Chapter 80

I was floating while water lapped around me. Am I dreaming? Pain flashed along my head like I was wearing a too-tight 80s sweatband and I knew this wasn’t going to be a nice dream. I touched a hand to my temple and winced as even that little movement had me feeling like I’d been tackled by a football team and not in a good way.

My eyelids felt like they were glued shut, but I opened them anyway. A chandelier made of shells tinkled in a soft breeze. I propped myself up on my elbows and they sank into a plastic mattress. A waterbed?

If my head didn’t hurt so much, I’d laugh.

I checked out the rest of the room. Coral was embedded in the walls along with shells and sea glass of all colors and shapes. It was breathtaking. And either I was in one of Poseidon’s homes or I took some wonky medicine and was having a bad trip.

But this couldn’t be Poseidon’s. His were all underwater and the only water in this room was wrapped in a plastic mattress.

There was a light tap at the door and I cleared my throat that felt parched. “Come in.”

Poseidon entered and my breath caught in my chest. He was handsome with his sea-blue eyes, blond hair, and muscles all over. I felt like I was drooling with him standing there dressed in only jeans that hung low on his hips. His body would give Olympic swimmers envy.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, but he didn’t move from the doorway almost like he was afraid to come closer to me.

“Like I lost a fight with an octopus.”

His watery smile had my stomach clenching.

“I’m okay, really.” I sat up and swung my legs over the bed. “Nothing getting something to eat, and drink won’t fix.” Along with sleep and maybe snuggling in bed with a sea god.

“I have food ready for you in the kitchen. A bit of everything since I didn’t know what you’d like.”

“Thanks.” I licked my lips, suddenly feeling awkward around him. Was it because the last time two times I was around him he tried to kill me? Or that I was in total lust with him and I needed to calm my libido down.

I stood, expecting to feel the claw marks where the Kraken gouged me, but there was only a tightness to my back. Gently, I fingered the marks which were more like healed scratches.

“Sorry, my pet was protecting her young. She has been instructed never to harm you again.”

“Oh. W-We didn’t know.” I moved to the door, and he stepped back going down a hallway and I followed after him.

“Why were you three even in the cave?” he said, glancing over his shoulder at me.

“Trying to find you. Dion said it had been your home, but I guess you changed residences.” The hallway was iridescent like it was carved from pearls. “Speaking of which, where are we?”

“My fortress.”

I really wanted to stick my tongue out at him. Drawing out answers from him was nearly impossible. Instead, I asked, “And that is where...Settle?”

This time he chuckled. “No. We’re closer to Greece than the United States.”

I slapped my hand against the sides of my legs. “Well, that narrows it down.”

“We’re in-between. Surrounded by water and protected by a cave.”

“Like an underwater cave that has an air pocket.”

“Yes. No one knows about this place, but me.” He pulled out a tray of cheeses, grapes, apples, and figs. “Now you three know about it, but you will be safe here.”

We entered a kitchen that looked like Gordan Ramsey built. There were two stovetops and a grill station in between. The fridge was silver and sparkling. Lots of cabinets and a pantry stocked with canned and dry goods.

“You cook?”

“Does that strike you as strange?” He arched an eyebrow.

“A bit.” I shrugged. “I mean I could maybe see Hephaestus, since he’s the god of fire, being a cook. But you’re the god of the sea...water. Doesn’t seem to go.”

He gave me an odd look and flinched a bit when I said Hephaestus. Why?

“Guess I’m a bit of a contradiction then.” He ate a grape. “I’m not a merman or sea creature. If I hadn’t won the oceans as part of my realm, then I’d be doing something else.”

“Like the god of the underworld, like Hades?” I asked, grabbing two cubes of cheese.

“Perhaps. Or even Zeus’ domain of Olympus. At the time, I thought it tiny to claim such a small piece of this world. Now I see that he has abused his power to rule over us all.” Poseidon let out a heavy sigh. “I must apologize to you, Paige.”

I swallowed, a flush creeping up my neck.

“For what?” Did he have the memory of nearly killing me? Cause I wouldn’t want to wish that on him. I’d lived through it, and he was back with us as himself—so I’d do it again if it meant freeing him from Zeus’ control—even if that meant he wasn’t interested in me other than a friend. A knot formed in the back of my throat.

“I should never have gone to Zeus at all. You hadn’t wanted me to go, but I thought I could reason with him as his brother. I see now that he cares for no one except himself. And I put you in danger by doing so.”

“It’s not your fault.” I closed the distance between us, needing to be near him, but not sure if he wanted the comfort of a hug or just listening to him. But I couldn’t be standing here with him and more than a foot away. I’d gone all this time worrying about him and then trying to figure out how to break Zeus’ mind control on him.

Poseidon grabbed me and hauled me to him. Kissing me before I could say anything. His kiss tasted sweet from the grape he’d eaten. His hands cupped my waist as he held me in place. Like I’d go anywhere.

I wrapped my arms around him, running my fingers through his thick, blond hair. My lips nibbled his and let our tongues tangle as my libido shot through the roof. His hands lowered to my ass, and he growled in appreciation. I couldn’t get enough of him either. My hands moved to his bare chest, and he hissed out a breath against my lips as I traced over his chiseled muscles. His skin was smooth and almost had a silky feeling like velvet.

His hands dug into my ass, and he lifted me until I was sitting on the counter, and I wrapped my legs around his hips. I couldn’t stop kissing him, touching him. And he must have felt the same way because he kissed me like he was a drowning man, and I was the only way he could live.

I clung to his shoulders, rubbing my sex against his erection, but we were both wearing too many clothes.

But I didn’t want to stop kissing him. Like in doing so would break this raw, primal urge between us. He was damn amazing at kissing. Tingles spread through me.

Poseidon broke off our kiss for a second to hike my shirt up over my head. I gasped, breathless. Then he kissed me again. His hands stroked my breasts through my bra and my nipples pebbled at his touch. Desire wafted through me. I reached behind me to unhook my bra, needing it off and to feel his hands on my skin.

His hands skimmed over my breast and the touch was electrifying. I shivered in pleasure.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked, kissing me between each word.

Like I could deny him anything. “Yes.”

“I-I didn’t want our first time to be this way.” He leaned his forehead against mine, breathing hard as though he were trying to control himself. “This was supposed to be special in a lagoon or behind a waterfall.”

“It is special.” I cupped his face in my hands until he looked into my eyes. “Because I’m with you.”

I kissed him softly and nibbled at his lips until he groaned, and our kiss turned primal again. My hands gripped his shoulders as blood whooshed in my ears. I was both light-headed and grounded at the same time.

“Wait,” I eased back a fraction of an inch. “Let me get my clothes off.”

His lopsided grin made my heart beat faster. “I’m a god, remember?”

And with a flick of his hand, both my pants and underwear were gone. He bent his head to my breast. His tongue licked my nipple while his other hand caressed my other breast. The sensation sent me arching my back and holding on to his arms to keep from collapsing back against the counter.

“Mmmm...you taste divine, Paige.” He moved to my other breast and teased and sucked on me until I was writhing against him.

Blood pounded in my ears as he kissed me down my stomach and to the juncture of my thighs. His cool hands spread my legs wider, and he licked me. I shivered, gasping. I yearned for his touch, for his kiss, for all of him.

“Lean back on the counter,” he ordered, and I willingly lay down, resting on my elbows.

Seeing his blond head as he licked and sucked my clit drove me insane. I wanted him so bad my chest hurt. I felt empty inside and needed him to fill me. Yet, his tongue was doing wicked things to me, and I couldn’t form the words to tell him to fuck me. All I could do was gasp and moan as my legs shook and a tremor rolled through me.

My climax built and built until I was on the edge. My voice going higher-pitched.

Poseidon looked up at me with a grin. “I can’t get enough of you.”

Then he stood, rubbing his cock against my entrance. I felt like I was going to burst.

“So wet.”

“Please,” I managed to squeak out. All of my body felt like it was on fire and him deep inside me was the only cure.

He plunged into me and groaned. I jerked, my body demanding release. I bucked against him. He pumped in and out of me while his thumb rubbed my clit, and his other hand pinched my nipple.

The sensations were too much. I arched my back as I climaxed, screaming his name.

“I want to feel you do that again,” Poseidon said in a husky voice.

But his brow furrowed like he was concentrating on not coming himself as he thrust harder and faster into. My breasts bounced as he continued to fuck me. His hands were like magic, pushing all my buttons and driving me over the edge so soon that I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath.

My muscles locked up as wave after wave of my orgasm crashed into me.

Poseidon grasped my hips, lifting my lower back off the counter, and went even deeper inside me.

When I could come no more and was practically boneless, Poseidon let out a guttural growl and stilled. Sweat glistened on his skin and I was sure it would taste like him and saltwater. His hair was damp, and he leaned over me, staring into my eyes like I was a treasure.

“You okay?” I asked. We kinda had jumped into bed...well, counter very quickly. Faster than I had with Dion or Hephaestus.

“Yes.” He kissed me, before easing up and pulling me with him. “You felt fantastic.”

My blush heated my whole face, and I tucked my hair behind my ears. “Thanks. You were wonderful. I don’t know if I can walk, my legs feel like jelly.”

“I’ll carry you.” And he scooped me into his arms.

If I hadn’t just had sex, I’d be climbing all over this god. Instead, I stayed cradled against his chest as he walked us into a bathroom with a huge tub. With the snap of his fingers, steaming water filled the tub faster than a flash flood.

He set me down in the water and I grabbed his hand.

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“Not this time.” He gave me a long kiss that felt like goodbye and my heart squeezed. “There are some things I need to take care of.”

“I can help you.”

Shadows crossed his face before he shook his head. “No, this is something I need to handle on my own.”

A horrible feeling sank into my gut, and I held onto his hand. “You’re not going after Zeus alone, are you? Promise me.”

He sighed. “I promise. There’s no way I can face my brother without backup. I’ve learned from my previous mistakes.”

“Okay, then what?” There was something he didn’t want to tell me and my terror for him was multiplying by the second. Did he regret being with me? I searched his sea-blue eyes, but there was no guilt or disgust that I could tell.

“I’d rather not say.” He sighed. “There are certain things I must take care of. You’re safe here.”

“Yeah, but for how long?” I let go of his hand and sank into the warm water. “I need you to teach me how to control your element. It’s the last one left and then we won’t have to hide from your brother ever again.” I wouldn’t have to fear for my life or worry Zeus would wipe out the human race because I failed. Back in college, my biggest fear had been failing a mid-term or flying on a plane. Now I worried that the king of the gods was going to annihilate me.

“You’re not going to let this go until I tell you, are you?”

I lifted my chin. “Nope. So you might as well let me know what’s going on.” Though my stomach cramped at the thought of what he might say.

“Fine.” He stood, stepping back from the bathtub and I got the impression it was so I couldn’t reach him if I wanted to hit him.

“I’ve locked Dion and Hermes in a magical sleep.”