by Marie Medina
“What if I never say the words? What if I can’t?”
“You can do anything. I know that. You made me fall in love.” He kissed her softly. “Eris, I want to make love to you. I don’t want to fuck. I want to make love.”
She smiled. “Is this how you’ll convince me and win me over?” Her words seemed confident, but her voice was soft and a bit shaky.
“It’s one of my plans.” He stood and then lifted her into his arms, carrying her to a pavilion that appeared as he walked toward it. As he carried her between the white pillars, vines grew up and surrounded them, blocking every entrance.
She laughed as he set her down on a pile of cushions. “How very mythological.”
He smiled. “I love it when you laugh. That’s why I did it. You seem so much more at ease.”
She sobered and took his hands. “I planned this, yet I didn’t.”
“What do you mean?” He knelt beside her and pulled her close.
“I wanted to have you, if only for one night. And I wanted you to like me. I wanted others to accept me because you liked me.”
“So you wanted us to be friends?” He hoped she wasn’t backpedaling emotionally. They’d seemed so close.
“It’s hard to say now. I didn’t plan for us to be together for more than a short time.”
“And isn’t this better?”
“I suppose.”
“Your brother says you love me.”
Her head snapped up. “Since when do you two ever talk? Since when is he even speaking to you? I thought he was still mad about you and Aphrodite.”
Hermes shrugged, though he enjoyed seeing her get so riled. It made him want her even more. “He seems to have decided to give me a chance based on how you feel about me. Ares and I never hated each other. We simply never talked much before.”
“I see.”
Hermes didn’t want to upset her, but he had to know one thing. “He’s closer to you than anyone, the only real family you have. You love each other, even though you both find that emotion a challenge. Don’t you trust his judgment and his desire to never hurt you? Why would he tell me that if it were not true or if you didn’t want me?”
“So he knows me better than I know myself?” She looked like she might cry, and he wanted nothing more than to hold her close.
“I’m upsetting you. I’m sorry.”
Her expression hardened, briefly. “I’m not a child you need to placate.”
He sighed. “I’m not trying to do anything of the kind. I’m trying to understand.”
“It’s easy. I’m the helpless one.”
“Why?” He held her to his chest and tilted her chin up so he could look into her dark eyes. “Tell me.”
“Because this is the first time I’ve been in love.”
“I don’t want to force you to say it.” He almost couldn’t believe it. He hoped he hadn’t pushed her, hoped she wouldn’t regret the words tomorrow.
“You are forcing me to, but not in a bad way.” She snuggled against him. “You’re very like my brother. He knows how to make me face things too.”
“And how do you feel?” He wanted to see her face, but he held her because she seemed to need it so much.
“A little angry, a little scared, and very confused.”
“Sounds like love to me.”
“Yeah, aren’t we cute?”
He tried to lighten the mood. “I think we are, actually. Both dark-haired and amazingly sexy. Great bodies and forbidding stares that make everyone think we’re judging their every move and finding them severely lacking.”
“You’re trying to make me laugh again.”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe. I don’t think anyone ever thought I was judgmental. They thought I was a bitch.”
“You are, just a bit, but I prefer to think of it as a very appealing fire in your blood.”
“So is this what you planned?”
“What do you mean?”
She sat up and looked at him. “For tonight. Did you want to have this conversation?”
Being honest had served him fairly well so far, so he decided to continue with it. “Sort of. I want to have this conversation every time we’re together. But it’s not quite what I planned.”
“Really?”
He shook his head. “I may have gotten the results I wanted though.”
“Is that all you’ve wanted? To hear me say I love you?”
“It’s the most important thing.”
“So you’re happy now?”
“Are you?”
She ran her hand up his chest, over his cheek, and then through his hair. “Still waiting for it to sink in really. Scared about how things are going to change.”
“They don’t have to.”
“But they will. Don’t expect too much too quickly.”
“I already have what I want. I wish you’d stop thinking you’re going to somehow disappoint me.” He pulled her to him for a long kiss. When he released her, he said, “I can take you home. We don’t have to stay together tonight if you need time to think.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “What I need more than anything is to be in your arms. I need to feel you close.” She began unbuttoning his shirt.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “You told me you have fantasies about holding me, telling me how you feel about me.”
He shrugged his shirt off. “Yes.” He knew how husky his voice sounded and felt a thrill when she smiled at hearing it.
“Then show me what you’ve been fantasizing about. See what happens.”
He didn’t wait for her to say more. He pulled her close and kissed her gently, his hands pulling her skirt up so he could run his hands over her thighs. She sighed, and he pressed her closer as he moved his fingers in slow circles over her soft skin. With a thought, he made her dress disappear.
“You didn’t like pink anyway, right?” he whispered in her ear.
She ran her hands through his hair. “Hate it. Always have.” She spread her legs as his questing hand moved up. “Please touch me.”
He ran one finger over her wet slit, and then up to circle her clit. “Please tell me you love me.” Even though she’d already said it, essentially, she hadn’t looked into his eyes and actually uttered those three words. He wanted that more than anything.
She hesitated and took a deep breath. “I wanted you to subdue me. This isn’t what I expected.”
He tangled his fingers in her hair while his other hand began to caress her wet pussy. “Tell me.”
She gasped as he slid two fingers into her. He found a very sensitive spot deep inside her and began to rub gently with both his fingers. The first time he’d found that spot she’d exploded in his arms within moments.
He nuzzled her neck. “Tell me.”
She turned her head to look at him, the pleasure blatant on her face. “I love you.”
He captured her lips in a deep kiss, continuing to caress her until he felt her trembling. She moaned as she came, holding on to him tightly, her lips never leaving his.
He moved on top of her, shifting her hips into position. She opened her legs and welcomed him, pulling him close and arching up to meet him. His cock slid into her quickly.
“Mmmm. You’re so wet,” he whispered against her cheek. “You’re still quaking.” Her warmth engulfing him sent shivers all over his body. Her pussy walls still quivered from her release, caressing him in a way that drove him into a frenzy.
She sighed. “I believe I have you to thank for that.”
He looked down into her eyes as he moved in and out of her slowly. “I’ve wanted you to give yourself so freely for so long.”
She wrapped her arms and legs around him. “Enjoy it. You may have to chase me down next time.”
He ran his hand down her back and then moved her leg higher so he could slap her on the ass, making her giggle and pull him closer. “It will be my pleasure.”
“Mine too,” she
said against his lips. She groaned. “Faster. I’m going to come again.”
He pumped in and out of her quickly, enraptured by every sigh and moan as her pussy tightened, ready for another release.
She threw her head back and cried out his name when she exploded beneath him for the second time. He held her face and drank in her pleasure as she came, and when she opened her eyes and kissed him, he went over the edge with her.
She dug her nails into his back, heightening the pleasure as he came. He collapsed on top of her, and then rolled to the side.
“You’ve made me so happy,” he said as he ran one finger down her cheek.
She smiled. “Because I’ve stopped being so stubborn?”
He cupped her ass and pulled her closer. “Oh you’re still stubborn, but I finally got you to admit that we’re perfect for each other, no matter what brought us together.”
“Perfect for each other, are we? Hmmmm. You may change your mind after a few more fights.”
“I doubt it. I like you feisty.”
“That’s a mild word, compared to the ones others have used.”
He ran his hand up and down her side. “Well, they can use any words they please. They weren’t good enough for you. They didn’t understand you.”
“I’m not just talking about men.”
“Neither am I. Even I misunderstood you before, and I’m sorry.”
She looked down, running her fingers through the dark hair on his chest. “You don’t need to be. No one should be. I am what I am. I can’t go around spreading sunshine and happiness any more than Ares could spread peace.”
He laughed. “True, but your purpose and your nature are different things.”
She seemed to consider this. “You think so?”
“Of course. If our callings defined us, we’d be different. Hera would certainly not be the goddess of marriage, considering the frequent bed hopping she does. Your brother would be cruel and unfeeling if war and violence completely defined him. You of all people know it’s not true. If your calling controlled you, then you would love no one and be content to be alone. No relationship would ever work for you.”
“You’re right, but it will take time for people to get used to not being wary of me.”
“They’ll adjust. Please don’t worry. You now have another champion to fight for you. Your brother can start focusing on fixing his love life.”
She laughed. “I think he should give up for now. He needs to find a nice brunette and spend a few months getting laid.”
Hermes had to laugh. She never ceased to surprise him. “That sounds like a very male solution.”
“Well, he is a man. Should work for him then.”
He felt a tightening in his chest as she smiled at him, but it wasn’t unpleasant. “I love you. You can wear black every day from now until the end of time, but you’ll still light up my world.” He felt a thrill when she blushed. “And none of that. You’re going to start taking compliments, whether you like them or not.”
“Oh, I like them. Just not used to them.”
“And are you used to having three orgasms in one night?”
She giggled. He loved the sound.
“Well, my lady?”
“It’s been a while, but I think I’ll adjust quickly.”
He spread her legs as he kissed his way down her body, the craving to taste her overwhelming him. “I’ll tie you down if I have to.” He looked up at her as his lips hovered over her hot pussy.
“Promise?” she asked breathlessly.
“Oh yes.” He bent his head to taste her, reveling in her sighs and losing himself in her sweetness.
* * * *
Hermes still had that sweet taste on his lips when he arrived home to find Aphrodite on his doorstep. She usually just let herself in, but perhaps she now thought she didn’t have that right.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said as he stood before her.
“I didn’t want to see you.”
“Why not? You and I didn’t have a fight.”
“You love each other. I felt it.” She finally looked up at him. “It hurt.”
He shifted uncomfortably. What would he do if Aphrodite said she was in love with him? What would the goddess of love be like if her heart was broken? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
“You couldn’t help it. You can’t stop yourself from loving someone.”
“Let’s go inside.”
“No. I should go. I only wanted to see you.”
He stopped her before she could get up to leave. “Since when do you run away from things?”
“I’m not running away.”
“Yes, you are. Let’s talk.” He held his hand out to her, and she took it. He led her into the living room. “Can I make you a drink?”
“No.” She sat down on the couch and waited for him to pour himself some whiskey and then take a seat beside her.
“You said before you weren’t in love with me. Were you lying?”
“No. I wasn’t. I’m not in love with you, but I still want you.”
“So who are you in love with?”
She smiled sadly. “No one. Never have been. Strange, huh?”
He shook his head. “No reason you ever have to fall in love.”
“Seems odd for me to always be alone though.”
“You aren’t. You have a son who loves you very much.”
“When we aren’t fighting.”
“He always loves you, no matter what. I can think of one way to patch things up with him even more.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What’s that?”
“Tell him who his father is.”
She looked away.
“Aphrodite, this secret bothers Eros very much. He just wants to know. And someone else wants to know as well.”
She sighed and looked back at him. “What good will come of it now? He hates me.”
Hermes didn’t want to jump to conclusions or make her defensive, but he leaned forward and asked, “Who?”
“My son’s father. Ares.”
He tried to keep his face a blank. He was in no way surprised, but hearing her say the words made it so much more real. “He thinks about you all the time, and he’s always cared so much more who Eros’ father was. Just tell him.”
“But he doesn’t love me any more than I love him.”
“That doesn’t mean you meant nothing to each other. You two have been off again, on again for a very long time. You’re part of each other.”
“That sounds a little cheesy.”
He rolled his eyes. “But I think it’s true. You certainly cause each other as much pain as two people in love normally do. He got angry with you because he was defending his sister. Talk to him about it. Tell him that he is Eros’ father. See what happens.”
“He’ll be angry I told you first. He thinks I’m in love with you.” She smiled. “You’re pretty damn perfect, I will say, but a bit serious for me.”
“It’s up to you, but I think you’ll be happier if you take my advice.”
“We’ll see.”
He hesitated a moment, but then took her hand. “The man who wins your heart will have to be far more perfect than I am.”
She smiled playfully. “My standards are pretty high.”
He smiled too, glad to see her face brighten, if only a little. “Now, do we have your blessing?”
She sobered, but she squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Yes. This is what I felt that confused me. I never expected her to love you, so I didn’t believe it at first. But she does. She truly loves you. And you love her. You’ll be happy.” She sighed and pulled her hand away, crossing her arms. “And I’ll be jealous.”
“You’ll get over it.”
“I will. I know that. Please indulge me though if I don’t jump up and down.”
“You’re forgiven. Think about what I said.”
She nodded. “No promises though.” She stood up. “Get some sleep, lover boy.” She snapp
ed her fingers and disappeared before he could say anything else.
He sat back, thinking. That had actually been far easier than he’d thought it would be. He knew he couldn’t count on her following his advice, but he hoped someday she’d see the wisdom in it, before she drove herself and Ares crazy.
He closed his eyes, thinking of Eris and anticipating the next time he would see her. Now that she’d admitted her feelings for him, he found himself even more anxious to have her with him every moment.
Chapter Six
Eris hurried down the stairs because she smelled someone cooking breakfast. She hoped it would be Hermes. But when she came to a halt, Ares, not Hermes, stood at the stove scrambling eggs. “Morning, gorgeous. Breakfast for two or three today?”
“Just two, but I’m sure you knew that.”
He turned to kiss her cheek. “I was a good boy. I didn’t check. I’ve learned my lesson.”
She laughed. He was referring to the time he had appeared in her bedroom after a fight with Aphrodite and discovered her tying one of her mortal lovers to the bedpost. “Good. I’m glad to hear it. Is this a special occasion?”
“No. Not really. Just here to annoy you.”
“You aren’t annoying me.” She sat down at the island in the middle of her kitchen.
“Not yet. How are things going with the speedster?”
She looked down at the counter, tracing the strawberry pattern on the tiles with her finger. “Speeding up a bit.”
“Really? Who took my advice, you or him?”
She poked him in the arm. “Why did you tell him I was in love with him?”
“He was having doubts.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. She couldn’t imagine Hermes going to her brother for advice. “How did you know that?”
“He told me. I saw him in Iris’ place and couldn’t resist teasing him. The conversation turned a bit serious in the end.”
“Aphrodite, huh?”
Ares nodded as he moved the eggs onto two plates. “It’s fine. I just had to vent a bit.”
She’d seen his version of venting. It could often result in casualties. “You sure?”
