Ares (9 page)

“For you I’d likely do anything and everything I could just to see you smile, but I also will not tolerate anyone disrespecting you in any form,” he said in a low tone. There was fire in his eyes and his words were said in a tight tone. Ares cupped her face and stared at her, “I’m not always as gentle as you’d like to believe, Ava. I have one hell of a nasty temper and the power to do something about what pisses me off. Are you really sure you want to be with me? Because if you say yes now, I don’t plan on letting you go, ever.”

“Yes. Because I know you aren’t always gentle but I also know, without question, that you would never, ever hurt me. I don’t know why or how I know, but I know it as truth in my very soul. You are mine. I think I was born to be yours. We both know I would never, ever hurt you. Not because of lack of power but because of what I’m feeling already. You can look inside and feel it in me, right?” she asked softly.

“I can, but I’m trying not to go into your head. Since you can’t access mine, yet, it feels wrong digging around in yours. When you project it’s entirely different, you practically throw your thoughts at me then, but I also understand what you mean, so there’s no need. I will always do my best to never hurt you. Physically, I couldn’t do such a thing to the best person in my life. Mentally, well, I’m an ass and male so I’m likely to do or say something eventually that you’ll need to kick me in the nuts for I’m sure.”

That had her grinning, “Remember we talk things through from now on. I honestly hadn’t meant to hurt you when we first met so please from now on, we talk. That’s my one stipulation, well, one of my stipulations. I’m sure I will come up with more as we go along. Just please, always talk to me? If I say something you aren’t sure of or that hurts you, please tell me? I will do the same for you.”

“Deal,” he said softly. Leaning in, he kissed her gently. “Now, since I’ve gotten my hormones under some semblance of control. Would you like to look around the house? We’re in Italy in case that hasn’t quite clicked in your head just yet.”

“Actually I would very much like to be able to spend some with you looking around the house, but do you think we should explore now, or should we take care of those wants and needs you and I are both feeling at this moment?” She knew she was still wet and needy and he was obviously still hard.

“I think we have all the time in the world, Ava. Let’s look around first and then you can decide just where it is I strip you naked, lay you out, and lick you until you orgasm.” His lips quirked up in a quick smirk.

“Oh, you are so bad. I love it.” She teased him with a grin. Her hand in his she let him pull her off the massive bed and looked back. “I love the bed. It’s super comfy. Are we going to find another place that’s just as comfy along the way I hope? You know, a bit of a tease here, a bit of a tease there. Working us both up until we are ready to explode?”

“Oh I’m quite sure I can find you plenty of surfaces that would suit our needs, but before we go looking for places that I can lay you on, sit you on or bend you over, how about that view?” He led her out onto a large deck. The view was of the ocean, boats down in the harbor, and lots of green. It was a vineyard and there were even a few trees in the distance, an orchard of some sort likely.

She walked onto the deck with him and looked across the ocean. It was incredible. “Beautiful,” she whispered. “It’s like the boats are hovering in midair.” The water was so clear, so pure there was no way to tell where the water began and where it ended from where they were. “Amazing.”

“I rather like it,” he said, stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her middle. His cheek pressed to hers and he just held her close. “I’ve always found it peaceful here. I’ve had this place for a good long while, the land anyway. This house I just had put in about three years ago when the local economy was hitting a bad spot. I figured all the work would help keep the little village alive during the rough patch. It did thankfully. I’ll show you the village later. It’s quaint and perfect in a way I can’t even begin to describe. We’ll make a trip down to the ocean as well but, again, much later.”

That had her smiling, and she shook her head. “You are truly an amazing man, God, whatever. You are an amazing being, Ares. You are so sweet and giving, but that’s a secret you don’t want people to know, isn't it? It sounds as if this truly is your home. I love that about you. You can be at peace here on Earth as well as on Olympus.”

“It’s a great spot and I happen to love it here. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Mediterranean, then again I happen to like Greece too. Not to live, but I do adore the people. They’re such an open and giving rich culture with great food. If they would only stop making me look like a prepubescent snot nosed brat, I’d likely love them.”

“Why do they see you like that? Is it because of how you are depicted in ancient history or something? Or is it the man that you are now? Do they feel the power inside of you?” She felt it, now. She could feel the tight control he held over his power and she was in awe of his sheer willpower.

“That’s the Romans,” he said softly. “When they swept through and took control they changed everything. From the locations of our temples to how we were depicted. They altered the history of the world because they were the powers that be. We, the Gods I mean, have rules about interfering in the lives of mortal men and women. Though many have interfered on some level, I’ve tried to keep mine to a minimum. A few times back in the day I’ll admit I should have just stood back out of the way instead of getting knee deep in things, but since then I’ve been very hands off.”

“Well I happen to really like that you are so very hands on with me,” Ava admitted to him. “So I give you leave to be as handsy as you want to be with me. In fact I am going to insist on it. I love the way your hands feel when you touch me.” She felt safe, calm and right, for lack of a better word.

“I happen to like touching you.” He smiled down at her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll be even happier when I get them on all parts of you. Your breasts, hips, thighs and, most of all, your pussy. Do you know, little Ava, I can smell your arousal right now?”

“Well that’s a very good thing because it cuts out the awkwardness of me telling you just how turned on I am by you right now.” She leaned her cheek to his, rubbing it against his and sighing with just how right and how perfect it felt to be here with him, right now.

She could feel his chuckle along her spine. “It would be bad for there to be awkwardness between us, especially with all the plans I have for you. First though, there is a tour needed and we should get you some food as well. Ensure your energy levels are all topped off.”

“Good point, especially since we didn’t finish our picnic.” They were both far too hot and bothered to finish a picnic where others could see them. “All right, show me your home, Ares.” The view was stunning from where they stood at the moment and honestly, she couldn’t wait to see more.

“The leftovers are in the kitchen, we can either eat some more or I’ll put it away when we get there but first, I’ll show you around up here. This is my room when I’m here,” he said turning her back into the room. He showed her the large bathroom with separate shower and tub. Double sinks and light colored marble everywhere. Next he led her into the walk-in closet, nearly the size of a small bedroom. Out in the hall he pointed out a few more bedrooms and led her to his office and another great view of the vineyards. This one had the village as part of the view and a small slice of the ocean as well. He also showed her the other balcony that went the length of the front of the house.

Next they went downstairs and he let her wander around the main living room, with a fireplace and big comfortable looking furniture, with a lot of pillows. It led into the dining room, with view of the ocean and into the kitchen. He pointed out another large sitting area where there was another fireplace, but that one had a TV above that boasted surround sound and a few other toys. The kitchen though was a chef’s wet dream. Massive range, lots of counter space, cupboards galore, side-by-side fridge and a pantry that rivaled the size of his bathroom.

He told her there was also another bathroom down there and the laundry. Then he took her out onto the deck. It was a massive space with a hot tub, access down to the infinity pool and a barbecue area that was literally a whole other kitchen. “There’s also a gym down on the next level and a media room for movies and such. There’s access out onto the grounds there as well as around the side of this deck. There are plenty of paths through the vineyard and down to the orchard also. No direct access to the beach but I don’t mind that so much. It’s really only about a twenty minute walk, five or so minutes by car, so really it’s close enough and this way, I don’t have to worry about beach bunnies and bums trying to use my deck.”

“Wow, this is impressive,” she whispered with a grin. “It’s spectacularly beautiful but how in the world are you able to keep it so clean? I mean this is impressive by any standards. I’m just super impressed by how clean it is.” She was impressed by the entire place but it literally sparkled and smelled like lemon wax and floor polish. It was, well, incredible. “You must have an army of cleaners that do this place daily.”

“Not really,” he grinned at her as he leaned on the railing of the deck. “A few ladies from the village come to do cleaning once every two weeks. Mainly just to keep them busy really. The place doesn’t need a cleaner. I have a protective spell over the entire place with a bit extra. It keeps all dust and dirt out, filters clean air in and lets out the stale air. It’s why all the windows can be open even with the breeze and no dirt or dust collects on anything.”

“Ah, well that’s a very handy trick to have,” she said with a grin. “Ah, to have something that protects your home from those things. If only I had that power. I hate cleaning with a passion, so I’m happy I won’t have to clean your house. Double bonus for me.”

“So do I, that’s why I added it, but the ladies don’t know about it so I let in a bit of dust right before they visit just so they feel like they’re not ripping me off. I pay them very well for coming all this way,” he said quietly. “It gives them extra income and keeps them busy. Something their children apparently appreciate greatly if the thank you cards and gifts I keep getting are anything to go by.”

“Ah well that’s good. That way they know they’re doing a good job just like you know. You are a very giving man, and I love it.” Touching his cheek, Ava sighed. Never had she met a man as caring or wonderful as this one.

“Yeah, yeah,” he wrinkled up his nose. “Could you quit saying that stuff, you’re totally going to ruin my reputation woman. At this rate, by tomorrow I’m not going to have one at all. So please no more of that out in public. Even if there is no one else around, you never know who might be listening.”

She laughed and then hugged him. “Well, I adore it about you so no matter what just know that okay? Know that you mean more to me than words would or could ever tell you. I like the man that you are a lot.”

“I like you too, Ava,” he said. He straightened and pulled her toward him gently. His arms wrapped around her, “I adore you. Everything about you calls to me, makes me want you close all the time. I don’t fully understand it, Ava, but I have to be honest with you.”

“I don’t understand it either but the truth is that you call to me as well. Everything about you calls to me. Everything about you makes me want to reach for you and makes me want to be with you. Absolutely everything about you makes me very happy.” Ava didn’t understand it at all. All she knew was that she needed him in her life. She needed him more than he could ever possibly need her.

He lowered his head and kissed her gently. “We’ll figure it out, Ava, I promise. One step at a time, together, we’ll figure out what this all means for us.” Gathering her closer, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head and just held her tight.

She nodded and hugged him once more. “I know we will. Somehow and someway we will work this out. We began to care for each other so quickly, really care.”

“I know it’s fast, babe, but it feels right.” He stepped back a little and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Do you want to eat something or would you prefer just going up to the bedroom? I know my own preference, but I also know you didn’t eat a lot at lunch.”

“Yes, it’s fast but you’re correct, it does feel right.” She smiled, she couldn’t help herself. “I think the bedroom would be wonderful. I’m sure you will feed and water me should I get hungry or thirsty, right?” she asked softly.

“Of course I will,” he said with a smile. A moment later they were in the bedroom. “Now that we are here, what would you like to do?” His tongue slid over his lips slowly and the look in his eyes held plenty of suggestions.

“I would like for us both to be naked,” she told him softly, “on the bed. I would like for us both in the bed with the bedding pulled back. That’s what I want, sweetheart. Will you do that for us, for me?” She wanted to touch him, needed to touch him. She wanted to have him touching and feeling her as well.

Nodding he smiled slowly, “That I can do.” Leaning in, he pressed a kiss to her lips. A split second later they were on the bed, the covers and most of the pillows gone. Ares was leaning over her naked body but not fully covering her. “Is this what you had in mind?”

“This is very much what I had in mind.” Ava’s leg lifted and wrapped around his hip to pull him closer. “I happen to really, really enjoy this part. The feeling of your skin to mine, the way you touch me, the way you love me, it’s totally good.” And she wanted more, needed more.

“Oh, darling, I haven’t even begun to touch you yet,” he said. Lifting a hand, Ares stroked a very gentle finger over her temple and down her cheek, across her lips and then slowly, oh so slowly down her throat. He paid attention to her collarbone and then skimmed between her breasts to her belly. “You have the softest skin, so smooth and tempting.”