Daughter Trilogy Bundle (100 page)

“This is what they’ve been raving about?  I was expecting more,” I snicker out.

Kry
’s eyes flash over to me to let me know he just heard my tart remark, and Devin shrugs at him.

“
Adisia says she’s not impressed,” he mocks.

He
’s so far away, but it isn’t hard to hear when you have a little super
oomph
.

“
Rushing the climax, eh?  What sort of Aphrodite doesn’t appreciate a little foreplay?” he teases.

I laugh a little, and Devin
’s goofy grin mimics mine.  Kry winks at me, and suddenly he drops to the floor to start spinning on one arm while his body twirls around in balanced perfection.

Ther joins him as he dives and slides across the floor on his head.  Suddenly they all break out into badass moves, and I
’m stunned by the martial arts mixed with break dancing moves.

Deacon flips over Ther as he slides again, and everyone goes wild over the unexpected floorshow.  Girls are now panting out their desires as they gape at the immortal gang blowing their minds.

Devin laughs ridiculously hard at my gaping mouth and elbows me playfully.  I shake my head in disbelief while clapping my jaw back shut, and then I start laughing.

Kry dances over to me, and starts pulling at my hand.

“How do you like me now?” he gloats.

“
I’m sorry I doubted you,” I chuckle out.

“
It’s your turn now.”

“
I can’t follow that.  I’ll just stay over here,” I say while trying to pull my hand free.

“
Not a chance,” he laughs while throwing me over his shoulder and rushing me over to the dance floor.

My eyes beseech Devin
’s help, but he just raises his glass in a toasting motion while laughing.  I scowl at him, but he just laughs that much harder.

“
I can’t dance like that,” I gripe.

“
Dance like you can,” Kry jokes.  “I’ll help you.”

The song changes and it
’s a sexy beat that calls to the goddess within.  My eyes flash green, and suddenly Kry isn’t laughing anymore.  He swallows hard as my hips start rotating, and I feel the power of the bass thudding against my heart.

Others jump in to start dancing as well, but all eyes turn to me as I grip Kry
’s tie and start pulling him across the floor while spinning my web of seduction to trap them all.

“
Yeah.  I fucked up,” Kry panics.

I smirk deviously, and he starts edging backwards as new hands slide across my hips. 

“I think I’ll take it from here,” Hale seduces into in my ear, and I turn to twitch my finger at him.

Devin
’s eyes are smoldering from across the room, and a wolfish half grin edges up as I taunt all the men who can’t have me.  Ther pops his neck and attempts to withstand the seductive dance while keeping a safe distance to dance with me.

He shakes his head with a blushing hue when his eyes swirl their yellow prisms.  He backs away defeated, and Deacon smirks a devilish grin as he steps up to try his hand.

One flash of my green eyes, and he goes running back to Camara.

I smirk at Hale as I return, and he grins big until it suddenly turns into a frown.  Devin
’s arms are turning me around, and his body is so close it burns.  My green eyes dare him to do as he wishes, but he just carries his devilish grin instead of me.

“
You have turned into quite the seductress,” he plays.  “Perhaps I should get you out of here before we cause a scene.”

“
Could I have a dance with my daughter?” he chirps.

Then ice water douses our fire when I hear my dad
’s voice.

Devin winks at me, and my eyes drop back to blue.  I turn to face my dad, and he
’s smiling as though he’s trying to keep from crying.

“
Of course, Daddy,” I murmur with my daughterly tone, and with that, my seductive high is completely gone.

He pulls me into his arms, and Devin walks over to pull my very eager mother to the floor.  I snicker as she giggles foolishly, and Devin stifles a laugh of his own.

She’s so embarrassing around him.

“
Your mother really likes your husband,” Dad snickers out.

I smile too big, and I try to pop my jaw back into place before saying,
“I think everyone really likes him.”

Dad just laughs while nodding.

“I was worried your brother was going to try and take your place at the altar.  He has done nothing but sing Devin praises all day.”

I laugh harder, and I curl into the warm embrace my dad always gives me.

The song ends, and I motion to Persia with my head.  Devin understands my silent request, and he goes to pull Persia up for the next dance.

She smiles with tears staining her eyes at the kind notion, and I walk over to Kahl.

He looks up a little stunned by my hovering presence, and I lean over to whisper in his ear.

“
Would you like to share a dance with your daughter as well?”

Tears crowd his eyes, and I see him swallowing the choking emotion he wasn
’t expecting to have to deal with.  He offers me a nod when his words betray him, and he stands to take my hand.

Devin smiles as I rest my head oh Kahl
’s chest, and I listen to his breaths trying to fight the storm of tears begging to fall.  My other dad is wiping his eyes after his dance, both of them proving real men do cry.

As soon as the song ends, Kahl offers me an appreciative hug while kissing the top of my head, and then Phillip takes over as Theia rushes over to share a dance with her son.

I smile as my father-in-law twirls me around, and I see Theia wiping her tears.  My husband is amazing, and now we’ve fully loaded everyone down with emotion.

Devin walks over to steal me away, and his lips close over mine while the song promises love and eternity.  His thumb grazes my lips, and I smirk as his eyes swirl.

He hands me a drink, and I sip it softly -
thankfully
.  It’s strong enough to offer me a chance of getting drunk.

“
What’s this?” I cough out.

“
Deacon’s secret recipe,” Devin laughs.

“
It’ll put some hair on your chest, love,” Deacon chuckles.

“
Wow.  It’s almost too strong for me,” I laugh.  “Please tell me the mortals aren’t drinking this.”

“
Hell no.  One sip would be enough to get them drunk.  That’s strictly our stash,” he assures.

Clara walks up to hug me, and then she picks up a questionable appetizer.

“This place is amazing,” she murmurs in her awed tone, and then she pops the curious looking thing in her mouth.

Her face turns up in disgust as she tastes the loathsome green puttied thing, and she spits it out into a napkin with a swift, unladylike motion.

“Oh gross.  That was disgusting.  What was that?” she gripes.

“
I don’t know.  Persia handled the catering,” I giggle out.

She grabs my drink from my hand, and I
’m too late in my attempt to object as she takes in a mouthful of the burning concoction

Oh crap!

She instantly spews the drink all over the floor, and I burst out laughing at her pitifully disastrous moment.

“
Oh good grief!  That’s like straight gasoline,” she gasps in horrific surprise.  “How are you drinking that?”

I laugh even louder, and Devin roars out his laughter as well while handing her a less destructive beverage.

“What’s this?” she asks suspiciously.

“
It’s just a glass of wine,” he promises while still chuckling ridiculously hard. 

She almost devours the glass to rid her mouth of the overwhelming load of foul tastes, and then she shakes her head.

“I still don’t know how you’re drinking that,” she grumbles.

Deacon laughs hard as she starts to slur almost right away, and she staggers a little.  What small amount made it down her throat has pushed her into a drunken tizzy.

I giggle at her instant inebriation, and Henry rushes over to steady her.

“
I didn’t realize she had drunk so much,” he chuckles out.

“
It doesn’t take much sometimes,” I snicker misleadingly.

“
Let’s get out of here,” Devin whispers as he kisses my cheek.

“
I’m good with that,” I whisper back, and his lips call to mine briefly before he scoops me up.

“
You’re not leaving are you?” Mom asks pitifully.

“
Yeah.  I’m ready to get to Greece,” I giddily reply.

“
I don’t blame you,” she murmurs with tears.  “You two be careful,” she says while hugging us both at once.

Devin is still holding me as she withdraws, and he smirks as he answers her worried caution.

“I’ll take care of her.”

She has no idea how true that is.

Chapter 4

Churning Tides

“You want some coffee?” Devin asks with a chipper touch.

“
Please,” I say softly while strutting into the kitchen in my bikini.

“
Well, good morning,” he chuckles out.

I smile as I hop up on the bar, and he shakes his head at my daring eyes while I poise myself with seductive posture.

“I believe we’ve already enjoyed an incredibly long and sensational morning wakeup call.  I’m starting to think you’re insatiable,” he teases.

“
I’m just getting ready to go for a swim,” I lie while feigning innocence.

“
Sure you are,” he smolders while leaning over to kiss me. 

My legs wrap around his waist, and I huff when his phone starts buzzing on the counter.  He smirks at my disgruntled reaction, and then walks over to answer the hindrance.

“What’s up?”

“
Yo.  Your mom told me to let you know we’ll be there in two days.  She said you guys wanted to stay another week, but the priestess only has a small window available.  Sound good?”

“
Yeah, sounds great.  Adisia really loves Greece, and we might just stay even longer than another week.  Who knows?” Devin says with a warm smile.

I giggle a little, and then I hop down to pour me a cup of coffee while Kry continues his conversation with Devin.

“Well, we might be moving out there too then.  Theia has been worried about the two of you being so far away without anyone close by for protection,” he exasperates.

“
We haven’t had the first ruffle in our month long vacation.  It’s as if no one is brave enough to mess with the girl who took down Safina on her own,” Devin says with an admiring tone.

“
Well, let’s hope no one catches wind of her blocking the power that enabled her to do so.  It’s not like we can unblock it if the shit hits the fan.”

“
We’ll worry about that if we ever have to.  We’ll see you in a couple of days,” Devin mutters while putting his phone back down.

“
Now where were we?” he seduces while covering my lips once more.

I giggle as I wrap my legs back around his waist, and then a knock at the door douses our moment once more.  He laughs at my frustrated glare as he walks over to answer the unwelcome guest.

“What’s going on?” Deacon chuckles as he walks in holding Camara’s hand.

“
What are you doing here?” Devin asks curiously.

I almost pout when I see them, and now I know we
’re not going to get to finish what we started.

“
We came to have a little fun in the sun before the others get here.  This time of year is the best because the mortals aren’t crowding the beaches,” he pops out.

“
I tried telling him this was still your honeymoon,” Camara interjects while throwing her hands up innocently.

“
Technically, this is the extended honeymoon,” Deacon corrects.  “I wouldn’t have shown up on the actual honeymoon,” he scoffs while mocking insult.

Devin just chuckles, and Deacon strips off his shorts to reveal his swimming trunks.  I laugh a little at his eager-to-play attitude.

“I swear he’s incorrigible,” Camara exasperates while massaging her temple.

“
Well the beach is just down there,” Devin points to the wall of sliding glass doors that reveal the royal blue phenomenon just outside. 

The white beach offers a crisp contrast to the perfect ocean hue, and the sky
’s matching tint makes it seem as though the two are melded together.  Devin walks over to pull my hand in his, and Camara flashes into a room to change. 

“
You two going for a dip?” Deacon chirps.

“
No.  We’re going to run into town to do some shopping,” Devin announces, and I almost pout.

“
Doesn’t look like your girl wants to do that,” Deacon observes.

“
I was thinking we could have a mellow day,” I add.

Devin smiles as he pulls me close to kiss me, and then he pulls back just slightly to speak so soothingly.

“I want to buy you some stuff.  It’s a beautiful day, and we can go swimming later.  I’ve barely spent any money since we’ve been here, and there’s so much we haven’t seen,” he persuades.

I smile at his successful attempt to lure me away from the beach, and I walk into the bedroom to change.  I smirk as I opt for a very thin, low, white pair of beach pants that offer a peek at the orange bottoms I have on.

I keep on the bathing suit top as well and grab a see-through black top that stops just under my bust.

My devilish grin spreads when I walk back out to the unhinged jaw of my husband.

“Where did that outfit come from?” he gasps.

“
My luggage,” I tease.

“
Wow.  How have I not seen that?” he mutters as he stalks toward me.

“
Because I’ve rarely worn any of the clothes I brought,” I seduce.

“
Bloody hell,” Deacon grumbles, and I look over to see him shifting uncomfortably from side to side.

Devin lets a laugh escape, and then he kisses me softly so as not to be sucked in to the web I
’ve woven.

“
Let’s go,” he prompts.

I huff at my failed attempt to seduce him thoroughly, and he pulls me out the door.  The city streets are just a few miles away, and it
’s deserted out on this section of the beach.

We flash up to the marketplace and look around to make sure no one noticed our hasty entrance.  He smiles as he picks up some gaudy costume jewelry at the first merchant stand we stop at, and I smile at what seems like a distasteful offering.

“I like it,” I giggle out.

“
Really?” he muses.

“
Really,” I respond with sincerity.

He shakes his head as he purchases the plastic jewelry, and he hands me my prize once he
’s done.

“
I have more money than I can ever spend, and I have a wife who likes cheap jewelry more than diamonds.  Go figure,” he chuckles.

I just laugh at his candor, and a woman
’s stand catches my attention.  There’s a beautiful sarong hanging from the top, and I walk over to feel the odd fabric.  The green color almost exactly matches my eyes when Aphrodite flares.

“
You want that?” Devin smolders, his grin spreading.  “It reminds me of something.”

“
Me too.  That’s why I came over here,” I murmur with distraction.

“
We’ll take that one,” he says to the dark haired lady.

She smiles as she hands him his change, and he walks over to pull it down from the overhang.  Her gypsy appearance is making the stand seem all the more authentic, and I
’m in awe at the treasures that surround it.

“
Look around.  It seems like you like this one,” he urges.  “I’m going to look at their grocery selection.”

“
Okay,” I murmur, and he gives me a quick kiss.

I pull up several different pendants, and one has the mark of the dove like my bracelet from Kahl.  I giggle a little as I see one necklace with Aphrodite
’s name etched into it, and there’s another with Poseidon.

“
I’ll take these,” I say softly, and my eyes flash over to Devin as he loads up a bag full of fruits.

“
Thank you, child,” her raspy voice offers.

Her eyes connect with mine, and I see something disturbing her. 

“Be careful of him,” she warns.

“
Excuse me?” I startle out.

“
He’s a careless man with a promiscuous past that will haunt his future.  Be wary of the man who can break your heart too much,” she foretells.

“
That’s my husband.  He’s not like that,” I say proudly.

“
Be careful not to see just what you want to see.  That is when the heart breaks the most,” she cautions, and then she walks away before I can argue further.

Weirdo.
 

I just shake off the odd encounter, and then Devin returns to me swiftly.

“Let’s head back.  I’m beat,” he mutters mildly.

“
We just got here,” I counter.

“
I know, but I really am tired.  We stayed up too late, and I got up far too early.  It’s been a few days since we slept at all before that.  I love you, but a man’s got to sleep sometime,” he chuckles, but he seems a little off.

I look over to the fruit stand, and I notice a far too beautiful girl waving at him.  He waves back, and then he pulls my hand into his.

“Who was that?” I ask insecurely.

“
A girl I know from the last time I visited Greece,” he says vaguely.

“
An immortal?”

“
Yes.  She’s a water nymph,” he utters dryly.

“
What’s that?”

“
Sort of like a mermaid without the fin,” he chuckles.  “She has a connection with the water similar to mine, but she can’t leave the sea like I can.  She always has to live next to the water.”

“
Is she an ex?” I grumble.

“
Not exactly.  Don’t start acting crazy,” he scolds.

I
’m actually a little offended by his tone, and then he turns to look back at the girl still staring at him.

“
Did you tell her you were married?” I growl.

He promptly turns back around while shaking his head.

“I did.  I told her we were on our honeymoon, and I told her goodbye directly after,” he announces.

“
Then why is she still staring?”

“
Because she’s not unlike Gemma.  Let’s just go back to the house,” he urges.

“
Why didn’t you introduce me?” I suspiciously add.

“
Because I didn’t really think you’d want to meet her, and I wanted to avoid this nonsense.  There’s no reason for you to be jealous, and I’m not going to deal with it while we’re here to enjoy ourselves,” he admonishes.

Wow.  Who the hell is this guy?

“You can see the far too coincidental occurrence?  You want to go to the market, and you happen to run into her while you’re away from me for the first time since we’ve been here?” I snip.

“
Adisia, I mean it.  I’m not doing this.  I love you, and that’s all you need to know.  Let’s get back,” he prompts.

I just huff in defeat.  He married me, and he
’s never done anything for me to question his loyalty.  His reasoning is plausible, and I have to accept it if I’m going to make this work.

It doesn
’t take long to reach our house, and Camara and Deacon are still splashing in the waves.  Devin smiles as he points to the cliffs down the beach.

“
Let’s go there,” he says with a grin.

“
Okay?  What’s up there?” I muse.

“
A great place to dive,” he murmurs with an excited, dangerous hint.

I giggle a little, and strip down to my bikini as he flashes in.  I frown when I hear him on the balcony yelling to Deacon and Camara.

“We’re heading to the cliffs.  You coming?”

“
Hell yes,” Deacon answers, and they flash up to where I’m at.

“
What’s wrong?” Devin asks in a whisper when he returns.

“
I thought you meant just you and me,” I sigh.

“
They’re already here.  Let’s just have a good time,” he says coolly, and I still feel like there’s a sudden disconnect.

“
Is everything okay?” I worry.

“
Yeah, of course.  Should something be wrong just because I invited our friends to go cliff diving with us?”

“
No, but something just feels off,” I add.

“
Adisia, you have no reason to feel as though I don’t love you.  Please stop acting like this.  It was just a girl from my past.  You can’t keep doing this,” he growls, and now I feel so oddly insecure.

“
I wasn’t talking about her,” I rattle out in confusion.

“
Good.  Let’s go diving now,” he says while nudging me, but he’s not holding my hand. 

He
’s not touching me at all, and that’s never been an issue with us.  I feel like he’s not telling me something, but I don’t know what.

I look over at the water, and I see the ripples of something swimming.  I smile as I think of the family of dolphins we had seen leaping through the air so many times during our stay, and I try to shake free of the odd feeling.