by Lia Davis
So was he. About what, she wasn’t sure. He was polite, yet held a power within his aura she’d never experienced. Although it was nothing close to the darkness she sensed from Drake at the restaurant. She wanted to ask if he was a demi-god like her but couldn’t gather the courage. What if she was wrong? Whenever she let people know she was psychic, they ran away, found excuses to not be around her anymore.
It was better to keep the magical part of her out of conversations with humans. “Alright, I’ll go to your place, and we can sit out on the deck. It’s a lovely night.”
He smiled again and gave her hand a gentle tug. “Come on.”
True to his word, he walked them around the back of the house and up the stairs to the deck. He motioned to a set of comfortable looking loungers. “Have a seat, and I’ll get us a drink. What would you like?”
“Water, please.”
With a short nod, he disappeared through the sliding glass door. Turning toward the railing, she let out a sigh and stared out at the dark ocean. The only light was the moon glowing on the surface of the water. The cloudless sky gave a perfect view of the stars. Peace rose up and wrapped around her, and she breathed in the salty ocean air.
She and Mom had talked about getting a beach house so they’d never have to leave it. The thought of her mom brought a lump to her throat. A tightness formed in her chest. Okay, stop it. You will avenge her death.
Moving away from the railing, she sat on one of the loungers.
Zed came back and handed her a bottle of water. When she took it, he sat on the lounger beside hers with his knees touching hers. “The ocean is peaceful tonight.”
Nodding, she agreed. “It’s almost magical.”
“I’m sorry for being rude at dinner.”
She faced him and frowned. “You weren’t rude.”
“I was distracted and not myself.” Her pulse quickened as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. She leaned into the touch. Warmth from his fingers seeped into her, stirring an aching desire.
The same tingle of magic kissed her skin, telling her once again he may not be human. Would he know she wasn’t either? Instead of asking him outright, she would wait him out. Let him confess to the non-human thing first. She needed to talk to Angie and demand some answers because her aunt’s lack of concern about Jordan having dinner with a stranger told her something was going on. She wanted to find out what they were hiding from her.
“Everyone has bad days.” She let out a forced laugh, dismissing his apology. She backed away from his reach, laying back on the lounger. Instantly, she missed the tingles he gave her. Damn her needy emotions. “I’ve had several recently.”
He frowned and lay back as well. “Sorry I wasn’t there sooner to get your mom out.”
“No. It wasn’t your fault. Not like you started the fire.” She fell silent, waiting to see if her words triggered the intuition to tell her he had. When nothing flashed in her mind—like short visions of foresight—she decided that he could be there to help.
Yet, wouldn’t Angie let her know? Ugh! It wouldn’t be the first time her aunt and mom kept things from her, “to keep her safe.” Like who her real father was. She was sure there were other things.
She yawned, her eyes watered.
Zed turned to his side, causing her to glance at him. Poking her gently on her upper arm, he said, “You’re tired. I’ll take you home.”
Waving him off, she pushed to a stand and stretched. “It’s only two blocks…” She glanced around and remembered they’d walked another two blocks North. “Make that three. I think.”
He stood, his body heat wrapped around her, enticing. They were inches apart. “I wouldn’t sleep because I’d be wondering if you made it home alright.”
She smiled. “Give me your number, and I’ll call you when I get there.”
He frowned and his blue depths flashed brighter for a heartbeat. “Let me take you. Please?”
She was about to deny his offer, but he poked out his bottom lip and gave her sad puppy eyes. Defeat made her sag and cave at his offer. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” He leaned in and kissed her quickly on the lips.
She froze, not expecting how it shook her insides, awakening desires she’d never had before. Something deep inside her uncurled, like a part of her awakened for the first time. She pressed a palm to his chest and wrapped the other around his neck. Need flowed in her veins like lava, pooling within her core.
When his tongue pushed inside her mouth, she was lost. Dizzying desire overcame all senses. Kissing him back, she met his tongue with her own. She was on fire, inside and out.
His large hands traveled down her sides, then around her hips to cup her ass. He lifted and she groaned, rotating her hips, grinding into him. Tearing his lips from hers, he trailed kisses down her jaw. A nip on her earlobe made the tingles of pleasure race through her and her pussy to throb.
“We should stop.” His words came out thick and husky.
Yes, they should. However, she’d never had a man make her feel so much with a single touch. Screw it if it wasn’t right or proper. She needed this. Needed to feel something. Even if it was only for the night.
“Don’t stop.”
A low growl was her answer from him before he twisted while moving an arm to her back. He lowered her to the lounger. When he pulled back, their gaze locked. Silver swirled in his blue eyes. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek. “You’re not human.”
A slight twitch tugged at his lips. “Neither are you.” Then he kissed her again, softer that time.
No questions. Fair enough. At least for now. Didn’t mean she wouldn’t question him later on.
“Are you sure about this?” He paused at the waist of her jeans briefly, then unbuttoned them.
Was she? “I need to feel…” What? Loved? Wanted? Passion?
With no words, he leaned down and kissed her belly above her jeans. Currents of electricity and magic scattered under the surface of her skin. The next thing she knew her jeans and panties were in a pile on the deck beside the lounger.
When his lips brushed the inside of her thigh, she closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. She exhaled with a gasp as he covered her pussy and gently sucked.
The world spun and the fire he ignited within her intensified. She fisted her hands in his hair and moved against his face. His tongue lapped at her, flicking over her clit. Pleasure built, wave after wave, until her thighs quivered and her belly tightened.
Her orgasm tore through her, and she cried out in pleasure.
Zed crawled up her too sensitive body until they were eye to eye. His gaze lit up with satisfaction. One side of his full lips lifted. “You are so beautiful.”
Her heartbeat quickened and happiness filled her. Before she could reply, he claimed her mouth, biting gently on her lower lip. Their tongues danced, and a primal part of her loved the smell of her on him.
With a quick thrust, he entered her. She tore her mouth from his with a half-moan, half-growl. He was thick, causing a mix of pain and pleasure. Tightening around him, she dug her heels into the lounger, lifted her hips, and matched his tempo, urging him to go faster.
Desire and pleasure built once more, this time more powerful than she’d dreamed. Each thrust hit her g-spot, sending her over the edge.
His body stiffened under her hands right before his groan turned into a growl as he climaxed. Pulling out, he let out a soft curse. “Sorry. I didn’t have…shit.”
She stared at him when he sat up, giving her his back. Did he regret what they did? Her breathing shortened and a lump formed in her throat. Sitting up, she held in the tears of rejection while dressing.
He turned to her and frowned. Then with inhuman speed, he knelt in front her, his hands framing her face. “No. I meant, I didn’t have a condom. Don’t be upset.”
Oh. She sagged into him and pressed her forehead to his. “I’m an emotional mess.”
“I don’t regret what we did. I should have had better co
ntrol over my desires and let you finish grieving.” He picked her up and sat down, placing her on his lap.
“I needed this. You.” Crap, what was she saying? Gods, she prayed they didn’t ruin things. Sex changed things. “About the condom thing, I can’t carry diseases, and I’m on birth control.” The magical kind of birth control.
He knew she wasn’t human. He said so.
“I should get you home,” he said but didn’t move.
“Want to talk about the nonhuman thing?”
Lifting her, he stood, then placed her on her feet. Sadness clouded his eyes as he studied her. Leaning forward he placed a kiss on her forehead, and everything went dark.
4
Jordan woke the next morning to the loud clanking of dishes. A dull ache throbbed in her skull. Ugh. She thought the kids were at their grandparents. What the hell was all that noise?
The trip to the beach didn’t calm her as it should have thanks to Zed showing up and being nice and sexy.
That kiss… Visions of what they did the night before showed up as if they hid waiting for the perfect time to jump out at her. No! Why was she so weak? And needy!
They had sex. Unprotected sex at that. It was a good thing she had done the anti-baby spell a few months before her mother died.
Mom.
Tears filled her eyes, and she stared up at the ceiling. Her heart ached. She rolled to her side, brought her knees up, and with a single thought she surrounded her bed with a magical circle. The noise from the kitchen faded.
Closing her eyes, she willed herself to sleep for the next century. She no longer wanted the immortality her parents gifted her with. Not if she would spend it alone.
Zed’s face flashed in her mind, only adding to her frustration. He was hiding something. Now she knew he wasn’t human, but he refused to tell her what he was. And she had sex with him!
You’re stupid Jordan. Stupid.
Zed was there for a reason. Hell, he could be working with whoever killed her mom. Jordan didn’t believe in chance encounters. Her mom taught her that everything happens for a reason. Many of those reasons are because others want it to.
She, her mom, and Angie were all descendants of the Fates. They had the power to create their own destiny, although doing so brought on great consequences.
She never knew who her father was. The man was a mystery her mom refused to talk about it. “The man I loved is dead, and we’re better off for it.” That was the answer Jordan got every time she asked about him.
A cold shiver crawled up her spine like icy fingers. Jordan couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was on the horizon.
Angie stepped into Jordan’s line of sight with her arms crossed. Lifting her gaze to Angie’s, Jordan took a deep breath in, then released it in a rush. She opened the circle and sat up, wiping her eyes.
Angie pulled her into a hug. “I loved her, too. She was my sister.”
Jordan hugged her back and buried her nose into Angie’s shoulder. “I know. But you have Jeff and the kids and his family.”
“Stop.” Angie stepped out of the embrace and framed Jordan’s face in her hands. “You have that same family. Don’t close yourself off from us.”
She was right. “How could Mom be killed? It wasn’t from the smoke of the fire.”
Angie frozen for a second, then linked her fingers with Jordan’s. “I’m not sure how. But there are only a few things that can kill a goddess.”
That’s what Jordan thought. They may be immortal, but they could be killed. “What about Zed?”
“What about him?” Angie released her hand and moved to the door.
“Don’t avoid the question.” Jordan followed her. “I know he’s not who he says. Another man came up to us at the restaurant, and the tension between them was stifling.”
Angie stopped and whirled around. “What did the guy look like?”
“He had long white blond hair. Dark eyes. He was taller than Jeff, I think.”
“Shit.” Angie rushed down the hall.
Jordan ran after her aunt. The way Angie’s eyes widened and her face paled, told Jordan she was right about something bad coming. Her aunt knew! “What’s going on?”
Angie had her phone to ear and glanced at Jordan while tapping her bare foot against the hardwood floor. Jordan’s stomach soured. “Who are you calling?”
Angie waved a hand, then clipped out, “I’m calling a meeting. Be here within the hour.”
Then she hung up, facing Jordan. Frustration mounted on top of the other emotions she already had to deal with. Crossing her arms, Jordan asked again, “Who was that?”
Angie shook her head but answered. “You know him as Zed. I know him as Zeus.”
Jordan’s jaw dropped, and she stared at Angie. “Zeus? As in the King of Gods?” No. No, she didn’t have sex with Zeus. “Are you sure?” Alright, that was a stupid question.
“Yes.”
“When was anyone going to tell me? I had dinner with a god. And not just one. The ruler of all gods.” And went to his house and had sex with him. Jordan’s heart was pounding. She didn’t know if she should be proud of herself for scoring with a god or running from Hera… Oh gods, I’m dead.
Angie wasn’t fazed by her tone. “Oh, another thing. Where did you go after Zeus dropped you off?”
“I came in the through the back. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. When I couldn’t go to sleep, I went for a walk on the beach.” Jordan went to step around Angie, but she blocked Jordan’s exit.
“You can’t leave the house at night, by yourself. Are you crazy?”
Jordan jerked back a step. Fury brewed from within. “I’m not five!”
“Your mother was murdered by a dragon who possesses a weapon strong enough to kill a minor goddess. And he is still out there!” There was real fear in Angie’s eyes. Her voice shook as she spoke, which calmed Jordan down.
“A dragon? Why would he kill Mom?”
Sadness and anger swirled in Angie’s green depths. “His name is Drakon, and Zeus sent him to Tartarus a few decades ago for treason. My guess is he is after the stone.” Angie pointed to the pendant around Jordan’s neck. “Because Cleo gave it to you, you are now a target.”
There was a knock on the door, and neither one of them moved. Jeff walked by and shook his head as he opened the door.
“Jordan knows who you are now,” Jeff said as he closed the door behind him and Zeus.
Jordan sensed Zeus when he entered the house but ignored him. Or at least she tried to. She glanced at him and damn if he didn’t look good. His jeans were black, and the royal blue shirt made his eyes stand out. Desire swirled in her head, heart, and other areas she didn’t want to think about.
Tearing her gaze away from sexy god, she asked Angie, “What’s so special about the stone?”
Jordan raised her brows, waiting for her aunt to answer.
After another moment, Angie moved to the sofa and sat. “Cleo was the protector of the stone you wear around your neck. It’s a powerful stone that could destroy the world in the wrong hands.”
Jordan frowned. Her mom had told her the stone was special, magical, and blessed by the gods. Why hadn’t she told her it would one day be the reason someone would kill her? “So the dragon wants it? Why not just take it?”
“He can’t. No one could while she was alive.” Sadness and fear sparked in Angie’s eyes. There was something she wasn’t saying.
But Jordan guessed what it could be. “And now my life is in danger. Because she gave it to me? Why would she do that?”
Her own mother put a death sentence on her? Jordan stumbled back and dropped into the armchair. “Why?”
Zeus was in front of her in a flash and lowered to his knees. He took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. “You are the only one she could’ve given it to. Only her direct descendant can possess the stone. It can be stolen, but only if you remove it and leave it alone.”
“What is so special about th
e stone?”
“Come with me, and I’ll explain everything.” A light flashed in his sky-blue eyes when she was about to argue with him. Did he sense her thoughts? “You are safer with me.”
He stood and held out his hand. When Jordan didn’t take, he rolled his eyes and added, “The stone is a priceless relic. It’s the Stone of Affliction. In the wrong hands, it can be deadly.”
She rubbed her arms where they tingled from his nearness. Now she understood the power she felt last night. “What does that mean, exactly? Why did my mother have it?”
“Come with me, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know,” he repeated, his voice softer but held a command in it.
“What if I don’t believe any of this?”
He moved too fast for her to track. One moment he stood a few feet from her, the next she was lifted in his arms, pulled flush against his body. Then he pressed his lips to hers.
Awareness lit up her insides and nipped her skin. Power flowed around them. Images flashed through her mind of her mother and him. He’d given the stone to her…
“Cleo, you must go to Earthside, cloak yourself and your power, and protect the stone with your life.” Zeus placed the pendant over Cleo’s head and stepped away.
“I will, my Lord.” Cleo nodded while wrapping her fingers around the moonstone, then dematerialized.
Zeus broke the kiss and released her. Jordan stumbled a step before finding her balance. She glared at Zeus. “That only answers one of my questions.”
Instead of answering her, he stared at the stone as if surprised by it. “She transferred her power into the stone. How can that be?”
“What?” Jordan decided the man was crazy.
Angie stepped up beside Jordan. “It is possible. The stone protects the person who wears it, bonds with that person.”
“Yes, and that’s why it’s dangerous in the wrong hands.” Zeus focused back on Jordan. “Come with me.”
Angie took her hand. “He can protect you from Drakon and whoever aided him in killing your mother.”
“You don’t think Drakon killed Cleo?” Zeus asked.
Angie shook her head. “I don’t know. He’s too greedy and smart to kill her in a house fire. But something made him sloppy. I believe someone else wants the stone.”
