“Who are you married to?”
“Well, I mean, we’re not married.”
“In their eyes, you are. The second they sensed the link.” She laughed. “Unless your guys are less of a caveman than Hades is.”
There was a growl in the background that had my lips curving, especially when Cressida pealed off into more happy laughter.
“They’re being gentlemen,” I told her, knowing that was the right way to phrase it. They were taking this slow for me, and I appreciated it so damn much at that moment that I couldn’t begin to explain just how much.
Only a few days might have passed since the truth had been revealed to us, but it felt like months spanned the passage of time.
“Well, I’m glad. My circumstances are a lot different than yours. At least I was in the right body!”
I winced at that. “Yeah. About that. So, do you know someone called James DiStefano?”
She snorted. “Of course. The bastard robbed billions of dollars from a lot of people.”
At my side, Apollo tensed, and it was as natural as breathing to rub his leg with my free hand. His tension drained off somewhat at my touch, and when he bridged our fingers, I smiled at him. “Well, he was my father. In this life, I mean.”
“Wait a minute…” She broke off. “I remember reading about that. Something about a car crash?” Then, she snickered, and I knew what she was laughing at.
“Fuck off, Cressy.”
More laughter pealed down the line, and Apollo and Achilles stared at me like I could answer whether or not my best friend had gone crazy.
“Oh, my God, I can’t breathe,” Cressy squeaked, which had a, “Icarus, what the hell is wrong with her?” bursting out loud and clear in the background.
“Nothing. She’s just amused. It isn’t hysterical laughter, Hades.”
That Icarus had to explain that had me smiling, even if I was irritated as fuck by what Cressy was laughing it.
When she started giggle-snorting, I realized it was time to bring an end to the humor at my expense.
“Cinda- Cinda—” She gasped. “I seriously can’t breathe.”
“Fuck off, Cressy,” I ground out again. “I’m going to petition the court for a name change,” I grumbled, even as I squeezed Apollo’s fingers punishingly hard when he ducked his head to hide his smile.
“Cinderella,” Cressida burst out, sounding remarkably close to choking.
“Good God, someone called their daughter Cinderella?” Hades remarked, his voice recognizable, not only from the few times I’d heard it on the line, but from my memories too.
I had a hazy image of him in my mind’s eye, but nothing as solid as what I had of Cressida—undoubtedly helped by the video I’d seen her in on Achilles’ phone.
“Yeah, and sadly for me, I’m the one who has to deal with the aftermath. Poor kid growing up with this name.”
Cressida cleared her throat but amusement still made her sound choked. “Sorry, Ella, it’s just too perfect. If there ever wasn’t a Cinderella in existence, it’s you.”
I almost clung to that, clung to it so hard that the phone creaked under my grip. “Cressy, tell me more about me. I can’t remember anything. About Cindy’s life or mine. It’s driving me crazy,” I whispered.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” Her laughter immediately switched off, and she turned serious. “You were a nurse. You worked in the burn unit on nights. It was your vocation. You were damn good at your job.”
“Okay, that doesn’t resonate yet but now I know.” I bit at my lip. “Did I leave family behind?”
“No. We were each other’s family. We were both foster kids. That’s how we met. We’re more like sisters though.”
That fit. I hadn’t remembered anyone other than her.
“Technically, we’re her family now too,” Icarus stated, his tone matter-of-fact, and I heard Cressida’s kiss and knew she’d either anointed his lips or his cheek with a peck of thanks.
That was exactly something she’d do.
She was a total sap for shit like that. Well, she had been until… I remembered someone had hurt her. Someone had hurt her badly, and though I wanted to ask after that, I wasn’t about to when she sounded so damn happy and at peace with her men. That was why I’d trained—I remembered now. I’d taken self-defense classes because she’d been attacked.
“Thank you for that, Icarus,” I told him quietly, focusing on the generosity of his statement rather than what I’d just remembered.
He just pshawed. “It’s the truth. You hung around with us for a fair amount of time, Ella. We grew used to having you with us, and missed you when you’d gone.”
Hades sniffed.
“Take that to mean you didn’t miss me, Ziel?” I joked, the name slotting into place.
“You were a nuisance to be sure, but I was sad when you were taken from us without warning. Had I known…” His voice waned off. “Cressy was very sad to be without you.”
“I thought I’d lost you forever, Ella.” The devastation bled from the words, making my soul ache for her.
“Well, you didn’t. I’m like shit on your shoe, babe. Once I’m there, there’s no getting rid of the stink.”
“Ew!” she squealed, but she was laughing again and it made me grin. “Listen, where are you right this minute? We have to get together!”
“Wife, you know the Gods don’t cross into each other’s territories—”
“Pfft. That’s changing right this second, Hades. Don’t you dare keep me from Ella!”
“You’re breaking centuries’ worth of tradition!”
“I. Don’t. Care. Don’t push me on this, Hades. I had to be without her once, I’m not going to be without her again.”
Apollo cleared his throat, and for the first time since Hades’ voice had sounded down the line, murmured, “Hades, I believe we should call a truce. If for no other reason than our wives are close.”
Silence fell, and then there was the sound of a gust of air. I was somehow, and I had no idea how I knew, certain Cressy had just elbowed the God of the Dead in the side.
“Dammit, Cressy.”
“Take the olive branch, Hades. I don’t know why you guys can’t get along anyway.”
“She’s right,” Achilles stated, his tone gravelly.
“Achilles? You’re there too?” Hades remarked, his surprise evident.
“Yes. I’ve been in the Hamptons for the past few years ever since I was forcibly retired.”
Hades grunted. “I heard about that. Shame, too. Long time until your next incarnation.”
Cressida snorted. “How exactly do you know that if you make it your business to ignore the other Gods?”
“I make it my business to know such information about my—”
“Don’t you dare say enemies,” she threatened.
“No, it’s okay, Cressida,” Apollo reasoned. “We have been enemies for a long time—longer than you can count. The Gods have never been friendly with each other. But for our women, we will have to turn over a new leaf.”
I shot him a grateful look and squeezed his fingers once more. The words didn’t seem like they’d been dragged from him, but regardless, I thanked him with my touch and my eyes, wanting him to know how deeply I appreciated his concession.
It seemed ridiculous that I was thanking someone for something like this, but it felt right. These men weren’t strangers anymore. They were mine. Hearing how happy Cressy was, hearing how she and her men interacted, made me realize how fortunate I was too.
Not only had I been brought back to life, which was beyond insane, but I’d been returned to this realm so that I could fulfill my destiny with these men.
That was something to be beyond grateful for.
I placed the cellphone on my lap and reached over for Achilles’ hand. He jolted at the touch, like he hadn’t prepared himself for it, but bridged his fingers with mine.
Doubly grounded now they were both holding me, and with Cressy talking to
me, I knew I was more than simply fortunate.
I was downright lucky.
❖
Castor
“I remembered Cressy, Tor.”
Bearing in mind that the stables were beyond clean, that we kept them neat and well-maintained, with even Achilles, myself, and Pollux mucking out stalls when necessary, it surprised me that Ella, when she came running in, beaming at me as she hooted the words, managed to slip on the slight puddle of water just off the entrance.
It was about five inches in perimeter.
Tiny.
Yet the way she went running into it, skidding, I was grateful my arms were empty and that I could reach out and grab her. She was windmilling her arms, with a look of panic etched onto her features that had me stifling a laugh, when I caught her.
She grunted when we connected, and I took the opportunity to slide my arms around her waist and hold her tightly against me.
“I’m sure I wasn’t this accident prone in my other form,” she grumbled, her cheeks hot and her eyes wild as she stared up at me.
“Accident prone?”
Ella blew out a breath that had her bangs flopping on her forehead. “Yeah. I spend more time on the floor than I do standing.”
My lips curved. “I’d imagine that’s a faint exaggeration, Ella.”
Another huff. “You’re not the one tripping over air. What did I even slip on this time?”
Clearing my throat so I wouldn’t laugh, I squeezed her and changed the subject. “Who’s Cressy?”
Her bright blue eyes blinked up at me, and I knew that if the link hadn’t already flared to life, flashing like a siren in my head, she’d have ensnared me now.
There was something about her. Something that was just made to make me hard.
It wasn’t physical—even if she was beautiful.
She didn’t wear the best or the sexiest clothes, her hair was clumpy from cutting it herself, and she had roots in serious need of a stylist, but this need went deeper than that.
It was a need that I knew would endure anything and everything life threw our way, and life had a habit of throwing the worst at us. Especially with Apollo’s luck. Or bad luck, I should say.
Unable to help myself, I pressed a kiss to her forehead and then dipped my chin so we could connect. A shaky breath escaped her and she closed her eyes, her body relaxing even farther into mine as she settled deeper into my hold.
A part of me wanted to shout hosannas at the sky.
She not only accepted my touch, but wanted it.
Could this day improve? I didn’t think so.
“Who’s Cressy?” I repeated quietly, watching as she licked her lips which made me wish that I could kiss her, but whatever she’d come running in to tell me was important enough for her to go flying. Kisses later, I assured myself.
“She’s a singer. But I remembered her from before. She was like my sister. I-I just spoke with her. She said that some months back I died in a car accident, and Hades brought me back as a ghost. Then, Zeus saw me and returned me to life because I was destined to be one of the Gods’ wife.”
“That was some conversation.” And it fit with what I remembered of the woman I’d met back at Apollo’s office building in the city, and of what Zeus had told us.
Her breath hitched. “Yeah. It was.”
“Are you okay?” I sensed the tears forming under her eyelids—I didn’t really see them.
“I’m just relieved,” she whispered. “It feels like things are going to level out now, and you guys did that for me. I’ve been so lost, Tor. So lost.” She gulped, and the move was tight, like she was dying of thirst and there wasn’t any water in sight. “I-I was coasting because I didn’t have a choice, but everything’s changed pretty much overnight.” She relaxed again in my arms, and it stunned me how much closer she pressed herself into me. “Now Cressy is coming here and I—”
“Cressy is coming here?” I questioned, unsure if I heard right. “With Hades?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Apollo and Hades seem to have reached a truce.”
Why did that surprise me? I figured if I’d do anything for this little female, why wouldn’t Apollo? Even if that meant being on the same territory as another God for more than five minutes without starting a war.
My thoughts whizzed at the preparations needed for such a meeting, though.
There was no way Hades and his entourage could stay on the property itself. It was difficult enough managing the retreat with Apollo on site, never mind two Gods. I’d have to open the summerhouse, which was on the property, but a short walk from the main estate—
“Hey, where did you go?”
Surprised, I tilted my head down at her. “Sorry?”
“You’re here, but you’re not. What is it?” She looked concerned, and it felt like a lifetime since I’d been the recipient of such a look as that one and I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
God help me. This woman.
“I was just thinking about the preparations for having another—well, having someone of Hades’ status on site.”
She tilted her head back and brushed her lips over mine. “Achilles and Apollo are handling it.” Before I could stiffen in surprise at the notion of the two of them actively working together, she kissed me again. Gently. Just a connection. “They were taking me to the temple outside, and then I tripped and when Apollo healed my ankle, I just—well, I just remembered so much.”
“You fell?”
She cringed. “I do that a lot. Weird stuff happens around me. Like when we first met? I mean, what are the chances of someone’s knees giving out to the point that they knock their head on the table and then on the way down too?” She rolled her eyes. “I can’t even say I’m getting used to it.”
Concerned, I stated, “You need to take more care of yourself, Ella.”
My tone was rattled, and she stiffened in my arms, but the smile she shone on me wasn’t irritated. It was amused and warm and, Christ, made me feel like I could bask in its rays as though she were the sun itself.
“I will, Tor. I will.” She squeezed my waist. “I think ‘going to my temple’ was a euphemism, Tor.”
That had me blinking. “Excuse me?”
“They were taking me to the temple in the grounds, but I think they were going to come on to me.” She grinned up at me. “What do you think?”
Despite myself, I had to laugh. “No. I doubt it.”
That had her pouting. “No? Why the hell not?”
“You sound disappointed…” I hedged.
“Have you seen those two? Crap, of course I’m disappointed.”
“Apollo is very concerned about our not coercing you to stay here,” I explained, carefully phrasing what Apollo himself couldn’t seem to put into words. “He wants to make sure you know what you’re getting into—”
“And how will I know that exactly if you all turn into monks around me?”
She stunned the hell out of me by dropping her hands down to my ass and squeezing. Grinning at her, I shook my head. “I don’t think we’ll ever be monks, Ella.”
“No?” That earned me a wink. “Promises, promises.”
When she stepped onto tiptoe to connect our mouths once more, I didn’t fight the connection. It was there like the elephant in the corner. A big, glowing, red-hot elephant, but before I had to worry about it, she made me forget.
Sweeping her tongue into my mouth, I groaned as she took point on the kiss. It didn’t surprise me how she teased me with her lips. She was a cat. Pure cat. All sharp claws and fangs, but craving soft touches and love too. She moaned as I slid my hands up and down her back, stroking her there, caressing her shapely form, before doing as she had with me—reaching down to grab her ass, but with less force than she’d used. I palpated the firm globes, loving how she arched into me when I slipped my finger down her denim-covered ass crack. When I rubbed over her core, she released a whimper that seemed Hades-sent to torture me.
With a groan, I bega
n to take charge of the kiss. Thrusting my tongue against hers as I parodied exactly what I wanted to do with her. How I needed to take her, to torment her, to make her mine. Showing her what she did to me, how she made me feel, how she broke my control.
With each kiss, with each caress, she writhed against me like she’d been born to be in my arms—and wasn’t that exactly the way of it?
Triumph roared through my veins. Triumph and possessiveness, and an intense craving to make her mine in all the ways I could.
Sliding a hand between us and keeping our mouths joined, I worked on the fly of her shorts. When the button gave way, conceding defeat, I slipped my hand down the exposed sliver of space and groaned when I touched her panties. We ceased kissing then, our dazed eyes hot and intent on each other as I stroked over the fabric, seeking her molten core.
When she shivered and closed her eyes, I took that for the surrender it was and stroked her over the taut fabric, loving how wet she was, how damp the gusset was already. Within seconds, that wasn’t enough. It just wasn’t enough. I stroked under the fabric, finding where X marked the spot, and felt like I could fall to my knees too from the sheer silkiness of her.
She gripped my arms, her fingers and nails digging into my biceps as I explored her soft pussy, and with the caress, she arched onto her tiptoes, rocking back and forth, facilitating my touch, easing her own pleasure.
The sound of neighing outside broke the moment, and though her eyes flared with panic, I quickly slipped free of her, sucked my fingers into my mouth to clean them off and taste her—a move which had a shaky groan escaping her—and swiftly dipped down to grab hold of her thighs.
Encouraging her to jump up, I carried her to the tack room. When I barged in, Pollux jumped, then he saw what I was about, groaned, and moved away from whatever the hell he’d been doing in here.
We shot each other a look, and he opened the door to the office and I strode in. He was at my back, and the sound of the key turning in the lock was overly loud and yet, proof of our privacy.
Her face was burrowed in my shirt, and I felt her shaking against me. Terrified she was crying, I was relieved as hell when I tipped her chin back and forced her to look at me.
The Sun Revolves Around Apollo (The Gods Are Back In Town Book 2) Page 15