Scarlett's Letter (Touched by a God #1) (12 page)

Hermes face held a smirk and he let out a slight chuckle.  “Thanks so much.  I feel so much love, Unc.  Here I thought I was just the whipping boy or gofer or maybe even the court jester.  Good to know I have a bit of a higher station than those lowly characters.  I’m an information gatherer. Thanks ever so much.”

“You are and best damn one that I know.” Hades released a full on laugh when he looked at his nephew’s annoyed face.  “H. you know full well that I don’t invest a great deal of time or effort into anyone.  You also know that I don’t trust a whole hell of a lot of people with anything, especially not with someone as important to me as my Rouge is.  The fact that you know that little tidbit of information should tell you something.  If nothing else you should feel honored to be my go to person.  If not, I’m sure other arrangements can be made.”

Hermes shook his head, then flashed to just behind Hades.  He quickly threw his arms around him, then just as quickly released him and returned to the other side of the desk.  “Love you, too, Uncle Hades.  I’ll be back in a few with the information you need. “Hades stood there for a moment as Hermes turned to exit.  Hermes turned back to him and said, “You’re the first person I think I’ve ever said that too.  I don’t think I’ve ever said that to my mom or dad.  I don’t believe they’d welcome it anyway.  So…back in a few.”

With that, he left. Hades hadn’t been prepared for that display of affection.  He couldn’t remember any of his family members sharing in such embraces.  He enjoyed having Rouge wrapped up in his arms.  Those moments had been the only ones that he’d had in quite some time.  All of his “caring” interactions had been with his sisters or a woman.  Not one man had dared to share such a thing, let alone act on them.  He found it oddly refreshing and comforting that his nephew felt comfortable enough to share something so significant with him.  He just didn’t know if he wanted to have such a thing happen again, at least not unless he was prepared for it. 

Hades couldn’t dwell on the surprising actions of his nephew.  He had greater things to deal with.  He had to deal with being Brock and turning in one of the greatest performances that he ever had in his life.  There was too much that was riding on this rouse working.  Brock had to be the best of Aides and then some.  He had to make up for the fear that he’d instilled in his spitfire.  He had to get her over the feeling of betrayal even though he was feeding her another form of it.  Part of the role he was playing was part of his personality, some latent piece of him.  He had to be on some base level.  Maybe that part was why she’d never fought what she’d felt for him during the time that she thought she was dreaming.  If it was thought of that way, then he wasn’t really deceiving her.  He would be just reintroducing her to the side of him that she already liked, possibly loved and knew.  Yeah, that would be the parting line.  The best thing about this rouse was he got to spend more time with her.  If nothing else, having that as a gift would be worth all the effort that he was putting into this.   He just needed to make sure the next time they interacted he didn’t slip up and read or acknowledge her thoughts or feelings before she voiced them.  His slip up about “fast talkers” was an easy one to overlook, but others might not be. 

A New Development (11)

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Chels & Qui’s place: Scarlett

Scarlett was completely off her rocker.  There was no way that she could continue to do what she was planning on doing.  She was actually thinking about calling this man and setting up a date while pregnant with another man’s…god’s child.  She was planning on doing that and didn’t have the faintest idea if she was going to be able to get out of this thing with Aides or even if she really wanted to.  There was no way that she could move forward with this guy if she had a god in her travelling case.  Talk about the mother of all baggage.  “Hi Brock, sure I would love to go out on a date with you, but I need to let you know something first.  So, I’m going to have the baby of a god and I really don’t know how things are going to go over with him.  I hope that won’t be a problem.”  Surely no sane man would ever want to deal with a woman with that type of craziness in her world.  Commit her? Yes.  Commit to her? Hells no!

“What’s going through that beautiful head of yours?” Brian asked.

Scarlett didn’t want to share what she was thinking.  Guys really didn’t want to know what was going on in women’s heads some days.  The myriad of thoughts and concerns that pass through their minds could make a grown man whimper and retreat to a neutral corner.  She also didn’t want him to know what she and the girls had discussed while the guys were out being the amazing friends that they were.

While the guys went to get the chips and dip that they were told to bring in the first place, Lydia dragged Scarlett to the entertainment room.  Scarlett had been palming the article she’d printed in one hand and the business card in the other.  She knew that the items had to be soaked with her sweat by now.  There was just no way that they couldn’t be.  She pulled her hands from the pocket of her sweater and watched as Lydia’s head shook back and forth.  The beige couch cushions would be ruined if she touched them.  She held her hands in her lap and watched as Chels pulled the article out from beneath them, then the card.  Each friend’s expression was a mirror of the one prior.  They all had the same “hot dayum, who the fuck is this?” look.  The article didn’t say much, but it did have a picture of one of the richest men on the planet next to his friend and business partner, Todd Frieman. The blurb she carried with her read:

Brock Jenson is a rich passive aggressive type that is the perfect mix of charmer and boy next door.  He is a professional surf boarder that built a mega billion dollar industry from his favorite pastime before hitching his company to his friend’s and quadrupling their net worth with Touched by Us, Inc.  His 6’2”, lean swimmer’s body is enough to have women drooling after him every day of his existence. 

“Even guys take notice, if the searches are true.  He is just all blonde hair, blue eyes and looks like a walking good time. Think Michael, Olympic Gold medalist, mixed with David Beckham face.  No scratch that because Beckham is ‘holy hotness’ personified and aged with sexy schmexy beauty all by his lonesome.  Becks could totally take a bite out of my strawberry covered with white chocolate candy.”  Scarlett elaborated on the little notes that she found from other articles then exhaled when she was finished.

Scarlett was so immediately smitten that she completely forgot all of her troubles and cares with her loony bin, straight from hell, demon lover.  She just sat back and enjoyed the benefits of this attraction. 

“So, after the whole being knocked up by a god and having some of the best sex ever with said god, you now meet a man that looks like this…,” Chelsea said while slamming her finger into the photo. “…who wants to date you?  I think that I actually might hate you.”

Scarlett thought she mumbled something about her dumb ass god decided to just drop off the face of the planet.  She was just getting ready ask her friend what was going on with her when Brian and Ryan walked through the bright yellow door.  It was Qui’s way of pissing off the neighbors. 

“What’s up, ladies?  What did we miss?” Brian asked as he took in the features of all four women.

Scarlett knew that her cheeks had to be suffused with all types of color.  Her face felt like it was flaming red. 

“Auntie Scar is pregnant.  Yay!  Momma 1 and Momma Chels told me all about my new little cousin to come.  They were talking about a really ‘sexy schmexy beauty’ with a lot of money that wants to date Auntie.  Momma Chelsea just said that she hates Auntie because of the beauty,” R.J. explained after popping up from behind the couch and scaring everyone to death.

“All right, little lady, march your little tail to your bedroom and get ready for bed.  I don’t even want to hear one iota of a word come from those lips of yours,” Chelsea ordered as Qui took the bags from Brian and Ryan.

Listening to the excitement that R.J. expressed in that one moment made Scarlett feel horribly inadequate as a person and a soon to be mother.  Scarlett was upset because of something that she had no control over. She was getting worked up over something that she didn’t even know had a future or not.  She sat back and looked around at her friends. 

“Hey guys, thanks for inviting me over, but I think I’m going to head home now.  Don’t worry, I’m going to be just fine.  I have a phone call to make, a life to live and a child to prepare myself for.  Talk to you guys soon.  I’ll keep you updated on things,” Scarlett left a wake of words as she ran out of the house before any of her friends could respond.

She heard Qui as the door closed behind her screaming, “What the fuck just happened and where does she think she’s going?”

Scarlett was in her car and pulling off by the time the first of her friends made the doorway.  She should have known it would have been Brian.  He was bigger and faster than the rest of the crew.  Even if he hadn’t been the one closest to the door, he still would’ve been the first one out.  His long legs would’ve carried him to the door in fewer strides than anyone else in the house.  His mind would’ve had him in motion before any of the rest of her friends registered they might need to go after her.  She knew he couldn’t follow after her because his car was blocked in and Ryan would’ve been the slowest.  Ryan wasn’t one to be rushed or to rush for anyone.  It isn’t a character flaw. It is just who he was, part of his nature. 

They were all worried about her.  Her friends didn’t want to believe what she’d told them about Aides or Hades.  The ones that did listen to the entire story thought she’d lost her damn mind.  She tried everything in her power to get them to understand.  Chelsea was the only one that believed her, but that was because she later revealed, to Scarlett alone, that she had an encounter with a god.  There interaction was so brief that Chelsea questioned whether she really had it until he’d contacted her a few days prior.  She’d told Scarlett that she didn’t know what to do with all that she was feeling. 

“I really don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” Chelsea had stage whispered to her as they waited for Qui and Lydia to come from the kitchen with the drinks.  “You’ve been with one of them so you know.  The screams and reactions they elicit from the very depths of your being cannot be replicated with another. “

Scarlett hadn’t said a word, but she didn’t have to.  It had been written all over her face as she’d thought back to her last time with Aides.  Her body immediately reacted with just the thought of him.  It had been as if he were there with her, egging her on; baiting her.  Her breath hitched.  She had to fan herself and drop an ice cube down her shirt, then the front of her pants to calm the impending storm.  No way should anyone else know what the hell that felt like.  She shouldn’t be having those types of reactions from the mere thought of a man…god. 
He’s a god, not a man, Scarlett.  You need to remember that.

“See.  I knew I wasn’t going crazy.  You do know!” Chelsea was practically bouncing with excitement.  She quickly brought her previously raised voice back down to a whisper.  “You know
exactly
what I’m talking about.  I’ve been running hot since the last time we were together.  He came to me that night and the next morning.  What he did to me, part of me wanted him to take back.  There is a part of me though that…

“…doesn’t ever want it to go away,” Scarlett had finished for her. 

“Scar, oh my goodness.  I can’t describe the type of horny, hot and sweaty dreams that I’ve been having since four days ago.  There is a part of me that feels like it is calling out to him.  Is that crazy?”

“No, Chels.  Not at all.  I know that feeling well.  I didn’t think I’d ever have anyone that would understand.  I didn’t just crave him.  I still don’t just crave him.  I…what’s the word?  I…” Scarlett shook her head. 

“If it’s anywhere close to what I have felt this past couple months then it’s an ache unlike any other.  I lose myself when I’m in his presence.  When I’m not with him, I feel like a bitch in heat.  Do you know how many guys I’ve been with in the past two weeks trying to get that same…completely filled feeling that I have with him?” Chelsea had popped an ice cube in her mouth, then mimicked Scarlett’s previous actions by tossing a cube down her shirt then down the front of her pants.

“You can actually have sex with other men?” Scarlett had asked. 

“Fat lot of good it did me.  I left each one of them completely exhausted and begging for another chance to get me to…that place.  Fourteen…wait….thirteen because I let two actually try.  I got nothing for it.  I was a sweaty mess and ‘in need’ even more than when we first started.  They even went as far as going down on me.  I could see the end, could feel myself getting close, but I never…ever got there.” Chelsea had fallen back into the couch cushions with a heavy sigh released from her lips.

“Being with a god pretty much is the most fantastic, mesmerizing, beautiful, crazy, mind boggling, insane, asinine thing ever.  I wouldn’t wish this feeling, this craving on anyone.  That beyond orgasmic space of time shared with them though…mmm….mmm….mmm.”

“Say it again.  Say it again.  Say it a-fucking-gain!”

“Mmm…mmm…mmm,” Scarlett had repeated.

They both laughed until the other two came into the room with refills of ice tea for Scarlett and margaritas for the rest of them.  There hadn’t been any further talk of it until Lydia and Qui were beyond drunk, barely even coherent.  Even then, the conversation was only on how hung Aides was and if he’d ruined Scarlett.  The boys hadn’t really said much of anything.  They just snacked and drank that night.  The beers flowed just as much as the margaritas had. 

She’d been to afraid to even ask their opinion on the subject.  If the look on Brian’s face had been any indication, then he was still processing.  When he finished processing, then he was going to give her more than an earful.  He still hadn’t been able to corner her and talk to her.  She’d limited their conversation the last two times they were in each other’s presence.  Her phone chimed with his ring tone.  Scarlett had gotten him completely hooked on Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe.  The characters on
Friends
popped up as his photo and the theme song,
I’ll Be There For You
by The Rembrandts played. She debated answering the call.  Looking from the phone to the road then back again, she finally decided to wait it out.  They could have their heart to heart later.  Her purpose was ahead of her and didn’t involve her friends. 

Piano keys rang out loud and clear in the car.  He’d left her a voicemail.  Again, she went back and forth on what to do.  Finally, she picked up the phone as she pulled up in front of the baby store.  It was her first of three destinations.  She pulled up the on screen voicemail and hit the play button.

Scar, I know you don’t want to talk to me.  Well, you don’t want to talk to me about this whole baby situation and the reason you are in it.  I get why I would be one of the last people you want to talk to about it.  We’ve been through a lot and I’ve been there for you when the others couldn’t.  Red, please…just don’t shut me out.  I may not understand or even comprehend it all. I couldn’t even wrap my fucking head around this when you first told us, but I’m here, Red.  I’m here if you need me.  Whenever you need me, wherever you are, no matter what, I’m here.  Okay.  You have to admit…man, this shit is seriously fucked up.  I’m here, though.  If you need a shoulder, a protector, whatever.  I’m here.  Call me back, okay.  Just let me know you’re okay and not out doing something stupid. B. out, love you, Red.

  By the time she finished listening to the message, tears were freely flowing down her face.  She was so happy that she waited until she pulled over to listen to the message.  She would have been in somebody’s accident had she not.  Brian was one of the only guys she knew that could get to her like that.  She loved her brothers and her father, but they treated her like some treasured trinket and not a human being.  The more they attempted to “protect” her, the more she tried to get away.  It was the reason she was seriously thinking of relocating.  Scarlett spent more time reassuring them that she was safe than anything else.  She always wondered if they knew something that she hadn’t.  The way they continuously watched out for her.  They acted more like bodyguards and protectors than brothers. 

“Son-of-a-bitch fuckers! I can’t believe they knew what in the hell was going on all this time and didn’t say a word.”

Before she called Brian back, she called up her group feature on her messaging program and sent a mass text to her father and brothers.  She didn’t want explanations because there was nothing that they could say that would make this situation look good.