Zeus (The God Chronicles) (10 page)

“How terrible,” I said, horrified.

“Yes,” he whispered back.

“Why would she do that?”

“She hated Hercules because he was the product of one of her husband’s affairs.”

“Why didn’t Zeus stop her?” I studied the grave look on his face, amazed at how deeply his country’s ancient religion affected him.

“He was with another woman,” he said mournfully. “Hercules’ family was dead before
 . . . 
Zeus even knew what had happened. I don’t think he ever felt more guilt over anything in his life.”

“I’m sorry this upsets you so much,” I said, noticing a slight shining in his eyes. I paused the show. “We can watch something else if you’d like.”

“No,” he said, clearing his throat. “This is fine. I didn’t mean to turn into a big baby about it. Real macho, right?” He laughed at himself and shook his head. “Let’s make some popcorn. You were right, these graphics are awesome!”

I laughed at his enthusiasm. All the sides I’d seen of him lately fascinated me—the annoying one I could do without, as well as the player and the jerk. But I liked this side of him—the one that was always laughing and getting me to laugh along. He was cocky, but sometimes that wasn’t so bad. It made for good banter, something I had always hoped for in a relationship.

I blushed as I got up and put the popcorn in the microwave. Neither of us had said anything about being in a relationship, but we’d both said we’d like to go out more, didn’t we? He had been making up for his first impression quite nicely. I almost forgot that I’d never wanted to see him again. It seemed odd—to be so happy spending time with a guy who’d made me feel like dirt.

There was something different about him now. I could see it in the way he looked at me and spoke with me. He wasn’t treating me like he had at the club, not that I was complaining. I really enjoyed the change.

“Well, hello you two!” Julie said as she came through the front door. “I didn’t know we were going to have company tonight,” she said nicely. “You must be Zeus,” she held her hand out and he shook it, laughing. “Pleased to meet you.”

“You as well,” he said, smiling. “And you are Jessie’s sister, I’m assuming?”

“Julie,” she said promptly. “Jessie and Jenny are my sisters.”

“Ah, triplets,” he said, making the connection.

“Yes! I’m actually going to be meeting them at a friends’ in a few minutes. Sorry to barge in!” She smiled at me and then halfway turned to Zeus. “Don’t screw it up,” she said so softly I almost didn’t hear her. A nearly unperceivable acknowledgment passed over his face and he nodded slightly. She turned and walked down the hall to her room, closing the door behind her.

“That was odd,” I said.

“What was?” Zeus turned around on the couch to look at me.

“What she said to you.” I pulled the popcorn out of the microwave and poured it into a bowl.

“She was probably just saying not to be a tool,” he laughed. “Watching your back for you.”

“If you think so,” I said skeptically. “It didn’t seem like it to me.”

“Come here,” he said, starting the show back up. “That popcorn smells divine!”

He pulled me down next to him, throwing an arm over my shoulders. With his free hand, he placed the popcorn on the coffee table in front of us then wrapped that arm around me as well, effectively making me feel like I was in a cocoon. I squirmed a little to get comfortable and we stayed that way for several, laughter-filled episodes.

Chapter Ten

At seven in the morning, Zeus ar
rived to pick me up. He’d stayed until after midnight planning our hike for today, but we’d decided to leave early for the Valley of Fire State Park to get some hiking in before the worst of the fall heat hit. He was wearing a white t-shirt and jean shorts, complete with hiking boots. I had gone for a tank top and Daisy Duke Style shorts—I didn’t want to risk roasting to death in the desert.

“Did you remember to pack a pair of long pants too?” he asked, picking up my backpack from beside the door.

“Yes. But I don’t want to die of heat stroke, so I didn’t put them on,” I laughed.

“We’re probably going rock climbing, that’s why I wanted you to bring them. It’d be a shame if you cut your legs up. Also, it gets cold in the desert at night.”

“I know,” I smiled. “I have lived in the desert my whole life!” He gave me a dazzling smile in return.

“I got everything for lunch and dinner in the car, are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” I grinned again. I had a feeling today was going to be one I’d remember for the rest of my life.

“Let’s go then!” He reached and grabbed my hand, tossing my bag over his shoulder.

I was surprised when he threw everything into the back of a Jeep. I should have known he had more than one car. I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

“What?” He opened the passenger door and helped me in.

“Nothing,” I laughed as he ran around the front and got in the driver’s side.

“I like cars, so what,” he joked. “There is a car for every occasion, and I think I should have one for each of them.”

“If you say so.”

“I do! Don’t you like it? This Jeep will be awesome in the park, you wait.”

“A car is just that, Zeus—a car. I don’t understand men’s obsessions with them.”

“You will after toda
y, baby,” he crooned, peering at me over the top of the sunglasses he’d just put on.

“Baby?” I
questioned, one eyebrow raised.

“Yeah. I like it, don’t you?”

“We’ll see,” I laughed.

The park proved to be as amazing as Zeus promised. Everything was a brilliant red, thus the fire reference. I kept having giggle fits because some of the sandstone was wavy and resembled bacon sizzling on the cliff face. There were ancient dwellings throughout the park, as well as cool rock formations.

We went rock climbing in one area of the park,
analyzed some interesting petroglyphs after a small walk to another site, barbequed at the campground, and walked through the visitor’s center during the hottest part of the day. Once it hit about six, we started our hike. We’d be finished by sunset and then head back to the city, stopping in the mountains to star gaze. I was especially excited about the last part. I’d been able to see the stars every night in my hometown, but here the city lights washed them away.

The trail we walked had legends that went with the whole valley and all sorts of cool rock formations. One even looked like a piano! It seemed impossible for some of them to exist—they should have crumbled millions of years ago—but somehow they had stayed strong. Zeus impressed me once again by displaying his knowledge of the area; everything from dinosaurs to ancient basket-weavers. It sounded a lot like history class, but felt a lot like art class. I had more fun than I thought possible.

The air was still dry and hot as we drove back towards the city, although the sun was beginning to set. The mountains rose up in front of us, the only barrier between us and home, but even with the wind blowing through the open vehicle, I still had to pull my sticky, damp shirt off my stomach.

“It would be so fantastic, if there was a little rain, don’t you think?” I looked out the top of the Jeep, glad I’d worn my hair back and it wasn’t blowing in my face.

“Rain, huh?” Zeus smiled and reached one hand out to hold mine. “Maybe it will rain, you never know.” He glanced up at the sky quickly and then returned his gaze to the road, concentration etched on his face.

“What are you doing?” I laughed.

“Nothing,” he grumbled, giving the empty sky a death glare.

“You are so peculiar!” I laughed and tightened my grip on his hand.

We were soon situated a little ways off the road, huddled next to a cliff face. Several rocks created a semicircle, effectively making it feel like we were closed in. It was apparent people had stopped here before since there was a fire pit and lots of tire marks on the side where we had parked. Zeus had a fire going with a couple of chairs set beside it. He had even brought a couple of blankets. It was simple really, more of a natural pullout from the road, but it was perfect. I’d never enjoyed plain dirt and rocks so much.

“Surprise!” Zeus pulled a bag of marshmallows out of one of his packs, followed by chocolate and graham crackers. “I brought hot coco mix too, if we want some.” A small saucepan and a bottle of water were pulled out of the bag as well.

“How thoughtful of you!” I smiled and looked up at the sky. The sun had just finished setting, and several stars shone through the dim light. “It’s beautiful up here. How did you find this spot?”

“Remember how I told you I planned where we were going?” He pulled out a radio and got up to set it on top of the car behind us.

“Mmhhmm.”

“I lied.” He laughed as he plugged his phone into the player. “I just kept driving until I found a place I thought was good enough.”

“Well, remember this place then,” I laughed back. “Because it’s more than good enough, it’s perfect. I love it.”

“Then I guess I have accomplished my goal tonight.” He turned and smiled at me, while pressing a button on his phone.

Music started playing and I giggled. “May I have this dance?” He asked in a silly voice, moving from the car and back in front of me, bowing like he was before the Queen.

“Of course you may!” I replied in my best imitation of his voice.

A goofy grin spread over his face, and he rushed over to me, grabbing my hand and pulling me up. We proceeded to invent a dance, which in no way matched the music. Our laughter echoed off the rocks around us, and the fire threw our shadows every which way, making it appear as if there was more than one couple dancing. Suddenly, a chill overtook me. I hadn’t realized how far the temperature had dropped, and I was starting to wish I’d put my long pants back on after our hike.

“Here, let me help,” Zeus said, releasing me for a moment and grabbing a blanket. “I worried it would get really chilly tonight. It’s not so bad in the summer, but once fall hits, it can get pretty cold when the sun goes down.”

“I know, I didn’t realize how frozen I was until now,” I chattered.

He wrapped the blanket around his shoulders , pulling me close and covering me as well.

“It’s a little frosty; I thought I’d help warm it up for you.” He smiled sincerely, even though the cover alone was fine.

“Right,” I said, unable to concentrate. He was very close. There was something about his proximity that made it hard for me to focus. “Thank you,” I managed to get out.

We were silent for a moment, looking at the stars. I really enjoyed his company and felt sad we would be parting soon.

“Hey, K
arly?” he whispered, turning toward me.

“Yeah?” I kept my eyes on the sky, devouring the twinkling lights which would soon be lost in the city’s glow.

“Can I kiss you?”

I snapped my attention back to him. I felt the blush rise in my face as I answered. “You don’t have to ask.”

“Good,” he smiled softly, leaning in as he looked at my lips. “I didn’t want you to call me a pig again.”

His lips touched mine before I could reply. My breath stopped as my body became hyper aware of his rock hard abs against me.

He pulled the blanket around us tighter, locking in the heat and trapping me against his chest. While one hand held the corners together behind my shoulders, the other rested on my hip, gripping me softly. Fire shot through my veins as his hot breath warmed my face.

His lips moved over mine gently, like feathers barely brushing my skin, but my insides twisted as if the kiss were filled with deep passion. The heat churned in my stomach as my body cried out for more. I blushed as he pulled his mouth away and rubbed his cheek against mine. Even with the heat from his body and the blanket, goose bumps erupted over my skin. Suddenly, I couldn’t get enough of him.

I recaptured his mouth with mine, using all the strength I could muster. I felt my hands on his chest, crushed beneath my body as I returned his soft caresses much more roughly than he’d delivered them. My heart pounded as he softly nipped my lower lip with his teeth, tightening his hold on me. He quickly licked the inside of my top lip and then gave me one last, lingering kiss. My knees felt as if they would buckle, and I sucked in a breath, suddenly remembering how to breathe. Lightning raced through my veins, filling me with longing for another kiss.

Zeus rested his forehead against mine and smiled. “How was that?”

I giggled in embarrassment, snuggling deeper into his embrace. “I don’t kiss and tell,” I teased.

He laughed as he
scanned the sky. “Well, what do you know, baby. It looks like rain.” He turned back to me, triumph in his eyes.

“Wow, how did those clouds get here so fast?” I looked up at the dark clouds in wonder.

“Maybe someone heard your plea for water,” he teased me.

“Ha ha, very funny,” I said smugly. “There’s no rain yet, so I obviously don’t have that much pull!”