by Mary Winter
I’d rather have you. The words filled her mind, but she dared not speak aloud. Instead she smiled and picked up her fork. The first bite of the torte filled her mouth with a burst of flavors and melted on her tongue. She ate, eyes closed in ecstasy. A small moan escaped her throat, and she heard Thanos’s throaty chuckle.
* * * * *
Ari’s moan shot straight to his cock. Sitting as she was, leaning against him, he hoped the ridge of his arousal didn’t press demandingly into her backside. Oh, he wanted it to. As the sun threatened to slip below the horizon, he saw her open up, less self-conscious of her scarred body. Did she not know the effect she had on him? On the way to the park they’d spoken of work, his and hers. She told him about her flower shop, her passion for beauty and growing things. He thought of his condo without even a yard requiring care. How barren and desolate it would seem to her to be penned in two stories above the ground. Her small bungalow made up for its lack of space in the sheer warmth she brought to it.
He spoke of his work, how he preferred clients who needed the plastic surgery rather than wanted it. He preferred to heal, not make more soulless beauty. He spoke of a wife who had come to him for a breast enlargement, only to find her husband reluctant because he loved her just the way she was. He told the story, not to brag, but in the hopes she’d see that not all beauty had to be picture perfect. But by then, they’d reached the park and as he laid out the blanket and produced the picnic dinner, she’d gone silent. Then, the music had begun.
He played among mortals because he could. Though the centuries and fashions changed the need for his gifts hadn’t. Ari fit perfectly into the curve of his body. With his arm protectively around her midsection, he nuzzled her temple. He thought he could sit there forever. He bent down and lightly drew his lips along the long column of her throat, pausing where it met her shoulder. He kissed gently, using lips and tongue to devour her as eagerly as she ate the dessert. She relaxed against him.
“Want some?” She held up a forkful.
“Yes,” he said, and leaned forward to sample what she offered. He closed his eyes at the flavors in his mouth, though they didn’t taste nearly as good as she did. “But I’d prefer to nibble on you.” He resumed his slow seduction.
The band moved into a slow, sensual number with a thrumming bass beat that made him think of making love long and slow until they both tumbled over the precipice into satisfaction. His hand slid over her stomach to brush against her breast. Through the layers of fabric, her nipple pebbled, and he paid close attention to the raised bud.
“Oh, Thanos.” The fork slid into the nearly empty plastic container with a soft clatter. She leaned into him.
The concert, the crowd, it all fell away until he found himself battling the desire to lay her back on the blanket and make love to her there in the park. Never before had a woman affected him so much, but then he suspected there’d never been a woman like Ari. So many petitioners, and over the years, and he’d never met anyone who could move him as she could.
Tilting her face toward his, she kissed him. She tasted like wine and chocolate, two heady flavors. Her lips moved across his, coaxing, giving, demanding. A low moan vibrated through his chest, and she reached up to twine her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. At long last, she pulled her lips from his and stared into his eyes. The desire in her gaze shook him to the core. So many fantasies, so many desires, and Thanos knew he could make every one come true.
* * * * *
Ari leaned back in the plush, leather seats of Thanos’s Mercedes and enjoyed the ride. Inside the car, the outside noise faded away to just the mellow tunes of ambient music on the satellite radio. Thanos handled the car with ease. Surprisingly, riding with him made her feel secure, cared for, and none of her anxiety about not being the driver made an appearance. Only rarely did she ride as a passenger, preferring to drive. She’d always been that way, but after the accident it had gotten worse.
She glanced out the window at the slightly unfamiliar scenery. Thanos drove past an exclusive looking golf club and turned down a road lined with homes she was certain cost at least a quarter of a million dollars. She tried not to be impressed as he pressed a button, activating a gate on a community marked “Wildwood.” Expensive homes formed a gateway to condominiums, all surrounding a lake. Ari exhaled and glanced back at Thanos. He grinned at her. “We’re almost there,” he said as he drove down into underground parking. He parked in a spot numbered 205 and turned off the car.
Ari reached for the door handle.
Thanos covered the hand closest to him with his own. Heat radiated from his palm, and Ari hoped he couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart. “Let me.”
“All right,” she said, stunned by his manners. Not that she expected any less, but most of the guys she’d dated before her accident didn’t mind if she opened her own car door. She watched in the mirrors as he walked around the vehicle and paused beside her door. If she got out, she’d go upstairs to his apartment, and if she did, she’d make love to him. The realization shook her.
Concerns about her scars filled her mind, warring with the image of the two of them in the park snuggled close together. Surely he’d seen worse being in the medical profession, but Ari wished he wouldn’t see them on her.
Thanos opened the car door. “Having second thoughts?” he asked when she hesitated.
Ari shook her head and reached for his offered hand. “No,” she said, though if her voice didn’t sound completely positive, she hoped he didn’t notice. “I’m not used to such chivalrous treatment, that’s all.” She grinned, and his answering smile put her more at ease.
“Would it help if I called you my ‘goddess?’” His smile became playful.
Ari chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that far.” She rose to her feet and slipped her purse over her shoulder.
“I would.” The heat in Thanos’s gaze made her believe it. He settled a hand on the small of her back. “This way.” Reaching behind him, he remotely locked the car, then steered her toward a door.
A few moments later they stepped into an elevator. Warm cherry paneling lined the walls, the buttons bright and silver. A quick whoosh, and the elevator dinged, stopping on the second floor. Trying to battle the trepidation rising within her, she stepped into a hallway carpeted in plush Berber. She didn’t belong here. The glitz, the glamour, living in this gated community probably cost twice as much as her tiny bungalow in a nice part of town. Thanos was so sure of himself, each stride full of purpose. The hand on her back soothed even as he propelled her down the hall beside him. Heat radiated from his body.
They stopped at a door the color of dark walnut. A small intercom hung on the wall beside it, and a golden 205 hung above. Ari looked around, trying to conceal her nervousness. If she walked inside, she sensed her life would change. No longer would she be the mousy, scarred florist who preferred flowers over men. She’d spent an enjoyable evening. There was only one way for it to end, only one way she wanted it to end. She nibbled on her lower lip.
“Nervous?” he asked as he swung the door inward. “You don’t have to be. We won’t do anything you don’t want to do.” His husky voice sent shivers darting down her spine.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” She unabashedly admired his broad shoulders and firm chest. “What I want to do.”
His chuckle, rich and full of promise, wrapped around her like a cocoon. Reaching up, he lightly brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “Whatever happens, it will be as it should be.” He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, then stepped inside. Ari followed, a bemused expression on her face.
* * * * *
Ari’s shyness touched his heart. He knew her inner demons, for he had seen them in her dream. It wasn’t just in his temple in Greece, though he felt her much stronger there, but nearly every night since then, she’d dreamed, and every night, he’d protected her. Only she never knew who he was. Though it tested the limits of his self-control, he remained in
shadows, cloaked from sight. Now, she’d see him, just as she had in her dreams. He wondered what she’d do.
He caught her looking over his home and tried to see it through her point of view. Decorated in dark woods, it exuded a masculine feel. No frills or knickknacks to create that personal touch. He showed her into the living room with its cream-colored leather couch, clearly the couch of a petless, childless bachelor. “Have a seat,” he said. “I’ll be right back with some drinks.”
“Thank you,” she said, running her small, pink tongue over her lower lip. He hit a button and the gas fireplace came to life. She smiled. “How nice. I’ve always wanted a fireplace.” She took a seat on the end of the couch. “Don’t be too long.”
One minute shyer than a vestal virgin, the next a seductress. He hurried into the kitchen where he set a bottle of wine in a silver bucket surrounded by ice, and added two goblets to a tray. Then, he set out two bottles of water in case she didn’t want more wine. He arranged everything on the silver tray and moments later stepped into the living room. Setting the tray down on the coffee table in front of the couch, he sat beside her and casually laid an arm across the back of the couch.
“Your home is lovely.” She glanced around, and he yearned to show her everything. Especially his bedroom. He longed to see her spread out on his black satin comforter atop his king-sized bed.
“Thank you. I didn’t know if you wanted more wine, though this is a good vintage, so I brought some water.” Lightly, he brushed his fingers along her shoulder and the back of her neck. She leaned into his touch, purring slightly.
“Water, please. I don’t usually have more than a glass of wine with dinner, and that’s on a special occasion.” She accepted the offered bottle of water and drank. He watched her throat work and longed to run his lips over the smooth, silken flesh. Leaning forward, she recapped the bottle and set it on the tray.
Ari battled the nervousness inside her. “The concert was very nice. Thank you for taking me.” She knew she babbled, yet couldn’t stop the words. His light touch sent shivers of pleasure through her body. The gentle stroking reminded her how long it’d been since she’d been with a man ‑‑ a good year before her accident. The years of celibacy wore on her. Closing her eyes, she knew she wanted nothing more than to lean against Thanos, offer him her lips, and make love to him all night long. Yet, his fingers strayed perilously close to a large scar that ran down the length of her back, courtesy of jagged car metal. Swallowing hard, she wondered whether she wanted him to see it or not.
“You’re trembling.” Thanos leaned close to her and brushed his lips across her temple. With his free hand, he reached over and tangled her fingers with his. “You remind me of a scared fawn.”
“I’m ‑‑ I’m sorry.” Her own inner demons worked against her. Thanos made her feel beautiful. Wasn’t that enough? She tilted her head to look into his dark eyes, and the desire she saw there took her breath away. Hunger burned in his gaze. “It’s been so long. And I’m…” Her words trailed off. She didn’t want to draw his attention to things he couldn’t see.
“Beautiful.” He released her hand to cup her chin. “If I could grant wishes, I would want you to believe that. Yes, your body is scarred. You had a horrible accident, Ari. But you lived through it. I don’t have to read your file to imagine the hell you went through for three years. Surgeries. Physical therapy. Lesser women might have caved, but not you. You survived it, and now you’re sitting here, a very desirable, very beautiful woman.”
He didn’t give her a chance to counter his words. He brushed his lips across hers, a gentle caress. Once. Twice. Then, he settled his mouth against hers and kissed her. His tongue traced the seal of her mouth, pausing to taste her full, lower lip.
With a sigh, Ari melted against him. The intoxicating kiss, combined with his words, melted her core. Her pussy wept and unshed tears stung her eyes. His fingers skimmed her side, sliding a fleeting touch over the curve of her breast.
Then, his palm settled against her. He cupped gently, testing her weight in his hand. She sighed with pleasure as his thumb stroked her nipple, and his tongue swept into her mouth. A most welcome invasion, she wanted Thanos to taste her ‑‑ all of her. Boldly, she stroked the length of his tongue with hers, drawing it deeper into her mouth.
He groaned. The masculine sound vibrated through her. She palmed his chest, her fingers searching for more intimate contact. Thanos snaked an arm around her waist and hauled her to him. She ended up half-sprawled against his chest, but she didn’t mind. He shifted until she lay between his spread legs. His cock thrust against her, and the thought he wanted her so much sent a flush of pleasure through her body.
Ari tugged on his shirt. It slid free from his pants, and at last her fingers skimmed over his warm, naked flesh. She sighed, pulling her lips from his to focus on undressing him. Thanos moved away long enough to toss his shirt over his head. At the first glimpse of his naked chest, Ari sucked in a breath. Whorls of dark hair divided his pectorals, spreading out to cover them. The hair came together, narrowing down over a washboard stomach to disappear into the waistband of his jeans. Ari swallowed. “You’re gorgeous,” she said, dragging her gaze back to his face. Her pussy contracted at the rush of heat she saw in his gaze.
Thanos brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Thank you,” he said, then leaned forward to capture her lips once more.
Now that she’d seen his chest, Ari wanted to see all of him. Just thinking about him naked made her nipples harden into tiny points. Thanos caressed her, one hand delving beneath her shirt to cup her lace-covered breast. Then, he had her shirt off and reached around her to work on her bra. At last, she showed him her bare breasts.
Ari stiffened. She searched Thanos’s gaze, knowing what he’d see. He licked his lips, his gaze riveted to her. For one, horrible, terrifying moment, she thought her scars repulsed him.
“Beautiful,” he breathed. “Fucking beautiful.” His harsh words and husky voice sent a coil of heat low in her stomach. For tonight she’d forget about her scars, her accident, and be with this man.
“Thank you.” Ari pressed her lips to his cheeks, afraid he might see the tears shining in her eyes. She dropped her hands to his waistband and worked on removing his jeans. Tonight, she didn’t want to think at all.
Chapter Three
He’d been in her dreams, but now he held the real woman in his hands. Almost reverently, Thanos ran his hands over her body, stroking, caressing. Her tiny hesitation when he removed her shirt warmed his heart. Though the words came out more crudely than he’d intended, he wanted her to know he thought she was beautiful. Gods knew beauty when they saw it. She shouldn’t doubt him.
He leaned forward sucking the peak of one breast into his mouth. Miraculously, her breasts were unscarred, perfect, pale pink globes against the darker tone of her skin. He laved her nipple with his tongue, drawing a strangled cry from her. She tunneled her fingers into his hair and held him close. Stroking her back, he traced the skin above her waistband. She shuddered, and he drew his hand over her hip and down her thigh. Back and forth he stroked, until he cupped her knee and slid his hand up the inside of her leg. Ari moaned and arched her hips, drawing him closer.
His cock jerked against his pants. Clothes…they had way too many clothes on, and reluctantly, he released her breast to slide her off his lap. “My bedroom. I don’t want to take you on the couch,” he said.
She whimpered and looked up at him, her eyes telling him that he could take her anywhere. With a grin he rose to his feet and scooped her up into his arms. Her little gasp of surprise turned into a snuggle as she laid her head against his chest.
He carried her into the bedroom.
As soon as Thanos set her on her feet, she reached for him. Her hands roamed over his chest, his shoulders, his arms, anywhere she could reach. Quickly, he shucked the remainder of his clothing, then quickly helped Ari out of hers.
He burned. One glimpse of her naked body ‑‑ scars and a
ll ‑‑ and he found himself drawn into the maelstrom of desire that had filled him during her visit to his temple. He allowed his gaze to roam her body, pausing at the thatch of curls at the juncture of her thighs. She moved away from the edge of the bed, arm extended in invitation.
Thanos stepped forward. His arms came around her, and she clung to him. A few steps and they tumbled into the bed, Ari sprawled on top of him. He reached up and cupped her breasts, loving the way her back arched. Her breathy moans drove him on, and when she rocked her pussy against the hard length of his cock, he thought he might come right there. She leaned over and kissed him, and he knew he was lost.
A sense of feminine power so strong it nearly brought her to orgasm shot through Ari. Looking down at Thanos, his hands on her breast, his gaze locked on her, she knew she had him in her thrall. This man, this handsome man, wanted her. As if in answer to her thoughts, his cock twitched against her slick pussy lips.
God, she wanted him inside her. To feel the silken slide of his cock into her after all these years would be heaven. She feared she wouldn’t be able to wait. Then his hand slid over her stomach, his fingers twining through the curls covering her sex. Ari shuddered. Her body tightened, her pussy clenched. “Please,” she whispered. His fingers brushed her, and a bolt of awareness like she’d never felt before jolted through her. “Please, inside me.”
She’d never been demanding in bed but Thanos’s fingers swirling ever so carefully around her clitoris made her want more. She longed to bounce on his cock, feel his organ, his fingers, anything inside her to ease the pressure that kept growing and growing. He brushed his thumb against her clit.
Ari stifled a scream. She shuddered, her body imploding upon itself. For one long, torturous moment she clung on the precipice. Her orgasm crashed through her like waves upon a shore. A low moan erupted from her throat, and her body clenched. Surely he must feel her pussy tightening. She longed for him to bury his fingers into her slick channel. He did, the first slide of two digits into her causing more tremors to race through her body.
