Sweet Cry of Pleasure (6 page)

Chapter Three

Eris watched Apollo walking over to her. She didn’t want to talk to him, but she knew he’d have something interesting to say, even if it made her angry. So she remained still on the grass and waited for him, wondering if he was going to apologize or make excuses. She suspected the latter, so this encounter might turn out to be very entertaining.

He ran his hands through his golden hair and smiled at her as he sat beside her on the grass. She tried not to laugh.

“Hello, beautiful. Still angry with me?”

She smiled politely. “Yes, but that shouldn’t surprise you.”

“You seemed confused when you left. Or should I say when I pushed you away?”

“I was. I didn’t understand what I’d hoped to get from you, and I didn’t understand your motives any better. I gained nothing.”

“It’s not as complicated as you think, lovely lady. I wanted to fuck a girl who wouldn’t even look at me. I knew who she would fuck, then got myself into a bit of hot water. I was lucky she didn’t go straight to Zeus.”

“Yes, your father might have been worse than Artemis. He can be quite a jerk himself, and he’s had his share of virgins, but he would have been protective of one so quiet and gentle, not to mention loved and protected by someone as powerful as Ares.”

“You know, she’s very strong and bold. She’s quiet, yes. Very sweet and gentle, but there’s fire there too. She could take care of herself.”

“And did she?”

“I saw no weakness in her.”

“She hides her emotions. She always has. It’s why people don’t understand her. They don’t know how to take her.”

“Then that’s her fault. She should have stood up for herself.”

Eris sighed. “That’s just it. She didn’t care about you. She didn’t want to keep you.”

He seemed offended. “She kept coming back.”

“She was lonely, and I’m sure you’re good in bed.”

He smirked. “She had interesting tastes.”

Eris waited a moment. Was he trying to goad her? Was he going to make something up? “Be careful what you say next.”

“How do you know what I’m going to say? I just found it interesting. A very unique mix.” He smiled. “It’s nothing unusual.”

“Just tell me. You obviously want to.”

His smile broadened. “See, she’s a submissive. Completely so when she thought I was Ares. But then when I was me, she told me what to do.”

“She changed to a dominant? That’s not so strange.”

“No. Still submissive, but told me how to dominate her. How to do everything.”

Eris was unimpressed. “You found that so unique? Lots of subs and doms go back and forth, give instructions. There is no magical formula or one true way for any of that stuff. What’s so unusual?”

“I’m not explaining this right.”

“No, you must not be.”

“She made me a better dominant.”

Eris nodded. “Okay, that makes more sense. So you liked that? Great for you.”

Apollo frowned. “How could a virgin do that? Train someone in sex play?”

“So that fascinated you?”

“It did. She knew what she wanted, and she taught me how to give it to her. Even when she’d stay away for months, when she came back I knew just how to touch her.”

Eris rolled her eyes. “I’m a little tired of your ego. Why are you here?”

“I was complimenting her ability.”

“And what else did you want from me today? Just an audience?”

“I wanted to make sure you hadn’t changed your mind.”

“About telling someone?”

He nodded.

“So you know what a bad thing you did?”

“Maybe at the start, but we had some good sex. She went away satisfied.”

“Until she found you with Aphrodite.”

He groaned. “You can’t say you expected me to turn down the goddess of love?”

“How did it happen?” She hoped what he told her would show that Aphrodite truly hadn’t known about Alala. She really didn’t feel like having another confrontation with the goddess, especially as she didn’t want her brother to get involved with her again in any way.

“I was waiting for Alala. Getting myself ready for her.”

“Jerking off?”

“Getting ready. She sometimes liked to be fucked right away. She’d be very wet when she arrived.”

Eris ignored his lewd smile. He found it sexy, but she knew what it probably meant. She’d come to him at times when her desire for Ares had overwhelmed her. That thought made Eris sad. “Go on.”

“Well, I happened to say Aphrodite’s name.”

“So you thought of her while you were with Alala?”

Apollo looked into her eyes. “Sometimes. You ever think of Hermes while you were with one of your boy toys?”

She nodded, conceding his point, but the connection intrigued her. How could he have guessed that so quickly or readily if his feelings for Aphrodite weren’t stronger than he let on? She kept her expression neutral. “And Aphrodite appeared when you invoked her?”

He nodded, smiling.

Must be a nice memory
, she thought with disgust.

“She appeared, completely naked. She felt immediately how much I wanted her. She ran her hands over her breasts, pinching her nipples. Then she ran her hands down to her pussy. She kissed me as she touched herself then bent herself over the railing in the arbor.”

“So you had no choice but to fuck her?” She felt ready to punch him right in the face.

“Not even Zeus could have stopped me.”

Eris shook her head. “You just let Alala walk away. You haven’t spoken to her since. You’re disgusting.”

He made a sulky face. “What do you want me to say?”

“Nothing. It would only make it worse.”

“So why hate me? We could be friends.” He ran his hand over her knee, teasing the hem of her skirt with his finger.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard. “You came here because you want to fuck me? You were turned on the other day when I got angry with you, weren’t you?”

He twisted his hand in her grip. “Hermes isn’t the only god who likes to be held down and fucked until he can’t see straight.”

She pushed him away. “So, you thought talking about sex would get me hot? You thought I’d just get horny and jump on you?”

He rubbed his wrist. “Guess not. Hermes must be pretty good to keep you so satisfied.”

Eris tried to rein her thoughts in. If her anger became too great, Ares would know. Someone would feel it. “I’m very satisfied because I share not only a bed but a life with a man I love. You’ll never understand that. You’ll never know that kind of satisfaction.”

Apollo jumped onto her, pinning her to the ground. “You think I couldn’t satisfy you? You like being on top, but you have a taste for being subdued now and then.” He held her wrists above her head and tightened his thighs around her. “I think you’d like it. You have more fire than any other goddess. I bet the world trembles when you come.”

She stared up into his eyes. He made no further move, staring back at her. “What do you want to prove? Is this more seduction?”

He tightened his grip on her wrists, smiling down at her. She could feel his cock getting hard. “You know you like it.”

“It disgusts me. Answer me this, or I will call my brother.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“Have you ever raped anyone?”

He paled. “No!”

“Then what are you doing? You can’t say the consequences of forcing me don’t scare you.”

“I would never force a woman, mortal or immortal.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Be with me once and I’ll do whatever you say.”

She laughed, pushing him off her and sending him flying across the grass. He looked stunned.

“I could have done that at any time.”

He shook his head. “I know. That’s why I thought you might be willing when you didn’t do it immediately. I thought we were having fun.”

It blew her mind that he could have thought that for even a second. “So now you have a taste for someone new? Well, give up now. It won’t happen.”

“You’re as cruel as Aphrodite.”

“If you say so.”

He stood up. “I seduced Alala. I didn’t rape her.”

She nodded. “I know. I asked to make you angry.”

“So now you hate me even more.”

“I don’t hate you. I dislike what you are.”

“A jerk?”

“Unfulfilled and unhappy.”

He turned and began walking away. “Leave me alone!”

“That’s what you said last time, but then you came to me.”

He stopped. “Will you tell Hermes?”

She stood and walked over to him. “If I want to, I will tell him we were having an argument. I won’t tell him you touched me.”

“He has every right to challenge me.”

“You wouldn’t have done anything to me.”

He laughed. “So I’m the biggest jerk who ever lived, but I wouldn’t have hurt you? How does that make sense?”

“Maybe you’re more complex than I realized.”

He stared at her. “You trying to seduce me now? Make me want you so you can hurt me the way I supposedly hurt Alala?”

Eris flinched. The accusation, however tentative, hurt her feelings. Obviously some Olympians still thought her petty and mischievous. “No. I love Hermes. I don’t want anyone else, and I have no desire to hurt you.”

“Okay. Let’s forget it then.”

She wanted to say something, but she knew he wouldn’t take her seriously. She couldn’t tell what he was feeling. He seemed hurt by her opinion of him or maybe embarrassed at being rejected, but she couldn’t really tell, so she let him walk away. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into. Or why she cared so much.

* * * *

Alala took Arion’s hand. He rubbed his thumb over her hand. She could feel that just touching her made him happy. He’d kissed her cheek when he’d come to get her. Everything about him was gentle and sweet. He was so different from Ares. It was refreshing, and maybe it would keep her from falling for him, even though she doubted there was any danger of that. She was more worried about him falling for her.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“Picnic in the park. If that’s okay.”

She smiled. “It sounds lovely.”

He smiled back at her. “I’ve only ever dated mortal girls. We can certainly do more exciting things if you want to.”

“There’s nothing wrong with the ‘less exciting’ things. Being together is what matters.”

He blushed. “Yeah. You’re right.”

She had the feeling he would agree with anything she said.

“So what’s it like living with Ares?”

Alala looked down at the ground. She didn’t want to think about Ares at all. She just wanted to be with Arion and enjoy herself. She looked back up at him and smiled. “Difficult, at times. He certainly has his dark moods.”

“I can imagine.”

“He’s my friend. He’s not the kind to express it, but I know he cares for me. I’ve been a part of his life since I was born.”

Arion nodded. “So he must be very protective of you?”

Alala laughed. “I guess so. He’s never had much reason to be.”

They arrived at a clearing. A green blanket was spread for them, and a large picnic basket sat on top of it. They sat on the blanket, and Alala thought Arion looked nervous.

“What is it?”

He smiled awkwardly. “My mother said he popped in to see her.”

Alala didn’t know what to think. How had Ares known? This was only the second time they’d seen each other. How could he interfere like that? Did it mean he felt for her even a little of what she felt for him?

“But he didn’t say anything. She had no idea his visit might have anything to do with me. He just stopped by to say hello, or so he said.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. That’s all he wanted. He didn’t ask about me.”

“So it could have been something else?”

“Maybe. Seems odd though. I think he wanted to check me out.”

Another thought occurred to Alala. What if he was Persephone’s mystery man? He was just the type to tie a girl to a wall and “ravish” her. That stung. She couldn’t stand the idea of him touching her best friend. Her jealousy of Aphrodite paled in comparison. She pushed the thought away. Ares thought Persephone was silly and stupid. He wouldn’t fuck her just because she was pretty, and he wouldn’t use her as a pawn. He also wouldn’t take the time to send her text messages or chat online with her. So he must have gone to see Demeter because he knew she was seeing Arion. Had he seen them kiss? Had it made him jealous?

How would Arion feel if he found out she was in love with Ares?

She looked into his eyes, and his face lit up.

“So, am I that important that he had to check me out?”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. It just troubles me. It’s none of his business.”

His smile turned to a look of concern. “Don’t be troubled. I’m not afraid of him.”

“You shouldn’t be, of course, but lots of people are. I just don’t understand why he did that.”

“I don’t either, but if he wants reassurance, he can ask me anything. I might not be good enough for you, but at least I’m safe. I’m not likely to carry you away or ravage you.”

She touched his hand. “I know you aren’t. Perhaps he’s just not used to me paying attention to anyone else. It’s making him protective.”

“Or jealous.”

She let go of his hand. “That’s silly.”

“Why? Maybe he’s finally noticed how beautiful you are. The perfect woman is right under his nose.” He chuckled.

“That’s not funny!” she snapped loudly.

Arion jumped.

She reached for him and took both his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

He looked at her hands and squeezed them. “Don’t apologize. I swear I was just teasing you. I didn’t think I would offend you.”

“You didn’t. The idea’s ridiculous though.”

He nodded quickly. “I guess so. You’ve lived together so long. You’re like family. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

She rubbed his hand, wishing she could explain everything to him. “It’s okay. I overreacted. I can be a little hasty. I’ve definitely picked that up from him.”

“You’re so sweet. I would never guess you’re a war goddess.”

“I’d never guess you were a fertility god.” She giggled. “Or a horse.”

He blushed, but he still laughed. “I’m not a horse. I
can
be, but most of the time there’s not much call for that.”

Poseidon had once been as promiscuous as his brother Zeus, and he and Demeter had had a few steamy flings. One of them had resulted in Arion. When Arion randomly changed into a horse when he was about six months old, rumors had started to fly. Apparently, Demeter and Poseidon had experimented rather extremely with shape shifting, and they’d been in the form of horses when Arion was conceived. Alala and Ares both got a kick out of the story these days because Demeter had been so prim and so proper for so many years it was hard to remember the days when she so perfectly personified fertility in every part of her life.

“Do you care if I tease you about that?”

“No. You can tease me about anything. Maybe I’ll give you a ride sometime.”

She giggled, and he looked at her blankly. Then he finally blushed when he realized his comment had been suggestive.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean it like that. Obviously, I wouldn’t say no, but—”

She stopped him with a kiss. She pulled him close and explored his mouth. He responded sweetly, kissing her gently and pulling her close. His hands didn’t wander. He held her by the shoulders and then ran his fingers into her hair. She tilted her head up so he would kiss her neck.

“Just enjoy it,” she whispered.

His lips moved over her neck slowly. He tasted every inch of her skin, and the sweetness of his touch made her shiver.

“I love touching you,” he said in her ear.

She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Do you want to go back to my room? No one would disturb us.”

“We don’t have to.”

He held her closer though, so she knew he wanted to. “We’ll see what happens. I won’t pressure you any more than you would me.”

He smiled. “You’re perfect.”

She laughed. “No, just willing to wait for something worth waiting for.” She thought of Ares and how long she’d waited for him. Sadness crept over her, but she pushed it away. Arion’s embrace was so sweet she hoped she might find peace and happiness there.