by C. M. Owens
Devin enters the bedroom and walks over to hold me in his arms.
"He didn't touch you, did he?"
"No. I called you when I saw the swirls of crazy in his eyes," I grumble softly.
He kisses me gently, and Aphrodite wiggles freely inside of me.
"We have to get you sorted out. I don't like knowing so many men want you," he says with a forced playful tone.
My eyes look up at his, tears brimming my lids. I feel so scared right now.
"I just want you, and I shouldn't," I sigh.
"Yes you should because I want you too. You have no idea how surreal it was to learn you're immortal. I was elated, and I felt free to fall for you. I need you, and I'm more determined now than ever to keep you. I'm never going to let you go."
He jerks me into his kiss, and his hands slide up my hips to graze my underwear. He pulls back slightly, and I'm still me. The small bit of intimacy hasn't brought out Aphrodite.
"You're already getting some control, and I love kissing you when you're you," he whispers.
There's that word again, love. It sounds so good rolling off his tongue. Why does such a word send me into an aching throb?
Restrain the goddess. Get a grip. Learn to control her.
"So, educate me on your visions," I say to derail the goddess's plan of seduction.
He shrugs and plops down on the bed.
"Tell me what you want to know."
I climb over him and shiver as the inside of my left leg grazes him. He smirks as he sees Aphrodite stir, and my eyes spark with an unseen force. I swallow hard and try to subdue her once more.
"How far can you see?" I ask shakily.
His grin stays apparent, but he answers casually.
"It depends. Sometimes I can see seconds ahead, and sometimes I can see years ahead. It varies. There're sometimes I can't see anything at all, and that usually means someone is heavily blocked. You're the only one on our side I can't see."
I smile a little as the goddess sparks her power in my eyes, and I'm taken aback when I see the mirror on the far wall. My eyes are a bright, emerald green. Frigging green. It looks so... unnatural yet familiar. I love it and hate it at the same time.
I play Aphrodite's delicious game when my strength wavers too much.
"So, you can't see me at all?" I ask with a hint of playful seduction.
He narrows his eyes in suspicion as he answers.
"No. Not at all."
"So you can't see me before I do this?" I ask teasingly as I lean over and graze his bare abdomen with my lips.
His breath hitches, and I smile as I speak softly with the seductive tone more pronounced.
"Or this?" I ask while trailing my lips up his stomach to his chest.
He squirms as a dull moan rattles in his throat.
His voice trembles as he whispers, "No."
I smile again as I weave my passionate web on him.
"And you can't see before I do this either?" I ask as my lips scrape back down to kiss just below the waistband of his pants.
He squirms more, and I can feel his desire materializing and running over his body. The power surges back on, despite all the damage we caused to it earlier, and light bulbs begin sounding off violently in their bursting melody across the house.
He grabs me and jerks my face to his. I can feel his body grinding against mine, calling to mine, and holding mine without a chance of escape. My lips play over his for a moment before giving into the devouring kiss.
I feel my body burning against his and the room begins to shake beneath us. He pulls my hips to meet his, the desire coursing through us both. The passion erupts, and the remaining windows blow free from the room as I fall prey to the man I need.
I wake up in the warm arms of the immortal I adore despite all my logic. He's staring at me, and I grin bashfully under his beguiled gaze.
"Kry is very upset he has to go get more windows. He has threatened to board everything up until you're gone," he teases.
I laugh a little and cover my face which is still beaming its favorite shade of red. He removes the sheet from my head and leans over to kiss me. His sweet lips bring my blood boiling to the surface, but I calm the storm that's trying to brew.
"How do you feel?" he asks genuinely.
"Like I've passed a few tests. There wasn't a hurricane forming from one kiss. Granted, I did break your electricity, bedroom, and now this bedroom as well," I joke while glancing around from the bed that once sat much higher in the air.
"Perhaps a wooden bed frame isn't the best idea for you," he chuckles.
I smile a little as I climb out of the smashed bed and pull on my shorts and shirt.
"What are you doing?" he asks softly.
"I thought I might take you up on your offer to lend me your phone."
He smiles as he picks his pants up from the floor and pulls a phone from the pocket.
I straddle him for a second as I wrestle with the awakening goddess, and then I kiss him gently on the lips while I take the phone from his hands.
I pull back with a smile spreading when I see his. It takes more strength than I should have to exert, but I climb free from the very, very tempting position and walk out while calling my dad.
"Hello," his worried tone says to the number he doesn't know.
I flash down the stairs, my head jolting back as I cover the mouthpiece of the phone to keep it from sounding like a windstorm to the man who has probably been awake for days.
"Hey, Dad," I say guiltily.
"Aphrodisia! I've been worried to death. Where have you been?" he gasps in a scolding, terrified tone.
My ex-boyfriend kidnapped me, I turned immortal, I met my birthmother, and then I broke a few beds while trying to train my Aphrodite… Hmm. How about a lie instead?
I take a deep breath to prepare myself for the hellacious lie I'm about to have to tell. I really should have rehearsed something.
"Sorry. I had a rough few days, so I held up in my apartment with no contact with the outside world, and now I'm on… vacation."
"Vacation? Adisia, your boss said you haven't come into work in days. She said you'd lose your job if you didn't show up tomorrow. What's going on? Does this have something to do with that boy?"
I laugh a little.
"Boy? Dad, he's old enough to be called a man," I snicker out.
Speaking of which, just how old is he?
"Adisia, you can't do this. You're a strong, confident, level-headed girl with a good sense of direction in your life. Don't give all that up because you've got eyes for a guy. He has too much money to trust him. Men like that; they don't stay with women for too long. Don't do this to yourself, honey. Just forget about him, and come home," he pleads.
My dad has never been one to hold back. He always gives me his opinion, whether I want it or not, and then he tells me what to do even though I never listen.
"It's not like that. I love you, Daddy, but I just called to check in, not to get in trouble," I tease.
"I'm not getting on to you, but I'm worried," he mumbles.
"Don't be. I'm fine. I'll see you when I get home. Don't worry about my job. I hated it anyway.”
"You need a job, young lady."
"I love you, Daddy," I mumble as I hang up.
Sheesh. Why did I start my morning out with that phone call?
I dial the next number on my list and hope for a better conversation.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Mom. It's me."
"Where are you, young lady?" she scolds.
So much for this call going better.
"I'm with Devin," I murmur with an involuntary smile spreading across my face.
"Oh. Well then. Never mind. I suppose I'd lose track of time too if I was with such a cutie."
Cutie? Really?
"Yeah. I just wanted to call and tell you I'm okay. I love you, Mom."
"I love you, too, sweetie. Have a good time with that piece of perfection," she teases.
&nb
sp; I blush as I end the call and dial the next number.
"Oh this had better be you, Titan," Clara demands.
I laugh at the irony in that name showing more dominance now.
"Yes. It's me. How are you?"
"Don't you dare laugh. Where are you? I've been to your apartment, your work, your favorite coffee spot… I've been every-damn-where trying to find you. Your cell phone is still on your dresser. Your clothes and suitcases are still in place. I've been to the police station three times, and they wouldn't do anything."
I laugh ridiculously hard at her motherly tone that surpasses my actual mother's tone.
"I'm with Devin."
I tense, waiting for Clara's angry reaction that's sure to follow.
"What? You're kidding? After that piece of shit dumped you?" she gasps.
"It's a long story, but yes, we're back together. We decided to get away for a few days."
"No. Get home now, and get away from that… guy. He's bad news. What happened to your no second chances rule? I happen to be rather fond of it."
"My no second chances rule seems to have a blind spot for him. Anyways, I'm happy. Please don't be mad at me."
She sighs out, and I know I've just won her over.
"Fine. Be warned though, Jerry heard about your breakup, and he's been stalking your apartment. He's probably going to be waiting on you when you get home."
"I'll be fine. Devin can handle Jerry if he has to," I chuckle.
That would be fun to watch. I'm so cruel.
"Okay. I'm going to expect a call soon and a visit sooner," she insists.
"I'll do my best. I'll talk to you later," I murmur just before hanging up.
I look out at the beautiful lake, and a cup of coffee is suddenly in front of me. I turn to see the tantalizing, dark- not swirling - blue eyes staring into mine.
"Thanks," I say with a very girly hue.
He nods and smirks as he props against the railing beside me.
"So, I need to take care of Jerry?" he asks with an excited spark in his eyes.
"Easy boy," I chuckle. "It was a joke. Clara said he's been scoping out my place because he heard about our breakup. I told her we were back together, so maybe he'll get the message."
"I'll be glad to deliver the message personally," he says dangerously.
I move over to straddle his slanted body, and his free hand pulls me closer while his other holds his coffee steady.
"Not necessary, though it's hot knowing you want to," I seduce.
He pulls me tighter while his eyes dance with more menace.
"I think I like your turn-ons."
My lips lightly graze his as I strain to keep the goddess in check. My tongue parts his lips, and his grip tightens in response.
Pulling back, I smile deviously and see my blue eyes glow green in the reflective surface of the remaining window. I gasp slightly at the unexpected glow that seems so much brighter than it did earlier. I never even felt the burn this time.
"Whoa. Do they always do that?"
Devin tucks my hair behind my ears as he turns my face around, and then he kisses my shoulder.
"It's becoming more pronounced now. It just started after we… reconciled. Before, it was a little harder to tell when you were completely you."
"Great. Now there's proof I have more than just me in here," I mumble distastefully.
"Yep, and I get to be with both. It's like having two women for the price of one," he teases.
I shove him playfully for his crude remark while shaking my head. Then I lean back and stare into his perfect eyes.
"I'm kidding, you know? You're just you. She's just the entity that guides your power. Eventually she'll cease to have any control," he adds.
"I know you're kidding, but it's good to know I don't have to share you forever," I murmur with a blushing color stinging my face.
"Forever, eh?" he says with a menacing, teasing grin.
Oh fuck. The red floods my face from my accidental insinuation, and I almost fall off of him while trying to recover.
"I meant that figuratively," I quickly correct, and he just laughs while strumming my lips with his.
"Sure you did," he chuckles out, and his lips dare mine to get even closer.
"Vices?" I murmur through the brush of a kiss we're sharing, and it's more of a desperate attempt to break away from the embarrassing conversation I hadn't meant to start.
He pulls back to look at me curiously.
"Vices?" he asks with bemusement.
"Yes. Name yours."
"Oh. Coffee, scotch, and the occasional cigar. What about you?"
"Chocolate, coffee, and bad boys," I snicker out.
He smirks in response, and then his eyes dare me to come closer.
"Bad boy - singular from now on, I hope," he says with a seductive tone that sends chills all over me.
I almost dissolve under his liquefying gaze. Mmm.
"Definitely singular. I don't cheat, and I can't seem to stay away from you."
"I can't tell you how happy that makes me to hear," he murmurs, and it's in a way that sends my body spiraling into full blown goddess.
The wind stirs and runs its fingers through my hair as it gently whirls it around me. The clouds begin to darken, and Devin cringes as the lightning starts to threaten the sky.
"Baby, you have to control this. Persia can't keep helping you. Come on, do this. You can do this."
The wicked grin on my face doesn't give him the relief he seeks, and more lightning jerks down as I press my lips to his.
He kisses me for a moment, but then he pulls me back. I tilt my head in confusion, and the goddess inside me grows angry from the recoiled intimacy.
"Baby, please. Adisia, you have to control this," he pleads.
Then a new voice interjects itself into our private conversation.
"Adisia, think about Devin needing you to stop. Think about how he'll be injured if you don't. Think about how this affects him when the goddess controls you," Persia yells.
I tilt my head at her, and I see a beautiful goddess inside her begging to be set free.
"You stay too locked up," my voice echoes.
"Adisia, this isn't you. Calm the goddess. You have to learn to control her. Devin needs you to control her if you ever want to be together," she cautions.
Slowly the wind stalls its gust, and then stops all together. The lightning whimpers as it's forced back into the clouds. The clouds are trembling instead of thundering as they disperse and make room for the sunshine.
I sigh out loudly, and Devin wraps his arms around my waist to steady me. He looks discouraged as he speaks to Persia.
"I thought she was getting control. What happened?"
"She's growing stronger. I can't pull the storm away from her anymore. It's up to her already. I wasn't expecting it to happen today, and Aphrodite shouldn't be so dominant within her. I've never seen such a hold," she murmurs meekly. "I knew Aphrodite would have presence, but not this strongly."
Devin kisses the top of my head just as Theia walks out.
"The storm started and stopped. That's progress, right?" she asks Persia.
"In one respect, yes," Persia mutters unconvincingly.
Theia seems as displeased by that answer as I am. Drat. I thought I was getting this under control.
Persia stares expectantly. I'm sure she would love for me to ask her what I'm doing wrong, especially since I haven't listened to a single thing she's been trying to tell me.
She finally realizes I'm not going to give her an inch, so she skulks off to the edge of the lake. I feel a gentle breeze stirring as she tosses a leaf out in front of her. I watch her float the leaf around like a feather in the wind.
She lets it get almost to the surface of the lake, and then she blows it back into the air to reset the cycle. It's so relaxing to watch the gentle, repetitive motion.
"How does she do that?" I whisper almost too low.
"I don't know. I don't have
that power," Devin says in the same whisper.
"What can you do? I mean besides your ripple thingy."
He laughs a little at my pitiful, ill-informed characterization of his ability.
"Well, besides my 'ripple thingy,' I can call to the water."
I smirk a little. "I've always enjoyed show more than tell."
He snickers slightly, and then he pulls me into his arms. He kisses me gently, and I can almost hear the ocean inside of me.
I pull back to see the tide rushing in his eyes, and I gasp loudly as he turns me around to see the lake forming spirals of water into the air.
The magnificent display draws me in as I gaze at the wonder dancing to a well choreographed melody only he can hear.
He kisses me on the back of the head, and the water slowly begins to descend without disturbing the surface below with a splash.
I smile, and now I'm wishing I hadn't asked him what else he could do. I'm so flushed, hot, and burning for him right now.
"That was a bad idea," I mumble as the goddess begins to return. "I can't control her at all."
He stares into my bright green eyes that have replaced the blue.
"There's only one person who can show you how to control the goddess and the storm. I know you don't want to talk to her, but it's proving to be a necessary evil."
"I can't," I whisper.
He kisses me softly, and then whispers back, "You never get answers until you ask questions."
I stare at her as she continues on in her tranquil release, never having even acknowledged Devin's display of power behind her, and I sigh with begrudged acceptance for what I know I have to do.
Devin's right. I do have questions, but not all of them are about the immortal world I've been dropped into.
"Okay."
He pecks me on the lips, and my hand trails down his chest as I walk away.
I'm slowly losing my nerve with each step. She starts to turn when she hears me but returns to her leaf dance instead. She's probably worried she'll spook me. She's probably right.
I need to ask her how to subdue Aphrodite or at least rein in her power. I need her to show me how she exercises such control. The only thing she's told me to do that I've done is have sex, and well, obviously that wasn't exactly a difficult order to follow.
I have to ask her how she got it under control, even though that means I'm going to have to listen. I almost want to hold my nose before diving into the deep end of the conversation I've avoided.