Fucking her through her orgasm, Dake felt her ass convulse from the tip of his cock to the root. His last thread of control decimated, powerful waves of cum blasted up from his balls and surged down the length of his cock. Erupting with a roar so euphoric and thunderous Dake could swear the windows rattled, his body shuddered until he was thoroughly spent. Boneless, his weight collapsed over Lula.
“I love you, Dake,” she murmured a minute or two later. “That was remarkable. Extraordinary.” She lifted her head, propping her chin on Dake’s biceps.
He looked down to see a smile so perfectly satisfied, so utterly beautiful and serene, it touched his soul. “I love you too, sweetheart. Everything about you, inside and out.”
“Thank you for taking my anal virginity in such a magnificent way, Dake. It’s something I will never, ever forget.”
“Me neither. What an experience. I’m totally whipped. Completely spent. Entirely worn out.” Somehow he found just enough energy to plant a kiss on Lula’s nose.
“Good.” She patted his chest. “As long as you’re not too tired for hydro-sex,” she purred.
Dake was so exhausted he couldn’t even find enough get-up-and-go to groan, much less laugh. All he could think of was how thankful he was that Zeb’s apartment didn’t come equipped with chandeliers. He knew damned well Lula would have the act of sex while swinging from them written on her carnal to-do list too.
Chapter Thirteen
Last night had been the most wonderful and yet the saddest in Lula’s life. Knowing full well the turmoil the morning would bring, she and Dake avoided the topic of her rendezvousing with the chariot, Cupid and her classmates. Throughout the night, Dake pleasured her over and over again until she thought she’d surely expire from an overdose of bliss.
The sex they shared was more passionate, filled with more intensity and meaning, than any of their previous joinings. Whispering sweet, tender words of love at her ear after doing their best to complete her sexual wish list, Dake became endearingly gentle. To her delight, he held her close, caressing her as if she were a fragile porcelain doll he was afraid of breaking.
The man she loved had succeeded in making her feel treasured, cherished and beloved in such a way that made her weep with joy. And then he kissed away her tears as he lovingly drove into her, creating a soul connection that had them ascending to astounding new heights.
And now it was the morning of her scheduled departure.
“I never did get a chance to wear my LBD,” Lula said, fondly fingering the black wraparound dress Zeb had selected for her. Her gaze rose to meet Dake’s solemn expression. “Except for the one night I modeled it for you.”
With a sigh, she smoothed the fabric. “The tags are still on the dress as well as most of the other beautiful outfits you and Zebulon purchased for me on our exciting shopping trip to the mall. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble returning them for a refund.”
“The clothes are staying right here,” Dake announced, avoiding eye contact with Lula as he grabbed his keys from the dresser and shoved them into his jeans pocket. “You’ll need them after we get everything settled and this is all over,” he added with a quick glance.
Lula’s heart went out to Dake just then. Her dearest love, her soul mate, her perfect love match… Indeed, he was a most worthy mortal, blessed with a bold spirit, a strong fusion of positive qualities and scintillating sexual appeal. Oh, how she feared losing him forever, whether to a proclamation of the gods or to a fearsome test to which they might assign him.
“If the Council of Deities grants our request, we might have to live on Olympus,” Lula pointed out. “I wouldn’t need any of these clothes then.”
Dake gave her a curious look. “Funny, I never thought of that—me living up there in some mythical place in the clouds. Wearing a toga.” His lip hiking into a smirk, he shook his head briskly. “Somehow I doubt I’d fit in.”
“No, I’m sure you wouldn’t,” Lula readily agreed. “You’d stick out like a sick thumb.”
“Sore thumb,” Dake corrected with a laugh.
Lula smiled at the sound of his laughter. He’d seemed so gloomy and tense since they awoken earlier. “I’d rather remain here on Earth myself,” she said. “I’ve always felt more comfortable and at home here somehow.”
Dake took her in his arms, embracing her gently. “You know, sweetheart, I don’t care if they send us to the moon. As long as we’re together, everything’s going to be okay.”
And Lula believed that with all of her heart.
There came a knock at the door and Dake glanced at the clock, blowing out a gust of breath when he saw the digital readout. “It’s time,” he said, the muscle in his jaw clenching. “That must be Zeb.”
“Lula, darling, you look radiant,” Zeb said once Dake opened the door. Taking her hands and stepping back a bit, he gifted her with a smiling appraisal.
Zeb had suggested she wear the lightweight, silky champagne-colored dress this morning because he thought she looked especially sweet and innocent in it. That alone sold Lula on the idea. She needed all the help she could get to make her look as engaging and guiltless as possible when she faced Cupid.
Besides, it wouldn’t do at all for her to show up at the appointed meeting place wearing her semi-sheer academy uniform, displaying her nakedness. She was also partial to the dress because Dake said it was almost the same color as her wings and reminded him of their sexual escapades together.
“Thank you, Zebulon. You selected the perfect garment for me to wear this morning. And, as you said, it goes perfectly with my gold-tipped sandals,” she added looking down at her feet and wiggling her toes. It was the first time she’d worn her sandals since they’d all gone shopping together.
“Got the, um, you know?” Dake asked Zeb in a half-whisper. Zeb nodded as he extracted a small hinged box from the back waistband of his jeans and handed it to Lula.
“This is just a small token of affection from Dakin and me,” Zeb said softly. “Just in case…” He glanced at Dake, whose expression was somber. Clearing his throat, Zeb continued, “In case something unforeseen happens and our memories get wiped and you have to leave.” He and Dake both heaved weighty sighs once Zeb finished.
Lula just stared at the closed black velvet-covered box until Dake urged, “Go ahead, honey, open it.”
As soon as the lid opened and Lula caught a glimpse of the gold, heart-shaped locket with a small diamond chip at the center her eyes filled with tears. She smoothed her fingers over the heart and its fine chain and smiled. Never before had anyone given her such a lovely, delicate gift.
“Oh, this is so…so precious. So beautiful.” She looked up at the brothers, each doing his best to smile through their vexed expressions. “Thank you so very much.”
“Take a look inside,” Zeb said. “And on the back.”
She opened the tiny clasp on the locket, made a little gasp and immediately began to weep. There on the left was a tiny photo of Zeb and on the right a photo of Dake. “This is so wonderful. So very perfect.” Swiping at her tears, Lula turned the locket over and read the inscription aloud. “Forever in our hearts. Love, Dake and Zeb.”
“That way you’ll…” Dake’s voice caught and he paused. “You’ll never forget us,” he finished.
Clasping the locket to her breast, Lula gathered the brothers into a three-way hug. “I shall treasure this heartfelt gift forever,” she said. “This is indeed the finest, most valuable possession I have ever owned. And it will always be worn next to my heart.” She handed the locket to Dake, turning her back to him and lifting the curls at her neck to give him access.
Dake fumbled with the clasp on the tiny chain until, with a frustrated sigh, he turned it over to Zeb who managed the clasp and locked the chain around her neck.
She turned back to them, giving each a kiss on the cheek. “I want you to know that I love you both. Truly and dearly, with all of my heart.”
“The feeling’s mutual, darling,” Zeb sa
id. “You’ve been like a breath of fresh air in our lives, Lula.” He glanced at the clock and then at his brother. “Time to go,” he advised softly. “We don’t want to risk making Cupid angry by you holding things up.”
“You’re right. He is quick to anger.” Lula nodded, taking in a deep breath. “Cupid is also notorious for being quite mischievous, as well as exceptionally arrogant,” she cautioned, “so take care not to rile him.”
“She means don’t piss Cupid off,” Zeb explained, elbowing his brother.
“I know what she means,” Dake said, whapping Zeb’s arm with his hand.
Lula gathered her Welcome to Portland, Oregon! canvas tote bag containing her uniform, a few personal items and a small cookbook filled with recipes for ice cream creations. With an intake of breath, she smiled and announced, “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Zeb opened the door, ushering Lula out into the hall. “Alfred’s already downstairs tending things, so we don’t have to worry about me having to get back to the shop for a few hours.”
“Lula,” Dake said, drawing her into his arms and crushing her against his chest. There was a sense of desperation in his voice that nearly broke Lula’s heart. “Lula,” he whispered again as he kissed her with such love, such concentration it made her knees go weak.
The waterfront park was only a few blocks away, a walk made even shorter as they sped up their gait.
Lula gasped, murmuring, “Oh gods, oh gods,” as they crossed the grass, nearing the spot where Cinnamus’ chariot had landed three days earlier. “There he is. There’s Cupid.”
“The guy with the reddish-brown hair in the jeans and white shirt?” Dake asked, clearly surprised.
Lula nodded. “Cupid usually adopts the local garb when he travels. Togas tend to attract too much attention.”
As they neared the spot, the three clasped hands. Lula didn’t have the heart to tell Dake his grasp was crushing her fingers.
“Good timing,” Dake noted. “Looks like you’re the first one here. No other classmates yet.”
“They’re here. They’re just wearing their invisibility traveling garments,” Lula explained, groaning as she remembered she’d have to confess losing hers to Cinnamus sooner or later. “If you listen carefully, you can hear the sounds of their chatter in the distance.”
“Yeah, right. How silly of me,” Dake said, his usual levity sounding a bit forced.
Cupid, dashing and amazingly handsome as always, planted his fists at his hips, glowering at Lula. “So there you are, my errant little nymph. Where have you been? Cinnamus told me he deposited you here three days ago.”
Lula swallowed hard and nodded. “I am sincerely sorry, Cupid.” She lowered her gaze. “I…well, you see, I encountered a few tiny problems and I—” She stopped abruptly when she heard laughter coming from her left. Lula looked up to see a nearby cluster of trees and bushes rustle.
“What did I tell you, Cupid? Jupiter only knows what sort of mayhem Lula’s wreaked this time.”
Lula immediately recognized the jovial voice.
“Who the hell is talking?” Dake whispered to Lula out of the side of his mouth. Poor Dake looked mightily stressed.
“That’s Cinnamus,” she whispered. “He’s invisible right now.”
“Jesus,” Dake said, swallowing hard. Lula thought she detected a slight shudder coming from him and she squeezed his hand for support. “Hey,” Dake said, cocking his ear, “I hear horses.” He glanced around, sniffing the air. “I smell them too.” Before Lula could say anything, he held his hand aloft and nodded. “I know, I know. They’re invisible, right?”
“As is the chariot,” Lula confirmed.
Dake sighed. “That’s just dandy.”
“Who are these lowly, mangy mortals you’ve brought to our rendezvous?” Cupid stormed, motioning to Zeb and Dake.
“Mangy?” Zeb gasped. “Why, I’ll have you know this is silk shantung,” he said, fingering his pink shirt.
Dismissing Zeb with a surly scowl, Cupid addressed Lula again. “Why haven’t you administered the forgetfulness powder to these Earth dwellers yet? The more they see, the more memories we have to deal with.”
“Oh…well, there’s a very good reason for that,” Lula began. “Oh no, Cupid, please wait!” she pleaded, raising her hand as he opened a small leather pouch hanging from his waistband. “Please don’t use the powder yet. I have a…a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor?” Narrowing his gaze at her, Cupid grumbled. “We’re on a time schedule, Lula. What’s this all about?”
“I’m Cinnamus,” her teacher broke in before Lula could answer. Lula looked up to find that her handsome blond, blue-eyed teacher had shed his invisibility garment and was standing directly in front of Zeb, extending his hand. “And you are?”
As soon as Zeb caught sight of Cinnamus in his short, gold-embellished off-white toga, his jaw dropped. “Zebulon,” he breathed, taking Cinnamus’ hand in both of his and clasping it. “Zebulon Dronyer. Lowly, mangy mortal,” he added, eyeing Cinnamus as if he were a hot fudge sundae. Cinnamus laughed at his quip.
“Just as I thought,” Lula said proudly. At least she could do something right. “I told Zebulon I believed you would find each other most appealing, Cinnamus. Even without the need for intervention from Cupid’s arrows.” She noticed that Cupid frowned at that.
“As always, you were most perceptive, Lula. Remind me to give you a big, shiny gold star on your chart when you return to class,” Cinnamus answered her, never taking his gaze from Zeb, their hands still clasped.
“I’ve never doubted anything Lula has told me,” Zeb said. “And this only proves the little darling’s spot-on acumen.”
“Nice shirt,” Cinnamus said with a devilish smile, sampling the pink silk fabric against Zeb’s biceps with his fingers. “Very nice. That particular shade of pink complements your onyx-black hair and dark eyes. Cerise, isn’t it?”
Zeb arched an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “Thanks, it is. I see you’re a man who knows his colors.” Zeb smoothed his hand along the fabric covering Cinnamus’ chest. “Nice toga. That particular shade of ecru complements all those well-defined muscle groups of yours.”
As Zeb and Cinnamus exchanged lusty grins, Cupid engaged in a gargantuan yawn. “Honestly, this is all terribly sweet and charming, fellas, but I’m really getting bored. Can we please get going? Psyche will have my head if I’m late for dinner again.”
“Lula and I want to stay together,” Dake blurted at the same moment Lula cried, “I want to stay with Dake.”
“Uh-oh,” Cinnamus said, giving a low whistle. A muffled din arose from the cloaked chariot. “Lula’s classmates,” he said in explanation to Zeb and Dake’s inquisitive looks. “Mind your own business back there,” Cinnamus called to them. “Start reading chapter fifteen on Earthly etiquette and proper decorum. There’s going to be a test.” The sound of grousing was followed by the sound of pages being flipped.
“Dakin and Lula truly are a perfect love match,” Zeb chimed in. “I’m sure of it. Go ahead, Cupid, test it for yourself.”
Cupid looked at Zeb as if he had three eyes. “I am not in the habit of taking orders from mortals,” he huffed. Arms folded across his chest, he shifted his stormy gaze from Lula to Dake and back again.
Lula felt a twinge of hope because, with that brief glimpse, she saw the recognition of true love in Cupid’s eyes. He was the god of love, after all. How could he deny it?
“Okay, so it appears that you’re right in your assessment,” Cupid admitted. “These unfortunate mistakes do sometimes occur. Look, I’m sorry,” he said, addressing Lula, “but you know the rules. No extended hanky-panky allowed between nymphs of Olympus and Earthly mortals. Now will you use your forgetfulness powder on these two or should I use mine?” Cupid’s hand rested at his small leather pouch again.
“Cupid, please!” Lula pleaded, clutching his arm and holding it in place. “Please allow us to plead our case. It’s not merely hanky-panky, as
you call it. While Dake is highly skilled in carnal pleasures and the sexual unions we shared were indeed spectacular,” she paused as Dake groaned, “it is true love that prompts my plea, Cupid.”
“You wish to plead before the Council of Deities?” Cupid spat. “Impossible. Preposterous.” He shook off Lula’s hands. “Now why don’t you stop all this lovesick nonsense and be a good little nymph. Find yourself a nice satyr to settle down with and make baby nymphs. There’s one in your class, Vibius, I believe, who’s got a major crush on you, you know,” Cupid said with a conspiratorial wink.
“Vibius? Ugh!” Lula ground out. “I barely escaped intact from that one dreadful date we had. He simply wouldn’t take no for an answer. Really, Cupid, how can you think to pair me with a hard-drinking, wild, carousing satyr when the mortal I love is a fine, decent, upstanding example of manhood?” She gestured toward Dake, splaying her hand on his chest.
“What’s a satyr?” Dake asked Lula.
Lula breathed a monumental sigh. “The male equivalent of a nymph,” she explained with a roll of her eyes. “Half human and half beast. While the upper part of the body is that of a human, except, of course, for the horns of a goat on their head,” she illustrated her point by wiggling two fingers atop her curls, “they usually have a goat’s tail, flanks and hooves.”
Dake looked at her like she was crazy, then he turned the same expression on Cupid. “You can’t be serious,” Dake said. “You want Lula to get hitched to a goat-man? That’s sick. I mean, come on, that’s really disgusting.”
“You’re being both insolent and insulting, mortal,” Cupid warned.
“Insulting?” Bristling, Dake’s chin elevated a notch and he stood toe to toe with Cupid. “I don’t think so. I never implied that you looked like a goat, did I?”
Lula shushed Dake, pulling him back and smoothing her hand along his shoulder, fully aware of the tenseness in his muscles. “Remember, you’re addressing a powerful god,” she whispered. “When I told you about the Feast of Lupercalia, I explained how it celebrates spring and Faunus, the god of nature and agriculture, remember?”
Finding Cupid Page 18