Blown Away

by L. J. Vickery

  “She’s a person of interest to me,” Enlil answered noncommittally, and got a loud, unrestrained guffaw in return.

  “Is that what you kids are calling it now?” Tiny shook his head, and put a finger to Enlil’s chest. “She’s waited a long time for the right man to come along, and it’s only proper you should be proud and acknowledge her, son. If you mean business.”

  “Enough, Tiny.” Candy put her body between the two enormous men. “Meet Enlil. We haven’t worked things out yet.” She dared the god or the human to contradict her. “We have some issues.” She let that hang.

  Tiny got a sparkle in his eye and let it go. “Okay. I’ll ignore the elephant in the room. For now.” He smirked. “You know? Thug was in here last week,” he said to no one in particular. Enlil narrowed his eyes at the mention of the recipient of untold blow jobs from Candy’s lips, but it looked like he was the only one having a problem.

  “Yeah? How’s he doing?” Jake asked for the group, then turned to explain to Enlil, not knowing he’d already got some of the Thug and Candy story. “Thiago was one of Tiny’s earlier recruits, but he dropped out after his first year.”

  “He’s doing well.” Tiny grinned. “The missus is pregnant with their fourth child and work is good. The Bricklayers Local 4―with his help―just negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement. But that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten his old friends. He stopped by with some food drive stuff he’d collected for the neighborhood.”

  Tiny seemed to watch Enlil’s face the whole time he relayed this information. “Thiago didn’t make federal agent status, but he proceeded on to trade school and worked his way up to a place of importance in the union.” A narrowing of Tiny’s eyes here. “He still takes care of his own.” Was that a warning to Enlil?

  “He asked about you, Candy. He always checks on your marital status. I figure he likes having an avenue open if his old lady ever kicks him out.” He chuckled and looked over at Enlil again. “Shall I tell him you’re taken?”

  “Hell, yes.” Enlil didn’t wait for Candy to respond. This talk of Thug had his back up, and even though he knew he was being played, he didn’t give a shit. When he returned from the Blue Hills, Candy would be his, unless proven otherwise, and he didn’t care if everyone got the point. If he didn’t light up, he’d deal with the fallout afterward.

  “Good.” Tiny clapped him on the back. “That’s more like it.” The giant nodded approvingly. “Can’t have my girl hooking up with some punk ass who’s unwilling to claim her.”

  “You know we’ve already cleared him if we brought him here, Tiny,” Jake admonished with a chuckle.

  “Right. And if you’ll stop grabbing your dicks over fucking Candy-Land, we’re here to play some b-ball.” Flick had clearly tired of the posturing.

  “Well, I didn’t think you were here just to visit an old man. Have a rock, sucker.” Tiny dug into a mesh bag behind him on the wall and grabbed a ball. He threw it at Flick. “Let’s see what you’ve got today.”

  The group quickly danced out onto the hardwood and easily formed into two groups. It looked like they’d done it a thousand times before.

  “You take Dunsky’s spot on Z’s team,” Jake told Enlil, and looked surprised when Enlil backed up a step.

  “What the fuck, man?” Z’d already palmed the ball and waited to move down-court.

  “I’ve never played this game before,” Enlil admitted. He hated lacking in something that clearly came easily to these agents. The gods had discussed, many times, putting some nets in the gym at the compound, but no one had been interested enough to make it happen. Now his ignorance of the sport had caught up with him.

  Tiny shook his head incredulously. “I don’t know where you come from, son, but you’ve been steered wrong. Look at the size of you. You could have gone pro.”

  Enlil gave him a scowl and he backed off.

  “Fine. Just watch these folks for a few minutes and you’ll catch on.”

  Tiny proceeded to stand next to Enlil and fill him in on the rules while the agents played and talked smack. While Enlil listened to Tiny and followed the good-natured competition, he took in the scuffed floor, the tattered hoops, and finally the tired looking scoreboard. Tiny noticed Enlil’s puzzlement at the numbers that didn’t move.

  “That relic hasn’t worked in a long time.” He laughed. “The score’s been ten to six for at least eight years.” Obviously, whatever money Tiny procured, he spent on kids, not on infrastructure.

  Over the next fifteen minutes, Enlil patiently learned about dribbling, double dribbling, traveling, layups, and free throws. He also heard a bunch of trash talking from the floor, and by the time Tiny sent him in, he was only partially clear on what to do.

  It was Enlil, Z, Cub, and Flick versus Jake, Candy, Gramps, and JP. Z passed the ball to Enlil at half-court and ordered, “Dribble.”

  Enlil’s feet and hands behaved awkwardly, the ball bouncing higher and farther away from him with every step he took. The wind god struggled to gain control.

  “Lame.” Gramps slipped in and stole the ball easily, turning on a dime to head back toward his own net.

  “Follow him,” Cub yelled at Enlil, the closest to Gramps. “Block his shot.”

  Enlil figured that stopping a point had to be easier than bouncing the ball and used his superior speed to reach and grab Gramps.

  “Foul,” every voice on the opposing team yelled, and play stopped.

  “What?” Enlil became the instant recipient of derision from his fellow players.

  “You can’t grab the shooter, you can only block the ball, Enlil.” Candy doubled over with laughter. “You really don’t know this game, do you?”

  Enlil didn’t like laughter at his own expense. “No, but watch your back,” he growled. “I’ll pick it up fast enough.”

  He waited patiently while Gramps made a clean foul shot, taking his cues from the others as to when he could move. This time, Enlil made no mistakes. With Cub in possession, the god followed and protected him all the way to the other end of the court, then positioned himself to block Jake from stealing the ball. Cub banked one in, and quick high fives got slapped before Candy sent the ball back into play.

  The action moved quickly down the floor, with JP only partially in control. Stumbling over his own feet, he threw a brick. His teammates jeered. Enlil got the ball on the rebound.

  He started slowly, bouncing the ball the agents called “the rock,” twice, three times to get the feel. Then he walked with it, getting more comfortable with every step. When he approached the center circle, his confidence wavered as two opposing agents approached him simultaneously. He decided not to push his luck. Flick opened and Enlil shot him the ball.

  The wiry agent took it and ran, dunking the ball for the next score. Enlil gave his own exultant cry. Amazing how quickly he’d been drawn in. Damn. This was fun. There’d definitely be some equipment installed back home…perhaps as a Christmas present.

  “Okay, guys, D up,” Z barked. Enlil shot him a puzzled look at the order. “Defense, god-boy, defense.”

  Enlil knew not to grab this time and spider armed around Candy instead. He had to give it to her, she danced, fast on her feet, and low to the ground. It became almost impossible for him to bend far enough to get the ball, but he waited until she raised it in hand to shoot, and stuck out his arm, blocking the shot.

  “Yes.” The jubilant cry came from Flick, who retrieved the ball and darted back to their end. He sent it to Enlil after passing center court, but Enlil made the mistake of taking two steps and realized he was in danger of what they called traveling. He eyed the net, though still well outside even the three-point line. Could he make it? Jake approached fast, and Enlil had no more time to think. He bent his knees, aimed, and let the ball fly.

  Everyone held their breath. He’d executed a magnificent arc. The ball seemed endlessly suspended, then gracefully dropped straight down through the hoop without even brushing the sides.

 
“Jayed,” Z exclaimed, jumping up and down. He ran over and slammed his body into Enlil’s, almost sending the unsuspecting god sprawling. “You’re on my team from now on. Screw Dunsky. You’re the bomb,” he declared.

  Candy picked up the ball and eyed Enlil. “Were you playing us?” she questioned suspiciously, and when he gave her a clueless shrug she translated. “You’ve shot hoops before and pretended you haven’t.”

  Enlil could honestly look her right in the eye. “Absolutely not. I’ve never played before, ever.” He tingled from her nearness. “But I’m going to kick your ass at it from now on,” he crowed.

  “You’ve got it.” Candy accepted the challenge, and the two teams pummeled each other for the next hour. By the time they finished, they’d drawn a large group of spectators; local kids who had called dibs on their favorites and yelled joyfully at the lively game.

  The grownups eventually slowed their pace, and integrated the kids into a scaled down version of play. A long time passed before the group, worn to a pulp, left the gym.

  “Merry Christmas, Tiny,” they yelled as they trooped out, voices raised in high spirits.

  “Merry Christmas, all,” the big man replied. “Good job, rookie,” he sent to Enlil, and received a big-ass grin in return. Enlil hadn’t had that much fun in a long time. Tiny was one hell of a guy.

  Walking home with Candy, Enlil became effusive in his praise of Tiny and his facilities. “What a great place for kids to come and blow off steam,” Enlil marveled.

  “And it’s not just basketball that Tiny gives to the kids,” Candy further enlightened him. “He holds classes on everything from hygiene and sex education to babysitting and job preparedness. He keeps a slew of antiquated computers in the back room for those who are willing to learn typing skills and get help with their homework.”

  Obviously, she preached as one who knew.

  “Everything is volunteer run, and Tiny’s lucky. He’s made a load of friends over the years. We all put in our hours for him. And he’d have our heads if we didn’t,” Candy ended with a smile.

  “I want to help too.” Enlil felt pumped. “I’m not sure what skills I have to offer besides a first-hand accounting of ancient history and early American life, but if Tiny will have me…”

  “Don’t give it any worries.” Candy chuckled. “Given anyone or anything, Tiny can make miracles happen.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Christmas Eve morning, Enlil arose early and put in a call to Shamash on the GTS.

  It was a good thing for the sun god that a three-hour difference remained between East and West Coasts, and six hours more to the Mariana Trench that lay above the Underworld where Sham had been working, or the god would probably be sleepless, dealing with the bullshit from across time zones. Nonetheless, Shamash sounded tired when Nergal―the Underworld king―gave Enlil special dispensation to communicate with his buddy in hell.

  What can I do for you, Enlil? And before you ask, make it fairly brainless. I’ve been up for hours working on a Christmas surprise from afar.

  Enlil grunted. Funny how the spirit of the season had suddenly infected them all. And amazing what new hope could do, after they’d merely existed for fucking ever.

  Enlil outlined his needs, and got it added to Shamash’s to-do list. It wouldn’t take much, and Enlil could have pulled it off himself, except he wanted to keep his activities secret from Candy.

  Not a problem, Enlil. Consider it done. Nergal’s popping me back to the Blue Hills in a few minutes.

  Thanks, man, I’ll be home tonight, Enlil told his friend. And believe me, this trip will be a lot easier than the last.

  Shamash laughed. They’d heard about the air sickness that Enlil had suffered. The sun god teased him now.

  Are you sure you don’t want me to book you a plane ticket? he asked, tongue in cheek. Traveling god style, you don’t get the in-flight movies.

  Ha, ha. Funny Shamash. I’ll be hysterical on your behalf the first time you take a commercial voyage.

  Enlil already knew that Marduk suffered motion sickness, and that gave speculation as to how many of the other gods might be afflicted. Anshar had been one of the lucky ones and hadn’t suffered any adverse effects from flying when he’d gone to Chicago with Lenore. But time would tell about the rest of them.

  Listen, Enlil continued. So, I don’t have to bother them, tell Tess I wouldn’t think of missing her traditional Christmas Eve for anything, and let Absu know I’ll be there for dinner. The proper god acted fussy about preparing big meals without being given numbers; a good worry, considering it came with their new existence. Absu had to wonder who would show up to eat, who would be corporeal or not, and what special diets he might have to accommodate. It would be easier if he weren’t such an exacting god, but no one dared complain as long as Absu kept churning out genius meals. Gods knew if he went on strike, they’d have to put up with Tess and Holly’s ever-present omelets. It was worth keeping the god of sweet water happy.

  Looking forward to seeing you. Shamash sent back to Enlil. Hopefully Marduk will lighten up a little once you get home. I hear he’s been pouting. Without his main-man-squeeze around to share the decision making, his brain is going to mush while waiting for his baby to make an appearance.

  I hear you, Sham. I’ll try to get him to loosen up. Jake told me I don’t have to be back in LA until January 2nd. That should give Marduk a good long break, Enlil paused, thinking about his time on the West Coast thus far. I feel like California has been one big vacation for me. I haven’t had to be in charge of anything.

  Oh, I don’t know, Shamash disagreed. You made a nice call on the livestock being mistreated.

  Which reminded Enlil he wanted to make a quick stop in Littlerock on his way home to check on his new bull friend. Maybe you’re right. I guess it’s just a different kind of busy than I’m used to. Hey, I’ll sign off now and let you get back to work. See you soon.

  Over and out, Enlil. Shamash came back. Fly with the wind.

  Enlil stepped quietly to Candy’s bedroom door and tried the knob. It turned easily. She hadn’t locked him out. Perhaps he’d been a fool for sleeping on the floor last night, but there was the matter of him losing control. It had probably been for the best.

  However, no rules said he couldn’t go in and play a little while saying his goodbyes. He would also let her know there would be no more escape clauses for her when he returned. She’d need time to get her mind around that little gem.

  Candy lay asleep on her stomach, her back bare down to the small dimples that appeared on either side of her spine just above her ass crack. Her dark hair stood in more spiky disarray than usual, and she snored slightly. Cute, he smirked. It let him know she still deeply slumbered.

  He stood looking at her, willing his shoulder to give him a sign. His amulet remained dormant. Shit. What would it take? He was clearly visible around her, and he certainly didn’t feel any fucked-up daddy feelings toward the cheeky little minx. She had to be his Chosen, unless the uber-gods were playing a game with him, and he couldn’t imagine that would be the case. He and his fellow gods had risked everything to free their queen, Ereshkigal, from the hands of evil and deliver her back to King Nergal. And for that, he and his friends should be reaping rewards from the higher- and lower-realm deities; not having their heads fucked with.

  The problem had to be something else. And Enlil suffered a brief, uneasy feeling. Screw it. Nothing would go wrong. The lighting up would happen when they fucked. Most assuredly.

  Enlil gently eased himself onto the bed and inched Candy’s sheet lower. He bared the ripe globes of her ass and gazed longingly at their perfection. Sweat broke out on his brow with the power of his imagination. He couldn’t wait to have her up on all fours, legs spread, and open to him as she sent a sultry look back over her shoulder with those killer violet eyes. When he took her, those abundant curves he longed to smooth his hand over would be pressed back against his groin as he thrust his cock inside her wet, w
illing pussy.

  He must have groaned because Candy turned her head and speared him with a suspicious morning stare. “Are you looking or touching?” Her voice rasped dry from sleep and he could see she squirmed a little due to… Hey. Did females have the equivalent of morning wood?

  Enlil took his time answering Candy’s query. He knelt at her feet, removed the sheet entirely, and kissed each instep lingeringly. After slowly paying the utmost attention to her toes and calves, he turned to her knees and in a painstakingly deliberate motion, nudged them apart.

  “Touching now,” he finally answered, and she groaned.

  “On your knees,” Enlil commanded gruffly. “But keep your face down on the bed.” This was entirely too much like the fantasy he’d just spun, but he couldn’t help it. As long as he kept his pants on, Candy would be safe.

  She did as he asked, and he could hear her panting as he clutched her thighs and stretched her even farther apart. “Stay there,” he ordered. “Turn your head to the wall and don’t move.” He rolled to her bedside drawer. It was bad of him, but he’d done some exploring the other day and found the little pink vibrator that looked well loved. How sexually responsive would Candy be with him wielding it?

  “What are you doing?” The breathless anticipation in her voice had his gut clenching.

  Instead of answering, he came back to his position between her thighs, and placed a kiss on one of her raised ass cheeks. He turned the vibrator on. It made a distinctive hum.

  “Oh,” she moaned, clearly aware of what Enlil now possessed. But he kept it away from her flesh, building her anticipation.

  “Dammit, Enlil. If you keep that fucking thing buzzing, I’m going to come before it’s even touched me,” she warned huskily.

  “We can’t have that now, can we?” Enlil slid a hand under her taut body, gently spread her cunt and then the soft hairs that covered her sensitive clitoris. Holding a finger on either side to pull back the hood, he smoothly dipped the pink plastic between her spread, moist lips, then rotated the tip of the device to rest on the small straining nub he’d revealed. Her legs quivered and she sank down a few inches.