Arcadian Nights (9 page)

He nodded.

“
Okay then. Her coldness
was defensiveness. I could be wrong, but I doubt I am. Next time,
don’t plan on having sex at all and see what happens.”

“
We didn’t plan it this
time. At least, I didn’t. I wasn’t opposed to the idea, but I had
planned to resist.”

“
Really?”

He could see Iris was on the verge of
laughing. “That’s funny?”

“
A little. She’s pretty
seductive and sexy, plus you had to know she’d have a few tricks up
her sleeve. Did you really think she’d give up so easily after
risking disfavor to get you into bed?”

“
She released me from her
spell. I told you that. I thought maybe she’d bide her time. She
seemed confused when I left her.”

“
Last night?”

“
No, after she released
me. I think she wanted me to leave her alone, but I insisted she
see me last night. It was the same as last night, really. Instead
of giving in, I just kissed her to stop our argument. She panicked.
I’m not imagining it.”

“
That proves what I was
saying. She’s scared.”

“
She’s not scared of me on
any level or in any way.”

“
How do you
know?”

“
She’s not scared of
anything. She’s probably still playing games with me.”

She shook her head. “You wouldn’t be
here bothering to talk this out if you thought that.”

He thought about that and suddenly
felt more confused than he had when he walked through the door. “So
I just wait and see?”

“
Keep putting her puzzle
together.”

“
The few pieces I have are
all from different corners if you ask me.”

“
You believe in the Fates,
right? In their plans?”

He nodded.

“
Then trust that they will
take care of both of their most ardent disciples.”

He wanted to, but he didn’t dare hope.
Slowly, his voice low, he said, “Sounds too easy.”

“
You never
know.”

He stood to leave. “Well, I’ll keep
you informed.”

“
You’d better.”

He left her office, wondering what to
do next. It seemed ill timed to try to see Eris again so soon, but
he found himself with more questions than he’d had an hour ago. He
wondered if putting his own defenses up might be the best option.
If she continued to be so stubborn, it might be the only way to
protect himself. He’d been surprisingly hurt when she’d moved out
of his embrace so quickly after they’d both come the night before,
and he didn’t want to feel anything like that again. But if he was
so concerned about keeping his own guard up, how would he ever get
this stubborn, beguiling woman to let hers down?

Chapter Four

Eris lowered herself into the hot tub.
A good soak and some peace and quiet were just what she
needed.

“
I can’t believe I had to
hear it from Aphrodite.”

She sighed and looked up to see her
brother Ares. She obviously wasn’t going to get any peace or quiet
for quite some time.

“
She knows already? That
was fast.”

Ares laughed. “She’s pretty
pissed.”

“
She wouldn’t have cared
if I hadn’t fucked him.”

“
So you did? Interesting.
Are you satisfied now?” Ares threw off his black robe to reveal a
swimsuit almost as revealing as the bikini Eris was
wearing.

She couldn’t help laughing as he slid
in across from her. “Aphrodite like that sort of thing? Doesn’t
leave the ladies much to fantasize about.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “Oh they
fantasize, I can promise you that. And yes, actually, she does like
it. Not that it matters anymore.”

“
Right. I’ll have to take
your word for that.”

“
And?”

“
And what?”

He leaned forward. “Are you
satisfied?”

She frowned. “Why do you
care?”

“
I want to see you
happy.”

“
You want to be
nosy.”

He shrugged. “Call it what you will.
How was it?”

“
Very good.”

“
Is it going to happen
again?”

Eris thought for a moment. She knew he
wanted to know how she felt about Hermes now, and she wasn’t about
to tell him. “He said he wants to see me again. I’m sure he wants
to fuck me again.”

“
You always say ‘fuck’
when you’re talking about him.”

Eris had no idea where Ares was going
with this. “You’ve been counting? Keeping track?”

“
Well, you fuck mortals
and make love to gods.”

“
I’ve never been in
love.”

“
That’s not what I said.
No matter how stupid you thought Zeus was, you always said you two
were making love. It’s like you want to make a big show of keeping
Hermes at a distance so no one suspects you have feelings for
him.”

“
You are grasping at very
tiny straws.” She thought quickly. “Okay, I will admit Hermes makes
me unbelievably horny. That’s probably why I say fuck. I reserve it
for my wickedest thoughts.”

Ares crossed his arms. “Not a bad
explanation. Not sure that I buy it though.”

“
Well, it’s the only one
you’re getting.” She looked away.
Is he
right? Am I doing it without knowing it? I’m not in love. I’m
not.

“
Those look like some deep
thoughts.”

She glared at him. “What do you really
want?”

“
Thought I’d help you get
your mind off Hermes, since you’re so convinced that’s what you
want.” He got out of the hot tub and walked over to a beautiful
blonde girl, who had appeared out of nowhere and went right into
his arms. A man who was most likely her twin stood behind her. Both
were naked. Ares kissed the girl and pulled her away. “We’ll leave
you two alone.”

Eris eyed the man who walked toward
her. He was tanned and well built, with very beautiful
eyes.

“
What’s your
name?”

“
Scott.”

He knelt behind her and undid the top
of her bikini. He rubbed her shoulders for a moment, but he soon
moved his hands lower to tease her nipples.

“
Are you one of my
brother’s servants?”

“
Yes. But I’m here because
I want to be. I’ve always admired you.” He slid into the hot tub
and moved his hands up her thighs, his fingers eager to tease her.
“Tell me how to please you.” He lowered his head to kiss and suck
her left nipple.

She sighed as he pulled her bathing
suit away. His fingers moved over her clit with skill, and then he
moved two of them inside her. She gasped. This young mortal was
good, very good. She could easily lose herself with him for hours.
He held her close, his fingers working inside her as his thumb
teased and stroked her clit. He lavished more attention on her
breasts. His teeth raked over her nipple, and she bucked against
him.

But all she could think of was the way
Hermes had held her. She stared up at the ceiling, remembering how
he had touched her. Above all she remembered how he had looked at
her. Scott felt amazing against her, and she sensed herself on the
verge of coming. She stayed there though, right on the edge. The
pleasure overwhelmed her, yet she didn’t come.

Scott kissed her neck, repositioning.
“Are you with me? Tell me what you want me to do. I’ll do
anything.”

“
I’m sorry. I can’t.” She
paused and tried to smile. “It’s not you.”

“
You don’t want me.” He
backed away. “Are you sure?” He moved his hand back to her pussy,
touching her clit lightly. “Let me try. Let me make love to
you.”

“
Any other time, I’d be
very pleased, but there’s too much on my mind.”

Scott sighed and looked away. He tried
to smile. “It’s okay. He said you were trying to get over someone.
He didn’t say you were in love.”

She shook her head. “I’m not trying to
get over anyone, and I’m not in love. That isn’t it.”

He laughed. “With all due respect, I
know how good I am. I turned you on. Only one man will satisfy you,
it seems.”

“
I’m just not in the mood.
You’re very good, but I’m simply too tense to come.”

He held his hands up to show
surrender. “I won’t argue with you. I’ll leave you to everything
you have on your mind.” He shook his head and smiled sadly. “Guess
I’ll have to keep fantasizing.”

She watched him walk away. She wasn’t
too worried about his feelings being hurt because if he served
Ares, he’d most likely had many partners since coming to Olympus.
It had been weeks since she’d sent Damon away. After about three
days of endless sexual games with him, she’d lost her craving for
him and his skills. That was when it had all started. After she’d
sent him away, she’d been up all night thinking of Hermes. Now
she’d turned away a handsome man who had wanted her and who
would’ve been more than able to please her. For what?

She didn’t know the answer to that
question, even though so many others thought they did. She now
suspected Ares had done this on purpose to goad her, not help her.
Yet she couldn’t be angry with him. It made her more determined to
be sure of knowing her own mind the next time she saw Hermes. As
far as her heart went, she wasn’t sure she trusted it at all
anymore. The longing that continued to grow within it seemed more
like a threat than a promise. She wasn’t going to let it or the
Fates make a fool of her.

* * * *

Eris stopped when she saw Lachesis in
the garden. She’d wanted to be alone with her thoughts, but now it
looked like she’d be going off on an errand.

Lachesis looked up and smiled as she
pushed her long blonde hair out of her face. “Come sit by
me.”

Eris sat down, not sure what to
expect.

“
I only want to talk. We
have no task for you today.”

“
What do you want to talk
about?” What if she told her she had to stop seeing Hermes? They
might have other plans for one or both of them. She didn’t want to
think that way, but she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

“
How are you?”

“
How am I? I’m
fine.”

“
And you’re
happy?”

That struck Eris as an odd question.
Lachesis had no reason to care if anyone was happy, so long as
things were “as they should be.” That was all the Fates cared
about.

“
I believe so. I’m not
unhappy about anything.”

“
Are you certain of that?
You seem nervous because I’m here.”

“
I’m not.”

“
You are, but you
shouldn’t be. I’m going to tell you something you want to
hear.”

Eris waited for her to go on. This
visit had to be about her and Hermes. Lachesis was going to tell
her whether they were meant to be together or not. Did this mean
they weren’t? Did Lachesis want her to be prepared to lose
him?

“
You need to stop fighting
us. You are ruining all our plans.”

Eris felt her face flush. “Excuse me?
When have I ever done anything but carry out your plans? There is
no one more trusting or loyal, no one more obedient. What have I
done?”

“
You’re fighting your love
for Hermes.”

She took a deep breath. “There’s no
love to fight. I like him and want to keep fucking him. That’s
all.”

“
That’s a lie.”

“
Then shall we summon
Aphrodite to find out?” Eris regretted the words when she saw the
smug look on Lachesis’ face.

“
You know you have no
desire to see Aphrodite. I didn’t say you were in love this very
moment.” She smiled for a moment. “Would you like to know if he
loves you?”

Her heart thudded to a stop for a
moment then began beating rapidly. “What have I done to deserve
this? You’re toying with me the way Aphrodite or Zeus
would.”

Lachesis stopped smiling. “Is that
what you think? I’m sorry. I don’t understand why you aren’t
happy.”

She stared for a moment, exasperated.
“You’re confusing me. What’re you here for? Are you going to tell
me my destiny or not?”

“
I have.”

Eris thought about this, but then
shook her head. “No. You’ve asked me if I’m happy and teased me
about Hermes.”

“
Your destiny is to be
happy, Eris. You’re heading down the path already. I just wanted to
talk to you.”

“
I’m not fighting my
feelings. I love
fucking
Hermes, that’s it.”

“
Then why do you run from
him?”

“
He can see me whenever he
likes. We’ve been together once, and I certainly didn’t turn him
away.”

“
Emotionally, you push him
as far away as you can every time he touches you.”

“
Have you been spying on
me?” She tried to keep her voice even, but she felt ready to
explode.