Ares (15 page)

“Honestly?” When he nodded Ava admitted, “I’m slightly claustrophobic and I can’t do scuba gear because of the masks. I feel like I’m suffocating. This way I will be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do, but no freaky masks and I will have you right there beside me. Talk about safe, I will be exceptionally safe.”

“Ahh,” he nodded slowly, understand dawning. “Well that makes complete sense. Sucky, but at least now you get to enjoy what others have for years and all with your own personal protection detail slash guide.” He jumped onto the boat, set the bag aside and then turned to help her onto it. “We’ll have to find a spot without any other divers. I can shield us but, because of the water it creates an odd distortion that if they are paying attention, could get us noticed.”

“Sounds good to me. Do you think there will be a spot without other divers? Oh and without sharks that could hurt us. They won’t hurt us, right? There won’t be sharks or other things that might hurt or kill us under the water, will there? You’ll also ensure the merfolk don’t lure me to my death, right?”

“Ava, I’m not going to let you get hurt. Not now, not ever. Come on, you know me, sweetheart. We’ll be in a nice safe bubble of air. None of the sea creatures will be able to get near us. You will be perfectly safe, alright?”

“Good. I knew you would take care of me.” Ava winked at him and added, “You will always take care of me and be there for me won’t you, Ares? We’re going to have a very good life together, right?” She knew they would. She knew their life was only beginning and it was going to be amazing.

“Hell yeah,” he grinned. Starting up the engine, he untied them from the dock and pushed off. “Ready for your adventures under the sea?” he asked. When she gave a happy nod he chuckled and got them moving through the marina toward the open ocean.

Ava laughed and took a seat beside him. Turning her face up to the sun, she sighed and let her whole entire being relax. She felt the heat of the sun and the presence of her man at her side. Yep, life was really freaking good.

Vegas

“There he is,” Ares pointed through the crowds. As a woman cleared out of their path she spotted Dionysus waving in their direction. Ares urged her forward, a hand on her back as they maneuvered through the crowds of the casino. “Brother,” he greeted the other man with a grin and a man hug. “Thanks for inviting us out. Figured after the last time you’d just ban us permanently from your establishments.”

“You, perhaps, this lovely woman, never. I’m still hoping she figures out I’m the better choice of the brothers and runs away with me.” Dion grinned at her, “You’re looking tanned and happy, Ava.”

“Thank you, Dion, I am feeling tanned and happy,” she told her soon-to-be brother-in-law. “Ares and I have been enjoying a small vacation before we did something wild and crazy.” She was all smiles now, practically vibrating out of her skin, “Which leads me to my next question. Do you think perhaps you could take me shopping?”

Dion narrowed his eyes on her and looked suspicious. “What the hell are we going to be shopping for and why do you look like the cat that got the cream and swallowed the canary all in one go? What the hell is going on with you two?”

Ava just gave him her left hand, twitching her ring finger, “I was thinking maybe you would be the perfect person to help me choose a wedding dress?” She watched all of the emotion as it rolled over his face and grinned. “Well? You gonna help a girl out or what?”

“Holy shit!” Dion grabbed her hand and stared at her finger. Then he looked at her, Ares and back to her. “Holy shit!” he said again. Next thing she knew she was hauled into his arms for a hug and a weird, impromptu little dance. “Unbelievable! I can’t believe this. This is...this is...wow!”

Ava laughed and hugged him right back. She squeezed Dion tightly then pulled back with a grin on her face. “See why I wanted you to take me shopping? You sir, have the best eye for fashion of anyone I know. I want you to help me get the perfect dress if you wouldn’t mind.”

“We need to do some research first,” he said looking down at her. “We need to know what you like, what I think you should wear, your materials, the colors or shades and then we shop. I refuse to spend eight hours in a store while you try on every dress they have. I adore you and I love my brother but no, absolutely not. You have to buy me a morning latte and lunch. That’s non-negotiable, period.”

“That sounds good to me. We’ll take Ares credit card and not only buy the dress but all our meals throughout the day as well. I loved the dress you created for me for the ball where Ares and I reconnected. So...something like that maybe?”

“Then why are we even going shopping?” Dion asked her. “I can create you whatever you want and there’s no torturing me involved. We decide on the lines, the materials and how you want it all to flow and look. I create it, we tweak it and we’re done in a couple of hours. Then all you need to do is buy shoes, get your lingerie and so forth.”

“No, I want to go shopping. I don’t know what I want by way of lines and all that, plus shopping for a wedding dress is all a part of it. I want to do this, Dion, so it’s either with you or I will have to figure out someone else to take me shopping.” She pouted, actually pouted.

“She is evil,” Dion’s comment was directed at Ares. Her man just smirked and shrugged, looking happy she was taking it all out on his brother. “Fine, but we will sit before a computer and figure out what the hell you want first. You can have me for three hours. Anymore than that and I’ll ditch your perky ass wherever we are.”

Ava laughed, “What has your panties in a bunch, Dion? Why are you giving me such a small window of time? I thought you liked me.” She and Dion had become fast friends and that had been a great thing. She adored him like a brother. Thought he was funny, quirky and had amazing fashion sense.

“Because,” he stopped and made a face. “Fine, I’ll give you a day but you will owe me big. Nothing horrible,” he held up a hand. Ares stopped his forward movement, but he still didn’t look very happy at all. “Just a small favor at some point, like when I need a date for some horrible event I don’t want to be a part of. One evening and you’ll be returned to your man in the same condition you left. In fact, I have one at a museum in Berlin coming up that would be the perfect event. I need someone there that isn’t a bore or looking to drain my wallet. I like you so at least I know we’ll be able to hold a conversation that doesn’t want me to pull my brain out through my nose.”

Ava laughed and looked to Ares, “I dunno. Ares, are you willing to give me up for a night to play date with Dion so he’s not attacked by all the beautiful, but dull women who will be vying for his attention? Well men and women. I’ve noticed they both chase after poor Dion.”

Ares was watching his brother closely. “One evening, to the event and then straight back. You abandon her at any time during the event and your ass is mine, brother.”

“Deal,” Dion nodded. “I’d never let anything happen to my favorite soon-to-be sister-in-law. She’s much too precious to ever lose.” He grinned and then looked down at her again. “The suite is prepared for you two so head on up. I’ll have your bags sent up as well. Wayne Newton is performing tonight at the Bellagio and I got you tickets if you’d like to attend. It includes dinner, the show and a few chips to squander away.”

“Thank you, Dion.” Ava moved back to Ares and looked up at him, grinning like an idiot as she did so. Hugging him close, she laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. “We both know you will be my shadow the entire time I’m out, won’t you? We both know you wouldn’t leave me alone and that’s why I said yes.” Ares would always be there to watch over and protect her.

“Damned straight I will be,” he muttered, hugging her to him. “No way am I letting you go out with my womanizing brother for a date night and not keep an eye on you. He knows it too. That’s why I also know he’ll behave himself and act the perfect escort and gentleman the entire night.”

“Exactly, I think we’ll have a good time there. Dion will have a good time too. I hope at least.” She waited until they were back in their suite and turned to look up at him. “So when are we going to get married? Have you thought about that?”

“Not really. I figured you’d have a better idea about that. I’m a male if you hadn’t noticed, and while as a God, I do have a little more insight into many things, weddings and the workings of the female mind still confuse me.”

“All I want is you there. We could get married tomorrow and I would be happy. I’m not a hard person to please. All I know is that I need you.” That was the truth. She only needed him in her life to be happy.

“Well, let’s not do it tomorrow. As much as I want to marry you, I refuse to have Elvis officiate over our ceremony. I do have a few standards. They may be low on many things, but never that low,” he smiled. Pressing a kiss to her lips, he looked around the suite. “He’s redone it since the last time I was here.”

“It looks amazing.” She took in the luxury of the suite and let out a whistle. “Wow. He must either have some serious high rollers, or else he redid this to impress us. Either way it looks great.”

“It’s his suite of rooms. That,” he pointed to one end, “is his room. You and I will be in there,” he pointed to the other end. “The living space is common so we’ll have to share. Just a word of warning, if you’re out here and you hear him stumbling out, ask him if he remembered pants before you turn around to greet him. You may end up seeing more of him than I’d like. Since we Gods have pretty much no shame, I wouldn’t put it past him to meander around naked with you here.”

“Right, so make sure he has on pants or else he will realize just how protective you are of me,” she said happily. “Okay, I will make sure to ask him.” She couldn’t help but smile. Holy smokes she couldn’t help herself from smiling at the thought Ares would be jealous of Dion, of all people.

“You can stop with the gloating you have going on. Yes, I would be upset if you saw him naked. Yes, I would be upset if he wandered around here with you while naked. I can’t help it, Ava. I love you and expect my family to show you the respect due and while they too will be our family soon enough, the least they could do is not scar you for the rest of your life.”

“The only man I have eyes for is you,” Ava admitted. “Not someone else. I adore Dion’s sense of style, but he is not you. I love you, Ares, and if it wasn’t for the fact I don’t want you to see the wedding gown before we are married, I would totally have you dress me.”

“I know,” he said on a heavy sigh. “I’m a jealous ass and I know it. I’m sorry, love, but I can’t help it. The thought of you seeing another male naked or a male seeing you naked just makes me see red. I’m working on it, but it’s seriously ingrained so I’m not sure how much hope I have of fixing this flaw of mine.”

“Don’t be sorry.” She put her hand over his mouth and smiled. “I like it. I like that you are jealous, a lot. It makes me feel a little better about my intense jealousy as well.”

He grunted at that and nipped her palm. Smirking when she drew away, he shrugged. “I just don’t want to ever cause you embarrassment or shame while with me, Ava. We’re going to be partners in everything so I want to ensure I’m the type of man you deserve. Just because I’m a God doesn’t make me perfect by any means. Trust me on that.”

“We are partners, in everything. You are the man that I need, you are the man that I deserve and you are the man that I love for now and for all time. We are a unit. We are together and we are stronger for it.”

“That we are,” he smiled at her. Pressing a kiss to her lips, he hugged her to him. “We should grab a nap if we’re going out tonight. Well, when I say nap,” he grinned trailing off. He was wiggling his eyebrows at her suggestively and threw in a wink so she couldn’t miss his true meaning.

Ava laughed and pulled back, “Which way to our bedroom?” When he pointed she laughed and raced off, tossing off her clothes as she ran, waiting on him to come and make good on the promise that was in his eyes.

She skidded to a stop when she nearly ran into him. He was standing in the middle of the room. “What? Thought you’d get a head start? Hardly, woman,” he laughed, scooping her up. In one moment to the next they were naked and on the bed. She was on top while he was lounging under her looking lazy and relaxed.

“Oh you are so bad,” she said with a grin and looked down at him. “I’m assuming all of the clothes I tossed off are folded and in a drawer somewhere so Dion isn’t tripping over my shirt or bra?” Her nails moved over his chest and she grinned as he hissed, “Yes, darling?” she all but purred.

“Yes, everything is put away,” he said. He was staring up at her with heat and dark promises in his gaze. “Do that again,” he demanded. She’d discovered he liked it a little rougher but he could definitely do sweet, soft, and slow just as well.

She did just that, she raked her nails over his chest and drew welts on his chest as she did so. “Like that?” She loved that he liked it a little on the rough side, she did too honestly. “Maybe I should bite you?” she asked with a low growl, leaning in closer to him as she did just that.

“Do it,” he said, his hands suddenly gripping her hips hard. “Do whatever feels right to you, Ava. You know I’m never going to complain, not with you.” His back arched, pressing his chest to her breasts more.

She couldn’t deny him anything. She found herself leaning into him and letting her teeth run over his shoulder and neck, letting her teeth bite into his shoulder and rubbing herself against him as she did so. “Like that?” she asked and let her teeth move up his neck to nibble his ear.

“Gods yes,” he hissed out a breath. The next sound from him was a growl that vibrated through her entire body and filled the bedroom. “More,” he demanded of her. His body was tense under hers, likely resisting the urge to flip her over and fuck her silly.

Ava did just that. She moved on him a little harder, a little more pain involved. “I want you, Ares,” she growled against his ear. “I want and need you to fuck me. I think you need it too, don’t you, darling?” she asked and bit his earlobe once more.

She didn’t really get an answer. Well, not true, she did get an answer, but it was in his own way. She was flipped over, put on her belly and his cock slammed into her pussy hard. He kept her stretched out, only letting her hips lift a little to take him easier as he fucked her.

Ava lifted herself up on her hands and knees, pushing back against him over and over again. She moved hard against him, she moved so her ass tilted in the air, and they were moving in unison together. “Harder,” she demanded.

He smacked her ass, just hard enough that her pussy clenched as he pushed into her. “So demanding,” he whispered, nibbling on her ear. A smack to her other ass cheek had her moaning. “And all mine,” he gave a chuckle she could feel along her spine.

“Oh hell yes, all yours,” Ava said with a moan. Arching her back again, she shuddered. “Please,” she begged him. “I liked the swat, another one please,” she begged him. “I really like how that feels,” she demanded.

“Only because you asked so damn sweetly,” he told her. His palm came down on her ass, once, twice and a third time. Each smack timed to his cock driving into her pussy, hard. “What else do you want?” he asked, scraping his teeth to her neck.

“More,” she demanded to him. “I like the way that feels. I love the feeling of the smallest bites of pain with pleasure.” She dropped her head to the mattress and shivered. “Again. More.” She loved the way it felt, so very much.

“Mmm, I have a better idea,” he told her. She felt his hand moving over her ass and then his finger rubbing at her anus. Slowly, carefully, he pressed his finger into her ass and began to stroke her in time to the thrust of his cock in her pussy.

“Oh hell yes.” She pushed back against him as he thrust. “I like how that feels.” She shivered again. “That feels,” another full body shiver wracked her body. “Gods, it feels so good,” she moaned. “Please, more.”