Amber: July: Mystic Zodiac, Book 7 (10 page)

Andreas pulled open the door to
Ecstasis D
and brushed past Leif and Gunnar. The giant bears grinned—well, more snarled with a slight upward tilt to their lips—as he walked by.

“Evening, Mr. Stathos,” Gunnar greeted him.

“My girl here yet?” He hadn’t seen her SUV when he pulled around the back. He expected her to be there at the bar, and not seeing the black beast put a bit of fear in his chest. After the week he’d had, he couldn’t take much more going wrong.

“Behind the bar restocking. Brit picked her up today for work. Something about not wanting to have to take two vehicles home or having to leave one here.”

Andreas let out a sigh of relief. He’d had to go back to the city earlier in the week to deal with paperwork and the on-going problem of his youngest sister dropping out of college unexpectedly. Gio, the ever fun-loving brother, was not so fun loving at the moment. In fact, he was worse than a bear losing his favorite honey pot. Apparently, he’d introduced Lina to some of his friends, and she’d made an instant connection with one of them. After their sister had ignored Gio’s attempts to get hold of her week after week, he finally called to ask for help. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like that little family problem would be fixed anytime soon. Lina was officially MIA, along with her new boyfriend, Asa. Gio now held the task of tracking their sibling down.

Now, all Andreas wanted to do was gather his mate up in his arms and feel a semblance of peace again. As if on cue, Amber popped up from behind the bar, her gaze zeroing in on him. She skirted around and threw herself into his arms. It was a far cry from her standoffish behavior when they first met.

With Amber’s legs wrapped around his waist and her lips fused to his mouth, he blindly walked them back towards Frost’s office. They bumped into someone and stopped. He looked around Amber to apologize and was stunned to see a tall Grecian Goddess in their path. She was a stunner with long, caramel-colored hair that touched her ass, and deep brown eyes that held a sensuality only challenged by a Siren’s.

“I’m so sorry,” he mumbled, dipping his head slightly in respect. There was something about the woman that called for it. A power emanating from her like he’d never felt before. She did a good job of blending into the Mystics around her. She wore a billowy ivory shirt, soft faded jeans that hugged her legs, and a pair of faded brown leather boots. The thing that tipped him off that she wasn’t quite what she wanted them to believe was her lack of clutch or purse. No woman, Mystic or otherwise, went anywhere without one.

Amber whipped her head around, her jealousy quick to flare and perfume the air. He kissed her cheek on impulse.

“Do not apologize,” the woman replied. “You look to be in love. We all know that will cause us to forget our surroundings.”

“It will indeed,” he replied. He would forget his own name when he was around his mate, save for the fact she screamed it in pleasure every chance she got.

Amber’s cheeks brightened with a blush, knowing the direction of his thoughts or having a few naughty ones of her own.

The woman tipped her head back and laughed, the sound like tinkling bells. It jarred a memory from his youth that he couldn’t quite grasp. “And to have the love of a Siren. You, sir, must be special.”

“She is a gift from the Gods and Goddesses, I assure you.”

The woman sobered and gave them a calculating look. Her eyes narrowed slightly and mouth pursed, as she looked back and forth between them. “And you will love her through all eternity?”

“With my last dying breath.” The words were a vow. One he would keep forever.

The woman’s mouth curved into a pleased smile. “As it should be.” She stepped around them, and they watched as she disappeared out the door. Leif held the door for her, his head bowed, a reverent look on his face.

“Is that…I think…” Amber started, but didn’t finish. Her forehead crinkled adorably.

“Yes. I think she was the Fate, Chloe. Her visage is one I remembered from schooling in Greece. She is the bringer of life.”

Amber’s eyes rounded. She glanced down at her stomach then back up at him. “You don’t think…”

“No. I don’t think that’s how it works. But if it does…”

Amber grinned and tugged his head down to hers. “Then it does,” she whispered before kissing him soundly.

*****

Chloe stepped out into the parking lot of the funny little bar and breathed in the fresh air. She took in the surroundings and wondered for a second what it would be like to live in a place like this. To be enveloped by Mystics of all kinds and live a humble life. Then reality came back to her, and she knew she would never truly be happy.

A man hopped out of a black truck, drawing her attention. His brown hair was shaggy and his blue eyes vibrant and full of life. The corners of his mouth drew up into a wicked smile, and she was reminded of one thing…of one person who was never far from her thoughts—Eros.

She flashed what she hoped was a friendly smile and set off walking. She had no intention of flirting with the man or letting him think he had a chance with her. He chuckled and continued on into to the bar. Promptly forgetting about her, she was sure.

She didn’t have far to go to get back to Gabriel. The Great Watcher was more than happy to pop her in and out of the realm when he was called. Whether he did it to cause Eros grief, or because he hoped she would abandon her obsession with the other man, she didn’t know. Nor did she care. He served his purpose and was a pleasure to look at.

Rounding the corner, Chloe came to a sudden stop. Eros leaned against the tree she had left Gabriel at. A tense, irritated smile on his face. His arms were crossed over his chest, which rose and fell heavily.

“I thought I told you not to dabble with other men.” The words were gritted out in anger.

Chloe suppressed her body’s reaction, hoping he didn’t pick up on how much his jealousy turned her on. She walked toward him, adding a swing to her hips. “You forget, Eros, you don’t get to tell me what to do.”

Eros’s gaze dropped to her hips, just as she’d hoped. His nostrils flared, and when he looked back up at her, lust radiated from his eyes. “Don’t push me, Chloe. You shouldn’t be on this realm by yourself.”

“Why?” She stopped in front of him, fighting back the urge to get closer.

“Because the males of this place won’t be able to resist you,” he whispered harshly. His arm shot out and snaked around her waist, pulling her flush to him. His mouth slammed down onto hers, and the next thing she knew, she was back on Olympus. He broke the kiss, breathing heavily. “I’ll see you tomorrow. The Parthenon. At noon.”

Eros disappeared before she could say anything more.