Amber: July: Mystic Zodiac, Book 7

A
bet between Eros
, the God of love & desire, and Chloe (Chlotho), the Fate of birth, leads to a year filled with match-making and passion.

C
hloe stood
in the small hidden clearing of her garden soaking in the sun and floral notes brought in by the breeze. She loved heading into the hedgerows and getting lost in her thoughts. It was her place to think on the events of the day, week, or month—whatever was bothering her at the time.

Her bet with Eros was officially halfway over. She had matched six couples.

A Fallen Angel and an Eternal.

A minor Goddess of love and human male.

The Alpha wolf of the Keystone Predators and his surprising human mate.

The Nymph and the human who had no clue he had the blood of a Great Watcher flowing through his veins.

The near disaster matching of the Faerie and the Elf.

Then there was The Witch and the Warlock—fated to be together from birth, and her most recent accomplishment.

Some fell easier than others, but at the end of their designated month, they were all very much in love. In truth, matchmaking wasn’t as easy as Chloe had anticipated. Humans were loose cannons, allowing their fragile hearts to drive their decisions. How Mystics managed to interact with the fickle creatures day to day was beyond her. She would take the capricious Gods and Goddesses of Olympus any day. At least with them, she knew what to expect. Knew they plotted to further their place in the realm by any means necessary.

That was neither here nor there at the moment. Her goal was in sight. She was on the downward slope. Six more months and she would have Eros in her bed for an entire month. Her deepest desire, at least the one at the moment, would come true.

Thoughts of Eros had her heading back inside her home. She was expected at the Parthenon soon, and she would use the next few precious moments to ready herself. She had made a mistake going to Eros’s residence the month before. Seeing him lounging in bed sent her lust into overdrive. When he stood and pressed his naked form against her, all thought fled.

He had reduced her to a scared, young virgin being presented her first cock. That would not do if she wanted to maintain the upper hand. Something she felt was tenuous at best.

Stepping into her room, she was brought up short by the sight of Eros lounging on her bed. His golden chest was bare and on display. His long, lightly furred legs stretched out in front of him. Images of crawling on top of him bombarded her. Sucking and nibbling his skin. Running her hands up his legs and under the lined fabric wrapped around his waist. Taking his member into her mouth to learn the taste and feel. He was sin incarnate waiting to be feasted upon.

“Hello, my sweet,” he drawled, looking wholly unconcerned at being caught in her room. “Lacy let me in. Such a sweet woman. I wonder if she would be interested in joining me in my bed at some point.” A small smile flirted with the edges of his mouth. His lush lips pulling up slightly at the corners. His audacity to say such a thing set her off.

Chloe’s temper flared. Rage boiled within, setting her blood on fire. All rational thought ceased to exist. Her words flowed from her mouth unfiltered. “
Never
. I forbid it. You are mine and I will
not
share.”

His smile turned into a knowing grin. “Jealous at the thought?”

She tipped her head up and scoffed. “I do not have a jealous bone…”

Eros swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. He was in front of her within three determined steps. His well-formed chest brushed against her breasts, her nipples puckering in reaction. “Don’t even think of finishing that sentence.” He brushed his knuckles along her cheek. “Your jealousy is easy to see, so do not deny it.”

They stared at each other, the air thickening around them. Being within reach of the object of her obsession was Heaven
and
Hell. Her fingers itched to touch. To trace the muscles in his chest and arms. Slide her hands over his abdominals, then down to his cock.

It had been a thing of beauty. Long, thick and uncut. His erection curved upward toward his belly, and practically begged for her touch. Chloe shuddered, her eyes closing as she imagined how it would feel in her hand. Soft, velvety skin over his hardened length, slipping through her fingers and over her palm. Had thoughts of her gotten him in that state? Did he imagine her hand wrapped around his cock as he masturbated?

Too many questions with no answers. Voicing them would give him power over her.

Eros dipped his head, brushing his lips against Chloe’s ear. “Is it a good fantasy in your head, my sweet? Your nipples are pebbled, and I can smell the sweetness of your arousal. Are you remembering how it felt to be pressed up against my naked body? The heat of my skin seeping through your chiton. My hard
cock
searing your belly. I’ve thought of nothing else this past month. I’ve taken my cock into my hand and stroked it until I shot my seed over my bare chest so many times I’ve lost count.”

A shudder slipped down her spine, and a moan broke free. She opened her eyes, locking gazes with Eros. Heat, lust, and arousal glittered from the blue depths. Her body drifted closer. It wasn’t until she realized she’d slid her hands over his chest that she remembered why he was in her home.

Chloe locked everything she was feeling down and took a step back. The tension between them eased slightly. Another step and she turned away, gliding to the window that overlooked her garden.
Focus on the bet, not the prize.
She took a second to relax her shoulders. Breath eased from her chest. “Your mother says hello.”

Eros chuckled. “And how is the old battleaxe doing?” Chloe didn’t miss the note of affection in his tone.

“She is well. Found a Warlock to play with last night on the earthly realm. The Witch and the Warlock you tasked me to match have made a good union.”

Eros stepped up behind her, heat radiated from him in droves, soaking into her even though she knew he was still inches away. Her body clenched in reaction, waiting for him to place his hands on her. Expecting his expert touch in the most benign way. When it didn’t come, she forced herself to relax yet again.

“I knew they would, so it is not a surprise. Knowing such things
is
part of the job you so frequently tell me takes no skill. You’re ready for your next couple then?”

Chloe turned and nodded. Intense blue eyes bored into her. Lust prevalent, but there was an undercurrent of something else—pride? She couldn’t be sure; because that was an emotion she was not familiar with. At least not when it came to someone feeling it for her. She struggled to keep her eyes on his face and mind on what he was saying.

“What is July?” He paused, tapping a finger against his kissable lips. “Ah, yes. The fiery month of the Siren. Lovely creatures. Sensual. Intoxicating. Resistant to settling down. If I remember correctly, and I always do, the woman I have picked for you is older. Amber is thirty-two. Definitely of the mindset that a Siren never commits to one man
or
woman for the rest of their unnaturally long lives. Her love interest, or should I say
mate
, is from an ancient line of wolves stemming from Greece. Proud. Demanding. Dominant. Tell me, do you think that will be challenge enough?”

“A piece of cake, as the humans say,” she smirked and straightened her spine. She could only hope that it would be. No longer would she anticipate an easy time. If the previous six months taught her anything, it was to expect the unexpected on the earthly realm, and to handle things personally if need be.

She thought Eros would take his leave then; but, instead, he took her by surprise and laid a kiss on her lips potent enough weaken her knees. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on for dear life. Breaking the kiss, Eros stepped away, offered a respectful bow, and strode from the room and ultimately her home.