How to Worship a Goddess (11 page)

“I don't scream.” She had to force the words out of her mouth, barely able to get enough air to speak.

“You will. Now shut your mouth before I put you on your knees and stuff my cock in it.”

Blessed Mother Goddess. She shivered even as her blood flowed like lava through her veins and her muscles tightened in painful need. “Aren't you afraid I'll bite it off?”

His lips curved into a sharp smile. “You like what it can do too much to hurt it, babe. Hell, you're practically begging for it now.”

Damn him, he was right. She wanted to whisper the words of the spell to remove his clothing but she was too caught up in the moment to want to change the dynamics now.

So she watched as he lifted her just high enough to get his mouth on her breasts. She'd wondered if he'd slow down, now that he had her under his control. Torment her with slow, teasing licks.

No, he fell on her like a starving animal, attacking her breasts with his mouth and teeth. His lips circled one nipple, sucking it into the heated cavern of his mouth and rasping his tongue over the hardening tip. Her head fell back against the wall, hitting with an audible thump and sending an instant of sharp, shooting pain through her head, quickly replaced by lust.

When he'd made that nipple rosy and so hard it hurt, he switched to the other, giving it the same treatment.

Air became a scarce commodity. Her lungs burned for the lack of it. Still, she'd suffocate before she told him to stop. Not that she thought he would.

He feasted on her, teeth and tongue working her breasts while her hips arched, trying to connect with the erection he kept so selfishly in his jeans.

After what seemed an eternity, he pulled away, his teeth scraping and pulling at her nipple, sending lightning bolts of heat directly to her womb. Damn him, she needed to be filled. She needed more.

She threaded one hand through his short hair, just long enough for her to grip and yank. He didn't fight her hold but he didn't let her just tug his head back either. He must have felt some pain and, if his wicked smile was anything to go by, he liked it.

“Damn you. I want you to fuck me,” she said. “Now.”

Lowering her an inch at a time until she stood on her feet, he pinned her hips against the wall, her ass smashed against the cool, painted surface.

“I'll fuck you when I'm damn good and ready. Now be a good little goddess and stand still.”

He dropped to his knees in a motion so fluid, she thought it had to be magic.

And then she didn't think at all because his mouth had opened on the soft skin of her stomach, just above her mound.

Sweet Mother Goddess, she didn't think she could get any more desperate without making a complete fool of herself.

She wanted to fall in a puddle of lust at his feet but she locked her knees as his mouth slowly kissed and sucked its way to her mound. She kept the curls there trimmed and her lower lips bare.

And now she knew why.

Because the feel of Brandon's tongue swiping over that skin made her have a short, sharp orgasm that left her gasping.

“Hey, baby, I didn't say you could come yet, did I? I think maybe you need a little lesson in control.”

“I need no lessons from you,
eteri
.”

She tried to force some strength into her words but knew she hadn't succeeded when she felt his mouth curve in a grin, his breath ruffling her hair.

“Is that a challenge, goddess? Because you should know I never back down when someone drops their gloves.”

She drew in a breath to answer but it sputtered and died on her lips when he swiped his tongue through her slit.

Burning heat seared her pussy as he licked and nipped at her most sensitive flesh. Thick cream seeped from her sex, so fragrant she could smell it.

Pinned against the wall by his strong hands, she couldn't move her lower body. Her hands tugged at his hair, but he slowed to an even more glacial pace. Her pulse pounded in her clit, which he flicked with the tip of his tongue, wrenching a harsh sigh from her.

When Brandon gripped the inside of her thighs and spread her wider, she could hardly bear the sensation of the cooler air on her heated flesh.

Lifting one leg over his shoulder, he used his fingers to spread her open then fucked his tongue into her channel.

A long sigh shuddered from her as her body gathered in preparation for another orgasm. But he withdrew just before she could find her release.

“Damn you, Brandon,” she groaned, releasing his head so she didn't accidentally hurt him. Instead she slammed her fists against the wall, hearing the plaster crack and not caring in the least.

“You taste fucking amazing. But I know you feel even better when I'm stuffed inside you.”

“Then do it. Come inside me, Brandon.”

He licked her again before closing his teeth on her clit until she thought she would burst out of her skin with the pleasure.

“When I'm damn good and ready.”

His words hummed through the tiny bundle of nerves like an electric shock, firing every pleasure receptor in her body. It took every ounce of her control not to throw him to the floor and pounce on him.

She could do it. She had the strength of a goddess. But she wouldn't. She wanted…

He wrung a groan out of her with his tongue, flattening it and drawing it over her clit, finally allowing her orgasm to break free.

Drawing it out as long as he could, her knees almost gave out as he released her for a second to stand. She felt the bulk of him surround her as he lifted her again with his hands under her thighs.

“Strip me, goddess.”

She almost didn't understand his meaning, but at least one part of her brain had to be working. In the next second, he stood naked before her, his cock poised to enter her.

No hesitation, just a slight adjustment and he rammed home, filling her so deep, she didn't think he had a centimeter to spare.

His lips bit her earlobe. “Now I'm gonna make you scream.”

She couldn't help herself. She wasn't one to back away from a challenge either. “You can try.”

“Oh, baby, don't you know trying is the fun part?”

She expected him to fuck her hard and fast then, tried to prepare herself for a quick release. But he surprised her.

He pulled out at a glacial pace, making sure she felt every ridge, every inch of his hard flesh scraping against hers. Her channel clung, clamping around him like a vise, but he fought the pull and withdrew until only the tip of his cock remained inside. Then he pushed back in at the same speed until the base of his cock hit her clit.

Her body shook, straining. His every movement pushed her closer to completion, but at such a wicked cost. Sweat sheened her body, hers and Brandon's.

Turning her head, she licked his neck, his flavor bursting on her tongue like the finest wine. Her hands, currently kneading his upper back like a cat, slid downward until she reached the clenching globes of his ass. So physically beautiful. A perfect specimen of male.

Hers.

She slipped a finger between his cheeks and felt him groan above her.

“Ah, hell, Lucy. Don't—Aw,
fuck
.”

She rimmed the tiny opening of his anus and pushed against it barely enough to matter but he bucked against her like a bull.

Yes.

His speed increased, his hips thrusting faster, then wildly until he seemed out of control.

She didn't care. His cock rubbed against that sweet spot high in her channel, scrambling her brains and making her nerves spark like fireworks.

Biting her tongue, she tightened her legs around his waist and dug her heels into his thighs.

“Brandon.”

His head dropped onto her shoulder but he turned into her neck and latched his teeth onto her skin. She'd have a mark there. Another mark. She didn't care. Hell, she wanted it.

“Brandon!”

She screamed. She didn't care. He'd wanted her to and she wanted to please him as he pleased her.

His groan sounded yanked from the depths of his chest as he gave one final heave, breaking her orgasm free and making her clamp around him, milking his answering response until she felt his cum spill down her legs.

Breathing like he'd just done twenty sets of wind sprints, she felt his heart pounding against hers. In perfect sync.

“I win,” he said. “But I'm gonna fucking die on the ice today.”

Chapter 5

“Will you be at the game tonight?”

Lucy opened her eyes to look at Brandon, lying on his stomach next to her on her bed, his head pillowed on his crossed arms.

After that last bout in the living room, he'd cradled her against his chest and carried her back upstairs. She'd fallen asleep in his arms and woke to find him staring down at her.

She hadn't done that in years, fallen asleep with a man in her bed. It just never happened, mainly because she didn't have sex in this bed. Not since she'd moved here.

She wondered what Brandon would say if she told him where and how she'd been having sex. Would he believe her? She knew he still didn't truly believe she was a goddess.

And really, what normal
eteri
would?

“Can I ask you something, Brandon?”

His eyes narrowed for a brief second before he pushed himself up onto one elbow and rested his head on his hand. “Sure.”

“Do you believe in electricity?”

He didn't react immediately, just stared at her with an intensity she recognized from watching him play. She knew he was weighing his answer carefully. Brandon was known on the ice as an enforcer with a wicked right hook, but the man also had a blazing slap shot, quick skates and a mind that was always three steps ahead of the play.

Why he wasn't a star in the NHL was a mystery she'd never understand.

“Yeah, I believe in electricity.”

“When I was…” Created? Came into being? Spontaneously appeared? “…young, electricity would have been viewed as magic. And really, what is electricity except harnessed power, yes? Magic is merely another way to harness power.”

Nodding, he held her gaze. “I understand the theory behind magic. Hell, I have an aunt back home who makes potions from weeds that'll cure whatever ails you. Last night, you touched my shoulder and now it doesn't hurt. I believe you did that.”

“But you don't believe I'm a goddess.”

His expression didn't change one bit. “I didn't say that.”

Heat began to gather in her belly. A furious, vicious heat that wanted her to snarl and rage at him. But on its heels was a more sober threat. Tears.

And Lusna, the Etruscan Goddess of the Moon, didn't do tears.

“What time do you need to be at the arena for the game?”

He gave an almost imperceptible flinch that let her know he'd correctly interpreted her question.

“You know,” he said, his tone calm, almost amused, “I could play stupid and just answer the question. I could play the dumb hockey grunt and ignore the fact that you want me to leave now.”

“I didn't say—”

“But I don't play those games. Hell, I don't even play games on the ice. Out there, it's a battle but there's always a winner. If you tell me you're not playing mind games with me, then I'm gonna take you at your word. Now, you tell me you're an Etruscan goddess,” he took a deep breath and released it before continuing, “well, then, I guess until someone can prove otherwise, I have no cause to doubt you.”

That cold ball of rage died a fast death. Could it truly be that easy?

No, nothing was ever that easy. Men—no matter if they were gods or mortals—would tell a woman whatever she wanted to hear if it advanced his cause. Or got him laid.

She forced a smile that made his gaze narrow on hers. “I'm glad to hear it. And yes, of course I'll be at the game.”

It took him a few seconds, but Brandon finally nodded and rolled off the bed and walked across the room to retrieve his clothes from the chair she'd set them on last night.

She didn't say anything, just enjoyed the show as Brandon moved naked across the room. The play of muscles in his thighs and ass was enough to make her mouth water.

At thirty-five, he still had the body of a twenty-year-old. And he got it the natural way. He hadn't been born with it, as had the gods she knew.

No, he earned those muscles on the ice and at the gym. Hard, physical activity that sculpted his body into a work of art.

His scars merely added to the appeal. Even his crooked nose appealed to her in a way nothing ever had. What was it about his man that set her on fire?

And what would she have to do to douse the flames when it came time to get rid of him?

Dressed in his shirt and boxers, Brandon returned to the side of the bed, carrying his jeans. He stopped to stare down at her, heat and a promise in his gaze.

“I knew you weren't there last night, you know.” He pulled his jeans up his muscular legs. “Not that it's your fault, but I knew something was wrong. I was off my game all night.”

She knew his injury had been her fault. She nodded as he zipped his jeans. “You were and I'm sorry. But I was in the arena, just not in my regular seat.”

She didn't think she could live with herself if something else, something worse, happened to him.

Wipe
his
memories, you idiot. And do it right this time.

The conversation with Tessa and Cal played through her head again. She truly wasn't worried about Charun coming after her. She didn't think he'd have the nerve.

But what if he did? What if Charun sent one of his demons to get her? What happened if Brandon got between her and
tukhulkha
demons? He'd be hurt. He was
eteri
. He didn't have the power to protect against what one of those fiends could throw at him.

She would need all of her powers to protect herself. But she knew if Brandon was in danger, she would protect him at her own expense.

Ugh, when did you become such a sap?

Damn it, she wasn't. If Charun came after her, she didn't want Brandon anywhere near her. Or any of her
lucani
, for that matter. But all she could think about was when she would see Brandon next.

Wipe
his
memory.

Her chest tightened as she stared up at him. She couldn't do it. And not only because the sun had spilled over the horizon, severely limiting her powers. But she just didn't
want
to.

“Babe, don't even think about it.” Fully dressed now, Brandon leaned down and planted a hard kiss on her lips.

She really shouldn't melt every time he touched her. But she couldn't help herself when he kissed her or caressed her—hell, all he had to do was look at her and her entire body surrendered.

She opened to him as his arms wrapped around her and his tongue slipped into her mouth, cutting off any reply she might have thought about making. With no visible effort, he lifted her off the bed and against his body. She let him kiss her, allowed his hand to roam over her naked body, palming her breasts and tweaking the nipples before smoothing down her back to cup her ass and press her mound against that firm ridge in his jeans.

He kissed her until she wrapped her legs around his waist and tilted into him, her sex wet and aching for him again. When she moaned and tilted her head to make him kiss her even deeper, he pulled away and set her back on the bed. Then he looked straight into her eyes.

“If you take my memories, I will turn up here again tonight. And when I figure out what you did, again, I might just think you don't want me.”

He slipped a hand between her legs, stroked her wet lips and tweaked her clit until she shuddered.

“And I know that's not true.” He kissed her one last time then headed toward the door. When he got there, he stopped, turned, and flashed her a quick smile.

“Wait for me after the game. I'll tell Chester the guard to expect you.”

She shook her head and he was about to argue when she said, “Why don't we just plan to meet here after the game? Is that okay with you?”

He couldn't stop smiling. “Absolutely. I'll see you later. And don't miss warm-up.”

***

“I see you're going to be worthless today. Had a good night?”

Tivr paused as he stocked the beer coolers behind the bar when she entered the bar later that morning.

A hot shower had done nothing for the throbbing ache in her temples. Deities didn't get sick and they certainly never experienced anything as pedestrian as a headache.

Except Lucy was pretty damn sure that's what she had at the moment.

Dressed in her most comfortable black yoga pants and a soft cotton sweatshirt, Lucy wanted nothing more than to head back to bed and sleep for another eight or twelve hours.

But she knew if she didn't at least make an effort to show herself downstairs, her boys would be upstairs and in her face before she could bar the door against them.

Maybe she'd get lucky and only have to deal with Tivr.

He would rag her relentlessly but she knew he wouldn't worry like Caeles.

Caeles was still so young, still a child, even though he'd reached the
eteri
age of adulthood several years ago. The
Fata
aged and developed at a different rate than
eteri
.

“I don't think I need to dignify that with an answer.” She sat on the barstool in front of him and forced herself to meet his gaze. “How's the back room looking? I planned to take inventory today but that may have to wait until tomorrow.”

Caeles would have offered to take inventory for her, even though she'd never taken him up on it. Tivr knew it was a futile gesture and had given up asking years ago.

Lucy ran the bar. This was her domain. She took care of every detail, from what liquor to stock to what snacks she ordered and how many napkins.

Yes, she was compensating. No, she didn't give a flying rat's ass.

“The back room looks good. You, however, look like shit. You want me to beat the crap out of the guy?”

“You will do no such thing. Ty, don't you dare—”

“Hey, Caeles,” Ty called over his shoulder. “Pay up.”

Her second son pushed through the doors from the kitchen, where he'd obviously been making her breakfast. He set a steaming plate of eggs, bacon, and home fries on the bar and followed it with a bowl of cantaloupe. Pulling a twenty dollar bill from the front pocket of his flannel shirt, Caeles passed it over to Ty, who pocketed it with the skill of a magician.

She couldn't help herself. She had to know. “Tell me. What did you bet on this time?”

The boys exchanged a glance before they crossed their arms over their chests in an identical motion then turned the weight of their gazes to her.

“You didn't wipe his memories last night, did you?” Ty asked.

Now, when had her children decided she'd lost control of her faculties and decided she needed a keeper?

She had a moment to smile and think how much alike and yet how different her boys were.

With his spiky dark hair and pronounced Mediterranean features, his bare arms covered in black tattooed protective runes, Ty looked like a badass biker who would beat the shit out of you. Worn jeans and a tight black T-shirt emblazoned with the name of some rock band completed the picture.

Caeles, on the other hand, wore tan cargo pants and a long-sleeved plain green T-shirt that matched his eyes. His wheat-colored hair nearly reached his broad shoulders, covering his distinctly pointed ears and curling in a way women would kill for.

Only Ty carried her blood but when they looked at her like that, standing side by side with the exact same expression, she had to wonder.

“I don't see how that's any of your concern,” she finally answered Ty's question, giving him a look that should have had him cowering in the corner.

Ty just lifted his eyebrows at her. When she turned that look on Caeles, he had the grace to look abashed.

A flash of him as a baby, abandoned on the porch just outside the door he was facing, came to mind. She'd only found him by chance thirty years ago. He probably would have frozen to death if she hadn't stuck her head outside to investigate a noise.

Wrapped in a blanket, no note pinned to his chest, no name stitched on his blanket. Just a pair of huge green eyes and those ears that marked him as
fauni
, one of the shape-changing Etruscan elemental beings.

Most of the
fauni
had lost their lives during the Purge of 1758 when the
eteri
of Tuscany had turned on their fellow native inhabitants out of fear and ignorance and nearly annihilated the
Fata
population, including the three elemental races, the
fauni
,
silvani
, and
aguane
.

To be a full-blood
fauni
, Caeles had to have a
fauni
father and a
silvani
mother. She never even tried to track down his parents. Hadn't wanted to know why they'd left him for her. She'd taken him as a gift and would have refused to give him up to anyone after she'd taken him in her arms.

“We're worried about you.” Caeles finally sighed, his hands held out in front of him in surrender. “You've seemed kind of… off-kilter lately.”

She controlled her surprise as best she could. How had she slipped up? How had they known?

“I'm fine, boys, really.”

Ty's eyebrows lifted, and a cocky little grin she'd grown to know and worry about curved his lips. “Uh huh. So your hockey player seems like a nice guy. For an
eteri
.”

Her back straightened at the sneer she heard in Ty's voice. How dare he? “And when did you become such an elitist?”

Ty's grin widened. Damn it, he'd caught her out.

“I didn't,” he said. “You would have asked me the same thing, Mom. I
am
glad to see you interested in someone after all this time. We've been worried.”

It was her turn for raised eyebrows. “Isn't that kind of like the pot calling the kettle black?”

He shook his head. “Nope, 'cause we're not talking about me right now. We want to know what it is about this guy that's made you come out of hibernation?”