Sunburn (7 page)

Gods, if he were a less honorable man, he’d kiss her awake, push that skirt right up to her waist, and make her see some real suns.

His head pounded, so Apollo forced himself to put a few inches between them on the bed.

Thankfully, she stirred. She came to, and he hated he felt such temptation but was also eager to see where it would lead.

She slowly opened her butterscotch-colored eyes and took him in with a frown. “Where am I?”

“Shh. You’re okay. You’re in my room.”

She lay still for a moment, getting her bearings, and then raised herself on her elbows and looked about the large space, her eyes bulging at the sight of the hot tub and luxurious outdoor shower. “Wow. Bartenders do well at this resort. You must get a lot of tips.”

He stifled a laugh. She was still under the impression he was a lackey here, rather than the owner. Of course, she’d also equated him with Apolo Anton Ohno. Imagine. An Olympian being compared to a real Olympian!

Her eyes grew even wider. He could just tell from the startled roundness of her eyes she was remembering the scene at the buffet. Clearly, he’d neglected to place the forgetfulness spell on her too. She stared at her healed wrist. “Oh my God…” And then she stared at him. “How…?”

By Father Zeus, this was one of those moments he really wished he could lie. Just one, teeny white lie was all he asked.

He clenched his jaw and grasped at the best possible explanation. “Um. I’m really good at first aid. Like, the best.” He was the god of healing, after all. He’d better be good at fucking first aid!

She sat up and touched her wrist. “First aid wouldn’t have helped. It wasn’t just a little cut, Apollo. My vein was severed. I could have died.”

He bit his lip. “You were very groggy. You might have trouble remembering everything.” No lie there. “I took care of it. You’re fine.”

Patience gaped, obviously unconvinced. And then her gaze traveled down his neck and chest, stopping in the vicinity of his crotch.

As if on cue, his cock throbbed. Visibly.

She looked away quickly. Blinking furiously, she scrambled to get off the bed. “I should go.” However, she was hit by an obvious head rush that made her look even paler. “Oh dear.”

She swayed, and he gathered her against his chest, running his hand over her hair to soothe her. “Don’t move. You’re light-headed. You’re safe here. Just relax for a minute.”

She leaned against him but was stiff in his arms, apparently doing her best impression of a two-by-four.

He moved his hand under the veil of her hair, gods help him, and massaged the back of her neck until she became more pliable in his hands. He chuckled. “You have trouble relaxing, don’t you?”

She closed her eyes as he hit a pressure point in her neck, and she sighed. “I’ve never been much of a relaxer.”

“No kidding?” he teased.

Patience opened her eyes and looked at him. Her brows were still knit together in a frown, but the corners of her pink lips turned up. “Yeah. I failed R&R in school. I was too busy studying for my anal retention classes.”

He burst into laughter. Then she giggled.

And for some reason, to hear their two laughs echoing off the same walls together made him feel a bliss that was immeasurable.

Until an unbidden memory flew into his mind, one of a lover from eons ago. Pretty Coronis had had a delightful laugh, one that sounded like larks singing. She’d sworn she loved him, at least until she learned his true nature. At that point, she’d deserted him for a mortal man. The second time in his life he’d had his heart broken by a mortal woman. But Coronis had paid a steep price for her treachery. Her callous refusal of him had won her one of Artemis’ arrows straight through her heart.

He bit back the regret that consumed him. The world had been a harsher place then. All the gods had been more prone to kneejerk reactions. Hell, they’d all spent time in anger management at one point or another. And he’d needed it more than some.

When he considered some of the things he’d done…

Don’t get too close to this woman. Just keep her out of the demon’s way, and then let her go.

And yet the same time his cautious voice sounded in his head, the voice of his sister did as well.
Love can happen for those like us.

The pounding in his head now sounded like a jackhammer.
I will not have this. I will not have this.

Patience put her hand on his arm, scattering his already scattered thoughts. He looked at her hand, so small against his bulkier forearm. Her short nails were painted a soft pink that matched the flowers in her dress. He liked she kept her nails short, rather than sporting long, dragon-lady nails. They were the fingernails of a professional woman. One who had a life outside this resort, away from him.

So why was he suddenly desperate to feel them scratching down his back?

“Apollo,” she whispered. “I don’t know what you did to fix my arm, and I’m not sure I believe the whole first-aid thing. But whatever it was, thank you.”

Ah, fuck
. He swallowed, swimming in the caramel sea of her eyes. “No sweat.”

She stood up. “I really should go. My friends will be wondering what happened to me.”

No they won’t. I put a spell on them. The only thing they’re thinking of right now is whether to have the steak or the paella
. He couldn’t let her go. What if the demon attacked her again? His mind reeled as he sought a way to keep her at his side.

Just to keep her safe, of course.

“Hey,” he began, seizing on an idea. “You’re The Travel Chick, aren’t you? You’re here to check out the resort.”

She narrowed her eyes. “How would you know that?”

Because I know things, other than the identity of the demon who’s trying to eliminate you from this world
. “Oh, I make it a point to know the customers. Nothing gets past me. And I know this resort better than anyone. I’d be happy to give you the grand tour. In fact, I could show you some spots outside the resort too. The ultimate Mayan Riviera experience, if you will. You know, for your work.”

And so I can keep an eye on you.

If it was possible for a woman to look wary and tempted at the same time, Patience O’Connor was excelling. “For my work. Right.” For a moment, she looked as wobbly as she did walking in high heels, even though she had flats on now. “I suppose that would be okay. For my work.”

He smiled. “For your work. We’ve established that.”

She blushed, and his dick slammed against the inside of his pants.

“You must be hungry,” he said, feeling as if he were teetering on the edge of a precipice. “You missed dinner. I could order some room service for us.”

She ran a hand over her forehead. Immediately, she bristled, as if remembering something. She smoothed her bangs over her brow, a nervous tic he’d already seen on her.

What’s that all about?

Suddenly, she looked tired. “Actually, I’m not very hungry anymore. I think I just want to get some sleep. You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. I’ll walk you back to your room.”

She was in room 437. Clear on the other side of the resort. A good fifteen-minute walk from his villa. And he quite enjoyed that fifteen-minute walk with Patience. She told him about her work at the travel agency, and they shared a few laughs about picky tourists and customers who just had to have every amenity but didn’t want to pay for them. He enjoyed walking next to her, catching the odd, teasing hint of her orange blossom perfume. Wishing he could hold her hand, but refraining, creating the most potent sexual tension he’d ever experienced.

He walked her right to the door and opened it so he could ensure no strange characters were waiting for her inside. “There you go. Safe and sound.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked, laughing. She shook off the question, though. “Thanks again, Apollo. Good night.”

“Good night, Patience.”

She opened her mouth once or twice as if she wanted to say something more, but didn’t. Slowly, she closed the door.

Upon hearing it lock, Apollo made himself invisible. Cloaked in obscurity, he flew to her balcony and took a seat on the chair there. Patience quietly pulled some clothes out of her luggage and disappeared into the bathroom. She emerged a few moments later, her hair brushed and dressed in an old T-shirt that said ‘Smile. It’s the second best thing you can do with your mouth.’

He grinned at the naughty suggestion and shelved the idea in his brain, in case it came in handy at some point.

She hung her dress in the closet and stared at it, shaking her head, clearly wondering where all the bloodstains had gone. Reading her thoughts once again, he realized just how scattered she felt. And why wouldn’t she? She pulled at the dress, smoothing out its folds so she could see every inch of fabric, and ran her hand over the spots where the stains had been. After inspecting it carefully for a few moments, she let it fall back into place in the closet and wandered over to her bed. He was frozen to his spot, unable to look away as she slipped into bed and turned out the light on the bedside table.

Patience didn’t fall asleep for some time. And as she rolled restlessly, he was just as restless on the balcony. He tried to look away a few times, which proved a useless exercise. He could see fine in the dark and couldn’t stop staring at her covered form in the bed. And as much as he tried, he couldn’t refrain from listening to the frustrated catalog of speculations in her mind.

He had to be more careful. She was smart, perceptive.

Eventually, Patience fell asleep. Even from his spot on the balcony, Apollo could hear the even rhythm of her breathing, and it soothed him. Gave him a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in years.

That demon wouldn’t get her tonight. Not on his watch.

* * * *

The Travel Chick

Dealing with Injuries on the Resort

Hello, travelers!

Well, I must say I had a very exciting night here at Helios. So exciting, I couldn’t sleep for very long, so I decided to write another quick post.

I sustained an injury here at the resort during the dinner hour. Now, don’t get the wrong idea. It was my own fault for being a clumsy clod.

Everyone talks about how bad the Mexican health system can be for travelers. However, I have to say Helios Resort dealt with my wound in a quick and strangely efficient manner. It seems I’m all better now! It’s assuring to know the resort trains their staff so well in first aid. Even the bartenders are capable of life-saving feats!

He did save my life. I’m convinced of it.

At any rate, I must remember to commend the management here tomorrow. I still have much to observe, but as far as guest safety goes, I have to award Helios my Gold Star rating.

I’ll sign off for now, and try to get some sleep.

Nighty nite!

Chapter 5

Patience woke to the sound of unfamiliar birds cawing and tweeting in the nearby rain forest. She lay in bed listening, feeling a delicious unease. Delicious because the Mexican setting was so beautiful, but uneasy because of what happened the previous day. She turned toward the balcony and smiled when several tropical birds soared past. They were an eye-catching flurry of blue and purple and red feathers.

Red feathers. Red like blood.

She sat and looked at her wrist, the wrist that had been so bloodied and carved. Gingerly, she ran her finger over it. It didn’t even hurt. It should at least be bruised considering the weight of the plate that had shattered on it, but there wasn’t even a hint of black or blue.

In fact, she could swear it looked better than ever before. She’d had a couple of old scars on her wrist from childhood accidents, but for the life of her she couldn’t locate them anymore.

He’d healed her. Apollo the bartender had healed her, and she couldn’t imagine how.

First aid, my sweet, fat fanny.

A loud knock on her door interrupted her jumbled thought process. She looked at the clock. Eight in the morning. And then she looked at herself. Dressed in her old T-shirt.

Shoot.

There was no chance it was Doris or Angie. They’d still be snoring this early. It was likely a concierge, coming to convince her to attend one of those breakfast meetings where they try to persuade you to dump all your money into buying a time-share.

Just answer the door and get rid.

She padded to the door and unlatched it, peeking her unbrushed head around the corner.

Apollo stood there, oozing sun and sensuality. Her bartender savior was dressed in Nike gym shorts, running shoes, and a black T-shirt that glided over his every ripple. There was a Yankees cap on his head covering most of his golden locks, but a few shimmered around his ears. He was holding a tray with two coffee cups and a paper bag, from which the enticing aroma of cinnamon buns wafted toward her. He smiled. “I pegged you for a coffee woman, but I’m taking a chance on the cinnamon buns.”

“W-why are you here?” And then she cut off the indecent thoughts surrounding his cinnamon buns and how much she suddenly wanted to lick them. Choking back her sudden need to lick the sweet icing off them in front of him.

His eyebrow curled with amusement. “Have you forgotten I’m giving you the ultimate Mayan Riviera experience?
For your work?
I’m hurt you’d forget me so easily.”

As if that were possible. “Yeah, but now?”

He barged into her room, and she almost said something about it, but didn’t because Apollo in her hotel room was such an overload on her senses it was cutting off any breath in her trachea.

“No time like the present.” He put the coffees down on a table and turned to look at her. His eyes dwelled on her bare legs for an uncomfortable moment and then he stared back up at her face, completely deadpan. “That’s an intriguing mole on your inner thigh.”

She grabbed a pillow from the bed and used it to cover herself like a shield. “Never mind my moles! I didn’t ask for your opinion on them.” She huffed. For some reason, she needed to put up a bit of a fight. It was a bit presumptuous of him to sweep into her room and assume she’d just fly off with him to wherever. Even though she couldn’t deny her strong curiosity. “Look. Maybe I have stuff I need to do today. My friends will want to meet up.”