Chapter 14

 

Crazy Bitches

 

"Would you care for anything else, Ms. Smith?" the waiter asks as he hands me my third colada for the day.

"No thank you," I mumble as I answer to the fake name.

He blushes and bows his head, but he struggles to leave. I pull my shades down, and I force the green he can't see back to my eyes.

"Go now," I command.

He promptly walks back toward the bar that is resting on the beach. The small setup is decorated by the very animated tourists who are laughing wildly. I tilt my oversized hat down slightly as the seagulls circle overhead.

I hope Camara is not watching through their eyes, but I can't take any chances.

I've made it a week without Devin finding me. I left with no money, no car, no clothes - other than the ones on my back - and the only identification I had was the necklace my mother gave me with my name engraved on it.

It's amazing how far someone can make it with a little charm though, and the Aphrodite stare helped out quite often. I have to admit, the men have seemed overly entranced by me lately, and they all act as though they can't stay away. I keep having to force them back. Weirdoes.

I lean back in the chair and watch the waves splash and slide over my toes as the sand beneath my feet draws back slightly with each ebb, and the new sand gracefully eases in to take its place.

Ironically enough, I've found solace in the city and state where Devin was when cheated on me. I've been in San Diego for three days now without a single hint of any drama chasing on my heels.

I stayed in Los Angeles for a minute before I realized it was swarming with immortals. I quickly made my way up and down the coast before coming to the scene of the crime.

I don't know if I'm looking for answers, or if I just know this is the last place he would ever look for me.

The sun strokes my legs with its golden beams, promising to shine a tranquil blanket over me. My small, red bikini has attracted a great deal of unwanted attention, but Aphrodite gets her way sometimes. My black, sheer cover up ties around my waist, but it doesn't actually cover anything up with its transparency.

Devin has been all I can think or dream about. He even invades my daydreams.

I sigh as I stare at the waves that make me think about him all the more. I bet he loves the ocean. I wonder why he doesn't stay on the ocean. He's a Poseidon. It would only make sense for him to live near the sea.

A gushing wave reaches a new height and journeys up my legs, stopping just at my thigh. I gasp slightly at the unexpected rushing water that has barely crossed over my ankles until now. I quickly look around as the possibility of Devin being here enters my mind.

That's just silly. He wouldn't show up and splash me with a wave.

I shake my head free from the foolish thought as a guy walks toward me. I burn my eyes against his as I use the power of Aphrodite to take from him as I've been taking from so many others.

"Give me your phone," I command with a smile.

His eyes fall prey to mine and his poised posture slumps as he hands me his phone. I smile as I wave him off.

"You can retrieve it in thirty minutes. Go away until then," I command again.

He does as I say without question, and I try calling Jake - my brother - for the tenth time. I sigh when it goes to his voicemail, yet again, and then I dial Clara's number.

"Hello?" she asks.

"Hey, hot stuff," I murmur, trying to sound unaffected by my growing pit of despair.

"It's about damn time you called me," she rants.

I laugh a little at her outburst before responding.

"Miss me?" I tease.

"Yes, and I'm worried about you. Devin told me to call him if you called me," she sighs.

"Oh. Please don't call him," I beg.

"I'm not, but I think you should. This shit you're in is crazy. Immortals, tornadoes, fucking poisonous vines… all of it's scaring the crap out of me," she blurts out.

"How do you know about the tornadoes and poisonous vines?"

"Devin. He told me what happened up to the point where you left him. Do you really think he cheated on you? Because I really want to believe he didn't," she mumbles.

"I really want to believe he didn't, too, but we both know my track record. I don't want to talk about Devin or our broken relationship right now. I want to talk about you and Henry. Has he finally gotten his head out of his ass long enough to plan a date for your honeymoon?" I snark.

She giggles lightly. "We're in Paris right now."

My eyes widen. "Oh. Wow. My bad. When did you leave?"

"About three days ago. Devin signed a contract to be a silent partner in the new condominium endeavor Henry's embarking on. Devin said he'd only sign if Henry promised to take me to Paris for a month. Henry thought he was joking until Devin handed him the keys to his Parisian home. It's incredible here, and... there are pictures of you everywhere," she murmurs.

My mouth dries as her words connect fully with my slow-to-process mind.

"Pictures of me?" I gasp.

"Yes. Most of them are from my wedding. There are huge portraits of you and him dancing, laughing, and kissing everywhere. There are some of you sleeping, and there're some of you when you're not paying attention. It's a little creepy sweet," she sighs.

My heart is almost thudding out of my chest now. Devin got Clara away from the danger by signing with Henry. He has pictures of me all over his home in Paris. I'm really starting to regret calling her now. I felt so much stronger ten minutes ago.

"I need to let you go. I borrowed a phone, and I need to call Mom and Dad." I just need an excuse to get away from the Devin conversation.

"Do you need me to send you any money?" she asks with sincerity.

I smirk a little as I think of how easy it has been to acquire anything I want with my new ability.

"No. I'm fine. Have you talked to Jake?"

"I spoke to him last week. He was covering a story in Kuwait."

I frown slightly. I hate not being able to talk to him. I need to make sure he stays safe.

"Okay. I'll talk to you later," I grumble.

"Call me if you need me," she insists.

I hang up, and my head flops back as I grunt very loudly. I watch the larger waves overtake the smaller ones and then form their foamy surface as they collide. The salt drifts to land on my lips, and I can taste the ocean and all of its seduction. This was supposed to be my escape, but everything reminds me of Devin.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," a guy's charismatic voice says, startling me a little.

I lift my head enough to see bright blond, sexily tousled hair on a tan, immaculate body in front of me. I roll my eyes and push my sunglasses back into place as I resume my ray soaking.

"No thanks," I murmur.

He laughs lightly.

"I haven't even made an offer yet."

"I'm saving us both some time. It's what I do," I roll out sardonically.

He sits down on the vacant lounge chair beside me and smirks. The staring is distracting, and I finally turn to see the wild, swirling streaks of gold spinning recklessly in his eyes.

I huff loudly while shaking my head.

"Oh. You're immortal," I sigh.

His devious smirk grows, and he smugly replies, "So are you."

"How did you know?" I huff again while keeping my eyes hidden behind my very dark shades.

"Mortals breathe every five to ten seconds. Your chest has been rising and falling in five minute intervals. You need to watch that if you're trying to fly under the radar."

Really?

You're not supposed to have to think about breathing.

"So you're saying you've been watching my chest for a while?" I tease with a provocative air.

He blushes slightly. "Guilty as charged. It's a nice chest," he seduces.

Not interested, Blondie.

I like my men to have dark hair, smoky blue eyes, and be almost too perfect to be true. I love heartbreak too much to change my criteria now, but it would be fun to force him to act like a fool on the beach while I make an unscathed getaway.

The wave rolling in crashes against us suddenly, and I'm instantly soaked, as is he. He laughs a little as he wipes the water from his eyes, but I feel like there are eyes on us. I feel… him.

Devin.

Chills spread all over my body as I wring my hair out. I stand to unravel my soaked cover up, and I can see my body visibly trembling.

Blondie's eyes show his salacious thoughts while they stare at the water trickling down my skin, and I almost want to slap his provocative thoughts from his head.

"I'm sorry, but I need to get back to my hotel. It was nice meeting you…"

"Hale," he says to fill in the blank.

"Nice meeting you, Hale. Enjoy your day," I murmur dismissively.

"You're not even curious about who or what I am?" he chuckles.

The wind stirs from my overexerted fears, though I hope I'm simply being paranoid. A gust steals my hat and carries it away, making me groan inwardly since that flock of seagulls is still looming overhead. I sigh as I turn to humor Hale.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with the beach, given your glow," I offer.

His eyes dance with seducing intent, but Aphrodite doesn't stir in the least. Only Devin awakens her. Only Devin awakens me.

"I'm a descendent of Helios," he says proudly.

"Helios?" I ask curiously.

He almost seems offended by my lack of knowledge on the matter.

"The embodiment of the sun," he pouts.

I smirk lightly. "Sorry. I'm still new to all of this," I explain.

"Could you give me a hint as to who you are before you run off into the sunset?" he charms.

"I'm someone you need to forget you ever met. Death, danger, and crazy bitches follow me everywhere I go," I mumble as I turn around.

"Hey, at least let me buy you a drink before I forget you," he wittily replies.

I laugh lightly, but my eyes are diverted from him as the sand beneath my feet rattles. I can see the waves darkening as they stir, and the air around me warns me to run.

"Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?" a muscle-bound bald man blares.

I assume he's talking to Hale, and I start to tiptoe away. He jerks me around to stare into the sunglasses hiding my eyes.

"I wasn't aware you were talking to me," I almost whisper.

People begin dispersing from the scene as his anger grows.

"You can't just walk around in someone's territory without notifying the leader," he barks.

"Let her go, Paul. She's new to this. She didn't know," Hale defends.

"No one asked you. You're in enough trouble as it is with Serena for your wild escapade with the Apollo girls you brought on the beach after their banishment. This girl has to go through her to be granted passage here. It's a show of respect," he threatens.

Then his eyes change before I start working my magic when he begins drinking in my smell.

He continues sniffing the air as if it's an aphrodisiac, and he coos, "You smell so good."

Oh good grief.

Hale rolls his eyes and plops back down in the lounge chair. I smirk lightly as the shades drop down my nose enough to reveal my eyes. I feel the green surging forth, and I take control of the moment.

"You'll let me go now. You'll pretend you never saw me, and I'll be gone before you wake up. Now, close your eyes," I command.

Hale's eyes widen in astonishment as Paul falls to the ground with a thud and begins snoring instantly.

"What the fuck did you do to him?" he gasps.

"I put him to bed. He'll wake up in the morning," I say while walking away briskly.

A flaming whip swipes in front of me, and I barely dodge it as I roll to the ground. I flip around to see a tall, lean woman glaring at me with fire blazing in her eyes. The volcanic ash sizzles from her hands as the fire races up and down the two whips she's gripping. Her sleek, red hair is tied up in a binding ponytail that dances like the malicious tail of a serpent.

I really wish I could control women, too.

"Serena, he's just sleeping. Listen. You can hear him snoring. She's just trying to leave," Hale says with trepidation.

"She's not going anywhere. You can't touch my husband and expect to live," she threatens.

"I didn't touch him," I snark. "He's the one who touched me."

She smirks as her eyes darken with the swirling rings ablaze. She flicks her whip, but I dodge it effortlessly. My reflexes have sharpened during my week of solitude. Being paranoid makes you jumpy.

The drunken state slowly starts to creep in when Aphrodite feels my threatened situation.

"Stop, Serena. She's new. She's just learning our ways," Hale defends again.

"I'll teach her the golden rule. Don't fuck with my man," she hisses menacingly.

I see several others stalking toward me now - mostly women and only some men.

"I told you death, danger, and crazy bitches follow me wherever I go," I gripe.

I feel the green consuming my eyes as the skies start to open. They all gasp as the lightning threatens to crash down on them, and the rain pounds into the sand, staking it as it connects. The thunder barks loudly at them as a cautionary warning, and the lightning continues threatening its bite.

"I don't want to fight. I just wanted to swim and rest, damn it," I huff.

"Not here. There are boundaries all must abide by. You can't roam freely and exert your power as you've done without consequence," she scolds.

Crap. I can't catch a damn break.

"You asked for this," I warn before bringing the lightning down to divide a line in front of us.

"She's in touch with the sky," a girl whispers to Serena.

"She's also new. We're not. Go," she commands, and they all begin threatening me with their whirling weapons of choice.

"Ah, hell. You're going to get me in so much trouble," Hale gripes as he breaks the sun free from my cloudy sky, and the rays blast against the women charging us.

Serena jumps to her feet to glare at him.

"You just crossed the last line I'll ever let you," she growls.

Then the waves rattle behind us fiercely. The swishing becomes a rampaging tidal wave within seconds, and the water claps against the surface as it splits to miss me completely.

Devin. He really is here.

Serena scowls as she loses her offensive positioning and shouts to the air.

"Is she with you? You had better show yourself," she warns.

My heart almost jumps into my mouth as Devin's voice sounds out.

"I'm not hiding, Serena."

I slowly seek his voice as every hair on my neck stands to attention. He's propped against a palm tree, messing with his phone as if he could care less about the entire situation's magnitude.

"You'll show me some respect. You're in my territory," she snaps.

He slides his phone in his pocket and walks over to stand in front of me. I almost lose my breath as he passes by without so much as glancing at me, and then my erratic breathing almost hurts my lungs as I stare at his shirt swishing in the wind.

My frigging breaths are coming in every five to ten seconds now.

"Actually, I'm in Deidra's territory - it's all her territory. She's the only one I need permission from. Don't forget who you're talking to."

Her eyes widen, and he pulls out his phone when it buzzes.

"Deidra has granted us passage through here. Would you like to see for yourself?"

Serena glares at him with the contempt of hell burning in her eyes.

"No. I'd rather not," she says through grinding teeth.

Devin smirks smugly and turns to walk away. Hale jogs up beside him as the eyes still glare against his back.

"You know I'm in deep shit now, right?" Hale chirps.

Of course he knows Devin. That's the real reason he knew I was immortal.

"You weren't supposed to approach her." Devin tries to whisper, but I still hear him.

"You sent him to spy on me?" I bark, quickening my pace so I can keep up.

Devin doesn't say anything. I don't know why I'm following him.

"He sent me to keep Serena from trying to tear you a new one. She's vicious, volatile and hotheaded. If you piss her off, she doesn't stop attacking," Hale explains.

"I could have handled it," I scoff.

Devin still doesn't acknowledge me. He keeps crossing through the last of the palms before we reach the street.

I see a SUV parked against the curb, and Kry is lying on top of the hood with his arms behind his head.

"D'you send my regards to Serena?" Kry chuckles.

Devin smirks slightly at some inside joke they're sharing, and then his stern face returns.

"I sent her Deidra's instead," he retorts dryly.

Kry turns to face him with wide eyes. "Had to pull out the big guns, eh?"

Devin nods once, and Kry hops off the car. "Glad to see you're back, Adisia," he says with a smile.

I stop walking abruptly. What am I doing? I've just followed Devin when all I've been trying to do is escape him.

"I'm not back. I just… I don't know why I'm here. I need to go," I mumble as I turn to cross the street.

"You can't go," Theia's voice calls out from behind me.

I turn to see her stepping out of another SUV that is parked just in front of Devin's.

"Theia, I have to," I grumble awkwardly.

"You're safer with us. Persia made me promise to keep you safe before she left to find her contacts. I don't go back on my word, and you owe it to her to keep yourself safe," she harshly asserts.

I choke back some of the emotion balling up in my throat, and Devin climbs into the passenger seat. Deacon walks over with angered eyes.

"We're not leaving you here. Devin's not the only one who has been worried to damn death about you. Camara has exhausted herself keeping tabs on you, and I almost started a nuclear war by accident," he says with exasperation.

I almost smile at his morbid candor. Devin is back to messing with his phone, which is what he does when he's cross with me - as he would say. Hale walks up and hands me my black wrap he apparently went to retrieve.

"I'm not so sure how long you want to roam the streets in just that," he says while motioning to my bikini.

I roll my eyes as I tie the sarong back around my waist, and then I climb in the backseat in defeat. Deacon fist pumps the air victoriously and slides across the hood like Bo Duke as he piles back into the SUV Theia had been in.

"He better not have dented my damn hood," Kry sneers.

"Well, where to?" Hale asks as he claims the seat next to me.

"My boat," Devin murmurs, and my heart is slowly trying to sweep the remaining pieces of it under the rug to hide it from the pain I'm feeling right now.

My lungs are exhausted from the erratic breathing, and my legs are wobbly from the unexpected reunion.

I pop my head back as Kry steps on the gas and the ocean stands still before my eyes as we head to the marina.

I can see the name Aphrodisia on the back of a yacht, and my stomach twists into knots. The gallant sea beast has been named after me. Why is he doing this to me?

I slump down in the seat and try to sink below the awkward tension thickening the air around us.

 

"We need to head out to sea for a while so Theia can relax and clean up the beach scene," Phillip grumbles.

I can tell he's not pleased with me, but then again, like father like son. Devin has yet to make eye contact with me, and he's like a fifteen-year-old on his phone.

"I've got the first draft drawn up. I'll see you below," Devin murmurs to Phillip as he heads into the cabin.

I stand at the front of the nose and contemplate jumping into the water and swimming away.

"Don't jump," Deacon snickers out.

Kry walks up and props up on the railing beside me to give me a very disapproving glare.

I roll my eyes as I huff, "Can we please skip the grueling lectures? I get it. I scared everyone. Shame on me for having a freak out."

Camara's voice growls from behind, "Shame on you indeed. I've nearly worn the animals in the world ragged trying to pick up your scent. I've slept for three days straight to make up for all the exerted energy."

I tilt my head curiously at her phrasing.

"You found me three days ago?"

She squirms uncomfortably, and Deacon rolls his eyes at Camara's slip.

"We've been trying to make sure you didn't stir up any trouble or attract attention to yourself. I freaked out a bit when I found out you were in LA. That place is crawling with our kind, and they're very territorial. How did you make it out?" Deacon says in an effort to change the subject.

"Don't know how they didn't catch her scent," Kry whispers to himself, and then he squirms uncomfortably.

I feel like I'm missing something, but I ignore the comment he hadn't intended for me to hear before answering Deacon's question.

"I left after I saw the first fifteen with swirling eyes. No one ever knew who I was. I've kept my sunglasses on the entire time. Hale was the first one to spot me, and technically he cheated since he was sent to spy on me," I pout while finally removing my dark sunglasses.

"Protect," Hale interjects. "I was sent to protect you."

"Fine job you did. Devin had to bail you out from what I saw," Deacon snorts in distaste for the blond babe.

"I wasn't expecting Paul to show up. He's intense, and Serena's just crazy," he blubbers.

"Well, now Adisia is back with us. Let's just be grateful this is all over," Camara sighs.

"Helios beach bum," Deacon grumbles.

Hale cuts his eyes at him, and Camara splits them up like they're children. I look around at all the familiar faces that are usually in attendance, but there's a few missing - Gemma and her parents.

Devin emerges from the cabin with Phillip following him. They carry on a whispered conversation while staring out at the sea. Phillip drops back down below deck, and Theia follows him to start cleaning everything up.

Ther walks up to whisper with Devin in Phillip's absence. I glower at his back, and I seize the opportunity to remind him I haven't forgotten the reason I left, even if I have been forced to rejoin.

"I'm surprised Gemma hasn't capitalized on her successful plan to rip us apart. Where is she? Out ripping my face from the frames before she moves in?" I snark.

Devin winces slightly at my vicious remark. It's the first reaction he's had to my presence thus far.

"She's not part of our group anymore. She's still a member of our protective circle, but she's not allowed to join us unless absolutely necessary," Kry announces with a touch of anger.

Devin leans over the rail, and Ther mimics his action as they continue on with their private conversation.

"Oh. There's no reason for Devin to exclude her after the fact. That's like getting a vaccine after you get sick. It's pointless," I grumble.

"It wasn't just Devin. We voted on the matter, and it was almost unanimous. No one trusts someone who will pull something like that - during a time as sensitive as that was, especially. We limit the amount of conflict within our group to prevent a separation. She was causing too much conflict," Kry explains.

Oh.

"I shouldn't be here. I'm going to be nothing but conflict. I've been nothing but conflict since I got here. I swear Aphrodite was the embodiment of drama instead of love," I gripe.

Devin seems to wince again, and Hale's mouth drops open.

"What? She's a daughter of Aphrodite and no one told me? What the hell?" Hale screeches.

Devin walks over and violently shoves him into a seat.

"What are you doing? Keep your voice down. That could have been heard for miles," he warns.

Hale holds his hands up innocently as he speaks much lower.

"Sorry. It just caught me off guard. Why didn't you tell me?"

Devin rolls his eyes. "You know why," he grumbles, and then he flashes back over to Ther.

I cross my arms over my chest in protest.

"Why?" I huff with the frustration from always feeling left out.

"Because he's a Helios," Deacon says as if it's some sort of explanation.

"And?" I mumble rudely.

"She doesn't have a clue what that means," Hale huffs with an offended tone.

I swear I see a slight smirk come to Devin's face, but I don't know if it's because he's listening in.

"Helios was the embodiment of the sun," Deacon sighs.

"Yeah. I got that part. So what?" I retort.

This time Devin turns his back to me completely when his smirk broadens. He is listening in, but what's so comical?

"The sun is an aphrodisiac to most, especially immortals. Helios descendents tend to drip sex appeal," Deacon mumbles with a grouchy tone.

Camara giggles slightly as she inspects Hale a little closer, and Deacon steps in front of her to cut off her view.

"Don't even think about it," Deacon warns, and Hale shakes his head at the not-so-veiled threat.

"Don't worry. I appear to be losing my touch. She turned me down before I even got going good. The second I was making headway, Devin threw water on the fire - literally," Hale gripes.

It was Devin. He brought that wave over us while trying to subdue Aphrodite because he thought I would be enticed by Hale. I almost smile at the jealous ass that broke my heart.

"It wasn't heating up. Sorry. I was actually about to make you dance like a ballerina for my amusement. Devin spared you the humiliation by bringing down my Aphrodite high with the awakening wave," I confess.

I see Devin's head turn slightly as he strains to eavesdrop on our light conversation. I smirk slightly as Hale huffs louder.

"So nothing?" he pouts.

"Nothing," I giggle out. "Are you sure you're an aphrodisiac in flesh?"

He scowls at me, and Devin actually lets a small laugh escape from a distance.

"Have you not ever wondered where the term sexy-as-Hale came from?" he smugly releases with an insulted, defensive rattle.

"Oh. I just thought it was sexy-as-hell - as in the devil's home," I murmur dismissively.

"What's sexy about that place? The saying stemmed from me," he gripes.

Everyone around us releases a small chuckle, and I shrug innocently.

"Well, now I know where it came from," I laugh out as I watch the fumes form around his body.

"I thought Aphrodite was a sex goddess," he mumbles.

"She wasn't a sex goddess, exactly, and I'm not Aphrodite. I'm a descendent, and I don't fall for guys who are more in love with themselves than they could ever love me. I don't fall for anyone anymore," I murmur, whispering the last part to myself.

Devin turns and walks back into the cabin area once he's heard all he needs to hear. I don't know why I feel the need to reassure him of my loyalty when he's proven his to be a joke.

Camara's phone buzzes and she scowls as she reads the name I can't see.

"What do you want?" she asks curtly, her face soured by whoever has just had the nerve to interrupt her day.

I see why when I hear the voice on the other line.

"I want to speak to Devin. He’s completely ignoring my phone calls, texts, emails, and every other form of technology he can use to rebuff my attempts to apologize. Please give him the phone," Gemma begs. "I need to tell him I'm sorry."

"You're damn right you're sorry. Do you have any idea what a mess you've caused?" she chastises.

"Yes I do. That's why I'm trying to apologize. Please put your wild-thing anger on hold for a minute, and give him the phone," Gemma pleads again.

Camara hangs up her phone and shoves it in her pocket. Gemma really is in trouble. It actually makes me feel good to know how protective everyone is acting. I'm sure it's more for Devin than me, but it still makes me feel a little more like I belong.

"The nerve," Camara growls.

Deacon's phone buzzes and Camara snarls as he answers it.

"You're not getting any sympathy from me either," Deacon says coolly.

"I just want to fucking apologize. I can't own my mistake if he won't talk to me," she whines.

"You should have thought about that before you tried to make Adisia think you slept with him in San Diego," he reprimands.

Make me think she slept with him? She all but said the shit. It wasn't even a subtle insinuation. She dangled his watch in front of me like it was a flashing neon sign for the whole room to see.

"If she's that easy to run off, then he doesn't need her. She doesn't love him like I do, or she wouldn't have fallen for that so easily," Gemma harps.

With her words, a horrific realization slaps me in the face. It wasn't real. She fucking maliciously falsified that shit, and I fell for it. If he didn't do anything, then why did he keep it a secret?

I don't know what's going on right now, and even if I did, now he won't even look at me.

"Just let me talk to him, damn it. I'll tell everyone about that night in Belize if you don't. About how you cried when you saw that girly chick flick, and you said-"

"Okay," Deacon yells to interrupt her before we hear anymore. "I'll give him the bloody phone."

Devin reemerges once again as if on cue, and of course, he's toying with his own phone. Deacon walks over to hand him his phone with Gemma dangling on the other line like a Venus flytrap in waiting.

I glare at him, waiting to see what he says to her. He looks up as the phone slides in front of his face.

"Who is it?" he says curiously.

"It's Gemma. She wants to apologize," Deacon stumbles out.

"Oh," Devin says very naturally as he takes the phone.

I almost start to pout, but instead of answering it, he very casually tosses over the edge and turns his attention back to his own phone while he leisurely strolls away.

Deacon's mouth pops open as he stares into the water to watch his phone sink. I almost laugh, and I have to cover my mouth to suppress the sound.

Camara giggles slightly as Deacon looks over to us while pointing helplessly at the water below.

Kry's phone buzzes, and he hits the ignore option without hesitation. He shrugs as he looks at me.

"I just got this phone," he says humorously.

I snicker under my breath, and then Devin walks up and completely avoids eye contact with me.

This is driving me crazy, and I don't know why. I've been avoiding him, so why can't I be thankful he's not making it harder on me to stay away.

"Let's eat, and then we'll tell Aphrodisia about what we've learned in her absence," he says with his popsicle tone.

He used my formal name as if he refuses to personalize me at all. Now I don't even know if I have the right to be mad. I've never been here before.

 

The delicious food is gone, and it's just a small group of us sitting in the cabin.

Devin is relaxed against the padded bench as he stares out the window at the water glistening under the sunset. He looks so comfortable, and he's so sexy in those damn jogging pants. I think he intentionally came in without a shirt on just to irk me.

I cut my eyes away when he turns to catch me staring.

He doesn't show any interest in my momentary weakness as he starts the conversation I've been waiting to hear. I'm almost offended by the business tone I once found so sexy. When he's using it on me, it's heartbreaking.

"You were right about the daughters of Athena working with our anonymous puppet master. Camara was able to catch a peek at them for a brief bit. They know you're new, and they've been working tirelessly to find you so they can get to me. They view you as our weakest link because they underestimate what you're capable of. We're still not certain as to how they're finding us, but we think it could have something to do with the hunting abilities of the Athena girls. It's possible that's why they were recruited.

"We've narrowed down the suspect pool for the puppet master, but there's still a broad array of people to sift through before we can start accusations. That's all we've got for now."

He is cold, callous, and very formal. His eyes remove themselves from mine the moment he's done speaking, as if I never meant anything at all to him, and Kry pats him on the back as he stands up.

"I'm going to grab some sleep on the deck," Kry says through a yawn.

"I second that idea," Deacon says with a stretch.

They all look so fatigued now that I think about it, except for Camara who has apparently slept for three days.

"I'm going to sort through some of this. You can rest easy. It'll be a few days before we dock. The jets will carry us from there," Devin announces.

"I'm riding in yours. The seats are so much more comfortable than Theia's," Kry says with a dramatic touch.

Devin smirks lightly and props his feet up on the table as he starts writing on a notepad.

I stand up with uncertainty carving itself into my body. I don't know whether to stay or go as the others disperse to the deck and other cabins.

"Thank you," I murmur awkwardly.

He doesn't even look up as he answers. "It's just stuff you needed to know. Nothing to be grateful for," he mumbles as he grips the pen too tightly, cracking it slightly under the strain.

He takes a deep breath and tosses the pen down before grabbing another.

"I meant for getting Clara out of the country and away from the crazy," I murmur.

His fervent drawing ceases and his eyes look up to connect with mine. I can see the pain etched in them, and now I know why he's been avoiding my eyes so much. It almost hurts to see his aching.

"Again, nothing to be grateful for. If I hadn't done it, Theia would have. She's not quite as cold as she appears to be," he murmurs mildly, making sure his tone doesn't match the sadness in his eyes.

He doesn't allow his eyes to linger on mine for even a fraction of a second longer than necessary.

I sigh as I walk by him, and my hand accidentally grazes his shoulder as the ship shifts. The wild sensation surges through me as Aphrodite begs me to give into the passion I've denied her for too long.

He flinches against my lingering touch, and his whole body stiffens under my hand. I start to dive on him, kiss him, and rip his clothes off, but I fight the carnal desire burning, aching, and throbbing inside of me.

I take a deep breath and let my hand slowly move away from his shoulder.

He lets a breath escape as I walk out, and I do my best not to turn around. I'm worried he's watching, and I'll cave if I see those eyes staring into mine again.

 

Almost everyone on the ship is asleep. The ridiculously huge yacht harnesses far more rooms than I've even seen.

Devin hasn't come out of the cabin below, and I want to ask him about the pictures. It's been eating at me.

Why wait until I'm gone to name a boat after me? Why wait until I'm gone to hang up a bunch of pictures of me? What really happened with Gemma?

I suck in a gulp of air, and then I guzzle half a bottle of vodka that's been baking in the sun for far too long. I snarl my nose up at the hot beverage that should have never been left unattended for such an amount of time and then consumed.

I gently turn the door to the room he was in last, and I see him sleeping on the couch with his notebook still clutched in his hands. About twenty pens have been snapped in half and tossed on the table to leave puddles of dripping ink.

I can't help but smile and wonder if that was because of me.

I tiptoe over to him, and ease the notebook from his hand. As soon as it's freed, his hand drops from the couch and grazes my bare leg on the way down.

I'm still in my bikini, but there's not too much I can do about that. It's not like I planned on hauling ass out of San Diego.

I stare at the cryptic writing in wild fascination for the crazy collage of random names with extended brackets to show more random names. The notebook is full of similar graphs on every page.

"He's been working on that since you left. He's been searching under every rock to find you as well. This is the first time he's slept since you disappeared," Camara whispers as she joins me, breaking the silence in the room.

I gasp lightly as he stirs and turns over on his side. I almost want to stroke his cheek, and tell him I love him. I miss him so much.

"I've been gone a week. There's no way he's stayed awake that long," I argue.

"Immortals can push the limits on sleep. He pushed all of ours. Everyone's exhausted. I collapsed the moment I found you. I couldn't have made it another day, but Kry, Ther, and Deacon have been awake with him the whole time. No one has put forth more effort to bring you back than Devin though."

I sigh as I sit on the edge of the couch beside him.

"Why did he name this boat after me? And why did he put pictures of me up in Paris when he knew he was sending Clara there? It seems like he's trying to sway my thinking by strategically placing things in places he knows will grab my attention. It's clever, but it's also pretty manipulative. I don't like manipulative," I gripe.

"He put those pictures up in every home he owns - which is a lot, by the way. He didn't do it to be manipulative. The ship was going to be your wedding present. He wanted to invite you to see the Poseidon world with him. You left before he could give it to you, and we needed a big boat to carry all of us away while Theia cleaned. He also needed a ground zero while we were here. Obviously any Poseidon feels more at home on the water."

I stare at the ground dispassionately, and he stirs again. This time his arm finds its way around my waist, and I feel the heat burning from his sleeping touch.

He grumbles lightly as he unknowingly nestles against me. I can't help but feel the tears breaching my eyelids, and my fingers reflexively run through his hair. He smiles as though he's enjoying a pleasant dream, but his breathing lets me know he's not awake.

"It's funny you're doing that," Camara says gently.

I look at her curiously. "Why?"

"Because that's what he did the first night we found you. He climbed in the bed beside you, and you wrapped your arms around him as if you'd never let go. He just brushed your hair with his fingers, and a smile spread across your face.

"I almost thought you were really awake. He stayed with you until just before dawn. Then he called Hale and asked him to help us keep an eye on you. Hale wasn't supposed to introduce himself, but you probably wounded his ego when you didn't notice him tailing you for three days. He's not used to being overlooked. He even told Devin you'd notice him within the first hour," she giggles out under a whispered breath.

I smile down at Devin's peaceful face, and then I bend to barely kiss him on the forehead.

"No. I haven't noticed another man in that way since the day I met him. I doubt I ever will," I sigh.

"Then why won't you just get back together with him? He's been hell's bitch since you left him."

I slowly remove myself from his sleeping embrace. He stirs slightly and rolls over to face the back of the elongated couch. His feet are propped up on the end, and his head is awkwardly angled. I push a pillow under his head to provide better support before I pull Camara out of the room.

"Because he kept it from me. There's always a reason for someone to hide something, and I need to know what that is before I put myself back in the line of fire. He hasn't offered me anything but excuses. I just want answers," I whisper.

"I know it's easy to forget with all the glittery flare surrounding our world, but he's still just a man. Just because he's immortal doesn't mean he's perfect. He came home with a chip on his shoulder, and he wasn't going to level the playing field by giving you something to be mad about as well. I repeat, he's still a man. He's a good one though, and he loves you," she huffs.

She's right. I've almost forgotten that he might not be mortal, but he's still a man. I shouldn't expect perfection, but then again, this is my biggest fear.

"I've spent years getting broken by men wanting to taste a new flavor of ice cream while I'm still in the cone. I've been here enough to know the risks, and I've never loved anyone the way I do him. It's scary, and I don't know what to do. He's immune to my… charm, so to speak, so I can't force him to tell me what happened," I grumble.

"He already did. He never lied to you about what really happened. He just wasn't as forthcoming as he should have been. Men are stupid that way, and again, he's a man," she says with exasperation.

I laugh a little and stare around to see the setting sun over the open water. We're completely still, and the anchor holds us steady from being carried away by the rising and falling waves.

There's nothing but water surrounding us anymore, and the glistening sun disperses a colorful slideshow against the surface of the salty water.

"I don't know what to do. I wish I could just skip the awkwardness. He's barely looked at me since I've been here. It's possible he's done trying," I whimper.

She looks down at the ground as if she has a burden to share but doesn't know if she should or not.

"He is done trying, isn't he?" I choke out.

"He told Deacon he just wanted you safe, but he wasn't going to try to force you to be with him. Deacon told me how new to love Devin is, and he thinks Devin is a little scared of this being a reoccurring thing. I don't know what he'll say or do, but you never know until you try," she mumbles.

I fucked it up. He's done with me. One second I'm running, and now I'm chasing. How is this even possible?

"What am I supposed to do now?" I gripe as I sit down on the edge of the boat.

"Now, you do what you were born to do. Aphrodite is the founder and CEO of Seduction Enterprises. Use it. Seduce him back to you. He'll never stand a chance," she says smugly with a smirk.

I smile at her devilish plan. "When? We're heading back to the airport soon. I can't exactly seduce him once we're back if he's still not speaking to me."

"We're not heading back to the airport for two more days. We're going to stay here, in the deep blue, with nothing but the sun threatening us," she gleams.

"I thought we hid better among the mortals," I gasp.

"We do, but we don't really have to hide while we're out here. We've got two Poseidon descendents. It would be hard for anyone to match them while sitting in the middle of the ocean," she says with a smirk.

Oh.

"Why don't we just live out here then?" I sigh with exasperation.

She laughs a little. "You'd be sick of living on a rocking boat after a while. Besides, what's eternal life without living?"

"Sounds familiar," I grumble as I think back to my "living versus surviving" speech I shared with Devin.

"Let's go to sleep for now. Tomorrow we'll wake up early, and then it's time to play… hard," she giggles.

I smile as I follow her to an unoccupied room, and she hugs me before she heads off to join Deacon in their shared cabin.

I sigh as I look at the small, lonely room staring at me. Devin's so close, and it's so hard not to return to the room with him.

I grunt in frustration, and then I start pulling off the bikini I've been trapped in for the entirety of the day. I look around for something else to wear, and I pull out one drawer near the bottom.

There are pictures of me shoved in it. Apparently this is where he stashed them all before bringing me onboard.

He's already started removing pictures. That can't be good. What now?

 

"Adisia, you awake?" a voice blares as my door swings open.

I scream in response as my heart pounds its panicked melody. I jerk to attention and realize my bare chest is exposed.

I squeal again as Hale's eyes stay glued to my chest until I scramble and pull the covers over me.

Suddenly Hale is being slammed against the wall so fast it's all a blur. As my eyes adjust, I see Devin's arm pressed to Hale's throat.

"What the fuck did you do?" Devin blares.

"Nothing," Hale strangles out. "I just came to wake her up."

Shit!

"Devin, he didn't do anything. I'm still just a little jumpy from spending the week alone and looking over my shoulder. Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," I say with an embarrassed tone.

Devin releases his grip, and Hale rubs his throat.

"Damn, you people know how to make a guy feel welcome," he coughs out.

"Sorry. I thought you had-" Devin's voice trails off as he sees me in my barely draped position, completely naked under the covers.

Hale's eyes grow wider as he catches a peek of my side showing, and Deacon walks in to add to the awkwardness.

"Oh, holy naked sex goddess. What'd I miss?" he chuckles in surprise.

I glower at him as I explain my nude condition.

"I didn't want to sleep in my damp bikini, and I couldn't find anything to wear. It's not like we made a pit stop by my hotel before we came," I snarl.

"You could've asked for a shirt," Devin retorts.

"You could've offered one," I snark back.

He just turns and walks away. Deacon starts walking off too, but Hale slowly starts closing the door while he's still in the room, his devious smirk in place and his eyes fixated on me.

Suddenly the door reopens, and Deacon jerks Hale out by the ear.

"Ow. Ow. Ow," Hale says in quick repetition while being led away.

I laugh a little before plopping down and covering my head with the blanket.

Great way to start the seducing game.

Being naked in a room full of men might sound seductive, but not when it's by mistake. On top of that, Devin and I just shared un-pleasantries.

The door creaks open, and I barely peek out from under the cover as angst rattles over me. I sigh in relief when Camara walks in with a smirk.

"I'm really getting to him now," I say with heavy sarcasm.

She laughs a little, letting me know she just overheard the messy morning wakeup call.

"I'm sorry. I should have given you something of mine to sleep in. I brought you a bathing suit for today though."

"I've got a bathing suit," I mumble.

She shakes her head disapprovingly.

"You can't seduce a man while wearing something he's already gotten used to. He saw you in that all day yesterday," she whispers. "This is hot, different, and you'll look exceptionally delectable in it."

I stare at the skimpy suit, and I'm just grateful the ass of it isn't missing.

"And I thought my bikini was slutty," I gasp.

She laughs a little as she shrugs.

"You don't have to be an Aphrodite to buy an enticing garment. Put it on," she says excitedly.

I chuckle lightly as I stand up and drop the sheet from me. I pull on the tiny, perfectly white suit, and stare at the mirror in disbelief.

The front is attached by a chain and a thin piece of material leading from the low dip under my breasts to the low start of the bottom of the suit. The back is completely out, and it just barely starts covering my rear soon enough.

My breasts are exposed on both sides, leaving only the middles covered by the thin strip of material, and my cleavage is very much on display. A tiny set of strings at the top and the back is all that holds this thing in place.

"Whoa. I feel like I'm supposed to be posing for a dirty magazine right now." I grimace.

She laughs loudly and nods in delight. She then hands me an orange, dress-like cover up that actually does cover me up.

"Leave them wondering what's underneath for a little while. It'll make the big reveal much more… wow, if you know what I mean," she murmurs with her masterminding tone.

I just snicker lightly at all her scheming, and then I pull on the daring, white heels she's brought along as well.

We walk up to the top, and Devin is reading a newspaper, deliberately abstaining from looking toward me as we emerge.

"Good morning again, Adisia," Hale charms.

"Morning, Hale," I force out with a smile, though I intentionally left off the good.

There's a delicious spread of breakfast decorating the large table that has been assembled on the deck. There's also coffee.

Thank goodness.

I pour a cup of the wonderful smelling brew, and then I start searching for the cream.

Devin slides it toward me without moving his eyes out from behind the paper. It's sad that he doesn't see me with his visions or his eyes, but he still knows what I'm doing at this moment.

Perhaps I didn't give our relationship enough credit. Maybe we know each other better than I realized.

"Thanks," I say softly, hoping he'll look at me.

Look at me, damn it.

"No problem," he says gently, but still keeps his face hidden behind the paper - today's paper.

"How did you get a newspaper out here?" I ask in an effort to try to keep him talking.

"Dad went and got several things from town. We move faster in the water than on land," he says very calmly.

Apparently his dad can manipulate the water to fall around him as well. The paper is completely dry.

My mind goes back to the bubble night - the night he first told me he loved me. The night I knew I'd one day be a complete disaster by his hand. I was right, but I was also wrong.

He doesn't make an effort to continue the conversation, and I decide to just eat in silence. Camara gives me a very disappointed gaze, and I just shrug.

"You want to swim?" Hale asks as I finish my last bite.

"Um…" I hesitate as my eyes look over at the still hiding Devin. "Yeah. Let me just get this thing off."

Hale smirks as he stares at my feet.

"Heels? Wow. You really are a sex goddess," he gleams.

I hear the paper crinkle slightly as Devin's hands grip it a little too tightly.

"Yeah. Camara thought they would look good with the bathing suit," I explain.

Again, the paper crinkles, and I smirk slightly as I see Devin starting to squirm uncomfortably.

He slowly lowers the paper, and his eyes become locked with mine. I very deliberately pull the dressy cover-up over my head in a slow, drawn out motion.

When I'm free from its confines, Devin's eyes are still staring at mine. His smoky eyes are swirling, and I stifle the smug grin trying to appear.

"Holy hot bodies," Hale exclaims.

Devin's eyes narrow slightly, and Hale continues his fascination with my swimming attire.

"Well. I think you need to have some fun in the sun," he says provocatively.

It's so obvious it's almost corny. He is the embodiment of the sun after all.

A wave gushes across the deck, and takes Hale overboard as it heads back out to sea.

Everyone chuckles as Hale screams up to the deck, "Not cool, Devin."

Devin smirks menacingly, and gives me a smug look before pulling his paper back up.

Well, I got him to look at me. Now I have to make him unable to look away.

Kry walks over to me with a look noting what I'm attempting to do. He smirks slightly and taunts me for my endeavor.

"So, you planning on swimming in stilettos?" he snarks playfully.

I almost want to stick my tongue out at him. Devin snickers lightly behind the paper, and I hope it isn't because he realizes what I'm up to as well.

I admit, the heels are overkill.

I quickly kick free from them and walk over to the edge of the boat. Everyone is splashing, laughing, and having a good time. Devin's the only old man reading the paper.

I smile as I step off the edge and splash into the cool, sensationally refreshing water below. The turquoise sea laps around me and coaxes the worry from my mind.

Deacon climbs back on board, and I can see Devin relinquish the thoroughly-read paper as they speak in whispers.

"Stop staring. It'll make it obvious," Camara scolds. "You're supposed to be seducing him, not the other way around."

I puff slightly as Devin continues to look anywhere but at me. I swim back over to the boat, and the water trickles down my body as I reach the top.

I stand in front of Devin and Deacon's mouth drops open as the water slides against my skin. My hair is saturated by the ocean's scent, and my body is almost calling to his.

"Do you have any towels?" I ask with a subtle reason for speaking to him.

"Yes," he says vaguely as he stares into my eyes.

"Okay… um… Where?" I ask with a sweet smile invading my lips.

"I've got some over here," Hale chirps as he climbs back onboard.

Devin frowns slightly, but I asked for a towel.

Stupid interfering sun.

"Thanks," I mumble insincerely.

"You look so fucking hot in that bathing suit," Hale asserts bluntly.

I blush slightly under his admiring gaze, secretly hoping Devin feels the same way.

"I know. I'm going to have to let her keep it because it doesn't look like that on me," Camara says with a wink.

I stifle a laugh. She's attempting to draw Devin out of his shell by doting on me.

"You had that and didn't wear it for me?" Deacon gripes.

"Yes, well, like I said, it doesn't look like that on me. Now roll your tongue back into your mouth, please," she says with a mocking tone.

I laugh lightly, but Devin seems unaffected by the scene. I frown a little before Hale speaks to me again.

"Your scent is so… I don't even know how to explain it. It so… surreal," he murmurs with an exaggerated enamored tone.

Devin squirms uncomfortably. I'm just confused. It's not the first time someone has mentioned my scent. Camara and Deacon both share an amused smiling glance - adding to my confusion.

"What scent?" I scoff.

"It's intoxicating," Hale says while his eyes lock with mine.

I quickly detach from the eye contact. Devin squirms more, and Camara answers.

"The goddess has been denied for quite some time, if you know what I mean. You have a strong, heavenly, divine pull, and it's almost impossible to ignore. It has been masked by fear for the past few days, and I'm sure before then as well. Now that you feel safe, all you can smell is an aerial aphrodisiac. It did the same thing when Devin was gone for a week. I blame that scent for making me crazy enough to give Deacon another chance."

Deacon raises his arms in disbelief. "Hey," he yelps in a defensive tone.

Camara laughs a little as she walks over to kiss him with reassurance she's not going anywhere.

"I've never smelled anything so alluring," Hale says as his eyes spark.

I'm sure his sex god side is sort of overheating his normal state of mind. He takes a step toward me, and I take a step back. Another wave surges over the boat, and once again, Hale is carried away.

"This is starting to get old," he gripes from the water below.

I turn to see Devin's eyes staring into mine, and I decide to let the wind drag this scent to him. Perhaps it'll have the same effect on him as it did on Hale. He takes a deep breath and tightens his lips as our eyes stay locked.

"I need to get off this boat for a while," he whispers to Deacon, and I don't think I was meant to hear it.

He slowly walks toward me, and his breath hitches as he nears. I'm almost certain he's about to take me, but he continues by me to the edge of the boat. He dives in, and I finally release my trapped breath.

I slump down in a chair and pour me some more coffee as I work on a new plan of attack. Kry sits down across from me and shakes the excess water from his hair - his faux-hawk smoothed down into a normal shag, due to the ocean.

"I need to douse you in my cologne or something. That is potent, and it's going to drive everyone here crazy," he rattles.

I frown as I stare at Devin who is so far out in the sea he barely looks like a speck even with my heightened sight.

"Not everyone," I pout.

"Are you trying to get his attention, or is Aphrodite? I'm not sure he understands what your motives are. You went from ice cold to fire hot. You can see how a guy would be confused. Aphrodite was always known to be so capricious, but you're usually not."

"He knows it's me," I grumble. "He just doesn't care."

Kry sits back and bites into an apple as Devin swims out farther - to the point of disappearing completely. He is faster in the water, much faster.

"I don't think he does know. It wouldn't hurt to clue him in," he murmurs.

He stands up and pats me on the shoulder as he tosses the apple back down on the table.

I hear a splash, and then Hale rejoins me once again. I stare out at the sea as Devin slowly makes his way back toward us, barely becoming visible again. He doesn't seem to be in the hurry to get back that he was to get gone.

"You really are beautiful. I've never met an Aphrodite before. They say Helios and Aphrodite were meant for each other, but they just never found each other in time," he seduces.

I roll my eyes.

"I think you've had too much sun," I joke to lighten the mood.

"You can never have too much sun," he seduces more.

He's working too hard to sound smooth.

Oh. Poor guy. He doesn't have a clue how in love I am with Devin.

"Sorry. I think you've been exposed to whatever this scent is for too long. I'm going to go swim for a while," I say in an effort to get away.

He follows me to the edge, and his hand grabs mine. I gingerly remove it from his grasp as he tries yet again to gain my affections.

"Let me show you how close you can get to the sun without getting burned," he dares.

A wave rushes over us, and Hale is swept away. I hear him huffing loudly as he spews water from his mouth.

"Really, Devin?" he blares.

Devin emerges from below the surface with a shrug as soon as Hale scolds him.

"It wasn't me this time," he murmurs innocently.

Phillip is leisurely floating on his back with his arms propped behind his head while kicking with sloppy intent against the water. He smiles as he spits a fountain flow of water into the air from his mouth.

"Sorry. Couldn't resist. I thought the sun could use some cooling down," he chuckles.

Hale slaps the water in frustration, and I laugh a little at the uncharacteristic, childish behavior of Phillip.

Devin slowly climbs up the boat, and the water sweeps over his perfect body, the seductive trickle reminding me what a fool I am for not listening to him about the whole Gemma situation.

"What did he say this time?" he mumbles.

"Nothing important. He's just confused. He hasn't been around me as long as the others. He'll get to where he doesn't find me to be quite the fascinating anomaly he thinks I am, and then he can move on like everyone else," I say pitifully as I turn to escape the group.

I'm done trying to recapture his attention. I feel like a fool for ever even having embarked on such a feat. I may possess the power of Aphrodite, but I don't encompass the ability to seduce the unwilling heart.

I lean over the rail and stare out at the empty sea ahead of us. The clouds above me look so tranquil and happy as they perch on the edge of the sky.

The waves rush back and forth as a natural wind stirs. I draw it to me and let it splash against my face, dragging the mist of the ocean spray with it.

I smile lightly as I see Deacon being dunked by Camara as they swim in front of the boat. My smile almost turns to a pout when envy stings my blue eyes with a jaded hue, but then I feel heat from behind me.

Devin leans up to where he's almost touching my back with his front as his hands grip against the railing beside mine. My heart stumbles and flips forward until it slams into my chest.

His breath lingers against my ear as his face stays just out of grasp. Aphrodite stirs, awakens, and climbs to attention as she poises for attack.

"I know it's in your nature to seduce, but if you don't want me, then please stop," he whispers, and chills scramble to the surface to cover my body.

I very slowly turn to face him, and the green takes over my eyes for a moment before turning back blue to let him know I'm completely in control.

I lean back on the railing to stare him in the eyes, and I tilt my hips up slightly toward him. His body so close to mine that it is almost sending me into convulsions.

"I'll keep that in mind," I seduce, even though I said I wasn't going to try anymore.

He smirks slightly, and he bends to where his lips almost touch mine but don't.

"Please do," he dares.

He leans back from the tantalizing closeness and walks away. I follow him like a lioness stalking her prey, but he stops to talk to Kry.

Damn you, Kry.

I decide to lure him away by walking over to the edge again. I give him a provocative look that challenges him to see how far I'll go with this, and Kry's jaw unhinges slightly as Aphrodite creeps through me to bring forth the sexy strut.

Devin smirks when he sees the dangerous game I'm daring him to play. I step backwards to fall to the water, and I take my time swimming back to the surface.

I emerge slowly to add some zest to the seduction, but Devin is no longer on the boat. I look around the water, but he's nowhere to be found.

I huff slightly as I realize my plan of seduction has failed yet again. Kry splashes in, and I draw his attention to me by splashing him lightly.

"Where's Devin?" I whine.

Kry smirks as though he has a secret, but he shrugs before he answers.

"He said he'd be gone for a while. Told me to cover for him."

"Cover for him?" I grumble.

What does that mean?

"Yeah," he murmurs vaguely with his smirk growing more menacing.

I start to pout more, but the water beneath me embraces me around the waist. I'm almost seduced by the gripping sensation, and then I'm suddenly sucked under.

I don't struggle against the aquatic abduction because I know what's going to be on the other end - Devin.

Everything passes me in a blur as the spiraling hold drags me deeper - so deep a mortal's body wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure.

I feel air entering my lungs as I land on the ocean ground, and I'm in a bubble similar to the one where he told me he loved me.

My toes sink into the soft, dry sand on the ocean floor, and my eyes lock with the smoky blue ones as the one who summoned me stalks toward me.

His eyes burn through me, and I can feel the electrical currents rushing over my body in response. His hands pull me to his body, and he tugs my hair lightly to bring my head back.

"You sure want me?" he asks in a pleading prayer.

My eyes swirl, mixing green and blue with the desire and lust burning inside me. His mouth covers mine when I barely nod, and he almost crushes me into him from the pent-up desire that has been begging to break free.

My hands grip the back of his neck, and I feel him scoop me up to lay me on the sand.

His hands scour my body as if they've just felt dry land for the first time in years. His lips fold over mine almost violently as his expert tongue attacks, and my body shudders from the overwhelming sensations it all brings forth.

I push my hips up to meet his, and he slides his hand up my bare leg until it reaches my back. He jerks me to him as he thrusts against me, and I feel the delicious entrapment of our hideaway cloaking our ferocious sounds. He's mine again.