Chapter Twenty
“Never figured we'd get back tonight,” Rhett said to his brother as he fishtailed his truck through the Double H Ranch’s gate. Adrenaline charged, he’d see Cami in a couple of minutes.
“Twelve-eleven is technically morning.”
“Smart ass.”
“Pitiful showing at that auction. Think I counted ten swaybacked old nags,” Michael groaned.
“I should’ve stayed home.”
“With Cami. You’ve got it bad, bro.”
“Shut up.” He wheeled around the corner and parked, anxious to see her sweet face, savor her sweet lips, enjoy her sweet body.
“She know you’re coming?”
“I texted her before we headed home.” He’d tried calling, too. Parking the truck, he got out, tucked his plaid shirt into his jeans, adjusted his Stetson, and told his brother, “See ya.”
Outside her apartment, no lights were on. He knocked three times.
Nothing. He waited. “Cami, it’s me.”
“Oh, Rhett.” The door clicked open, and she rubbed her eyes. “I missed you.”
He stepped inside and wrapped her in his arms. “I thought about you. Couldn’t wait to get back and do this.” He kissed her, bold and demanding.
She matched him, tangling her tongue with his, her hands trembling as she unbuttoned his shirt. Her fingers stroked his chest and lowered, unbuckling his belt, unzipping his pants and allowing them to drop. She nipped his neck.
“Mmmm.”
“You like that?” Her voice sang thick with built up desire.
“Hell, yes.” Still in. his boxers, he ground his hips against hers making sure she felt his hard-on. He walked her toward the bed, inched her nightgown up to her waist, removing the flannel garment and tossing it on the floor. He skimmed his fingertips over her velvety skin.
With her arms around his neck, she feathered kisses along his jawline.
“I want you.” He eased down her lacy panties, giving him a lovely view of her bare butt. She tugged on the elastic of his boxers, and he quickly removed them.
He pressed her against her twin bed and continued kissing her and touching her. When he slid his finger inside her, he found her folds slick. Her little moans drove him to continue as he rubbed his finger against her clit. He pleasured her, and she came quickly.
“Make love to me.” Her hand grasped his member.
He grabbed a six-pack of condoms from his wallet. “Pick one.”
She chose the leopard skin pattern, unwrapped the package with her teeth, rolled on the latex, and smiled.
He pushed her legs apart and filled her with one stroke. Being inside her made him growl.
“Oh, Rhett.” She wrapped her legs around his waist.
Desperately needing her, he started out slow. It felt so freaking good to be inside her. He stopped to kiss her, pulled out. She thrust her hips up, and he kept up the game, bringing her to the edge of release. He withdrew and rolled her onto her hands and knees, positioned his cock and entered her from behind.
“Oh, my.” Her squeal mixed with surprise.
His hand reached around her hip and his fingertip teased her clit, his tempo started slow and increased. Her body tightened around him, and he held her tight as she climaxed.
Still inside her, he tipped her sideways and waited for her breathing to become normal. She traced his cheek with her hand, her radiance beamed as she brought her mouth to his. Their tongues melded, savoring each other. Her hips rose to meet him, and he thrust deeper inside her. Excitement soared with each stroke. His pace picked up, building, and enjoying her body until her orgasm crested, and he had his own release.
His heartbeat raced and he breathed deeply, allowing his pulse to slow. “Did I mention how I’ve missed you?” He rolled to the side and landed on the floor.
She giggled.
“Think this is funny.” It really was. “Tomorrow, we’re buying you a new bed.”
“Whatever you say, boss.”
He felt grungy after being on the road most the day and stood. “How ’bout a shower?”
“Okay.”
He followed her to the bathroom, and she pushed back the shower curtain. Close behind her, he swatted her bottom as she reached inside for the faucet. He squirted honey scented shower gel on a netted bath sponge. “Turn around and face me.”
She pivoted. As water cascaded down her body, he soaped her perky breasts. They hardened as the water rinsed the suds away. He engulfed her nipple in his mouth. Her fingernails dug into his back. He let go, nibbled her neck and up to her chin, and nipped her ear. His mouth met hers, sliding in with his tongue, teasing, and tasting. His hands roamed along her backside, and he kneaded her body.
She snatched the sponge, added more gel, and whispered, “Trade places.” She squeezed past him.
He like this bossy side.
She lathered his chest, watched the water remove the suds, and flicked her tongue on his nipple and bit lightly.
A moan escaped. “You’re killing me, sugar.”
“That’s my intention.” She soaped his abs and moved down to his cock.
He closed his eyes as her fingers grasped him, and her hand roved up and down, teasing him. “I need to be inside you.” He lifted her, gazed into her eyes, and entered her slowly. Her pupils dilated with desire as she arched her hips against him.
He plunged in deeper, gave his all, reveling in the intimacy of their joined bodies. He gripped her bottom, pulling her closer, relishing every whimper she cried. Teasing her nipples, he pinched one. Her explosive climax came. His own detonated.
“Love you,” the words slipped out on their own accord. Maybe she hadn’t noticed.
~ ~ ~
Later that day, Cami rode back from the Mattress Express in Rhett’s truck.
“Did you have to tell the salesman we’d give the mattress a trial run this afternoon?” Her cheeks were blazing hot.
Rhett placed his hand on her knee. “Just being honest.” He parked in front of her garage apartment with a new queen-sized bed in the back. Warmth settled around her, the giddy happiness was the love.
With the elixir tucked in her pocket, she pulled it out and stashed it inside the end table drawer. The hourglass icon on her communicator showed she had twenty-eight hours to complete the task. One more day before she erased all memory of her time with Rhett.
He brought in the mattress and box springs, set the bed up in what seemed like seconds, and assisted her with the sheets and comforter. “Now that’s a bed.” He held her from behind and pressed his bulge against her bottom.
“If you’re hinting about messing up my perfectly made bed, the answer is, no.” She turned.
“You think so, huh?” His tongue danced with her. When his kisses ceased, she had no recollection of being pressed against the roomy mattress where they lay side by side.
“Guess you showed me.” She trailed her fingers through his thick hair.
“Shall we begin the christening ritual?” His sultry tone aroused her.
“Yes, please.” For the next few hours, they made love countless times until they both collapsed and slept.
She woke up first. The sheets fell to Rhett’s waist allowing her to enjoy his well-toned abs. His chest rose in a rhythmic pattern. A midnight shadow covered his strong chin, tempting her to kiss his jawline.
Outside an owl hooted. It wasn’t yet dawn. 16:47:24 flashed below a sand-dial symbol on her communicator. Sixteen hours until she must administer the elixir.
It didn't seem right. He loved her—she loved him. Cupids believed in true love. Obliterating all memories of the love they shared tore at her heart.
“You’re awake.” He nuzzled her neck. They made love again and dozed off.
Her communicator flashed fifteen hours.
“Something wrong?” He noticed her staring at her watch.
“I need to make breakfast. Michael will be waiting.”
“I can help if you’d like.” He reac
hed for her hand, but she slipped off the bed.
“You’ll just distract me.” She snatched his shirt from the floor instead of her own and buttoned it.
“You’re smoking hot in that.”
“Take care of your chores.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll meet you at the house in an hour.” His eyes followed her as she hurried into the bathroom.
She closed the door, leaning against it and wishing the clock on her communicator would quit tick, tick, ticking. Her tangled hair took forever to brush and braid. Stalling didn’t slow the clock. 14:30:29.
Each step to the house reminded her of the seconds passing. Inside the kitchen, Michael had left a full basket of eggs on the counter. Might as well make breakfast and decide what to do before the time runs out.
She mixed pancake batter, adding blueberries, Rhett’s favorite. Had he really said he loved her? This meal with Rhett had to be perfect. He wouldn’t remember. She dried her tears on a dishtowel, finished cooking eggs and bacon, and placed the food on two plates.
The front door banged. Boots clunked behind her. Rhett kissed her cheek. “I’m starving.” He picked up both plates. “Let’s eat.”
After breakfast, Rhett would take care of his chores. She’d pretend that it was just another workday. They’d share dinner at his home, he’d come back to her apartment. She’d transform into her Cupid body. She couldn’t recall if any other Cupid had done this or what the consequences might be if she were caught. She didn’t care. At the moment, she had to be honest with Rhett and learn if he truly loved her.
There’d be no more secrets.
~ ~ ~
Rhett had a strange feeling in his gut during dinner. Cami kept checking her watch. He’d asked what bothered her, but she said everything was fine.
After a long day, he helped her clean up the dinner dishes, and they walked to her apartment. Her stance was rigid, her body tense. She didn’t shift toward him as he strode with his arm around her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to tell you something.” She shrugged but wouldn’t look at him. They’d only known each other close to two months, but his heart was all in.
He unlocked the apartment door. Seated at the edge of the couch, Cami put a distance between them and avoided eye contact.
“What’s up?” He stood by the kitchen table and waited for a response.
“We were never meant to be together,” she said, still not looking his way.
His chest tightened. She was breaking up with him.
“I’ve got a secret. When I show you, I hope you’ll still love me.”
“Whatever you’ve done in the past doesn’t matter. We’ll get through it.” He’d made his share of mistakes.
She extracted a glass vial from her pocket. It sparkled and shimmered. “It’s not what I’ve done, it’s what I am.”
“What are you?” He didn’t even see a flicker of a smile.
Her lips tightened into a grimace. “Please listen to what I say.”
“All right. Spill.” He tapped the side of his pants.
She licked her lips and took a deep breath. “I told you I was a Cupid when you took me to the archery range.”
“Okay.”
She folded her arms. “I live up in the clouds in Zeus’ Kingdom.”
His teeth ground, as he sat next to her and said sarcastically, “Of course you do.”
“You’ve seen my archery skills. Even said I was talented.” She lifted her chin and blew out a breath. “I am a Cupid, a real live Cupid.”
“That’s crazy.” Maybe she was crazy. His primal instinct told him to leave, but he couldn’t move.
“My occupation is an archer.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “I’m telling you the truth.”
“If you’re leaving me, say so, and quit making up this lame story.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere.” She twirled a curl around her finger.
“You don’t? And here I thought you were breaking up with me.”
“If only things were different. I’ve got to return home.” She looked at her watch.
“So, you are leaving me? Why?” He was confused.
“I don’t want to. I’m happy here.” Her body slumped, her chin dropped. “My whole life I’ve dreamed of being good enough.”
“But you are good enough.” She was the best thing to ever happen to him. “You’re perfect for me.”
“Don’t make me cry, please let me finish.” Her eyes softened. “I’ve dreamed of visiting Earth and infusing humans with arrows of love. When I got my first earthly assignment, I hit the wrong man, namely you.”
Those blue eyes. “You shot me with your arrow of love?”
“It was a mistake. My assignment ducked, and I hit you instead. I was sent to rectify my mishap and set you up with your soulmate. We were never supposed to fall in love.”
“You love me.” His spirits soared.
“Yes.”
“’Bout time you admitted it.” He moved closer, but she backed up, so he couldn’t touch her.
“Will you accept the real me?”
“What do you mean? The real Cami’s right in front of me.”
“Watch.” Rocking back and forth on her heels, her cheeks flushed rosier red.
“Okay.” His eyes riveted to her hands.
She unscrewed the glass vial and poured out a glittery substance. Iridescent pink dust swirled and surrounded her. Her body shrunk to the size of a doll, dressed in a shimmering gown. Iridescent wings formed at her shoulders. She flew up midway between the floor and the ceiling.
“Holy shit!” He stared, not frightened, confused.
“I’m a C-Cupid.” Her words came out broken.
He froze, became immobile. “This can’t be happening.”
“I love you, always will.” She hovered close to him, and he felt her lips kiss his cheek.
“It’s unreal.”
“Tell me about it.” Her eyes were wide. Wary.
“You really are a Cupid?”
“Yes. Do you still love me?”
He didn’t know what to think. “It’s too much.” He turned his back to her, put his head in his hands.
His girlfriend—a ruler-sized pixie. It couldn’t be true.
Except he’d seen her.
Could he live with her secret?
Love surged through his heart. He relaxed his shoulders and lifted his head. “Let’s figure this out.”
She was gone.
Chapter Twenty-one
Cami flew out the window and kept going until she reached the river. She perched on a branch and listened to a Whippoorwill calling its mate. The water lapped along the shoreline, reminding her of when Rhett took her riding by this river.
What had she done?
Cupids aren’t supposed to reveal themselves to humans. What would it matter? Cami didn’t care about rules anymore. She’d already broken a trillion.
She wrapped her arms around her legs and allowed the air to seep into her lungs. Clarity came. Her life on the ranch was over. It took little time to flutter back to her apartment and go in through the sliding glass door that had been left open. This place she had called home.
Devastation filled her brain. Rhett had never truly loved her. His abject revulsion showed when he saw her as a Cupid. Since he didn’t want her, he wouldn’t need the elixir to push his thoughts of her from his mind, while Cami doubted she’d ever stop agonizing over him. She took out the glass bottle from the end table drawer, shook the bubbling red fluid, and hurled the elixir against the fireplace. The glass shattered. Splintered into fragments like her own heart.
She couldn’t blame him for her misery. She knew better than to get involved with a mortal.
Tears clouded her vision. She no longer belonged at the ranch. She no longer fit in the Cupid society. Drinking herself into oblivion seemed to be her best option, but that would require more than the half-empty bottle of wine in the fridge.
Her communicator buzzed. She hope
d to see Rhett’s icon. Not Violet’s picture.
She answered the call anyway. Her friend deserved to know she was leaving. “Hello.”
“You up for a movie tonight?”
“Can’t. My mom’s in the hospital. Gotta fly home.” Cami landed on top of the kitchen table.
“Sorry to hear that. Any idea how long you’ll be gone?”
“No. I’ll keep in touch.” Cami doubted she’d ever talk to Violet again.
“You’d better.” The call ended.
A sense of loneliness overwhelmed her. She’d never see her friend again, leaving her with a hollow hole inside.
A light on her communicator flashed, increasing her utter despair. A message from the captain appeared.
One hour left to give the elixir
She texted.
Mission completed
Her conscience should bother her about lying, but without Rhett nothing mattered. She’d face the council and returned to her life and responsibilities.
The button to the council’s chamber lit. She pressed it and landed in front of the members on her butt. So much for arriving calm and collected. She rose with as much dignity as she could gather.
“The captain says you were successful, Miss Calypso, but I must ask if you followed the directions precisely as prescribed?”
“Of course, sir.” Her heart thumped hard and fast.
“Very well.” The corners of Andre’s lips lifted for a brief second.
A lump formed in her throat. She should have given Rhett the elixir. His life would be better if he forgot her.
Andre nodded to the other council members. “Even though your mistake has been fixed, Miss Calypso, you are on probation until further notice. All archer privileges have been revoked.”
“I understand, sir.” She had no desire to shoot arrows.
“Earthly assignments shall henceforth be terminated. Your future has changed.”
She bit her tongue to keep from crying. She had no future—not without Rhett.
Andre excused her. Thank the heavens, Zander wasn’t waiting in the corridor. A third quarter moon shone as she flew to her apartment and entered the building.
“You’re back” At the main entryway, Serenity’s voice called from behind her. “You okay?”
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