by Lacuna Reid
It was arrogant of me to even consider that a man like that – a talented architect and professor – would be interested in someone like me, who took two attempts just to get through chef school and hasn’t really accomplished anything else with my life either, but I want him so much that it drives me crazy. I want more where that kiss came from. I want Theo to take me on his desk… but I want Elias on the kitchen benches, and I want Gino everywhere. As for Helio, I’ve been almost as successful at avoiding him as Theo is at avoiding me.
There are no weekends here, nor weekdays. I work whenever there is a function to prepare for, and when there isn’t, I can do whatever I like. I spend a lot of time at the pool, but thank the gods that Helio seems to be keeping a different swim schedule. Only once have I gone down there to find him in the water, and I quickly backed out again before he noticed.
The dreams seem to have settled down the past few nights, but it might just be the lack of sleep from constantly thinking about these guys.
Today, I have a whole day to myself, so I decide to explore more of the grounds. The air is warm and only slightly damp from the overnight dew. I enjoy my walk through the lush forest, occasionally coming across a few small stone retreat houses hidden amongst the trees. After a while, I notice a clanking noise, and my curiosity gets the better of me. I walk towards the sound.
The man has his back to me. I can’t help but admire his ripped muscles, glistening with sweat in the sun as he brings a mallet down time and time again against something metal. He stands at the side of what looks to be a large cement water tank. I assume he’s a laborer, brought in to fix the tank, when he turns, and we lock eyes.
Helio. Oh shit…
His surprised expression turns quickly into a cocky smile.
“Like what you see, princess?”
I glare at him but I can’t help my creeping blush.
Yes… but I’m not going to tell YOU that.
“What are you doing?” I ask, deciding to ignore him calling me ‘princess’ of all things!
“Just fixing the pump on the tank. The fastenings came loose, so I’m hammering them back into place.”
“I’m surprised.”
“What, you think we are so rich, we don’t need to do manual labor?”
I blush again.
“You got me,” I say.
“Do I, now?” Hello asks and his mouth curls into a smile.
“You know what I mean!” I say, glaring at him. “I assumed that anyone who was a co-owner of a place like this would be above this kind of thing… I mean, surely you could just pay someone to fix the tank.”
“I like doing things, fixing things. I like being outside. I’m not a stuffy office guy like Theo, princess.”
Not that name-calling again. I grit my teeth, but I hold myself back from arguing; I’ve only been here a few days and I don’t want to ruin my dream job before I even get the chance to enjoy it.
Helio is more cocky than high school jock and three times as muscly. Guys who look like that never have to bother with having a brain or dealing with emotions, or any of the hard stuff – especially if they’re rich like the owners of El Cielo certainly are. He reminds me of some of the friends of my ex, Cliff. They just cruise through life, taking whatever it is they want.
Even though he's barely said a word to me, I can't stand him already, and from the look of contempt on his face, the feeling is mutual.
“What's the matter? This castle’s not good enough for you, princess?”
I glare at him. “You know nothing about me,” I say.
“Well, I know you're judgmental.”
Helio’s words are like a slap in the face.
“It’s hard not to be judgmental when you look at me like I'm some kind of object to be played with… when you arrogantly swagger around here…”
My words trail off and I realize how inappropriate it is of me to speak to one of my employers this way.
Way to go… ruining yet another job, Mira.
Helio laughs. He’s clearly enjoying this. At least, someone is.
“And I might be judgmental, but I’ve known guys like you before. You think because you're strong and muscly and good-looking, that you can get whatever you want.”
That you can take whatever you want…
The thought makes me melt inside in a way that I’m not quite ready to admit. How could I be attracted to this asshole?
“I bet you've never had to work for anything,” I say, even more angry at my body for betraying me in its response than I am at him right now.
He looks at me, and for a moment, I’m sure I catch a glimmer of pain slicing through him. Then he braces himself, and it’s gone, whatever it was, replaced by his usual cocky demeanor.
“You know what, princess? Maybe you've already got me all figured out,” he laughs, but it’s dark in tone, not really an expression of humor at all. “I’m just a brainless jock, not even worth getting to know.”
“That's not what I…”
Of course, he’s not brainless… he’s an engineer for crying out loud. I must have hit a nerve.
“Helio…”
He waves a hand dismissively.
I turn away.
His words have struck a nerve with me too… Maybe I am judgmental. I’ve known so many cocky guys who want nothing more than to play power games. Maybe I've learnt to judge in order to protect myself… and maybe just maybe… I was wrong about this one.
“Sure,” I say, shrugging. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.”
Helio starts hammering again, but as I turn and walk away, I hear him stop.
“Wait,” he says. “Mira. I’m sorry for being a cock.”
The way he says the word sends a jolt of desire through me that I wasn’t expecting. I don’t know what to say, so I just look at him, raising my eyebrows.
“Let me make it up to you.”
“What?!” I ask, wondering if he can read my mind and all the raunchy places it just went. “No. That’s fine.”
“Come – let’s go for a swim.”
“Uhh… I don’t have my swimsuit.”
Helio laughs. He throws down the hammer and steps towards me, taking my hand. “Come, please. Let me show you something.”
“…Okay?” I barely have time to say the word when Helio starts running, pulling me along with him by the hand.
I can barely keep up with this wild, sweaty, running man. He leads me through the forest, along narrow paths winding through the trees that I would never notice if I wasn’t being pulled along by this beast of a man… sweaty, muscly, sexy beast… but still. My hand burns with more than just heat from his body, sending pangs of desire right through to my center.
Our feet kick up the dead leaves as we run, releasing their earthy scent. Branches scratch against my arms and hair and I feel the gentle brush of spiderwebs against my skin, but I don’t care. I’m caught up in the thrill of this… whatever it is.
I feel freer than I have since I was a child, and the green that rushes past us reminds me of the scarf my mother used to wrap me up in when I was little. Instead of pain at her memory, I just feel light… liberated, and it’s all because of this spontaneity, rupturing me from my normal brain-states… It’s all because of Helio.
He’s fast for someone so big. I’m breathless from the running, and I’m almost ready to beg him to slow down when he stops, just as suddenly as he started.
“We’re here,” he says, turning to me and grinning.
“Where?” I ask. All I can see is more of the same forest as before.
Helio parts the tree branches in front of us, revealing a wide, clear blue lake. I gasp in wonder, taking it all in – the startling beauty of the pristine water, reflecting the clear blue of the sky above, surrounded by forest all around.
Helio clambers down to the water’s edge and starts taking off his pants.
Oh… my… gods… is that a cock piercing?!
“Umm…” I try to look away, but Helio laug
hs at me.
“Mira, don’t tell me you’ve never seen a naked man before – I’m shocked.” He doesn’t sound shocked. He sounds amused.
“No, it’s not that. It’s just… this might be alright for you, but I don’t have my swimsuit and…”
And I’m wearing old granny panties with holes in them because I’m a big fan of comfort… and I was not expecting this.
“Are you scared or something? I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with your body.” Helio winks at me again. “Or swim in your underwear… no pressure to be brave,” Helio says. “Suit yourself.”
He dives into the water, butt naked.
There’s something about a challenge that I can’t resist, and rather than swimming in my embarrassing underwear I strip off completely. Helio just emerges from the water in time to see me dive in. This time he does seem genuinely shocked.
I relax into the cool, refreshing, soothing water.
“I misjudged you, princess,” he says, splashing me. “You’re not as tightly wound as I thought.”
“Is that what your problem is?” I say, splashing him back. “You think I’m uptight? You’re teasing me to loosen me up?”
I didn’t mean for the words to come out in such a flirtatious way, but they do.
Helio has a glint in his eye that stops me like a stalked deer. He dives under the water towards me. I try to squirm away but he playfully grabs hold of my hips, dunking me under the water.
I kick back at him and find myself spluttering on the surface, dangerously close to Helio’s muscular chest.
I look into those dark eyes and send a big splash of water at his stupid cocky face. He smiles at me, reaching his arms forward and pulling me close against his chest.
This must be what heroin feels like.
A wave of pure delight floods right through my body, from head to toe. I lean into him, breathing in his masculine scent, indulging in the sensation of our wet, naked, skin; the heat emanating from his torso; the water lapping around us; the hardness of his muscles, and of his enormous pierced cock, pressing against my belly.
Helio leans back, as if he’s trying to take in the sight of me. His eyes are drawn to the faint mark under my left breast.
“What’s that?” he asks.
“My birthmark…”
There’s a strange, sad look in his eyes as he pulls me back in again. It’s puzzling but it only adds to the sexy enigma that is Helio. I lean my face against his hot, wet shoulder, and inhale the musky scent of woodsmoke and pheromones.
I want him to hoist me up with those big strong arms; I want to wrap my legs around his waist… I want him to fuck me right here in the water…
…or for him to throw me down against a big boulder and penetrate me. I don’t even care what a cocky asshole he can be. My body is screaming out for him and I’m aching to know what that piercing feels like inside me.
Helio leans his head down, so that his face rests against my neck and shoulder.
Time stops and I’m wrapped up in his presence, his scent, his skin.
He breathes against my chest.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he says.
“What?!” I pull back, pushing away from his chest. “What the fuck?”
This guy has never met me before the other day… how the hell could he have missed me? He must have been thinking of someone else.
I storm out of the water and throw my dress on, holding my underwear tightly in my fist so no one will be able to see it. I scuff on my sandals and get the hell out of here. I need to be as far away from Helio as possible and I don’t care that he’s calling me back. I don’t want to be a stand-in for some other girl that I remind him of and I don’t want to screw things up by getting it on with any of my bosses. I don’t want any of it. But it seems I can’t escape them, not even in my dreams!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mya
There’s a sound of the usual bustle of the wagons in the street outside. As I stretch my arms, I remember that today is the day I’m to move to the temple. I get out of my simple kline bed and prepare for the day. I look out across the village through the hot dusty air at the small mud huts and larger houses in the distance. I can’t wait to rise above all this.
My aunt and uncle help me to prepare. They give me honey wine and loaves of bread to give to the temple. When I’ve packed, they help me carry my things across town. We walk together, through the hot, dusty streets, through the clamor of the agora. I inhale the scent of olives and honeyed pastries. The market place is crowded, with traders calling out prices on their wares.
“Feta cheese, freshly made!”
“Genuine Chios wine, direct from Athens – only two drachmas!”
That’s when I catch a glimpse of a man who stops me in my tracks. Smoke and steam pour out of the workshop, and I turn towards the hiss and the clanking sounds.
He’s a beautiful sight, all taught gleaming muscle. I can't help but stare, but, as he looks up and his dark eyes meet mine, I sense something more than pure desire. I feel a connection.
The sensation is just like a lyre being plucked, only the strings are somehow in my chest, connecting my heart to the rest of my vital organs.
I can’t stop a small gasp from escaping.
My aunt smiles at me. “That’s Teris,” she says. “Back from his training in Rome, he is a master smith now… and very handsome.”
I blush, but I don’t know what to say.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” my aunt says as my uncle walks up ahead. “Being a priestess can be an unsatisfying life. You belong to the temple and you must submit to the temple’s demands.”
I stay quiet, thinking of Amedes and how I’d quite like to submit to his desires.
“My dear friend Rhea was a priestess,” my aunt continued. “She told me she joined the temple to avoid men but then found it a lonely life.”
“I love the temple,” I say. “I can cope with loneliness.”
“But think about it,” my aunt continues. “Before you take your vows to the Temple of Artemis, you must know that there are certain rites – ones that we do not often speak of in the village.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask.
My aunt’s voice becomes very quiet. “Priestesses offer themselves as vessels for the goddess,” she says, “…and the priests embody the god…”
“Hurry up you two!” my uncle calls out. “We’re almost there.”
I can see the temple steps up ahead; the sight makes my whole body buzz with excitement. Something about this feels just like coming home, and in that moment, I forget about the blacksmith and that jolt of connection. I forget about the concern in my aunt’s eyes and the pleading tone in her voice from just moments ago. I know this is where I belong.
I recognize his outline as we draw close, standing at the entranceway to the temple. Amedes comes down the steps to meet us. Another hot shiver runs through me as I watch him. His golden honey eyes shine as he greets us and graciously receives the gifts from my aunt and uncle. I say goodbye to them, promising to visit soon, and Amedes helps me carry my things up into the Temple.
A beautiful woman appears, also dressed in temple robes, her dark-golden hair falls in ringlets down her back.
“Mya, this is Alesia, our high priestess,” Amedes says. “She will be responsible for helping you settle into temple life. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I must see to a few things.”
Alesia smiles at me, but her smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes, which pool with sadness. She takes me on a quick tour of the temple grounds, introducing me to other priests and priestesses, whose names I immediately forget, as we pass. She shows me to our sleeping chamber where I leave my small pack of belongings. Then she leads me to the baths to cleanse myself. I bathe and anoint myself with the temple oils, which smell of rosemary and citrus.
Alesia returns with temple robes, then leaves me to dress. The fabric of the robes is much smoother and thicker than my own cloth
ing. I love the way these new robes feel against my skin and I can’t help but fantasize about how Amedes’ hands would feel, exploring my body through the soft folds of fabric.
I let myself indulge in the fantasy for a moment: Amedes, coming around behind me, wrapping his arms around me, his hands finding the skin of my belly, my waist, stroking my breasts… then, Teris is there too in my fantasy, approaching from the front, shirtless, his muscles gleaming.
In my mind, these two men who I barely known stroke the length of my body, caressing me with their lips and hands. It’s enough to cause tension to build between my legs to the place we call kusthos, which dampens in preparation for a kind of excitement I have never known, and perhaps never will now that I am becoming a priestess.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Mira
I wake from a fantasy within a fantasy. As I lie in bed, dozing, I keep picturing the face of the blacksmith and the priest in my mind. In my half-asleep daze, I keep seeing the blacksmith as Helio and the priest as Theo, as if my mind is playing tricks on me, confusing dreams with reality.
Later in the day, I’m lying on the green velvet sofa in my ‘living quarters’ when I hear a ringing sound. It has been so long since I’ve received a call that I almost don’t recognize the sound.
“Hello?”
“Earth to Mira,” Lana’s voice sounds from the receiver. “What’s it like there, out in ultra-hot boy space, babe?”
“Shit, don’t remind me.”
“Trouble in paradise? Ooh, don’t tell me. There’s a love triangle – no a quadrangle. That’s a shape, right?”
