The Wager- BBW Erotic Curvy Paranormal Romance (TOUCH OF THE GODS) (20 page)

The chain was thin, but I could see that it was braided with silver and gold while every so often, a small jade stone was embedded in the chain. In the middle, hung an intricate hammer shaped pendant. The handle of that was wrapped in gold and jade, while the mallet was a shiny silver. On each flat end was an engraved V for my name. It was the most stunning creation I had ever seen.

Somehow, I knew he’d made it all by hand. For me? Ugh! He was certainly making my need to take some time off of men and loving him, difficult. Cradling it in my palm, I beamed up at him, which thankfully, got me a smile in return.

   Hephaestus moved behind me and took the necklace from my shaky grasp. He opened it and brought it around my neck. I lifted my hair up, so he could clasp it and before I could stop it, my body trembled the moment his warm hands brushed against my skin. If he felt it, he didn't say a word, which I gave him extra brownie points for.

He stepped back, taking his place back across from me and even managed to keep his expression neutral.

Touching the hammer, it tingled under my fingers and I raised a questioning eye to him.

              “Once I am gone from your realm, if you ever need me for anything, touch that and call my name. I will come immediately.”

             
“Oh.”

             
“Oh? That is all?”

             
“Huh? No! I mean, thank you so very much for this, Heph. It's a lovely gesture.”

             
Smiling brilliantly at me once more, he grabbed the basket up, proffered his arm to me and together, we left my house. He led me to where his truck sat in the driveway, opening the door for me with his hands this time, and getting in on his own side, he drove toward the park.

Traffic was a beast, because as the weather man said, everyone needed to be outside to enjoy all the great sunshine and clear skies. Several times we were cut off, and while I wanted to scream at the idiot drivers, Hephaestus kept a cool head, even waving to the people who butted in front of him. It was then, that I wondered if he ever got angry, recalling how calm, yet meticulous he seemed when confronting Ares.

At about the time a fifth car cruised into our lane without his turn signal, I shrieked. “Aren’t you bothered by this? These jerks need to learn how to drive!” The last part I screamed out the passenger window at the driver, who now drove at a snail's pace in front of us. He promptly ignored me and kept breaking at random moments.

Next to me, Hephaestus only chuckled, his entire poise the epitome of relaxation. One hand was lightly curled around the wheel, the other draped outside his window, while he bobbed his head in time with the hip-hop music playing on his radio.

Hip-hop? This was a god that was full of many surprises it would seem. Flabbergasted, I stared at him.

He finally side glanced in my direction, and had the audacity to give me a lopsided smile. “Do you feel better now? Iris teaches a yelling yoga class that I've heard is really beneficial. She says screaming releases tension and centers one soul.”

              “What the hell are you talking about? Who is Iris?”

             
“She's the Rainbow Goddess and our head spiritual instructor on Olympus. I started taking her basic yoga courses after my divorce.”

             
“Since when did gods and goddesses need spiritual guidance?”

             
“Even the most powerful need something more to believe in, Vanessa.”

             
There was such an underlying pain in what he said that my heart ached for him. I placed a hand on his arm, feeling his muscles tense, and then relax.

The rest of the drive, all forty-five minutes of it, was done in silence with the occasional rapping from him. By the time we reached our destination, I found I enjoyed hip-hop as well. Who would have thought? Locating a nice, shaded spot, he laid out a blanket that matched the same print as what was lining the picnic basket. We both sat upon it while he pulled out the plates and food. It wasn't a large affair, which seemed appropriate for the situation.

  When I unwrapped my sandwich, I laughed out loud. The ham and cheese combo was something he knew how to make well, and I had a feeling that it would be our ‘thing’ which was fine with me. He grinned in a boyish manner, and out of compulsion, I leaned forward to brush an errant tendril of hair that had fallen in front of his brow. Gazing up at each other, we locked eyes. I couldn't breathe and couldn't move while time stood still.

As though I was being pulled by an invisible string, I felt myself getting closer to him and he was moving in just the same way. I knew we were going to kiss again, and my lips tingled in anticipation. The special moment was broken by a delighted squeal, along with a crashing of a round, pale pink body into our picnic basket.

              “Ack! What the—Hannybal? How'd you get here?” I shouted.

             
“Hannybal?” Hephaestus muttered in shock.

             
Lying on my back, I tried in vain to free myself of the fat, pot belly pig that had been a family pet since my college days. Pushing at her side, she wouldn't move as she had found our sandwiches, and once that pig started eating, she became an unmovable wall. Nothing says, great picnic with hot guy like being flattened by the family pet pig.

Suddenly, I could breathe again, and though she briefly squeaked in protest, I watched as Hannybal snuggled in Hephaestus's strong arms. He spoke to her in another language, cooing and cuddling her as she continued to munch on a slice of cheese.

Sitting up, I was stunned silent, mainly due to fact that she was a pig who despised all men, well all but my father. And yet, there she was, content and dare I say, snort-purring while nestled against his chest. It was so precious, and it was then I noticed almost every woman in the park staring in Hephaestus’s direction like he was their husband-to-be. My jealousy that I pretended I not to feel, roared to life, until I felt I could spit fire at every single hussy looking at him.

             
“I can't believe it! Brian, look! Hannybal has fallen in love with another man, and he's with our daughter!” My mother was dressed in an outfit that would put Willa's most hippy inspired look to shame. Her hair was out and flowing behind her as she rushed in our direction, as did her bright pink gypsy skirt, with matching shirt that had the longest bell sleeves imaginable.

My father, on the other hand wore khakis and a short sleeved, brown shirt. Buttoned up, ironed, and crisp, just like his personality. He didn't run, but I could see his not so enthusiastic glare targeted directly at Hephaestus, holding his baby girl. Once they reached us, Mom reached to stroke Hannybal's head, and Dad tried to take the pig from his arms.

Hannybal refused, burying her snout further into Heph's body.

Both my mother and I bit back laughter.

“What have you done to her? Is she brainwashed?” My father sputtered at the pig's new found crush.

             
“No, sir. I merely picked her up, so that she couldn't harm Vanessa. Here she is.”

             
After Hephaestus handed Hannybal back, my father gave her a kiss on the head and put her down so she could munch away on our lunch. He extended his hand.

Yet, another shocker for me.

Accepting his offer, Heph firmly squeezed it before stepping back, gesturing for my parents to join us. He helped my mother down onto the blanket first, and then me.

Both he and Dad sat next to us.

The pig snorted happily, looking up at the god as though she knew him.

I glanced at Heph and my previous suspicions were confirmed. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to question it until we were alone again. Filing away the startling revelation that the pig knew him already into the ‘for later’ pile. I then, listened in on the conversation as my father immediately began asking questions that would most likely embarrass me. I could only hope Mom didn't break out childhood tales.

              “So, what's your name, son?”

             
“My name is Hephaestus, sir. But please feel free to call me Heph.”

             
“That's a hell of a name! But kids these days are getting some of the crazy ones, right? Anyway, you can call me Brian. This is my wife, Ginny. What brings you here on this nice day, with my daughter?”

             
“I invited her to lunch. I thought a picnic would be nice.”

             
“Hmm, and what is it that you do for a living, Heph?”

             
“I am a repair man. I enjoy working with my hands.”

             
My father grunted in approval, as he was a man who made a living and provided for our family through good, old fashioned blue collar work. They continued their man talk, while Mom scooted closer to whisper in my ear. “He's amazing, baby girl. So big and strong and very polite!” Giving my hand a gentle squeeze, I turned to focus on her, and the gleam in her eyes told me she was very impressed with the man entertaining my father.

             
“Yeah, he's pretty great.” Even as the scene around me seemed surreal, I was glad to see my parents again, and to know that they really did still love me.

             
“I sense something powerful about him. I'm not sure what it is, but hold onto it, Vanessa. I see great things for you both.”

             
“Okay, mama.” And I meant it, because the fight to not love him grew weaker with every second I was near him. It wasn't a sexual need, like with his brother, but a sense of completeness. Don't get me wrong, I desired him like no other, but I also enjoyed the very being that was Hephaestus.

Time passed, filled with laughter, embarrassing stories from my Mom, and an overall good time.  Before long, they stood, connecting the leash on Hannybal's harness, and said their goodbyes. My father gave Hephaestus another firm handshake, invited him to their home anytime, while my Mom embraced him with love. Then, they turned, hugging me and walked off to whatever they had planned for the rest of the lovely day.

Finally alone, the basket packed away and nothing left between us, I slid over until my hip pressed against his. I was quite thrilled when he wrapped his arm around me. Next to him, I felt dainty, which was new for me and I relished every second of it.

The crowd had began thinning out, leaving us to be nearly alone in our own little world on the blanket. It was the right moment to finally ask him the questions that had been plaguing me since finding out the truth about him. Ares, never gave me the time of day, or even cared for that matter, so I hoped Hephaestus would not mind my curiosity. Of course, I was sure he wouldn't, but I was still trying to find a flaw to justify why I needed to let him go after this. Hey, sue me for my irrationality.“Heph?”

              “Hmm?”

             
“What was up with you and Hannybal? That behavior was unusual for her. Not to mention, you two seemed awfully familiar. You’re into big girls, huh?”

             
“First off,
you
are not big, Vanessa. You are just right to fill my desires. As for ‘Hannybal’, when I knew her she was a nymph named Adriano. She was so beautiful and unfortunately, she caught the eye of Ares, but she wanted his son Himeros. When my brother found out, he declared war on the young god, and turned her into a pig. That pet of yours was once an immortal like myself.”

             
Jaw hanging open, I couldn't believe what he’d disclosed while all I could think for that poor woman was how much it sucked to be her. I wondered if I could find a way to free her from the curse. After dealing first hand, with the tortures of what the War God could do, no woman, old or young, deserved to suffer any longer. It was something I'd have to think about at a later date. For now, I had more questions on the brain that I needed the answers to. “Please forgive me if I'm crossing lines here, but what is it like? Being a god?”

             
Tilting his head, Hephaestus looked down at me, his eyes melting back to their natural color, as he’d made them look more human when in the presence of my parents. He blinked several times before he answered. “To be immortal is not anything I could possibly describe, other than to say that being a higher power is overwhelming. Working in the forge allows me to drown out all the noise that makes up humanity.”

His voice seemed muted, as though he didn't want to let me know too much, and I couldn't help but wonder if it had to do with a secret about his youth that was also in the back of my mind. “That sounds—horrific.”

              “It's not so bad, I'm used to it. It’s been a part of my life since birth.”

             
“Speaking of being a baby, what was with the painting in museum?”

His face fell and the fires in his pupils dimmed to a mere speck of light.

I wished I could take back the question and see his gentle smile once again. But the cat was out the bag, and all I was able to do was wait to see if he'd respond, or send me home without so much as a goodbye. My body tensed as I waited for his response.