“It doesn’t have to, you know.”
He pinned her with a stare. “And I’ve told you I have no desire to”—he waved a hand—“magic
my way to the top.”
She stood, making a clicking sound with her tongue. “That's too bad, dear.”
The room transformed and Tor found himself standing next to his mother inside a huge
nomadic tent. Arid heat enveloped him, burning his skin. The flaps of canvas snapped
in the desert breeze. Unlit brass braziers swung from the tent supports above an array
of colorful carpets that lay strewn across the shifting sands of the floor. The bellow
from a camel wafted through the opening of the tent, as did the smell of heat and
camel only found in the blazing desert, and a light shower of sand.
Tor took a deep breath, searching for patience. “Very funny, Mother. Return me to
my office.”
Her lower lip rolled down in a sulk. “You used to be so fun when you were a boy. Ready
for any adventure.”
“I’m not a boy anymore.”
In an instant, they were back in his office.
“Obviously.” She took a few steps toward him. “But life isn’t all work. Promise me
you won’t forget to have fun.”
Concern from his mother always made him uncomfortable. In the past, she’d wielded
the parental card like a weapon, manipulating him to do her will. When he was younger,
more naive, he’d wanted to please her. It didn’t take long to realize his mother’s
needs always came first. He no longer trusted her in the most simple of matters, which
made being in business together very tenuous.
He maneuvered away from her, placing the desk between them. He’d found that the best
way to avoid any woman’s trap, including his mother’s, was to stay out of range, both
physically and emotionally. The only woman he wasn’t suspicious of was Nikki—safe,
plain, dependable Nikki. Always there when he needed her. The only thing she wanted
from him was a paycheck. It was the perfect relationship.
His mother propped her hands on her hips and glared. “You’re not sleeping with Demetria,
are you?”
He settled into his office chair. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no.”
“Good.” Her stance relaxed. “I’ve never cared for her. Too much like her uncle, Narcissus—always
staring at herself in the mirror.”
“Right.” He refrained from pointing out his mother’s streak of conceitedness. “And
our family is such a monument of virtue.” Tor had only met his father once. He was
some middle-aged surfer who wandered the earth in search of the perfect wave. Not
exactly the role model he’d needed as a boy. Not to mention his mother was Aphrodite,
freakin’ goddess of beauty. “Talked to Dad lately?”
“No.” She cocked her head. “What about Nikki?”
“What about Nikki?”
“Are you sleeping with her?”
"No, I'm not sleeping with her." He screwed up his face at the ridiculous suggestion.
“Though she's very attractive, she’s my assistant.”
“So?” She leaned a hip against his desk. “I sleep with my assistants all the time.”
“Too much information, Mother.” He covered his ears with his hands. “Do I have to
remind you of the week I spent as a stone statue when after I broke up with Medusa’s
niece? To this day I can’t stand pigeons. Or what about that nutcase nymph who went
bat shit after our fling and cursed me with a nearly incurable case of jock itch?”
He released his head and held up one hand, ticking off each finger. “Never again will
I date demigoddesses, goddesses, nymphs, satyrs, wood sprites.” He switched to his
other hand. “Trolls, witches, banshees, sirens, or any other magical creature. They’re
psycho. And even if Nikki doesn't know she’s a demi-goddess, she’s still one.”
“Yes, yes, you’ve regaled me with your extensive list too many times to count.” She
shook her head. “But you can’t base the future love life on a few unfortunate experiences.”
“Unfortunate events? Try humiliating, emasculating—and painful. Never again.”
“Fine. I get it.”
He folded his hands in front of him and rested them on the desk. “Really, because
no matter how many times I tell you this the information doesn’t seem to sink in.”
She harrumphed and stood. “Well, it’s not natural. You’re the son of Aphrodite. Sex
is in your blood.”
“I’m not interested in one-night stands anymore. As a matter of fact, I’m not interested
in a relationship at all. They’re too messy and I have a business to run.”
“I won’t always be around to look after you, Toraos.”
“If only that were true.” He pierced her with a stare. “It might have escaped your
attention, but you’re immortal. You will always be around.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I’d like to hear the patter of tiny feet. I might be a goddess,
but I’d still like grandchildren.”
“Then go bug one of your other kids. Surely one of them wouldn’t mind being a baby
machine for you.”
She harrumphed. “None of them are talking to me.”
“Shocker.”
“Is wanting to be part of your life so bad?”
“You are never just a part of my life. You insist on controlling my every move.” He
narrowed his gaze. “Butt out.”
“Fine, but I think you should seriously consider Nikki. She’s from good stock.”
“Ah.” Tor nodded and pointed at his mother. “You’re trying to get back in Ares’s good
graces and you think me hooking up with Nikki will achieve that.”
Her eyes rounded with false innocence. “That is a horrible thing to say. I genuinely
like Nikki and could give a satyr’s ass about ever speaking to Ares again.”
“Good, then we’re done with this conversation.” He leaned forward, bracing his hands
on either side of his head, and stared at his e-mail in-box on the monitor, praying
she would leave. “Have a nice day.”
“You are an ungrateful child.”
“Man, Mother. I’m an ungrateful man.”
“You know, Toraos, things change. You may think you’re in control, but I still own
Kythera Cosmetics.”
He leaned forward, lowering his hands. “Is that a threat?” He’d lost track of how
many times she’d threatened to take the company away from him, but she’d yet to act
on her warning.
“All I’m saying is that your perception is skewed. One day you could lose the most
precious thing in your life.” She strolled to the door and looked over her shoulder
at him, resting her manicured hand on the sleek silver handle. “And I guarantee, you
will not have even realized how priceless it was until it’s gone.”
He slowly shook his head. “What is it with you gods and your riddles? Can’t you ever
just come out and say what you mean? Lose what? This company? You? No matter what,
I will be just fine.”
“If you say so.” With a sly smile, she turned the handle and opened the door.
He stood and followed her into the outer office. “Healthy, adult conversations, Mother—you
should try it sometime.”
She ignored him. “Good-bye, Nikki. Don’t let him work too hard.”
Nikki stood and walked to the edge of her desk. “I’ll try, but he’s pretty stubborn.”
>
Aphrodite performed a half pivot and looked at him, waving a perfectly painted finger
at Nikki. “See how well she knows you. You’d better keep her around.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Ms. Stephanos.”
She patted Nikki’s cheek. “We’ll see, sweetie.”
Tor ground his teeth. Why did he let his mother push his buttons? Probably because
she represented everything he worked so hard against—privilege, superiority over the
lesser beings, crazy inbreeding. He wanted no part of the fantasy world she lived
in.
The elevator bell rang and Aphrodite, goddess of beauty, stepped inside as if entering
a royal carriage. Nikki moved to stand beside him, and they silently watched the elevator
doors close, finally ending his mother’s visit.
Nikki faced him and opened her mouth to speak, but stopped, her eyes narrowing. She
brushed his shoulder with her hand. “Is that sand?”
Tor spun and stormed back into his office. Despite his mother’s best efforts, he would keep his life normal and god-free. But she was up to something, he just hoped he
saw it coming when it finally did and could duck out of the way.
Chapter Two
Nikki reclined in one of the padded chairs in Kythera’s executive dining room.
Creed Killion turned out to be much younger and far better-looking than she’d anticipated.
His hair was short and messy, like he’d spent the day on the beach. A braided leather
choker hung around his neck, and he wore a geometric white-and-orange shirt that could
only be described as bohemian. Creative types were so cool. Though not nearly as handsome
as Tor, he certainly turned heads.
Poor Demetria didn’t know where to ply her womanly wiles. Though always sniffing around
Tor, the lure of fresh meat seemed almost too much for her to ignore.
She’d gone all out in a skintight black dress that displayed her breasts in their
most appealing light. As always, the attorney had donned her signature heels. This
pair was black and glistened in the low light. The heels were so narrow she could
spear a fish with them if she ever found herself stranded on a desert island. Now
that was an appealing thought.
Tor looked as handsome as ever in a black silk jacket and pants. His tan skin accentuated
the white of his shirt and brought out the topaz in his eyes. Memories of his naked
torso on display earlier flitted through her mind.
Nikki raised her wineglass to her lips in an attempt to tamp down the lovely image
of him, but stopped, realizing it was empty. She reached for the golden bottle near
Demetria only to have her snatch it away.
“This is nearly empty.” Demetria cradled the bottle against her chest and glared before
dumping the rest of the amber liquid into Tor’s goblet. “Try the other one.”
Jeez, greedy much?
Creed held up the bottle of merlot. “May I pour for you?”
His smile melted the effects of Demetria’s frigid treatment. Nikki decided she could
get used to being looked at the way he was staring at her now. “Thank you.”
She held out her glass, and his fingers skimmed seductively along the neck of the
bottle to steady it as he poured; making her wonder if Creed Killion applied the same
techniques to other activities in his life. Her appreciation for the company’s newest
addition doubled.
Nikki lifted the glass to her lips. The rich tang coated her tongue. She smiled and
said, “So Creed, have you had a chance to peruse the new Goddess line overview?”
He relaxed against the back of his chair. “I have. It’s very impressive.”
Demetria folded her arms on top of the table and leaned in, pushing her boobs up.
“Well, that’s what you get when you work with Tor.”
Nikki mentally sighed, wishing just once they could get through a conversation without
the other woman working it to her advantage…or turning it into a hookers-r-us moment.
“I’ve been following Kythera for several years. The company has had steady growth
and the marketing strategies have been spot-on. I’m confident the Goddess line will
garner equally impressive results.”
“How can we miss, with you joining us?” Nikki lifted her glass. “Welcome to the team.”
Creed tipped his head in appreciation. “Thank you. I’ll admit there weren’t many things
not to like in the generous offer I received.” He held her gaze, a sexy smile playing
around his mouth. “Even now, I’m pleasantly surprised by the hidden perks.”
Okay, he was definitely flirting with her. A flush spread across her cheeks. And now
she was blushing like a tween at her first R-rated movie. His smile widened. She set
her glass on the table, but when she pulled her hand away, the goblet toppled over,
sloshing red wine down the front of her green camisole.
“Crap.” Nikki jumped back, knocking her chair over. “I’m so clumsy.”
“I’d say.” Demetria laughed. “Maybe we should cut you off.”
Creed handed Nikki his napkin. “Dip it in your glass of water and then soak you blouse
in soda water when you get home. Maybe you can salvage it.”
“Thank you.” She took the cloth from him and blotted her shirt. “Handsome and handy.”
Creed winked at her. “I have other talents, too.”
“Any plans yet?” The briskness in Tor’s tone snapped Nikki from their playful exchange.
He'd been so quiet at the table, Nikki was astonished to realize she'd forgotten he
was there. Maybe there was a cure for her crush, it's name was Creed.
“Plans?” Creed said.
“For the line.” Tor’s gaze cut to Nikki and back to Creed in a way that felt a lot
like chastising. “Inspiration for the future campaigns?”
Nikki couldn’t help but wonder if she’d done something to irritate Tor. Setting the
napkin on the table, she settled against her chair, determined to get back on Tor's
good side. After refilling her glass, she took another sip of wine and pulled away
from Creed's interesting gaze.
“I have several ideas churning.” Creed tapped his index finger against the table.
“But I think one of the more interesting campaigns I’ve been mulling over is just
what you’re looking for.”
“My, Mr. Killion,” Demetria purred, “you work fast.”
“You know how us creative types are, Ms. Mirrors. We’ve always got something in the
hopper in case the perfect project arises. Makes it very difficult to get to sleep
sometimes.”
“Please, call me Demi.” Her tongue flicked out and ran along the length of her bottom
lip. “I’ve got just the cure for your sleepless nights.” She sat back, hooking her
arm over the back of the chair, and slowly crossed her legs.
Nikki cleared her throat at Demetria's suggestive tone. Did the woman have no shame,
and why wasn’t Tor giving Demi his glower of disapproval? If her behavior wasn’t embarrassing,
Nikki would eat her sensible flats.
“And what might that be, Ms. Mirrors?” Creed asked. His reply held more amusement
than reciprocation. Nikki bit her lip to repress a smile.
Obviously picking up on his lack of interest, Demetria changed tactics. “Kythera Cosmetics’
orientation package, of course. Nothing will lull you to sleep like policies and procedures.
Avoiding Mr. Right Page 19