, and her eyes widen in disbelief.
“Wife? Seriously? You?” she gasps.
“Soon to be ex-wife,” I correct as my coldness returns with a scorned vengeance.
She smiles victoriously, and his lips tighten with a tormented torque when my words bite through the flesh to draw first blood.
“So just a mortal marriage then
?” she beams.
“Please leave us be. We’re trying to get some matters wrapped up so we can take care of business,” Devin says to shift the subject.
“You know you need my help. I have a little burst of electricity you might need,” she smolders.
“We have two electrical entities. Adisia, my wife, can open the skies, and Jace is a son of Zeus,” he curtly replies.
“A sky opener. Impressive,” she murmurs.
“Oh, that’s just the half of it,” Kry snickers. “My advice, get out while you still can.”
“If she’s about to be his ex, then I see no reason why I should fret,” she murmurs, and I can see the swirls of purple in her eyes.
“What is she?” I ask nonchalantly, and Devin seems displeased by my lack of jealously.
I’m actually just holding back the urge to choke her here and now, but I can’t let him see that. He feels as though I’m giving him hope when I do reveal my jealous side, and I can’t break free as long as he has hope.
“I’m a daughter of Degall - an electric entity much like Zeus,” she supplies, and I see her hand trying to return to Devin’s body.
“Touch me again, and I’ll break your hand,” he threatens.
Her eyes widen in shocked disbelief. It’s the first time he’s ever said anything like that to any of his exes in front of me.
“Sorry,” she snorts. “Didn’t realize you had done a complete flip.”
“I told you I’m married, and despite her objections, I plan to keep it that way,” he asserts, and his eyes scold me for the cruel remarks I made earlier.
She gives me a little grin, and I cower slightly under Devin’s determined gaze. I’m too close to him, and the power of Aphrodite’s passion is starting to take its toll on me. I need to find a release somehow before my clothes sizzle off of me.
“Devin,” a man’s voice growls. “I’m not luring the hounds to you,” he continues, and I see a tall, very attractive man who looks to be mid-thirties - though he’s probably in his late hundreds.
“You haven’t even given me the chance to persuade you yet,” Devin says with a smirk, and the man instantly stares me down.
“She’s a damn Aphrodite. I know that scent. I’ve been wondering why everyone in here is being extra generous with the tips in the last little bit. That’s good business,” he says with a dirty grin.
I almost feel like I need a shower now and I’m regretting this slinky top - er… underwear top.
“She’s here to ensure you help out,” Devin smugly adds.
“I’ll help out if she dances on my stage,” Graven growls provocatively. “My business would boom after that rumor spread.”
“I’ll pay you any amount she would bring in. She’s not going to dance, and you really have no leverage,” Devin murmurs with a recognizable tone of anger.
“If she forces me, it won’t work as well. I’ll be a drunken mess. If I go willingly, things will run much smoother,” Graven counters.
I smirk deviously and speak before Devin can object again. I can feel the goddess within desperately craving the chance to play.
“I’d actually love to dance,” I smolder as my eyes flash green, and Graven suddenly doesn’t seem so brave as he becomes a normal, trembling man lost in my gaze.
“No,” Devin gripes, but I barely give him a half glance before turning my attention back to Graven.
I grip the back of the chair beside me as my hips sway seductively to the music, and his eyes almost gape open in a completely seduced silence.
“But, that’s very dangerous,” I add with some sultry hesitance for mounting suspense. “That small, fragile pole would simply melt if it makes it to the scorching temperatures between my legs,” I sizzle out, and the metal back of the chair that is under my hand melts completely when forced to endure the fire of my passion.
Sparks fly wildly, and the power to the building surges to a total blackout. I have to stifle a laugh when I hear Jace huff.
“My fault,” he confesses. “I’ll go fix it.”
Hale is glowing - actually glowing - beside me, and I snicker lightly when I see Kry has dropped his blades to the ground. The pipes in the building rumble, and I see Devin adjusting his collar as they slowly calm down.
“On second thought, I’ll just help you out without the dance. She’ll perk up my sales just by leaving her scent in here. There shouldn’t be any reason for her to push the envelope,” Graven stammers while trying to keep his wobbly knees from giving out beneath him.
“Hale,” Jace chirps from the electrical box. “I need some light.”
“Great. Now I’m a damn flashlight,” Hale gripes, and I can’t help but chuckle this time.
“We’ll leave in the morning,” Devin forces out through a strained tone.
“Sounds good,” Graven murmurs while adjusting his belt, and I roll my eyes at the disgusting reaction.
“Don’t do that ever again,” Ther grumbles as he plops down on a stool beside me.
Graven has disappeared from sight, and I see Devin turning up the whole bottle of scotch. Aphrodite seems to be sated in her attempt to gather desire, but now I just feel slutty.
“Can I go back to the house now? I’m not too crazy about everyone getting high off my scent, and I feel a little off,” I murmur.
“What’s wrong?” Devin worries as he moves closer to inspect me.
“It happens. I just need to sit down and eat something,” I grumble, and I almost want to explode at him about how it’s his fault.
I’m miserable, and Aphrodite’s lust is killing me. He scoops me up, and I jerk free to stand back on my feet.
“I can walk, and I know the way. I was just making sure we’re done. I’ll stop for something to eat on the way back,” I assert, and Jace flashes over just as the lights, music, and dirty dancing resumes.
“I’ll get it. You don’t need to be hanging out in the stores too much with mortals. I know what you like,” he mutters, and then he offers me an encouraging pat.
Devin winces at the sweet gesture lined with a sugar coated stab meant for him. I just smile, and Hale flashes out behind him as they go to the store.
I walk out, and instantly I feel Devin right behind me.
“Talk to me, please,” he pleads.
“Who’s Felicia?” I promptly snark.
“Someone I wish I never knew, especially at this moment. I swear I didn’t know she’d be here,” he murmurs guiltily.
“You say that a lot. I suppose you’re going to tell me you never loved her the way you loved me,” I retort.
“I never loved her at all or anyone else until you,” he counters, and then he grabs my arm to jerk me around so my eyes are forced to meet his. “And I still love you. Don’t use it past tense, please.”
“If you loved me then, you wouldn’t have done what you did. If you love me now, it’s just because you can no longer have me, and we both know you love a good chase. Sign the damn papers,” I bark, and then I flash away before he can say anything else.
It’s all I can do not to let my tears flood me, and I know I have to do something to escape this burning hell. The sooner we’re done, the better.
“Adisia,” Camara rattles off breathlessly. “Good grief. Since when are you that fast?”
“Since I had something to run from,” I callously reply as I stop running and turn to talk.
“Jace,” I murmur softly when I see the Aussie boy strutting up with a bag full of ingredients for my disgusting mixtures.
“There she is,” he says softly, and then kisses my forehead as a way to taunt the approaching Devin.
I don’t even acknowledge him as I turn to head in, and the others are just behind me. I start to touch Hale’s arm, and he flashes away from me like a mouse escaping a cat.
“No. You’re not allowed to even look at me. I’m on the verge of… I don’t know what. I’m calling the Apollo girls that live just a few blocks from here,” Hale distresses, and then walks away to dist
ance himself before pulling out his phone.
I smirk a little, and then I just feel sad. People are seriously finding it impossible to stay around me. Jace pats me on the back, and I join him on the couch while Kry slides to join Hale.
“Please tell me there’s more,” Kry grumbles.
“Plenty for all, and they don’t stand a chance if we bring them back here to get a whiff of that,” he chuckles.
“Ther?” Kry asks.
“Nah, I’m good,” he mutters while scooting a little closer to Gemma.
She squirms uncomfortably, and if Devin doesn’t cave into her, she’ll damn well have to cave into Ther.
Please don’t let Devin cave.
“Jace?” Hale offers.
“I’ll stay. I’m fine for now. I’ve spent four months with her, so I’ve built up more of a tolerance… when she’s not melting chairs to prove a point that is,” he utters, and his last line is slightly scolding.
“You need me to grab you something while we’re out?” Kry asks Devin.
I snort derisively, and Devin looks to me curiously. “Devin doesn’t have a problem getting whatever woman he wants,” I scoff.
Devin’s eyes narrow and I can see his jaw clenching tighter. Kry slinks back slightly, and then he very cautiously explains himself.
“I was talking about booze or food… not women.”
“Whatevs,” I mutter with surly intent. “I’m going to go grab a shower while you boys use me as an excuse to get laid,” I mock.
“On second thought, I’ll join you,” Jace grumbles as I twitch my hips intentionally while I strut.
I laugh a little and then flash up the stairs. I fight the urge to cry when I see a picture I missed. It’s Devin holding me during a dance, and our lips are just barely not touching as I stare into his eyes with all the love a woman can offer a man.
It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough.
Tears shed, and I wipe the fugitives away before climbing out of my pants. Suddenly the door opens, and I turn to see Devin’s eyes gauging my reaction to his presence.
My eyes flash green, and instantly I feel Aphrodite trying to take full control.
“I’m going to help you, and I’m not leaving here until I do,” he threatens.
“I don’t need your help,” I argue.
