by Mary Winter
UNDER HER SKIN
Mary Winter
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* * * * *
This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable.
Under Her Skin
Mary Winter
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © August 2007 by Mary Winter
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ISBN 978-1-59632-523-4
Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader
Printed in the United States of America
Editor: Crystal Esau
Cover Artist: Croco Designs
Prologue
Walking in a land steeped in history should have made Ari forget all about the scars covering her body. The grace and beauty in the Greek architecture, the people, and the artwork reminded her of the car accident that had torn her world asunder. Though clothing hid the worst of her scars, she knew she’d never again be as beautiful as the goddesses the ancient Greeks once worshiped.
Ari paused to stare at partially excavated buildings. Chills ran up and down her spine as she thought of those who once lived here. People had laughed here, loved here. The history of the place awed her.
Though the ruins of Abdera didn’t seem like much, she suspected in its heyday the city had covered far more than these seven hills. Outside the city, people eked out a living from the land. Mythology said Hercules founded the city. Looking around, Ari knew it would take a miracle to release the city from ages of neglect.
A small temple caught her attention. It drew her, and she walked toward it thinking that if anyone needed a miracle, it was her. The Mediterranean sun beat down, and Ari plucked at the long sleeves covering her scarred arms. A wide-brimmed hat shielded her face. She wished it would hide the puckered scar high on one cheek and the nasty white line radiating away into her hairline. Pursing her lips, she paused in the paltry shade cast by the building. The locals had warned her against the midday heat.
She should have listened. Her calm place on the beach had been disturbed by two local lovers. She fled before they saw her, and before they could remind her of things she’d never have again. Physical therapy and surgeries ‑‑ through it all she promised herself a trip to Greece. And now she ventured beyond the cities to explore areas not overrun by tourists. Athens had been all right, and she’d seen the major attractions. But here, away from it all, she allowed her heart to be free and the burdens she carried to lift, just a little.
Rested, she rose to her feet and walked to the small temple. It would be nice to rest here for a while, and maybe the gods would have mercy on her and no one would disturb her. She wanted to be alone, far away from the pitying looks. She’d seen them. The man who tried to flirt with her in the airport, yet when she’d turned the scarred side of her face to him he’d smiled apologetically and turned away. The cab driver who’d winked then frowned once he fully saw her. Ari traced her fingers over the two visible scars on the side of her face. They’d long since failed to bring physical pain, but the emotional ‑‑ oh, how it still hurt.
Ari stepped into the temple. The austere decorations gave no clue as to which god claimed it. There were so many in Greek mythology, and she had only learned about a few before her trip. Maybe Apollo who made the sun shine so brightly. Or perhaps Zeus, who lorded over everything, though the temple seemed too small for him. Ari shook her head. A low bench sat before a block of stone. Perhaps it was an altar. Her feet carried her there, and she knelt.
“I don’t know which god rules this place, but whoever you are, I’m so very alone. If only someone could see past my scars to the woman inside. I didn’t change with the car accident, only my skin, but even my friends don’t know what to say when they see me. So they go off dancing by themselves, and I’ve ended up here. If only I had someone with whom to share my love of old things.” She smiled and stifled a yawn. Stretching out on the bench, she thought of the ancient Greeks worshipping gods at this temple and decided she’d rest here for a while.
She stood in the center of a party wearing a gorgeous dress. The bodice hugged her, curving around her breasts and nipping in at her waist like a lover’s caress. With her wavy brown hair French braided, it left her neck and shoulders bare. A strand of pearls shimmered around her neck. She slid her hands over the silk skirt, smiling at the calf-length. The strappy sandals on her feet added inches to her height. A chill breeze caressed her bare back, and Ari shivered. A strapless, backless dress. She’d always wanted to wear such a creation but hadn’t since her accident. Too many scars and too much skin. Still, in this dress, in this moment, she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world ‑‑ a princess.
A passing waiter handed her a flute of champagne, but as she took the sparkling drink she couldn’t miss his look of pity. Men turned to her, started toward her, then frowned and turned away. Across the room a woman laughed, high and shrill. “Who does she think she is? She’s ugly and scarred.” The woman’s hurtful words carried across the room.
Ari turned away. She stared back at the way she’d come, debating whether to leave or not. The beautiful dream turned into a nightmare, so much like the ones she had nearly every night. She thought about opening her eyes. Waking up would relieve her of the pain. The woman spoke again, more hurtful words. Laughter, sharp and cruel, filled the air. Tears stung Ari’s eyes. She looked around at the men in their tuxedos, the women in their beautiful gowns. Once she’d belonged in this world, but nevermore.
A man stepped from the crowd. His thick dark hair begged for a woman’s fingers. His suit marked his broad shoulders and narrow waist. And his eyes, dear goddess, his gaze penetrated her, made her feel as if he could see to her very soul. Heat blossomed, a fluttering in her stomach. His strong chin and Roman nose reminded her of a statue of a Greek god.
“Ignore them,” he said, extending his arm to take hers. “They’re all jealous of your beauty.”
His words warmed her from head to toe. Against the bodice of her dress, her nipples hardened. “My ‑‑ my beauty?” she stammered, and then looked at the ground. “I’m not beautiful.” Her lower lip quivered, but she refused to give in to emotion in front of this man.
In all his years as a god, he’d never seen anyone as beautiful as the woman standing before him. They came to his temples for healing: the young, the old, the infirm, and the physically healthy, but none had touched him like the woman sleeping in his temple at this very moment. It had been a long time, too long, since anyone had come here in search of healing. To look at her beautiful countenance, he knew he’d found someone worthy of everything he could give.
And now, she’d finally come. He’d seen her, even been th
e consulting doctor on her case, though she knew not of his divine origins. Though in her dream, he doubted she recognized him. She’d seen so many doctors. His heart, and his cock, leapt at her nearness. He ached to taste her. And taste her, he would.
With a smile, he propelled her away from the mocking laughter and other guests. A wave of his hand dismissed them, and he stood alone with her on a beach. She still wore her dress, though in her dream the sunlight shone on her scarred face. He was naked. Lightly, he traced a finger along her chin until he tilted her to face him. “Yes, your beauty.” He kissed her. A gentle brush of lips, but in that touch sparks flew. “You’re beautiful.”
She pulled away and looked down. “I don’t feel beautiful.” She swallowed hard, not quite certain where to rest her gaze. “Since the accident, all the surgeries… I’m not beautiful. Not like they were.”
He smiled and forced her to look at him once more. “Beauty on the outside doesn’t mean beauty on the inside. Let me show you how beautiful you are.”
She swayed at his words. Cupping her hand, he stood beside her. Waves crashed in the background, counterpoint to the blood pounding in his veins. The setting sun completed the perfect surroundings in which to love her. He traced the faint white lines down the lengths of her arms, worse on the right from where the car window had shattered and sliced her skin. Across her shoulders, the few scars on her abdomen and along her hips and legs, he touched those, too. In the days of old when petitioners had flocked to his temple, he’d had power then. He could cure the lame, the sick, the dying. Now, he hoped he had enough power left to show Ari her true beauty.
Her back would bear more scars, faint white lines as dim as modern medicine could make them. He wanted to kiss them, to run his fingers and tongue over her buttocks and the backs of her thighs, until he’d tasted every single mark on her body.
He widened his stance, letting her see the full effect she had on him. His turgid cock surged hard and proud between his legs. His balls hung full and aching. Let her see this god among men who wanted her. And in the air, he scented the sweet perfume of her cream.
* * * * *
Ari looked at the man standing before her. Moonlight illuminated his naked form, turning the planes and hollows of his chest and abdomen into a study of shadows and light. Dark hair curled over his chest and between his pectorals to follow a straight line over his abdomen and down to the cock standing at attention in a nest of black hair. Ari licked her lips at the sight of his erection, her shame at her own scarred visage forgotten. In this light, she, too, would be shadows and light, not pink and white scars jagged against creamy flesh.
He extended his hand, and she took it. Warmth zinged up her arm. She looked at him, not wanting to step forward if it meant breaking the spell of the moment. Standing apart from him seemed abhorrent. “Who are you?” she asked.
“Just a man.”
Ari chuckled. She’d never imagine him as just a man, though a man he most definitely was. “Do you not have a name, just a man?”
He laughed and pulled her forward. Ari fit neatly into the circle of his arms, his shoulder the perfect height for her to rest her head. A lazy hand caressed her back from neck to tailbone, then back again. The motion soothed her. “I am called many things. If you need to shout out something in your passion, you can call me a god.”
His bold words should have shocked her. Instead, in her dream, she could easily imagine him as a Greek deity. “All right then.” She pressed her lips to his shoulder, the skin warm. “I shall trust the gods to know I do so at your behest.” She laved the spot where her lips had touched with her tongue.
“Oh, they know.” She didn’t need to see him to know he smiled, for it filled his voice. He stepped back and gently led her down to a blanket.
Ari lay back on the soft fabric, the sand form-fitted to her shape beneath her. He stretched out over her, one hand above her head, the fingers playing with her hair, the other idly caressing her ribs and breasts. Her nipples thrust up at him. Bending his head, he laved one distended tip with his tongue. The gentle touch rocketed through her body and had her arching her back to beg for more.
“Mmm, so beautiful,” he murmured against her flesh. Sliding down her body, he brought his other hand down to fondle the breast he wasn’t kissing. He wrapped his lips around a nipple and sucked deep. Ari threaded her fingers through his hair and cried out.
This man ‑‑ this god ‑‑ made her feel beautiful. Each caress of his tongue, his lips, over her flesh sent fresh shocks through her system. Her legs moved restlessly against the blanket. Her pussy ached to be touched. Moisture coated her nether lips, and she wanted to feel him rising over her, fucking her on the beach. She held him to her breast with a murmured, “please.”
His exquisite lips traveled over her flesh. Scars she knew must be there faded beneath his touch. The mocking people in the party receded into the dark parts of her mind. It was only her own fears she conjured, and this man took them away. Whoever he was, she thanked him and wished he didn’t only live in her mind. With gentle nips, he slid lower over her body. His tongue swirled in her navel, then he rested between her parted thighs.
He licked her. Ari’s breath caught in her throat as he parted her labia and blew a hot, moist breath against her sex. She arched and cried out as his tongue teased tiny circles around her clit. “Oh, god! Please!” she begged.
Her hips moved, up and down, as she begged for release with her body. It had been long ‑‑ too long ‑‑ since she’d had sex. She wanted him, his entire silken, hard length inside her. And she wanted it now.
“Fuck me!” A breeze carried her words away. She didn’t care who heard.
He chuckled. The husky, masculine sound curled her toes and nearly set off her perilously close orgasm. He moved over her body and settled between her legs. The tip of his cock brushed her folds. Ari wanted deeper contact, a more intimate touch from him. He braced his weight on his arms. “Do you believe you’re beautiful?”
Ari licked her lips. She wanted to say yes. In her mind’s eye, she saw the scars criss-crossing her body and the looks of scorn from the partygoers. Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “No.” The tiny word emerged as a squeak.
He slid inside. “Believe it.” With those words, he sheathed himself inside her. Balls-deep, he captured her gaze, holding it.
“With you inside me, I feel beautiful.” She raised a hand to the nape of his neck and pulled his lips to hers. She kissed him, putting all her emotions into the movement of her lips across his.
He groaned and began to move. He didn’t just fuck her, he ravished her. Long, deep thrusts that left her breathless and hanging until he filled her anew. Stars shone behind her closed eyelids, or it might have only been the sky. She clung to him. Her tiny, breathy gasps mingled with his deep moans, and soon she flew off the edge of the cliff as she orgasmed. “Oh god!” she screamed. “Oh fucking god!”
He thrust once more, deep and strong, then went rigid above her as he climaxed. He braced himself, then gently curled to the side and tucked her into the protective curl of his body.
Lying there, Ari believed him. He made her feel beautiful. With a sigh, she settled against him and the dream faded into deep sleep.
Chapter One
The nearly steady jingle of the bell over her shop door and the chatter of customers made up for having to be back at work. Her first day back since her Grecian vacation, and she hadn’t had a moment’s rest. Of course, that was her fault. Catherine, one of her two full-time employees, offered her a long lunch, but Ari had declined.
“Better throw myself back into it,” she had said and waved dismissively at the offer to go down to the corner café. Eric, her cashier and delivery driver, clucked over her like a mother hen. Finally, she sent him out for floral deliveries with the promise that she’d take a break.
“I’ll leave a list for the next order in your office,” Catherine called through the open space separating the cashier’s area from the workroo
m.
“Thanks.” Ari twirled a long-stemmed rose in her hand and stared dreamily at the display before her. The note said the arrangement had to be special and elegant. Tiny bachelor’s buttons surrounded the three long-stem roses and greenery. Ari released a breath and set the fourth rose into the arrangement.
Catherine poked her head into the workroom. “That’s gorgeous.” She picked up a can of diet soda left on the counter and took a long swallow. “Wow, that was quite the rush.”
“I trust you’ve kept things running well in my absence.” Ari turned the arrangement, studying it from all angles. She’d really fallen in love with her work. Some very special lady would be quite happy. Ari smiled. That’s what made her job worthwhile.
She rose from her seat and studied the arrangement from across the room. She walked over to the table and tweaked the tilt of a flower, then stepped back again. It looked wonderful. Before she could make any more changes, she inserted the sealed card and wrapped the flowers for delivery. Eric could take them out with his afternoon run.
The next order took only a few moments, a bunch of carnations with some baby’s breath, but she arranged it as carefully as the arrangement before. Once she had it wrapped and ready for delivery with the other five bouquets, she sat back in a plush chair. Memories of her trip filtered through her mind. The food, the people, the beauty, all of it came together in her mind, only to be trumped by the dream.
He said to call him a god, and even a week after she’d met her dream lover in a Greek temple, her body still hummed for his touch. Closing her eyes, she pressed a finger to her lips, thinking about how he’d kissed her, loved her, and made her feel beautiful. She glanced down at her long-sleeved light jacket and the slacks that went to her sensible shoes. The only skin in sight was her hands and face. Lightly, she ran her finger over her lips, imagining his gentle touches. If only she could bring that sense of beauty into her personal life.
