“Cheers to the most gorgeous date a guy could ask for,” Charles said with his trademark gruffness. That, in combination with the way his eyes looked unflinchingly into hers made Demi melt with desire for him.
They’d been out a few times together, and undoubtedly hit it off, but they hadn’t done anything more than kiss. He’d taken her to a wine tasting, the theatre, and to one of the finest dinners she’d ever eaten, but she was aching to get physically closer to him.
On this particular evening, they were at a charity event that one of his clients was throwing, sponsored by Charles’ firm. It was all happening at an impossibly fancy hotel, and Charles had just stolen her away from the crowds to enjoy a view from the penthouse balcony.
“I’ll certainly cheers to that, and to this incredible vista. Thank you for taking me.”
They clinked glasses, sipped, and she leaned into the crook of his arm that was wrapped around her waist.
“Are you sure it’s okay that we snuck away from the party like this?” she asked.
“Well, we should get back in there, eventually, but it’ll be a while before anyone notices we’re gone. Unless you’d like to get back to the party?”
Demi glanced over her shoulder back into the penthouse attached to the incredible veranda they were on, taking in the extravagant decor and impeccable finishings. It looked like the kind of place Louis XIV would have felt comfortable in, had he been alive. The bed was huge, and every inch of Demi wished Charles would pick her up, throw her onto it, and have his way with her.
“Go back to the party already? No. No, if I had my way we wouldn’t leave this room for a good, long time,” she oozed seductively so there was no mistaking her meaning. Charles took the hint.
“Good, because I had something very similar in mind…”
Without missing a beat, Charles took the champagne from her hand and set it down with his on the railing. Staring deeply into her eyes, he ran a finger along her collarbone, sending delicious shivers up and down her spine, and slipped the strap of her dress off her shoulder. The feeling of the dress barely clinging to her otherwise naked body and his eyes on her exposed skin filled her core with warmth, and Demi found herself instantly wet with need, pulsing with the desire to be closer to him.
Slowly, he lowered his lips to her shoulder, and kissed his way up her neck until his mouth finally found hers, and she softened into him with a moan.
“I want you,” she whispered, feeling her knees go weak.
Suddenly, Charles swept her up into his arms, and she wrapped her legs around him, not caring that the skirt of her dress was up around her waist, exposing her impossibly round cheeks to anyone that happened to be looking in the right direction. He set her up on the edge of the railing of the balcony, the metal cold against her naked skin, and she shivered. The danger of the potential fall below drove Demi wild, and she loved the dramatic feeling of the wind whipping her hair around.
He might just be a banker, but clearly this human is no ordinary man.
Before she had time to get too scared about falling, Charles stopped kissing her and picked her up again, carrying her back into the bedroom and safely away from any curious onlookers from other skyscraper windows.
“Take that dress off,” he ordered as soon as he dropped her onto the bed, one hand loosening his tie.
Demi couldn’t explain why, but there was something impossibly sexy about the way his hands and wrists looked as they made swift work of his shirt. She caught herself staring at his rippling muscles, each one leading beautifully into the next before she remembered she was supposed to be taking her own clothes off. With one easy movement, she tore her slip dress up over her head, and Charles immediately pulled her legs toward the edge of the bed, wrapping his thick arms around her waist and disappearing between her thighs.
Demi felt his tongue exploring her depths, and she yelped with pleasure as he lashed the swollen nub, before winding her fingers into hair and pulling him in harder, unable to suppress her desire and mounting climax.
Charles groaned his appreciation, the sound reverberating across her swollen mound as he pressed two fingers inside her channel, curling them upward to make contact with her sweet spot.
She let out a low moan, her senses bursting to life, bucking her hips against his face. It didn’t take long before her thighs were shaking, and Demi felt herself explode into an undeniable release. Her back arched, her hips bucking harder as she ground her pussy against his face, and unbridled emotive cries escaped her lips. Demi was no longer in control of her body as her orgasm washed over her.
Charles left her trembling there on the bed. It wasn’t until she felt his hardness pressing up against her still-throbbing mound and the warmth of his body on top of hers that she opened her eyes again.
“I need you inside me, now,” she moaned, surprising even herself. It was like the sexual being inside of her had taken over, and forced the reasonable, reserved Demi away. Charles brought out a greedy side of her that she’d almost forgotten existed.
Demi lost track of time as Charles slid into her, filling her with ecstasy and passion. Her mind went blank, and their two bodies became a connected tangle of sweat, desire, and grinding need.
Finally, when she wasn’t sure she could take any more stimulation, Charles’ length throbbed and exploded with pent up release deep inside her, his face tucked into her neck as she dug her fingernails into his back and rode him into climax.
She dropped to the bed beside Charles as her mind floated back to reality.
“I think we have some cleanup to take care of,” Demi said with a giggle as they recovered from the exertion, and she watched Charles' chest rise and fall with quick breaths.
“I got us the room for the night, so we don’t have to take care of anything,” Charles explained breathlessly.
“Really? I mean, that’s amazing, but I didn’t bring anything with me.”
“I had my assistant pick up some things for you. If there’s anything I forgot, I can send someone out now.” He gestured to the closest gilt dresser, and Demi opened the top drawer to see a pair of silk pajamas and a perfectly selected outfit for the next day. On top of the dresser was an impeccable selection of all the best beauty products a girl could ask for.
Goddesses don’t have much need for moisturizer, but this is all beyond thoughtful.
Zeus never did anything like this for me.
She knew it was dangerous and too soon to start comparing Charles to her ex, but she couldn’t help it. Being all powerful, Zeus never had to put thought into anything. He could just snap his fingers, throw a lightning bolt, and get his way, but Charles must have been planning all this for days, at least.
“I wasn’t sure about the pajamas, but—”
“They’re perfect. You’re kind of perfect,” Demi interrupted, almost like it was unfair that a person like him was allowed to exist.
“If I was perfect, then I’d magic away the party so we could just recover and I could spend the rest of the night getting to know every... inch... of your incredible body,” he whispered, his eyes clearly committing her angles and curves to memory as he spoke.
“But we have to get back to the party, don’t we?” Demi reminded him. He closed his eyes, sighed, and nodded.
“Yes. Yes, we do. We’d better go quickly or I’m going to change my mind.”
Anyone who saw the pair in the elevator on the way back down to the event room would have been able to clearly see that something had changed between them. Demi had an undeniable glow and a stupid grin on her face, while Charles couldn’t take his eyes off of her, even more so than usual. Most people at the party didn’t notice, but as soon as they stepped out of the elevator, there was one woman who clocked their messy smiles immediately.
“Charles! Where have you been all night? I had to dance with Derek from accounting. Who’s this little... cutey you have with you?” a tall, severe looking woman asked, clinging to Charles’ arm like a vulture on her perch.
“Tabitha, meet Demi. Demi, I work with Tabitha at Billard & Tex,” Charles said, introducing the woman. Demi wasn’t sure, but she thought she sensed a bit of coolness on his part, like maybe he wasn’t the biggest fan of Tabitha.
“And what do you do, Demi?” Tabitha lilted.
“I’m a baker. I own my bakery,” Demi explained, still too wrapped in bliss to take notice of this woman’s patronizing tone.
“That’s so... adorable! Listen, Charles, why don’t you get Demi and I something to drink. I’m dying of thirst,” Tabitha cooed.
Demi watched as Charles pursed his lips, clearly not interested in doing anything this woman wanted him to, but not being able to come up with an excuse.
“Go, Charles. I’d love some champagne,” Demi encouraged him, giving her man a small nudge toward the bar with her hip, silently communicating to Charles that she could handle Tabitha on her own.
“All right, then. Drinks are on the way, ladies.” Charles flashed Demi a wink before strolling off toward the bar.
“He’s a real charmer, isn’t he?” Tabitha said with a sickeningly sweet smile, pulling wide on her thin but overlined lips.
“Charles? Oh yeah, he’s a catch all right.”
Tabitha looked over her shoulder, evidently making sure that Charles had moved out of earshot before leaning closer to Demi, her smile instantly replaced with a sneer.
“Just so you know, his little obsession with you won’t last long. I was there for him during the Tex merger, it was me he kissed at the holiday party four years ago, and it will be me he comes crawling back to once he finds out that your… cake is dry and stale. And by your ‘cake,’ I mean your—”
“Yes, I think I understand what you’re trying to say, Tabitha, and honestly, I appreciate the warning. Us girls have to watch out for each other, don’t we? From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and can I just say, I love your dress. Very shabby chic. Can something from last season be considered retro? I can’t keep track of how quickly the fashion cycle moves these days.”
Tabitha looked like she’d just been hit by a truck. Demi’s comeback evidentially left the twit at a loss for words, comically opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water. Clearly she’d never had anyone stand up to her antics the way Demi had. It was everything Demi could do not to laugh out loud at the other woman’s facial expressions.
Tabitha excused herself politely once Charles returned with the drinks, turning on her heel and slinking away with her nose in the air.
“What did you say to get rid of her? I get stuck listening to her for hours sometimes. I swear, I think you have magic powers or something,” Charles said with a smile, looking down at her in total adoration.
Demi laughed in response, waving away the comment and swallowing her guilt. They were getting closer and closer by the minute, and Demi knew she was going to have to tell him about her true identity sooner or later. It still confused her how Charles, a human, had ended up in the supernatural speed dating night, but she was very glad that he had. Something deep in her chest told her that he was the one, her mate, and something like destiny had brought them together. Destiny or Aphrodite, it was hard to tell sometimes.
Should I tell him, or is it too soon?
The next few months flew by in a rush of romantic activities, entwined sweaty limbs and longing glances between Demi and Charles. Demi was in heaven; not that heaven, but a heaven of her own making. Only, there was something missing. While she was slowly getting more and more integrated into Charles’ life, she had yet to find a way to explain her own. Anytime the subject of her job, friends, family or home came up, she found clever ways of turning the conversation around to safer topics. Charles didn’t seem to be bothered by her evasiveness at all, and if he was, she didn’t notice.
As far as Demi could tell, Charles was perfect. He got a little testy whenever he was hungry, but that was the only criticism she could levy against him. It was almost annoying how perfect he was, but his easy openness and vulnerability always won her over.
The lies, however, were starting to accumulate and eat her up on the inside. They were too close now to excuse her purposeful omissions and the effects were starting to show in her baking.
“Why is this tart so sour?” Hera asked one morning while she was quality checking that day’s baking.
Demi couldn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes. “Wow, okay Hera, want to think about how stupid that question is? First of all, it’s lemon flavored, hence the sour, also it’s called a tart. What does that mean? Sounds to me like it might taste a little... tart.”
“All right, seems like someone got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.” Hera put the rest of the tart down and lifted her hands in a sign of surrender. She clearly had no intention of getting into an argument. “Trust me, just try it. Lemon or no lemon, it’s too sour. Maybe you forgot the sugar.”
“Seriously, Hera? You think I forgot the sugar? I’m a literal baking goddess. But if you insist…” Demi made no attempt to wipe the smug look off her face as she took a bite of the half eaten lemon tart. As soon as the filling met her tongue, she spat it out. Indeed, it tasted like there wasn’t even an ounce of sugar in there. Demi sighed with shame, realizing that she’d been beyond rude to her sister for no reason at all.
“Oh, Hera. I’m sorry. Yes, this is completely inedible. Maybe I did forget the sugar, or my emotions are tampering with the taste again. It happens from time to time.” Demi felt her shoulders relax in time with her admission, tired from the effort of keeping it all together.
“It’s okay. We all get testy sometimes. Maybe you should take the day off. Things will be better tomorrow. What’s got you all bothered, though? Weren’t you with Charles last night? You always come back from your dates with him beaming like the sun shines from within. I hope there isn’t trouble in paradise?”
Demi sighed again, laughed in a helpless kind of way, and rested her elbows on the baking table.
“There’s only trouble in my half of paradise. As far as Charles is concerned, everything is hunky dory. He doesn’t seem to care that he’s never met any of my friends.”
“Wait a minute,” Hera whispered, lowering herself to Demi’s level. “Are you saying that you still haven’t told him you’re a goddess?”
Biting her bottom lip, Demi shook her head. “No. I don’t know how to bring it up! At first, I thought, why bother? Maybe it’s just a physical connection, so there’s no use freaking him out and blowing his entire concept of existence open just for fling. But now, so much time has passed, and although the physical stuff is... Hera, I’ve never felt this kind of connection with anyone before. My body just melts when I’m around him. We just... fit, almost like we were made to enjoy—”
“Okay, okay, I get it! The sex is off the charts. My ears are burning. Just tell me, if you have such an incredible connection, then why haven’t you told him where you come from?”
“Because it feels like a real thing now! A real thing that could be ruined if I say too much or scare him off. Hera, the more time I spend with him, the more I start to think that he’s my fated mate. If he can’t handle the truth, then I risk losing him.”
“And if you don’t tell him, then you’re living a half life. I know your name is Demi and all that, but you can’t live in secret like that. He deserves to know. I promise, if he’s really all that, then he’ll accept you for all that you are. It might be hard for him to handle as a human man. I know their egos can be fragile when it comes to powerful women, but if he doesn’t believe you or wants you to change, then that’s a clear sign that he isn’t your mate. From the sounds of it, though... I think Eve and Aphrodite put him in your way for a reason. Clearly, they know something you don’t. Maybe you should ask for their advice?”
Demi tasted the metallic flavor of blood mix with her saliva, and she realized that she was biting her lip way too hard.
“That might not be a bad idea. They are relationship experts, after all…”
“Demi! You’re not on the list for speed dating this evening. I hope you weren’t planning on crashing, because I’m not sure we can squeeze you in. Besides, I thought you were dating that handsome mortal?” Eve drawled melodramatically as soon as Demi walked through the doors of the DeLux Cafe.
Behind Eve, the harvest table covered in elaborate candelabras that Demi remembered from months before was surrounded by other lonely souls looking to make a connection. Despite how distraught she felt, Demi did have a flicker of excitement for each and every one of them, knowing that they might be about to meet their fated mates. That excitement disappeared when some kind of beast met her gaze and winked, clearly hoping she was about to sit down across from him. She shuddered slightly and turned back to Eve.
“I am still dating that handsome mortal, thanks for asking, and thank you for not giving me a heads up that he was mortal in the first place,” Demi whined sarcastically.
“Oh, did I not mention that?” Eve cooed insincerely. “I suppose, I’m just not as hung up on that kind of differentiation as some.”
“Well, to be honest, I still haven’t found a way of telling him about who I really am, and I’d appreciate any advice on the subject, since apparently this is an area of expertise for you. Is it best to break the news gently by giving subtle hints until he figures it out on his own, or is it better to just come out with it, like ripping off a Band-Aid?” Demi asked as Eve pulled her into a side booth so they could speak privately without the prying eyes of the other daters.
“Human men can be a tricky bunch. I believe Charles is a humble enough soul to be able to handle your status, but their egos can be fragile. Some delight in a powerful woman, and some crumble under the pressure. I suppose time will tell when it comes to Charles. Personally, I would start with small hints. Mention the word goddess as much as possible, and pepper in some of your powers.”
The empty wine glass in front of Demi started to fill with warm red wine, stopping just as Eve lifted her pinky finger.
She must’ve learned that trick from Aphrodite.
Filling wine glasses isn’t usually Eve’s thing.
“What do you mean by ‘pepper in some of my powers?’” Demi asked carefully. Sometimes Eve spoke in code that was tricky to follow.
“I mean, start doing things that no human woman ought to be able to do. Be too perfect.”
“I think I’m already doing that. The first evening we spent together outside of speed dating I catered an entire event for him by myself, in heels, and balanced impossibly high arrangements of hors d'oeuvres. I think he just thinks I’m that good.”
“Well then, you have to step it up.” Eve lowered her voice, her eyes narrowing. “Make his dead plants come back to life. Fill his empty fridge even though no one has gone shopping. Hell, make a flower bloom in the palm of your hand, or whatever it is you goddesses do. He’s not stupid. He’ll get the picture, eventually. Although... ”
Eve trailed off and raised a contemplative hand to her mouth, tapping her long green fingernail against her ruby red lips.
What is she thinking?
What does she know about Charles that I don’t know?
“What is it, Eve? Enough with the secrets already!” Demi raised her voice loud enough that the speed daters behind them got very quiet, and she had to apologize to the room.
“Secrets are supposed to be quiet, Demi. Please, control yourself. What I was going to say was that Charles might be more difficult to convince of your supernatural powers than most. His housekeeper hasn’t aged a day in twenty years and I don’t think he’s ever thought twice about it,” Eve revealed.
“Housekeeper?” Demi asked.
“Yes, Mrs. Murphy. You haven’t met her? I thought you and Charles were practically living together now.”
“No, we very much are not. I haven’t even been to his lake house yet. Every time we’ve spent the night together... Well, let’s just say I’m getting very well acquainted with the topside hotel culture. Who is this Mrs. Murphy?”
“An old friend of mine. Very old. She used to be one of the Fates, before she decided to give up her morbid powers. Since then... Well, it seems like it’s been difficult to shake her immortality. It lingers, you know, even if you try to rid yourself of it. Anyway, Mrs. Murphy was the one who suggested that Charles do one of our speed dating evenings, and convinced me to let him join the supers night. She’s very fond of him, obviously, and thinks that he wasn’t meant to be with someone quite so... human as his usual taste dictates. And she might be right about that,” Eve teased leadingly.
“Does that mean... Do you think he’s my mate? Is that why you matched us, why I was led to this place?” Demi asked, desperate for some kind of confirmation of what her heart already felt.
Is he my mate?
If I hear it from someone clearly, without any ambiguity, then I can know whether or not this is all worth it.
Eve smiled with her trademark slyness. “You know I can’t answer that, Demi. That’s for you to know and you to discover. Besides, that’s Aphrodite’s forte, not mine. I’m more of an idea person.”
Demi’s heart sank slightly, and she let Eve change the subject, though she was only half listening as she went on about some gossip regarding various arch angels. Demi’s thoughts lay only with Charles.
He’s lived with one of the Fates his entire life and never noticed?
Maybe that’s why he thinks nothing of my extraordinary abilities.
He’s used to it.
Back in her bed safely above the bakery in purgatory, Demi lay awake thinking of how to proceed. In her heart, she knew she loved him, and now that she’d said it out loud, she knew there was no turning back. It was cruel to keep her true nature from him now that she was certain it wasn’t just a fling.
But he’s damn good at flinging me around.
Focus, Demi, focus.
Don’t think about the way it feels when he pulls you in and slips his...
No!
Don’t think about that.
Think about how you’re going to show him who you really are.
How can I be less subtle?
Maybe growing flowers out of my palm isn’t such a bad idea after all...
It’s been a while, but maybe I can still manipulate the rain and make a rainbow.
Yes!
A double rainbow.
I hear humans love those.