"This isn't right," she said. "I need to be touching you, too. Otherwise the bet isn't fair."
"We never said anything about the bet being fair," he replied darkly, his face a mask of sensual pleasure. He leaned over her again, and kissed her deeply. He eased his body over hers, rubbing his erection against her through their clothing, and she sighed in pleasure.
Tingles were running through every inch of her skin.
She didn't even notice the silken loops he slipped over her hands until it was too late. He nibbled at her mouth, her chin and her throat. His breath against her ear made her shiver. She reached up to pull his mouth back down to hers, only to discover her wrists were tied.
He must have seen the startled, horrified look in her eyes, because he started laughing—a low, sensual laugh—at the exact moment she realized she was his prisoner. He sat back up, watching her as she struggled against the ties.
"You are far too innocent for me," he said, his face mocking. "Do you really think I'd make it easy for you to win this bet? You're mine, now, pretty goddess. It's going to be a long afternoon."
She glared at him, but her dark looks seemed to amuse him more than anything else. He stood slowly, and stretched.
"You seem upset right now, so I'll give you a little time to think things over," he said softly. "I have some business to take care of. I'll be back within an hour or so. Don't get too lonely without me…"
She growled at him, twisting against her bonds, but it was no good. Whatever they were made of, it certainly wasn't the silk they resembled. Even with her supernatural strength she couldn't budge them.
He laughed again, and strode out of the room. She was alone.
If she ever got out of there, she was going tokill him, she vowed. Bastard.
How dare he treat her this way?
Kalliara woke slowly, finding herself in Sabiniano's arms. What a night they had had together… She had never felt more wonderful in her life. Every muscle was tight, and she was more than a little sore between her legs, but it had all been worth it.
Of course, she had betrayed her goddess. A wave of guilt washed over her, and she moaned softly. How could she have given up her vows to Athena so lightly?
What kind of woman would do such a thing?
A woman like her mother.
Her mother had given up Athena for Aphrodite, she reminded herself. And she seemed to think it was worth it. The family had only been together for a short time in the underworld, but her parents had seemed very happy there. Irenia, too, seemed to feel that they had made the right choice.
I'm sorry, she whispered in her heart. But I've already given up one life for you. I'm going to live what time I have left here for me…
She rolled over to find Sabiniano watching her.
"How are you this morning?" he asked softly. "Any regrets?"
"No," she replied, boosting herself up to look at him. "No, last night was wonderful. I wouldn't go back and do anything differently. So, what now?"
A shadow crossed his face, but it was gone so quickly that she seemed to have imagined it.
"Now?" he replied lightly. "Now we enjoy what Naxos has to offer. I want to make this day perfect for you."
She laughed.
"But what about tomorrow?"
"Let's just worry about today for now," he said, pulling her on top of him.
He tickled her, viciously, then rolled her beneath him on the bed.
"You're crazy," she said, giggling.
"Maybe," he replied, his face softening. "But I want to treasure this first day we truly have together. Because we are truly together, right?"
"Yes," she whispered, reaching up and pulling his head down to hers for a kiss. "We are together. I've given Athena one life. Let me give this one to you. That is, if you want me. This is more than just a passing fancy for you, isn’t it?"
"Oh, it's more than a passing fancy," he said. He brushed his lips against hers, and she sighed. Tendrils of feeling spread through her body. As if she had been created for his touch alone. He stirred something so strong within her that she was almost frightened by it. Almost.
Once upon a time she would have been. But instead of pulling away, she closed her eyes and allowed the sensation to sweep over her. She concentrated on the smell of him, the feel of him above her. He was warm, and he had a special scent all his own. Rich, spicy. Masculine and powerful.
It made her want to touch him, and with a frisson of excitement, she realized that she could. There was nothing to be afraid of. She had been so frightened of him before, so frightened of so many things. But she was strong now—there was nothing he could ask of her body that she couldn't give. It was a wonderful type of freedom, something so new she hardly knew what to think of it.
But if she didn't know what tothink of it, she did know what todo about it.
She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulled him close as they kissed. He groaned, the sound little more than a rumble in his chest, and she felt a surge of power and excitement.
He wanted her.
Even though they had made love again and again last night, Even though she knew he must have been with hundreds of other women before her, many of them beautiful and accomplished beyond her wildest dreams, this man wanted her.
She could feel it in the tension of his shoulders, in the tightening of the muscles across his back. He groaned again, and his lips pressed hers open.
Unlike the night before, he was slow and cautious. His tongue hesitated at the entrance to her mouth before pressing in, delicately dancing across her own tongue.
She shivered.
Again and again, he nibbled at her opening like a bee dipping into a flower.
With every touch she could feel the longing within her body growing, and a slow, steady ache was building between her legs. She shifted them restlessly, and he moaned. Intrigued by his response, she shifted again, this time pressing up with her hips.
His erection was massive, pushing urgently between her cleft. He twitched as she wiggled; a smile stole across her face. He lifted his head from hers, a mock scowl marring his face.
"You like that, don't you?" he asked, his voice smooth and silky. She nodded, trying to bite back a giggle. She lifted her hips again, and his face grew pained.
"If you keep this up, I won't have much left to give you," he said wryly.
"Oh, I think you'll have plenty to give me," she said archly. She allowed her hands to play down his back, reveling in the feel of him under her fingers.
Each grazing touch made him stiffen further. A daring idea struck.
"I want to be in charge this time," she said suddenly. He gave her a questioning look.
"Every time we've been together, you've controlled the situation," she said.
"I want to be in charge this time. I want to control you."
"And just how do you plan to accomplish that?" he asked, amused.
"You're going to let me," she said, smirking.
"I doubt that," he replied.
"Oh, yes, you are," she said. "And you're going to do it willingly. Because I have something to offer that you want."
"And what would that be?" he asked quietly. "Unless I'm deeply mistaken, I already have your body."
"Yes, but I haven't had yours," she said archly. "And I think you'd like it if I did. Don't you wonder what it would be like if I took you in my mouth? If I rode you as hard as you've ridden me?"
His face flushed as she spoke; there was no doubt he was aroused by her words. She decided to bring it home.
"I'm going to fuck you until you scream," she continued, her voice barely a whisper. He nodded, not speaking.
She pushed up against him, palms flat across his chest. He rolled over beside her onto the bed. She laughed. How quickly the mighty Sabiniano had fallen…