Pandora's Pain

by A. K. Koonce

  Our fingers touched for a while too long as I took the white wires from him. Our bodies were close. Not close enough for my taste but close enough I could feel the heat of his chest warming mine.

  An energy was alive between us. Demanding and distracting.

  Perfect really.

  He smiled a shy but sexy smile before taking a seat on a small couch in the corner. Cold leather met the back of my thighs as I took a seat in his large chair. The computer was on and waiting, not that I’d know what to do with it.

  I sat quietly as he punched in a few numbers on a speaker at the center of the coffee table. A dial tone rung through the room. Words I wasn’t familiar with flowed harshly from the little device.

  The man on the other end sounded stern and not at all like Zavier.

  “Bonne Journée. Merci d’être venu.”

  I got comfortable in the chair, leaning back against the cushion to study the way his mouth kissed the syllables.

  That mouth tipped up at the corners as he looked at me. Another line of foreign words fell from his lips, but he kept his gaze on me.

  It was the sexiest thing I’d ever heard. Why did he ever bother to speak English at all?

  His index finger pressed quickly at a button on the speaker and he stood.

  “You make me nervous when you watch me like that.” He stalked toward me, and the swagger in his steps made my thighs clench together.

  “I like to watch you.”

  He paused when he was standing just over me. His lips parted but he apparently didn’t know what to say to that.

  Did women never flirt with this man? What were they doing with their wasted lives for him to never be properly noticed?

  A terribly fantastic thought drifted through my mind.

  This desk is the perfect size for sex …

  “Let me set you up with a movie.” He clicked around on the computer. Pages popped up. keys clicked quickly beneath his fingertips.

  And before I knew it, he was handing me the tiny headphones again. A beat began to play within them as a movie started to run on the screen.

  He leaned into my space, his palms against the arms of the chair. The dark color of his eyes was level with mine.

  “Please, watch the movie. If you keep looking at me like you want to fuck me, I’m bound to make mistakes. And I never make mistakes, Hope.” The serious tone of his voice tingled right through me, straight down to my sex.

  With a daring thought, I leaned into him, his lips only an inch away from mine. I held his taunting gaze. The rough words of the man on the speaker twirled all around us but all I could think about was his breath against my tongue.

  I shoved the earbuds in one after another.

  “Fine,” I said. I looked past him to the film on the computer.

  He still boxed me in for several seconds, letting his strong arms skim against my shoulders.

  Stiffly he stepped away from me. Voices from the movie circled my head but I held his gaze as he rocked back. As if he had to force himself, he turned away from me and settled on the couch.

  Discreetly, I pulled one of the earbuds out to listen, like a stalker, to his every word.

  I did hide my looks at his profile. I tried my best to focus on the story the movie was trying to tell. But nothing was as interesting as the way he spoke. The deep rumbling of his voice kept pulling at my attention.

  When I finally did peek back at the screen, a small moving ad caught my attention.

  A woman’s breasts bounced heavily as her head tipped back in pleasure.

  Well. I guess there were some things a bit more interesting than Zavier’s sexy voice.

  I pushed the mouse the way I had seen Zavier do it just moments before. With slow and uncoordinated movements, I shoved the little cursor over the ad of the woman who looked to be having the most fantastic orgasm.

  With rapt interest I clicked the image. The video popped up and a much more interesting story started to play out.

  Apparently, this lucky woman had left her keys at the gym and a man with the biggest erection I’d ever seen found them for her.

  And they said chivalry was dead.

  Mesh shorts did nothing to hide his feelings for her that was for sure. Seemed like a flaw in their plot, but what did I know. I’m not a big movie producer. They probably know best.

  The scene clipped abruptly, and my eyes widened when the poor woman was now on her knees thanking the man.

  It was just your car keys. Calm down. You don’t have to be on your knees to say thank you. My brows pulled down as I tried to understand what was going on.

  When her small hands pulled down his thin shorts, it suddenly all made sense.

  Oh.

  Well.

  That’s one way to do it, I suppose.

  The chair squeaked as I shifted, a growing energy within me. I tried my best to get comfortable and enjoy this show.

  Zavier was right, I should just relax and watch a movie.

  Unfortunately, the sexy show only lasted four minutes and thirty-four seconds.

  That was incredibly short. I barely had time to understand the storyline at all.

  Hmm.

  Tapping my fingers against the smooth desk, I studied the screen. A little box at the center recommended a similar video to the one I had just watched.

  How convenient.

  I clicked the button and another video started.

  This one was even better than the last. The woman was flexible. The man was… impressive, to say the least. I hoped they got those little golden awards. It’s the best so far. He really knew how to use what the gods have given him to work with. The makeup on her pretty face was a little much, but I was probably just overthinking it.

  And that was how I spent my afternoon. Clicking, clicking, clicking through all the pornography the internet gifted to me.

  This has to be the best thing the gods invented by far.

  Kudos to the gods for knowing pornography was so needed in this day and age.

  I felt his gaze on me before I saw him.

  I pulled the earbud from my ear and looked up at the man shadowing over me.

  During my binge of pornography, I’d really gotten comfortable. My legs were curled up neatly beneath me. The pretty summer dress was spread over my legs like a blanket.

  Zavier’s attention locked onto the couple on the computer screen. As the man gripped the woman’s hair and thrust hard into her, Zavier’s dark eyes widened.

  The sound of his throat clearing managed to break his trance and his breaths seemed uneven as he stared down on me.

  “What--How many of those--How long have you been watching this stuff?” The way his hands fisted the back of the leather chair I was sitting on caught my attention.

  Did this make him… uncomfortable?

  “I started the first one right after your call started, around one.”

  Once again, his eyes widened impossibly larger.

  “It’s five o'clock. You’ve been watching porn for four hours?” His tone raised higher, almost in sync with the man on the screen who’d reached his climax.

  “That’s not true. I watched a little of the boring show you put on for me for a few minutes.”

  “Can you just shut that shit? I can’t even talk to you right now.”

  “Does pornography make you uncomfortable, Zav?” A teasing tone hinted at my words.

  The white carpet silenced his steps as he wandered over to the couch again, putting space between us as he stared me.

  “What the fuck is happening in my life right now?” he whispered under his breath, as if asking the gods themselves instead of me. As if they’d answer.

  He pushed his hand pushed through his pale hair, and he slowly sank down on the cushions. I followed after him. Cautiously, I took a seat at his side. My weight shifted closer to his as the couch dipped. The warmth of his leg brushed against mine, reminding me of how much sex I’d just watched.

  “When I gave you my computer, I
assumed you’d use it to watch a movie or for research.”

  “Are you mad?” My eyes narrowed on his but he didn’t seem angry. Flushed but not angry.

  “No, I’m not mad. A little curious if you’re a sex addict but not mad.” His sharp features softened as his eyes closed slowly. “This is a company computer.” He paused but I didn’t really understand why he looked so anguished. “Our IT department monitors the use of company property.”

  “Wow.” I nodded, and he mimicked the gesture. “You’re going to pay a whole department of men to rewatch my four hours of pornography?”

  A painful sounding puff of annoyance slipped past his lips as he nodded. "That wasn't exactly my plan, no."

  He was clearly annoyed, but I wasn't sure why that was my fault. If he hadn't wanted me watching people having sex, then his computer shouldn’t have offered it. There wasn't any reason for him to kick off at me.

  I felt stupid almost. I didn’t know. There was apparently a learning curve where pornography was concerned.

  Every time I thought I was getting the hang of this world, something always ruined it.

  I always ruined it.

  Maybe he'd understand better if I told him what Alex and I really were. We hadn't exactly lied, per se.

  "Sorry," I murmured, more because it felt like the right thing to do than I was actually sorry. Sex was a human thing. And it had been a long, long time for me. I was bound to get curious about if it had changed over time.

  I mean, that woman in the film looked like things had definitely changed. I didn’t remember enjoying myself quite like she had.

  My head tilted at the man sitting close enough to physically touch. Sharp angles curved his features as his head tipped back to the ceiling. His eyes closed once again. Exhaustion like I’d never seen clung to his face. He was young. Young and innocent and filled with life. A life worth living.

  But he wasn’t living it at all.

  Not yet.

  The column of his neck was smooth against my fingertips. Hesitant but bold movements guided my palm up his neck.

  Tension struck through him. The even breaths halted as he simply waited. He didn’t flinch away from me or mock me for my curiosity. It had been centuries since someone actually wanted me near them. I was used to being tolerated. I wasn’t used to having someone show me kindness.

  And that was all Zavier had done.

  When he didn’t jerk away from me, I took it as an invitation of sorts. I turned closer to him. His warmth swarmed my body, pulling me closer to the comforting feel of his skin against mine. My thumb brushed over his full bottom lip and his mouth parted with a quiet breath.

  Smooth skin brushed against my chest, his arm pressing against my body minimally. As my head dipped closer to his, he finally spoke.

  “What are you doing, Hope?” His lashes fluttered but he didn’t open his pretty amber eyes to me.

  “Nothing,” I said, with a small knowing smile.

  His palm clasped around my wrist before he trailed it slowly down the length of my arm, sending a shiver all through me.

  “Do you really think Ashton would like the way you’re doing nothing with me?” His taunting words drifted through my mind, daring me in some way.

  “Do you think you’ll spend all of your mortal life wondering what others will think? Or,” I let a heavy pause settle into that word, “do you think you’ll actually live your own life someday?”

  At that, his eyes did open. They collided with mine with so much confusion I felt bad for him. If he knew how quickly our lives could be taken away, he wouldn’t waste another day.

  And suddenly, another day would not be wasted.

  Slowly, he lifted his head, coming closer to me. His deep gaze held mine as he took his time studying every detail of this moment. His breath kissed my tongue as he lingered near my lips. As if he’s considering the pros and cons, he paused there. The anticipation began to press against my chest.

  The warm feel of his palm against my throat had me arching into him. He tilted my chin to him as he skimmed his soft lips against mine.

  What started sweet and chaste didn’t last.

  He leaned farther into me as his tongue slipped across my lips. Gentle fingers trailed down my sides before he palmed my ass firmly. He pulled at my body until I settled over his thighs, our hips aligning just right. The slow way his tongue flicked against mine was building a long-forgotten feeling in my core.

  Zavier held me in a way I hadn’t realized I even wanted. I hadn’t noticed until now how much I wanted someone the way I want these two mortal men.

  A hardness pressed against my thigh and I rocked against it until we were both moaning into each other.

  The coiling feeling low in my stomach built higher, and still he only kissed me, his hands not roaming over my skin a single inch.

  I pulled harshly back from him. Heavy, panting breaths fell between us.

  He’s too sweet. Too sweet to fuck me like we both wanted him to.

  “We’re not going to have sex, are we?” I tried hard to keep the pouting outrage from my voice.

  His hands rose from my hips with a gesture of uncertain surrender.

  “I—probably—no?”

  No?

  It sounded like he wasn’t even sure. Like maybe sex was happening, maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it already was for all he knew. What was with men today? Men used to be dominant and demanding but protecting and providing.

  Why was I demanding sex and he was brushing it off like it was somewhat of an inconvenience for his dick right now?

  Confusion lined his face as we stared at one another for several long seconds.

  And then I felt it.

  A dark and familiar feeling strangled my chest. A presence was near, and it sent a chill all down my spine.

  I turned hesitantly to find my little box sitting where his speaker phone was just moments ago. A shining light gleamed across the top.

  Pandora was written in pretty swooping letters across it. It looked like a gift and a curse all at the same time. It wanted Zavier. It wanted him the way it had once wanted me.

  Tightness clutched at my throat, but I swallowed it down. If I opened it right now, would I never see this beautiful man again? I’d have one of the three miseries obtained. I’d be one step closer to my freedom.

  And one step closer to being just like the gods.

  Was it worth it? Was my freedom worth more than Zavier. He wasn’t living his life at all. He was choosing greed over living.

  If I lifted that lid a choice would be made. A choice I could never retake.

  I stood abruptly, pulling Zavier along with me.

  I stumbled away from it. On unsteady steps, I led him carefully away from the quiet danger that sat before us.

  “Hope, what is wrong with you?”

  I was making a choice. Right now. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  I looked between Zavier and my box not quite knowing where to start. How did you tell someone you were his favorite legend? That shit was just fucked up from start to finish.

  I swallowed loudly, fiddling with the hem of my dress.

  “My name isn’t Hope,” I admitted, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

  “Oh?” He raised an eyebrow but did nothing else as he waited for me to continue.

  Why did he have to be so sweet and handsome? It was distracting me to no end.

  “My name’s Pandora.”

  Zavier blinked a couple of times.

  “As in, named after the myth?” His jaw ticked as he looked at me, his anger increasing with each second.

  “As in, I am the myth Pandora. I…” Could I really do this? Tell him the truth about myself? “I was sent here to recovery my miseries.”

  “And what’s this crazy shit got to do with me?” he demanded.

  Maybe he wasn’t completely sweet. Maybe lying about your name was where he drew the line of kindness.

  “You
are a misery,” I whispered, almost hoping he wouldn’t catch the words.

  “And a misery is?”

  “Someone who…”

  “So because you deem us shitty people, we must be the miseries of Pandora?” The anger in his voice was harsh and glaring as he cut me off. When I nodded, it only increased his aggression. “We have too much shit to do this week to play some screwed-up game of Pandora’s box with some deranged groupie.”

  He’s mad because I lied. That was understandable. Telling someone you lied about your name was bound to make them angry.

  “I’m not a groupie,” I protested easily.

  “Then what are you?” Zavier demanded. “The press? A gold digger? Some kind of assassin? Or are you just deranged?” He sneered as he finished talking, his words piercing me like knives. This was worse than any punishment the gods could throw at me.

  Five minutes before, I was kissing him. Now, I was confessing. It wasn’t the easiest transition.

  “No, I told you. I am Pandora. But I wasn’t going to do it.” I stepped forward and reached out towards him, though Zavier moved back too quickly for me.

  “What’s even the point of this lie? Are you here to sabotage me?”

  “No, of course not,” I shouted. “I’m exactly who I say I am. I’m Pandora.”

  He laughed bitterly. “Yes. Thousands of years old Pandora.”

  “Laugh all you want. It’s no actual fun being punished by the gods,” I pointed out.

  “You actually believe this, don’t you?” A look of horror passed over his face.

  “Why wouldn’t I believe who I am?” Loaded question there. History seemed littered with people who weren’t sure. But I wasn’t one of them, nor did

  I ever intend to be.

  Zavier opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by the chirp of his phone going off.

  He held up a hand as if to tell me to stay where I was. Not that I planned on disappearing. Far from it. If I sorted this out, then maybe the guys would keep me. Win-win all around then, and no hiding for me.

  It was a crazy hope. I knew that it was. But it calmed me to cling to it.

  “No, I haven’t forgotten,” Zavier half-barked. “I haven’t.”

  I thought he would have been reasonable. I thought he was kind and sweet. The tone in his voice was one I’d never heard before.