“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a paradox?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “I am a god. Comes with the territory. Are you agreeing to my terms?”
She looked down at her feet. She didn’t want to keep fighting with him. It was like constantly trying to swim upstream. Jeez, how did salmon do it?
Because they are swimming toward love, not away from it.
Love? They’re fish, Ashli.
Good point. They are swimming toward hot sex.
Ashli, they’re fish. They don’t have sex.
Good point.
Oh, forget it!
“Yes,” she finally said. “But I’m a salmon.”
“Sorry?”
“Just swimming,” she said. “Nothing more.”
She imagined Máax was smiling and that it was a heart-stopping smile. If only she could see him.
“Would you mind if I remove my clothes for our swim? I happen to be partial to skinny dipping.”
“Har-har,” Ashli laughed. “Sure.” Charming bastard.
An hour later, Ashli emerged from the tepid turquoise-green water feeling a little less, well, like a living, breathing roller-coaster ride. She’d swum out farther than she ever had. Was it her new body? It didn’t seem to tire at all. She’d even made it to the small sandbar about a kilometer from shore where she’d gone snorkeling many, many times but had always gotten there by boat. And yes, it was still there. Just as it had been yesterday, only yesterday was twenty years ago. Then, from the middle of the ocean, she’d gazed out across the hypnotic, jewel-colored waves and magnificent field of billowing clouds. They were no different than the ones she stared at for hours from her porch. No. Not everything you adore is gone, she thought. And on the swim back, she wondered if she hadn’t been too hasty in her reaction.
Yeah. Maybe. But why can’t I let go of the past? Why? She gazed up at the late afternoon sky peppered with dollops of gold-and-white clouds and savored the warm sand beneath her feet. The final rays of the sun warded away a shiver as the wind picked up.
“Letting go isn’t always easy,” Máax whispered in her ear as he wrapped her body in a towel.
How did he know what she was thinking?
She looked to her side where the indentations of giant feet marked the sand. “Exactly how do people let go?”
“I’m over here,” he said from behind her.
Ashli quickly turned toward the seductive, magnetizing sound of his voice. “You scared me.” Then her eyes saw him, the faint outline of his perfect form—stacks of behemoth muscles, broad, strong shoulders, chiseled cheekbones, and that square, masculine jaw. His brows glistened with ocean water, and she saw their shape clearly. They were thick but not too thick. And his lashes were longer and fuller than anything she’d seen on a man. His wet, dripping hair hung past his shoulders. His beard wasn’t long, but she could tell he hadn’t shaved for several weeks.
Oh. My. Gods. She forced the air back into her lungs. He looked so rugged and wild. So virile. What she could see of him anyway.
Her brain went to work and filled in the missing pieces. His expression came into focus, and she held back a gasp. He was so ethereal, so beautiful, but the look on his strong face was subtly tormented. Gods, he was striking, herculean. Yet he looked… vulnerable. Like he was lost, just waiting for someone to rescue him. To love him.
“My apologies. Perhaps it is time for that bell, after all,” he said.
She laughed to mask the depth of emotions crashing into her. Nothing was as it seemed. Was it? Not even Máax.
Ashli continued to stare at that colossal man standing before her, and it felt like she was opening her eyes for the first time, finally seeing everything for what it truly was. Her past. Him. The world. It was a life-changing moment. She realized a future existed, one with endless, magnificent possibilities. The recent changes in her life were proof of that now, weren’t they? And she need only dare to dream, to hope, to let go of the past and open her eyes if she wanted her life to change for the better.
Yeah. She’d been too hasty. She wanted to be there. With him. Her god. Everything about it felt right. She could see that now.
So it was settled; she’d be staying. She’d give living in her new home with Máax a try. She’d make it work.
She let out another little laugh; this time, however, it was genuine. Real live joy.
“You should laugh more often, Ashli. It is truly a beautiful laugh.” His deep, powerful voice jarred her from her thoughts. “But then again, everything about you is breathtaking. I am quite the lucky deity. The Universe chose well.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled up at him. “All right, big guy. You can lay off the charm. I want to tell you—”
“Charm? You think I’m flattering you? Can you not see what I see?”
When it came to her physical appearance, she was remarkably average. And she was certainly no god. But it didn’t matter, she was who she was. “Guess I don’t, but—”
“You, Ashli”—he pressed his body to hers and brushed her lips with his—“are millions of years of evolutionary perfection. Your mind is sharp and observant. Your will is fierce and determined like a champion steed. Your body is a godsdamned work of art, a seduction machine built for lovemaking, with a powerful god, of course. You have free will, free thought, and a free heart, one designed to give without question or judgment. Your skin and hair and eyes are the result of millions of years of humans selecting that which they loved or, at the very least, desired. So how is it possible that you see yourself as anything other than perfect? You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
“Wow. Well, that was one hell of a speech.”
“I speak the truth, Ashli,” he added. “You were a magnificent woman, and now you are a magnificent immortal. You will do great things. I feel it in my soul.”
How was it possible he saw so much in her? How?
“Thank you.” She looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. She wasn’t accustomed to someone saying those sorts of words to her. “For everything,” she added.
“If you really want to thank me”—Máax’s warm hands cradled the sides of her head—“close your eyes. I want you to feel something.”
If that something was pressing against her stomach, she already felt it. And heaven on earth, did she want it. And everything attached. Flickers and sparks were firing off all over her damned body.
“I want you to open your mind. I want you to feel our connection.”
They could do that? Sounded interesting, but in all honesty, her body ached for another kind of connection. In fact, shouldn’t they go inside before someone spotted her shamelessly grinding her wet body against thin air. Or worse! They might see the shimmering outline of an insanely seductive, powerful-looking man with a very, very large erection. “Let’s go into the hou—”
His lips were on her, but he kissed her softly, only allowing the tip of his hot tongue to gently glide over her lips. “Relax,” he commanded in a gruff voice. “I want there to be no secrets between us. I want to tell you—”
“Shut up and kiss me,” she commanded. “A real kiss.”
“But I must—”
“Now.”
She stood on her tippy-toes and reached for his neck. He bent down to meet her halfway. At first, he kissed her slowly, passionately. But then his scent began to work its way into her lungs. She instantly wanted more. More of his heat, of his touch, of his smell. He was so deliciously sweet and spicy, so male that it weakened her joints. And then something else overpowered her senses. It wasn’t a taste or a sound, but an odd feeling. Like she was inside Máax’s mind. But not in a way where she could read his thoughts. She knew what was in his heart. It was intoxicating and pure; it felt like being bathed in a warm light filled with love.
Love?
She wasn’t sure, but never in a thousand years would she have guessed such a powerful connection between two living beings was possible.
Máax p
ulled her even closer, molding her to him for more demanding kisses. “I want you, Ashli. Now.”
Oh thank gods. She was about ready to start begging. Her body felt like a giant bubbling Crock-Pot of hormones and lust. Tingles and erotic pulses blazed through her. Especially in her most intimate of parts. “But what about the thing that happened last time?”
“Ah yes. That. Though you are now infused with the light of the gods, you are still of the mortal world. I am not. However, the necklace will take care of everything.”
She looked down at the pendent around her neck. It was a large shiny black stone that felt strangely light. She’d actually forgotten about it.
“Where’d you get it?”
“Had the Uchben hunt one down the moment we arrived.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Really.” He scooped her up and carried her inside. Through the kitchen and the living room, up the stairs, and down the long hallway. She noticed how the house still felt foreign, but not in a bad way. Now it felt fresh and new. Máax and she could start a life here. As strange as it sounded, that’s what she wanted. Just like she wanted him.
He brought her into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed. “Ashli,” he said, “I want you to know that being with you is…” His voice trailed off.
“What?” Her eyes searched for his but found nothing. Air. Would she ever get used to this? Not being able to see him?
“Incredible. I won’t waste a minute of it.”
She felt the same. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. Opening her heart to this man, to the possibility of a life with him, leaving behind her past. Everything had happened so fast, but she didn’t care. Being with Máax felt right. Yes, like a dream, but right.
His hot hedonistic lips made their way down her bare stomach, sparking an illicit groan. Her body tensed with anticipation. Máax’s hands slid around her hips, and she watched him peel down her swimsuit. His mouth moved a bit farther south. Then a bit lower. Oh my God. Is he going to…
She gasped with pleasure and gripped his damp hair, shutting her eyes tightly.
He rubbed her lower belly with his rough, warm hand. “Just relax, Ashli.”
He going to—Oh!
His wet, hot tongue thrust inside her heated entrance. A tiny spark of something shot through her delicate flesh, traveled directly into her stomach, and then radiated out. Every part of her body lit with a sensual ache, one she now needed him to address. She wanted to feel his body push inside and—
There. Yes, there! He placed his mouth directly over her pulsing bud and vigorously massaged with the tip of his frenzied tongue. Oh, Lord, she’d never felt anything so wicked, so good. In her mind, she saw Máax’s enormous body kneeling between her thighs, his bulging biceps flexing and moving as he held her against his pumping and flicking tongue. The only thing that would make this moment more spectacular would be if she could see him. Really see him. Although her fingertips and skin knew he felt as real as any man. A man who truly enjoyed pleasing a woman.
Máax let out a husky, raw groan and that was enough to send her over the edge.
Ohmygods! She moaned his name while he relentlessly ground his mouth against her, extracting every last exquisite contraction.
Finally, he let up and planted slow, lazy kisses on her inner thigh. She sighed contently.
“I have dreamed of doing that to you, Ashli, just as I have dreamed of what will come next.”
And she could only imagine how good he would feel. His heavy body grinding against hers. His enormous cock slowly pushing inside, every thick inch of him a mixture of carnal bliss and primal torment. There was only one thing that could make it better—if she could really see him.
“Oh!” she said, “why didn’t I think about this before?” She sat up. “Do me a favor?”
“Did I not just do that?” he said playfully.
“Oh yes. And very, very well. But this will be even better. I promise.”
“I am intrigued.”
“Good. Wait for me in the bathtub. I’ll be back in two minutes.”
“Bathtub?” he questioned.
“But don’t put any water inside. I’ll be right back.”
Máax had never been with a woman. Ever. And the need to take her was paralyzing. Sure, on the surface, he seemed like a man in control, taking his time with the woman he loved. But underneath? Active volcano. Boom. Ready to blow his top in one seismic explosion.
Where the diabolus had Ashli gone?
Máax looked down at the cold tub beneath his feet. A tub? An empty tub? Maybe she feared his masculine eruption might be messy?
He chuckled. Well, he was a god. Of course she would think that. But right now, he was a regular mortal male. Not divine. Not powerful. Just painfully aroused and waiting anxiously for his first time.
Where is she? He looked down toward his throbbing erection. “Don’t even think about it. You’re not starting the party without her.”
But knowing she now wore the black jade necklace and that nothing barred him from sinking between her supple thighs, nothing stood in the way of making her moan over and over again, only made the anticipation that much more intoxicating. Yes, he was drunk with lust. So much so that he had completely forgotten about the impending doom awaiting him.
“Eh-hem.” Ashli stood in the doorway, wearing a robe and holding a saucepan. The bathroom was immediately permeated with the smell of…
“Hell, woman, you left me here with the world’s most painful erection so you could have a snack?”
Her turquoise eyes glowed with mischief. She swiped her finger into the pan and coated it with a golden-brown syrupy liquid. She licked her finger and then her lips. “Oh yeah. And you’re the snack.”
Sanctis infernus. He gripped his shaft and gave it a tight squeeze. No, no, no. He was going to burst, and she hadn’t even touched him yet.
Ashli made her way over to the tub. “Are you standing?”
“Y-y-yes.” Now I’m stuttering? Gods, what this woman does to me.
“Excellent.” She hopped up on the flat edge of the tub and reached forward, feeling her way around the top of his head. “Face me.”
He did as she asked. “What do you plan to do with that?”
She lifted the pan over his head. “I want to see you.”
She was going to pour that sticky stuff all over him?
Fantastic.
“I agree,” he said, “but only if you slip off your robe first.”
“You can have anything you like just as soon as I’m done.”
“Anything?” He swallowed.
“Mmmm-hmmm…” She smiled.
“Good, because as soon as you’ve covered me with that concoction, I plan to take you to that enormous bed out there and fuck you senseless.”
She froze, and for a moment he wondered if he’d just been a little too honest. But what could he say? He was still the God of Truth (give or take one or two little lies), and he knew exactly what he wanted: Her. Sweaty, panting, moaning his name as he took her hard. Again and again.
“Twelve,” he said slowly in a low voice, “of the hardest, thickest inches you’ll ever find.”
“I thought you said eleven?”
Ah, she remembers. “Right you are. But in full disclosure, I’ve never measured. I am more than happy to let you do so if you take off that robe.”
“Patience, Máax. I promise you’re going to love this.”
He already did.
“Close your eyes.” Ashli tipped the pan filled with warm caramel topping she’d found in the pantry. She would have gone for chocolate, but she’d only found some ice cream and somehow imagined Máax would not appreciate the coldness given where she intended to put it.
Slowly, the liquid ran down his head, shoulders, and back. She set the pan down and started running her hands slowly over him, massaging his shoulders and then firm, round, hard pecs. The sweet coating was working perfectly, sticking to his skin and giving him a golden-
brown hue.
She reached for Máax’s face, feeling the rough stubble of his cheeks. The warm, sticky syrup stuck to his jaw and ears.
“That feels surprisingly good,” he said.
You just wait.
She hopped into the empty tub and gazed up at her living sculpture. Her god. Her giant caramel apple god.
Yes. Now she could see him. Really, truly see him. She let out a tiny gasp. His face was a vision of perfection just as she’d imagined. If only she could gaze into his eyes.
“You’re so… handsome, Máax.” But that word was silly. It didn’t come close to doing justice. Divine was more like it. She couldn’t wait to see the rest.
With eager anticipation, she frantically smothered every inch of his chest and arms. Every new piece she revealed painted a picture far more delicious than the man-collage her imagination had invented.
“Enjoying yourself?” He lifted a brow and smiled.
“Oh yes.” And in a few moments, she planned to enjoy much, much more. Especially those lips. Yes, they were as gorgeous and plump looking as they felt. “You are so sexy.”
She slid her coated hands a bit lower. This was the part she had really been waiting for. She carefully spread the mixture over every ripple of his lower abdomen, hesitating only for a moment when she reached his shaft. She dipped her hand back into the pan and recoated it before reaching for his pulsing erection.
Máax released a deep, masculine groan. “Hell, woman. I’m not going to last another second if you move on me like that.”
Her insides knotted with tension, tension she wanted him to release.
She glimpsed down, and it nearly took her breath away. It was thicker and longer than she’d seen in her mind. It was magnificent. And as wanton as it sounded, she craved to know what it would feel like pushing inside her. Was it true what they’d said about large men? Was sex better? She’d only been with one other man, and that was back in college. She recognized how unusual it was for a woman of twenty-five to have such a lean track record, but she was always the sort of person who grew attached too easily. That’s why over the years she’d learned to be cautious when it came to her heart. After her parents died, cautious turned to an impenetrable wall. No one was getting in if she could help it. That was, until Máax came along. For the first time in a very long time she wanted to let someone in. She felt safe with him, and not just physically, but emotionally. He would never hurt her or lie to her or break her trust. And he would never die.