Ares: (Gods of Old Book 1) (21 page)

“Shh, babe, I’ve got you,” he said holding her tight. He rocked her in his arms, rubbing her back in that soothing way he had. “I’ve got you, and I’m never letting you go. You’re mine, Ava, and you always will be.”

“Good, I’m glad that you’re never letting me go,” she whispered in his ear. Nibbling on his neck she sighed and then nodded. “I was perfectly fine until your father showed up. Then I wigged out. You owe Hades big for talking me into walking down the aisle for you, baby. I wanted to have you come and whisk me away to elope.”

Chuckling he squeezed her close, “I’m just glad he got off his ass and came.” His words were a dark mutter in her ear. Hmm, sounded like a little bad blood there. Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he drew back and smiled at her. “Ready to get this show on the road?” he asked softly.

“I’m ready to get it on the road and us on the road. I need to have you with me for as long as I can keep you, so let’s make this legal.” She didn’t let go of him fully; she just turned with him to face the priest and smiled. “Please, begin.”

The priest, and several guests, chuckled softly. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today-”

*****

“Holy hell, we’re married,” Ares said with a grin. Spinning her around the dance floor, or rather his patio, he pulled her back into his arms. The reception was well under way; everyone was dancing or drinking and talking.

“I’m just glad my family all behaved themselves. The fact my dad showed up was a little shocking. I’d hoped but really didn’t expect it. And,” he frowned down at her. “You never did explain why you were so upset and nervous, love. Why did you practically tackle me at the alter?”

“Why did you never introduce me to him?” she asked softly. “Willow and Denise both met him, but I haven’t. Why? I guess I was worried. Worried I wouldn’t be good enough,” she admitted bluntly. “And then Hades set me straight.” She smiled and shook her head. “I adore your uncle by the way. He talked me into coming down the aisle and then I had to just jump into your arms.”

“Hell I adore my uncle right now too,” he laughed hugging her tight. “Zeus is, well, he’s a randy bastard who thinks with his cock and tends to ignore the word no more often than not. He gave humans free will and yet he’s always been a little loose with the rules. The rest of us get bitch slapped if we interfere or step on free will. I was worried he’d try something with you and didn’t want to put you into a position like that until we were married and tied together fully.”

“Step back, boy, time for the favorite uncle to take the bride for a twirl. And since she adores me, you can’t say shit,” Hades said clapping a hand on Ares’ shoulder.

Ava smiled and looked up at Ares, “I love you,” she said happily and then turned to Hades, “And where is your other half?” she asked him with a smile. Going into his arms, she began to dance with Hades.

“She is over dancing with Apollo while Denise hits the little girls room,” he told her. He spun her around a couple of times before moving her through the motions of the dance. “Don’t worry; you only have to put up with me for one song. So, all better now that you’re over the paranoia?”

“Yes, very much so. As long as I get to go back into the arms of the man I love you had better believe it,” she said with a smile. “Willow is amazing. She’s such a sweetheart,” she said with a smile. “So yes, it’s a very good thing that you are here with her and are going to save her from your brother, right?”

“My Willow is amazing, no denying that,” he agreed with her. Then he smiled, “And she puts up with me, so that makes her a damned saint to boot. That woman keeps me in line and makes me happy. Pretty much what you do for Ares.” He did frown a moment later and tipped his head. “Save who from who?” he asked in obvious confusion.

“Isn’t that your brother? Approaching your Willow, isn’t that your brother?” She asked him. “Maybe I’m wrong because God only knows that I’ve never met your brother, but the man looks a lot like Ares, Apollo and you.”

Hades’ head whipped around, and he cursed, something she’d never actually heard before. “Sorry, darling, I’ll be right back,” he smiled, a very feral smile.

Hades headed off at high speed as Ares wandered up and caught her in his arms. “There are not many times I like my father. But getting you back in my arms is definitely one of them. I just hope Hades doesn’t pummel him too much; blood is so hard to get out of the tile.”

“Good point. Well, all that I know is that we should leave. We’ve done the dance. We had the food. We cut the cake. What do you say about us disappearing and running away for a while?”

“Excellent idea,” he smiled at her. “Hades promised to stay until everyone left, so we’re good on that front. Let’s slip upstairs and change, then you and I have a honeymoon to get to. I for one can not wait to have you naked for the next two weeks.”

“Where we are going will we be able to be naked for the next two weeks?” He had kept the honeymoon so very quiet that she didn’t have the first idea as to where they would be going, and it was driving her nuts. “Are you going to tell me yet?”

“Yep and nope,” he grinned snagging her hand. Pulling her behind him, they slipped into the house and then jogged for the stairs. At the bottom, Ares scooped her up and carried her up fast and into their bedroom. “But it’s somewhere we can be naked the entire time and have no worries. Other than that, you will just have to wait until we arrive.”

“Oh, you are so bad. It’s a good thing that I love you as much as I do and that you have already gotten me to say yes.” She teased him. “I am Mrs. Ares now.” And she couldn't be happier. Ava was lucky, and she damn well knew it.

“That’s Mrs. God of War to those we don’t like,” he grinned at her. Laughing softly he kissed her and set her on her feet. Her dress suddenly drooped, and she knew he’d undone the back for her. “Change quickly before someone figures out we’re not down there any longer.”

“Clean and put my gown into storage please?” she asked when she stepped out of it and put it on the bed. “That way if we ever have children, our daughter can wear it.” She ran her hand over the wedding gown and smiled. “And she will know the love that I have for her father, and we can only pray she will have as much love for her man too.”

“He’d better worship the ground she walks on, or I’ll break him into little pieces.” A deadly promise, but a promise no less. A small flash of light and the dress was gone. She knew he’d cleaned it up and put it away somewhere nice and safe. Another flash of light and he was in worn jeans and a button down shirt showing a chunk of his chest.

“Well come on, do me too.” She teased with the double entendre. She hooked her fingers into his front pockets and pulled him closer, her lips brushing over his chest as she did so.

“Oh, I’ll definitely do you too,” he said with a chuckle. A slow slide of his hands down her arms and she was dressed. A bra that pushed her chest up, a shirt that was tight and exposed most of her breasts, slim jeans hugging her from hip to ankle and sandals, dainty and pretty on her feet. No panties she noted feeling the rub of the seam of her jeans to her clit.

Ava laughed, the decadent feeling of the clothing on her body had her grinning up at him. “Now then, husband, you said something about our honeymoon being where we could be naked at all times? I suggest that we go.” Leaning up on her toes Ava kissed him, her happiness blossoming around them both as she did so.

Grinning he grabbed up a duffel, “A few necessities like toothbrushes and paste. Goggles and sunscreen, plus a few surprises for our honeymoon.” He put it over his shoulder in a way she wouldn’t be getting any peeks into it. Then he hauled her to his chest and kissed her hard. The flash happened halfway through the kiss, the noise of the party gone, the soft sound of water taking its place.

“That is just naughty of you-” She had begun just before he pulled her into his arms. The moment he kissed her all thoughts were gone, and instead she focused on him. When they pulled apart, she licked her lips and sighed. “Man, you certainly know how to make me forget everything, don’t you?” she asked quietly.

“I have had a bit of practice after all,” he teased softly. “That and time to practice all my distraction techniques. It’s always very handy with you,” he grinned. “Now, do you want to see where we are, or do you want to stand here and kiss some more.”

“I think kiss some more and then we should look over this wonderful place that you’ve brought me to.” She kissed him again and then pulled back. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with a breeze on her naked body. She laughed and shook her head. “Oh you bad, bad boy.” She teased him and looked over the beach. “Private I take it?”

“Doesn’t even exist on a map and never will,” he told her. “The entire place is shielded, and only six of us have access to it. We’ve kept it secret from everyone else so we can have a place that not even our family can find us. When one of us is here, we hang the proverbial sock on the knob and the others don’t intrude. Plus I let the others know I was coming here with you.”

Ava laughed, “I love it. Thank you.” She hugged him again and then pulled away. “So since it’s all shielded, does that mean we can swim in the ocean without worry of sharks or mermen or whatever your uncle Poseidon has in the oceans?”

“Yup, we have a twelve-mile line, just like any other country. It’s all clear of anything dangerous and deadly. The only thing here that can get you is the sun and the occasional monkey with an attitude problem.”

“Awesome,” she said with a smile. “Then I think that we need to go for a swim. Come on, Ares, share this first swim with me as a married couple?”

“Right behind you,” he smiled at her. “Head for the beach, I just want to watch your ass wiggle. I do so love how your ass moves when you’re naked. Especially when you know I’m watching. I swear you add a little extra hip action just for me.”

“You better believe that I do,” she said as she wiggled just a little bit more for him as she looked over her shoulder at him. “Well, come on, husband, catch me without magic and we will fuck in the ocean.”

“You do realize I have longer legs right?” he asked. “Ten-second head start because I love you. But you’d better run like the devil is on your ass. Because, when I catch you, I’m going to take you hard, fast and you’ll be feeling it until we leave.” He paused, smiled at her with full intention in his eyes and then whispered, “Go.”

Ava laughed over her shoulder and ran; she ran as if he were right there on her heels the entire time. She had almost made it to the water when he caught her. She didn’t mind, though; she would get pleasure no matter what. Hugging him tightly Ava leaned in and kissed him. “I love you, husband, so very much.”

Laughing he spun her around and kissed her right back. “And I love you, wife. Forever and into eternity,” he whispered. Catching her mouth in a long, deep kiss, he worked at keeping his promise to her from before their little race. Over and over again.

The End

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