Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series) (16 page)

“But do you know who the leader of Hydra is?”

“Me?” He placed his hand on his chest and his eyes widened. “No, just rumors. Why would I know such things? I might have heard something from a man at the museum, but I don’t listen.”

Her neck prickled like crazy, giving her the idea that he knew more than he was telling. She had to pick George’s brain for a while “I want to hear about everything since I’ve been away. Let’s share a bottle of ouzo and catch up.” Cassie picked up a bottle on the way.

The two enjoyed a couple of hours, sipping the pale liquid, and renewed their friendship on the patio of his home. An afternoon breeze wafted over them and mingled the scent of lavender with the alcoholic warmth rising from her glass. She loved the city and its people. “George, I’ve heard that Hydra poses a danger to Athens. I’m sorry to drag you back to the subject, but if you’ve heard anything, or know of people that may be involved with this group, I need to know.”

“I didn’t realize that you believed their rhetoric.” He looked up as if thinking and then returned his brown gaze to her. “Of course, if I hear anything I’ll tell you. Where are you staying?”

Cassie pulled her hotel’s card from her purse. “It’s not far. Here’s the address. I’ll only be there for a few days.” She stood to leave. “I hope I hear from you soon. Thank you for the lovely afternoon.”

The back of her neck itched, but she couldn’t tell why. George was a world traveler from she didn’t know where. He’d landed in Athens years ago and had stayed. The man had little interest in politics. That’s what they’d had in common—until Apollo shifted her interest.

As she trudged past houses and shops on the way to the hotel, concern over the warning signal at the back of her neck persisted. It couldn’t have anything to do with George, unless while poking around for her, he put himself in danger. No. He was warm and friendly, but also smart. He wouldn’t take unnecessary chances. Prickles at the base of her skull crept down her spine. She shuddered. “Ugh. Why can’t I decipher this?”

The refurbished five-story hotel sat near the market in old Athens and below the Acropolis. A fountain trickled in the courtyard: the sound of water over marble played over her ears like soothing rain. History oozed from the stone beneath her feet and she loved the local flavor.

Her mom wouldn’t be caught dead there. Dr. Priam insisted on more Americanized digs. What was so great about having your own bathroom, anyway? You had to give up authentic Greece to get it. Cassie would never understand.

She entered the lobby. The clerk smiled and Cassie retuned the woman’s greeting on her way to her room. Three flights of stairs and down a hall to the end. Swiping her key in the lock, she turned the knob and opened the door. Her eyes widened. Apollo was bare-butt naked. Cassie’s mouth dropped open. Damn. He was beautiful.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Cassie should have closed the door and run.

She stood frozen by his masculine beauty. At first glance she wouldn’t have believed he was real. Apollo clad in his toga was an impressive enough sight, but nude he tempted her. She continued to stare, though heat radiated from her face. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen the male apparatus, but never on a naked man, and never with lust pushing her to touch.

He made no move to cover himself. Why would he? Apollo possessed the arrogant confidence of a god. And he deserved to be deified. No sculpture she’d ever seen came close to his exquisite form. The difference between the dream of Apollo and his tangible reality startled her.

Cassie licked her lips and Apollo’s blue gaze flickered with heat. Primal need smoldered in those azure depths and spread to her belly. This would be her cue to leave. She cleared her throat, “Excuse me," she squeaked. “I thought this was my room.”

Apollo shrugged a crisp white shirt over his broad shoulders. “It’s our room.” The corners of his delicious mouth curved up. “You didn’t think I’d let you out stay alone, did you?”

Cassie forced her gaze to his face, though with each of his movements, his open shirt revealed firm muscles leading to glimpses of his package just below the edge of his open shirt. Her breath stilled in her lungs. She learned something about herself at that moment. She wasn’t afraid. Nervous standing in a room with a half-naked man, but far more comfortable than she’d ever imagined.

“Damn,” she murmured. He really might be the right man for her, the one she’d dreamed of and waited for. If that were true, the relationship would work out—somehow. Cassie closed the door and leaned back against it.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t touch you.” A small smile teased his lips. “Unless that’s what you wish.”

“I'm not afraid. I just haven’t…” she mumbled. Her cheeks blazed hot. The human body was a work of art. Only a child was embarrassed by a little skin.

She was not a child.

And that was the problem. 

“Of course,” he said. “You have limited experience with men.”

Her glance fell. Limited was kind. Next to none was more accurate. She swallowed and dragged her gaze up his body landing on his tempting mouth. That trail up his chiseled abs did nothing to cool the warmth spreading in her core. Cassie’s feet carried her forward to stop directly before him. How had she ever become so brazen? The feelings pulsing through her went far beyond attraction. Cassie reached out with trembling fingers and touched his chest. “Apollo.”

His eyes sparked with light. He put his hand on hers and dragged it inch by inch over soft skin down his body, stopping low on his abdomen. “Are you sure?”

She quaked with anticipation. Was she sure? What woman had ever been sure of the man she was about to make love with? Her gaze fixed on his. She saw desire mingled with tenderness, and it called to her.

Focusing on his chin, she could avoid what intrigued her. “I’m not sure of anything, least of all what I want at this moment.”

“You know what you want, Cassie.” His voice sounded rough. ”Or you wouldn’t be here.”

Cassie had to think this through; she’d waited so long for this experience. But sex with a god? She lifted her gaze to his full lips, afraid that staring into his eyes would betray her need. “Standing here doesn’t mean I know what I want—well, I might want. It doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.” She sounded like an idiot.

She had to get a grip on herself. If they were going to make love, she had to be able to look him in the eye. Cassie willed her gaze to his. That wasn’t so hard. “I, um,” What was she going to do? He would no doubt rock her world, but she knew herself. For her, sex would be a commitment with him, one she’d never get over. Her hand remained poised on his belly.

He lifted a questioning brow. “I lost at cards, remember. We don’t have to.”

This was the moment of decision. She’d just shared a bottle of ouzo and might not be thinking clearly, but she did want him. Not just for this first experience of making love, but because Apollo valued her. He found her capable and beautiful, and he believed in her. But was that enough of a motive to give herself to him?

Cassie waited for a reason to forge ahead or to warn her off. The prickle at the back of her neck didn’t come, but she couldn’t be sure. Her entire body tingled. She hesitated. Her body ached for him. Her moist hands shook and her brain refused to consider possible outcomes. 

He dipped his head and nuzzled her ear. Something large and firm pushed against her belly. She didn’t look, but guessed it must be his, um. Oh hell, she couldn’t even think the word. This might be a mistake.

His mouth moved against her neck. “If you want to make love, it would be best if we removed your clothes.”

“Clothes?” she sputtered, and jerked her hand away from his belly.

“They tend to get in the way,” he whispered, then unbuttoned her jeans and slid them down her hips.

She froze. “Uh, I. Uh.”  She stepped back, clutched her waistband, already low on her hips and showing the top of her white underwear. Was this how she wanted her first time? No romance, just a god willing to take her to bed? Desiring Apollo wasn’t enough. She’d wanted more for herself. A commitment and marriage and this wasn’t either. This would be sex. And then more sex and it would be fantastic, because it was Apollo. And damn it. She couldn’t do it.

“No.” she yanked up her jeans. “I can't”

He lifted his head. His mouth was tight. “Why not? It looked like you could a moment ago.”

“I was wrong.”

* * *

Apollo used every ounce of control not to take her. His member throbbed with need. She’d tempted him, and now she left him wanting. Did she mean to torment him and deny herself? He grumbled. Cassie was a virgin. Of course she’d hesitate, but he’d never expected her to flee from passion.

She backed away. “I’m sorry. I thought I could do this, but rejection was difficult enough when the relationships were superficial.” She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. “Making love with you would mean everything. I know that now.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“It is for me. You won’t stay, you can’t. You’re a god, for hell’s sake.”

“What does my being a god have to do with it? Mortal men leave women every day.” 

She swiped at her eyes with a shaky hand. “Exactly. I care for you too much to go further without a commitment.”

His insides shook. No woman had urged him for a commitment in millennia. She couldn’t be serious. “What are you asking, marriage?”

Cassie nodded, zipped up her jeans, and secured the button with a sniff. “Yes.”

Apollo loved her, but marriage was another matter. He’d seen the arguments between Zeus and Hera. At times, Apollo pitied them both for joining. The constant fights had driven Zeus into the arms of many women, and Apollo didn’t want that for Cassie. “It’s a ridiculous idea.”

“I know.” Tears spilled the banks of her lashes. “Could you get dressed? You’re distracting.” She swiped at her eyes with her fingers.

He hated women’s tears: more so the tears of this particular woman. That he was the cause irked him. It did more than irk, it crushed his heart like a vice. “Cassie, how can mortal vows hold a god?” He grabbed his slacks from the end of the bed.

She cleared her throat. “I suppose they can’t. Is there no marriage between mortals and gods?”

“The gods marry. Zeus and Hera, Hades and Persephone, but none of those unions are ideal. Why would you wish to be condemned to such a life?” She couldn’t really expect marriage, could she? He put one leg into his slacks and then the other.

“Is that how you see all marriage or just marriage with me?”

“Marriage is marriage.” He shrugged, dismissing the idea and pulled up the slacks. “I am a god and you mortal. I love you. Isn’t that commitment enough between us?” Hadn’t she suffered enough as Cassandra that she insisted on more pain in this life? It made no sense.

Her lower lip trembled. “Not for me.” She turned and shuffled to the door.

In his heart, he knew he could stop her with his promise of marriage and fill her with sweet words of conjugal bliss, but it would be the grandest lie he’d ever fabricated. The price to them both would be too high. “Where are you going?”

Cassie didn’t turn to look at him, but opened the door. “To get my own room.” She stood motionless as if waiting for him to say something. When he didn’t, she said, “Will you do one thing for me?”

“If I’m able.”

“Ask Zeus for help.” Cassie walked through the door and closed it behind her.

Emotion wrestled within him. He loved Cassie more than any woman, but was the feeling burning through his chest enough to ensure happiness? His gift of prophecy would have been useful at this moment. If their future had proven destructive, even Cassie would have to see the wisdom of enjoying each other for a time rather than promising for all time. 

He slipped off his clothes, donned a toga and willed himself to the heavens and an audience with Zeus. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“How could Cassie doubt my commitment? I said that I loved her,” Apollo grumbled as he strode through the entry to the court of the gods. He risked an audience with Zeus when he knew it was a mistake. All for love of Cassie.

Marble columns surrounded him, as rigid and imposing as his father. Apollo bowed before him. Zeus wore green shorts and an orange tank top with a straw hat perched upon his head. His father drummed his fingers on the arm of his golden throne in obvious annoyance. He must have plans. Apollo hoped that Zeus would want done with this and side quickly in his favor.

The seats flanking Zeus housed Hades, dressed in his usual drab garb, Athena, the goddess of love, ensconced in pink gossamer, and his sister Artemis, draped in a traditional linen toga, with her quiver of arrows and bow resting at her feet. The rest of the seats were vacant. Not a good sign. Apparently there wasn’t much interest in Earth’s welfare.

Apollo breathed in, steeling himself to convince them. “Great Zeus, thank you for giving ear to my request.”

“What is it my son? After our last meeting, I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” His brow furrowed. “Is there a problem?”

“I ask for your mercy on Athens. Without my gift of prophecy, Hydra may well succeed and many mortals will die.”

Hades thin gray lip curled. “Mortals die every day. It’s the way of them.”

“So it is.” Zeus leaned back and steepled his fingers on his chest. “What is it to us that a few mortals die? Their lust for power is eternal and they think nothing of killing each other for gain.”

Apollo didn’t like the sound of this. Zeus had always held some regard for humanity. For Cassie and men’s sake, he’d beg. “Would you punish all for the acts of a few? Have mercy on them. They don’t see the evil and are like sheep being led to slaughter.”

“Then let them be led.” Hades pounded his bony fist on the arm of his bronze throne. “They are sheep that play at being men. If they will be led to destruction, it’s their own doing.”

Zeus slid his gaze to Hades. “There’s wisdom in your words, but I’ll hear out my son.” His father leveled his sea-green gaze on him. “Tell me, Apollo, why should I act? The arrogance of men deserves retribution and they’ve created the means. Their pride blinds them. They are foolish and content in the illusion of safety. I hope you have more to justify your request than a few mortal lives.”