by Lisa Kessler
“I thought it was just adrenaline at first, but it turns out his gift is super strength.”
“Handy.” She paused. “Have you told him everything?”
“Yeah, he knows. He was actually already tracking Pamela. That’s why he’s in Crystal City.”
“He’s tracking Pamela? Why?”
They were getting close to a line Clio wasn’t going to cross, not even for Callie. Mason had asked her to keep his family history between them, and she intended to do just that.
“I’ll let him explain. Can we get everyone together sometime soon? Maybe tomorrow at the theater jobsite?”
“Sounds good.” Callie chuckled. “We had another Guardian right under our noses, and we didn’t even realize it.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” The shower turned off in the other room, and Clio rushed to end the call. “Text me later to let me know when we’re all meeting.”
“Will do.”
Clio tucked her phone in her pocket and slipped out onto the deck. She sat in a lounge chair overlooking the cove, drinking in the sunshine. She closed her eyes and smiled, sending a silent thank-you to the gods for Mason.
The door opened, and his footsteps echoed across the redwood deck. He stopped behind her, and she tipped her head back as he leaned forward to see her. His hair was still wet. He had on a dark-blue polo and a pair of clean jeans.
And already her heart was racing.
He smiled and came around to sit in the chair beside her. “Now that I’m cleaned up, where did you want to go?”
She reached for his hand. “I was thinking maybe we should stay and watch the sunset on your deck since you haven’t seen it out here yet.”
He brushed a kiss to the back of her hand. “Sounds good to me.”
They sat in silence, but it didn’t feel awkward. The sky turned a brilliant orange, darkening into pink and red hues like a god’s canvas being unveiled before them. Mason held her hand, his thumb caressing her knuckles. The tender touch sent warm waves of desire through her entire body.
Sex had been a curiosity with her in college, but right now, he was stoking a slow burn inside her, an awareness and a hunger she’d never known before. It wasn’t about wanting to experience something or even an itch to be scratched. This was an ache, a yearning, a need he’d awakened in her with his patient attention.
She tightened her crossed legs, pressing her thighs together as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Mason leaned in, his breath hot on her ear. “If the sun doesn’t set soon, I’m going to have to kiss you anyway.”
Her lips curved into a smile as she turned to him. “There will be other sunsets.”
“I like the way you think,” he whispered, his eyes searching hers.
And then he kissed her. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue parted her lips. She slid her fingers into the back of his wet hair, wishing she could get closer. As if he could hear her thoughts, Mason turned in his chair and took her into his arms, pulling her up to her feet as he stood.
He rested his forehead against hers, his chest heaving. “Tell me what you want.”
Before her brain could engage, she kissed him again and whispered, “You. You’re what I want.”
Without a word, his lips fused to hers, and she was weightless in his arms as he carried her back inside the cabin. He laid her down on his bed, his mouth trailing hot kisses down her neck. His hands moved under her shirt, sliding up her abdomen to cup her breasts over her bra.
“Too many clothes,” she whispered against his ear.
He chuckled against her skin and lifted his head. “I’ve waited a long time to finally have you in my arms. I want it to last.”
Not that she’d had many lovers but she’d never been with a man who wasn’t eager to race for the finish line. “Oh, okay…”
He ran a finger along her jaw. “Talk to me, Clio.”
She met his eyes, suddenly completely unsure of her sexual prowess, as if she ever had any. “I’m not a virgin, but I thought…”
“We should just get busy and get it over with?” His eyes were kind, genuine. He wasn’t making fun of her. She definitely had never been with a man like Mason Knowles.
She reached up to caress his cheek, breathing him in. “I don’t want to disappoint you.”
He shook his head, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Impossible.” He carefully removed her glasses and then folded them and set them on the nightstand. “You know that even if we fumble through this, fall off the bed, and pull a muscle, it won’t matter. I’ll still want you as much as I do right now. Probably even more because I’ll want to be sure we try again until we get it right.”
Her heart fluttered as she tried to process the acceptance he offered. “Why?”
His gaze held hers. “Because from the moment I met you, I felt whole. And with every second I spent with you on the jobsite and at rehab for your ankle after the fire, the more I was yours.”
Her lips parted, but she couldn’t find words.
His voice dropped to a whisper. “Until the other night, I didn’t think you even noticed me.”
“You could have anyone. I just figured…”
“You’re the only one.” He shook his head slowly. “I would die for you, Clio. And it has nothing to do with my birthmark and everything to do with you. Your laughter heals the darkness in me, and your wisdom guides everyone around you.”
She stared up into his gorgeous eyes, without her glasses as a barrier to protect her. Had her glasses always been that? A way to hide? She swallowed the lump in her throat. “When I’m with you, it’s like I’m alive and in the present for the first time. I can’t control these feelings. It’s terrifying.”
He chuckled. “You’re not the only one in this room who’s afraid.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I want our first time to be perfect.”
“Perfect by whose standard?” He stroked her hair back from her forehead. “I want our first time to be just that, the first time. And with luck, we’ll get a second, and third, and—”
She pulled him down to her, kissing him with all the emotion he kindled inside her. This was destiny, precarious, breathtaking, and beautiful, and for once, she surrendered.
Mason couldn’t get enough of her, but he wanted even more. He confessed more of his feelings than he’d intended to, but he embraced the fear. This was the first woman he’d ever truly revealed himself to and shared himself with. She could wound him, hurt him spectacularly, but he’d been the one to hand her the dagger. He willingly gave her the power because he trusted her.
Laying all his cards on the table was new for him, risky, and it heightened his yearning for her. This was more than finding her intelligent and sexy. This was aching for an intimate closeness he’d never known in his life.
He pressed hot kisses along her collarbone as he unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. He slid his hand inside, his fingers exploring the juncture of her thighs. Her back arched until she was writhing under his touch, guiding him until her breath caught. He found her lips again, enjoying the sound of her throaty moan as he moved his hand faster, coaxing her higher. When her hips bucked he couldn’t take it any longer.
He needed more.
He freed his hand and pulled her pants down and off, dropping them to the floor. He kissed his way up her inner thigh, watching the passion on her face. He licked her core, and she shivered, her fingers tugging his hair, encouraging him. He devoured her, his tongue and lips aching to please her. Her hold tightened until she was pulling him back.
“Mason, wait. I’m too close.”
He lifted his head, unsure why she was stopping him. “That’s the point. Just let go.”
“But I don’t want it to be over yet.” Her face was flushed with color. So damned sexy.
“Who says it’ll be over? We’re just warmin’ up.” He ran a finger along her opening.
She trembled, her voice a breathy whisper. “I can only come once. And I want you inside me when I do.”
&n
bsp; He raised a brow. “Only once?”
“I told you I’ve had sex before.”
“Then they didn’t know what they were doing.” He shook his head as he lowered it slowly. “Trust me. You can come more than once.”
Without another word, he sank into her again, his tongue working faster until she finally surrendered, calling out his name.
He damned near came in his jeans. Mason took off his pants and tugged his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. She stared up at him with a sexy, spent smile. The smoldering hunger in her eyes had his erection pulsing in anticipation.
He lay beside her, running his hand up her abdomen. “You’re overdressed, darlin’.”
She nodded. “I’m too exhausted to move.”
He grinned, trying not to be too pleased with himself as he bent to kiss her. He had her shirt and bra off in record time, and he pulled her into his arms, savoring the way her naked body felt against his, their legs tangling together. It was as if she was made for him.
Rolling them over so she was on top, he whispered against her lips. “Condoms are in the drawer.”
She reached over, opened the nightstand, and took out a foil packet. Her eyes were on his as she tore the packet and scooted down his legs. She ran her fingers along the length of his erection, circling her index finger around the tip until his hips rocked in answer.
“I’ve never put one of these on before.” She rolled the condom over him so slowly he almost lost it again.
“Can’t take much more teasing,” he growled.
She straddled him, hovering just above his shaft. He gripped her thighs and guided her down onto him. Clio closed her eyes, moaning as she took in every inch of him.
His hands trembled. Dammit, he’d never been this turned on. He was suddenly a seventeen year old struggling not to come on impact. The heat of her body, tight around him, made him ache to thrust into her as fast and hard as he could. Having her on top forced him to take it slower.
Clio leaned forward, lying over him, the tips of her taut nipples brushing his chest. “You feel amazing.”
He kissed her, his teeth grazing her lower lip as he slid his hand between their bodies. He fingered her core until he found the spot that made her gasp.
“Got more for me?” he hummed into her mouth.
Her gaze locked on his as she struggled to catch her breath. “I… Feels so good.”
He loved that she couldn’t even complete a sentence. She ground her hips into his, and he rubbed her a little faster. He brought his other hand up to the back of her head, his tongue parting her lips. His pulse raced as the realization hit that he might never be able to get enough of this woman.
Clio threw her head back and sat up over him. Seeing her naked and riding him, he couldn’t hang on much longer. “Come with me, Clio.”
He thrust his hips up once more, and her inner muscles tensed around him. He erupted deep inside her as her fingernails dug into his chest, her entire body trembling.
She collapsed onto him, struggling to catch her breath. He held her tight in his arms, closing his eyes and breathing her into his lungs. When she finally lifted her head, a crooked smile on her face, his heart warmed.
“It was even better the second time. I had no idea it could be like that.”
He caressed her cheek, stroking her soft skin with his thumb. “You are so damned beautiful.” She laughed, lowering her eyes, and he caught her chin, waiting for her to look at him. “I mean every word, darlin’.”
It was as though she stared directly into his soul—terrifying and exhilarating all at once. She traced his eyebrow to his temple and down his jawline until her index finger caressed his lips. “You make me feel beautiful,” she whispered. “I guess I’m used to hiding behind my glasses and my books. Feels weird to have you see me, if that makes any sense.”
He rolled her underneath him. “You’re safe with me. I will never hurt you.”
She smiled up at him. “I know.”
He kissed her again, running his hand down her body to see how many more times he could make her come.
CHAPTER 10
Ted took a couple of minutes to collect his thoughts while Mikolas stared out the window. Finally, Ted ran a shaky hand through his hair. “What do you mean you were born with a Guardian’s mark? You couldn’t possibly know that. The prophecy doesn’t mention what it looks like.”
“The birthmark on my hip is shaped like a waning moon just like my grandfather’s.” Mikolas didn’t move. “My grandfather is a Guardian, and my grandmother is the Muse of Astronomy.”
The birthmark. Ted had caught a glimpse of it the first time he challenged Mikolas to a racquetball game at the club. Ted rubbed his forehead. “You called me a piece of shit for betraying Trinity, how do you reconcile being part of the Order of the Titans after the gods marked you to be a Guardian to one of his daughters?”
Mikolas spun around. “I did it to protect them.” He sighed, shaking his head slowly. “My grandfather discovered the Order in Greece. Pamela was a member there, too, but she went by Paige back then. My father didn’t bear the Guardian’s mark, but he wanted to help keep his mother safe. He joined the Order to gather information. When he heard about Belkin Oil’s offshore drilling project, he invested heavily, so that if the opportunity arose, I could get involved.”
“Wow.” Ted sat in his chair, digesting the new information. “Have you found her yet, your Muse?”
Mikolas balled his hand into a fist. “I was too late to save my muse, I’m not going to let Pamela take another.”
“How do you know she’s…gone.” Acid bubbled in Ted’s stomach. He’d ordered the enforcer to kill the Muse of Astronomy, and he had helped chain the doors closed before the theater fire that took the life of the Muse of Hymns. He hadn’t murdered them himself, but their was still blood on his hands.
“My grandmother was the Muse of Astronomy…” Mikolas went to the window again.
“Is that how it works? Your family line will always protect the same muse?”
“No one knows for sure.” Mikolas clenched his jaw. “But it makes sense.”
Ted nodded, but he couldn’t help adding, “Have you met the other muses, just to be sure?”
“There’s an idea.” Mikolas scoffed. “I’m sure they’d be thrilled to meet the head of the Order of the Titans.” He rolled his eyes. “No, my best chance to help them now is to stop Pamela and keep the Order from killing more muses.”
“Do you think we can find Rhea before Pamela forces our hand to go after the Muse of Dance?” Ted asked, eager to change the subject.
His gaze was cold, all business. “Kevin was eager to join the Order until we mentioned Philyra, and then he backed off. Something is wrong.”
“He said she can’t be stopped. That only Rhea can take her down.”
“That’s bullshit. I’d bet my life on it.” Mikolas crossed his arms. “There’s got to be another way.”
“What if there isn’t? Maybe that’s why Kevin is hesitant to get involved.” Ted frowned. “If Pamela is walking among us and has been since Kronos was imprisoned, it stands to reason that Kronos’s wife could be in this world, too. We just need to find her.”
“I don’t even know where to start.” Mikolas rubbed his forehead.
Ted kept his distance, waiting for the Greek to come up with a plan, but Mikolas had gone silent, and the silence was weighing on Ted. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for…you know.”
“Killing the Muse of Astronomy?” Mikolas shook his head, his voice gruff. Color flushed the Greek’s face, and his shoulders visibly tensed. “I never met the muse you murdered, but judging by my grandmother’s personality, she was probably the light in every room she entered. It would be impossible to maintain a negative mood around her.” He glared at Ted. “You snuffed out the light of inspiration. I didn’t need to meet her to know she was incredible, but I didn’t find her soon enough to save her from the Order.”
“If I could go bac
k and change things, I would,” Ted said, meaning every word. “I thought that once Kronos was free, all war and famine and drought would end. We wouldn’t need the muses. But I lost sight of the fact that the muses are also women, sisters, friends, lovers. I wish I could take it all back, but I can’t. All I can do now is try to keep the rest of them from dying.”
Ted took a chair, staring at his desk to avoid the scorn in Mikolas’s eyes. “I’ll start with trying to find Rhea.”
Mikolas gave a curt nod and went to the door. “Let me know what you find. I’m going to surveil Kevin. He’s hiding something, and I want to know what it is.”
He closed the door behind him, and Ted ran a hand down his face. He didn’t know how he was going to track down the Mother of the Gods, but he was damned sure going to try.
Clio’s phone buzzed, jarring her from her delirious afterglow. Mason had treated her to four of the most incredible orgasms she’d ever had, and now she wasn’t sure if the noodles she called legs would carry her over to her phone.
Mason ran his hand down her back and kissed her shoulder. “Do you need to get that?”
“Probably,” she answered without lifting her head from his chest. “But I’m not sure I can.”
He chuckled. “Want me to get it?”
“Then you’d have to move.”
He nodded. “Unless you’ve got some Jedi powers I don’t know about yet, one of us is going to need to get up if you want to answer.”
“Fine.” She rolled off him. “You get it.”
Mason threw the sheet back and went to get her phone. His naked body was chiseled from hard work, not bulky from the gym, and damn, she wanted him all over again.
He grinned as he came back over and slid into bed. “That smile looks good on you.”
“It’s totally your fault.” She took the phone from him and unlocked the screen.
“Good.” He lay beside her, and she snuggled in close as she read her texts. “Oh shoot.” She groaned. “We need to get over to Callie’s place. Now.”
Mason raised a brow. “Everything okay?”
“I told her you were my Guardian and we should get everyone together for a meeting, but apparently she forgot the part where I mentioned tomorrow, not tonight.” She sat up, combing her fingers through her bedhead hair. “I’ve got texts from Callie, Trinity, and Tera. They’re probably starting to worry.”
