| |
With all the excitement over the last couple of days, she hadn’t realised how exhausted she was.
Just five more minutes, she thought as she hit snooze on her phone, rolling over and clutching a pillow. Within seconds, she was back in the sexiest dream.
Eric was washing her car. She didn’t own a car in real life, but here, she had a red Chevrolet Corvette. He dipped a sponge into a bucket of water and methodically swiped it over the dirty flecks and spots on its body. His muscles bunched and bulged deliciously as he reached new areas to clean, seemingly so invested in this task that he didn’t glance at her for more than a few moments at a time.
Leila was on a lounger, wearing a red ’60s inspired one-piece, a wide-brimmed hat made of white straw, and sunglasses. She sipped on a Pina Colada when a near-blinding light appeared.
Arthur joined Eric’s side, barefoot and donned in three-quarter khaki shorts. He picked up a hose and began spraying water over the Corvette to rinse away the foam. Leila watched with a slack jaw as splashes of water hit Eric’s tanned skin. If anything, it added to his appeal. In less than a minute, her car was dripping wet and in dire need of a towel dry.
A man she’d never seen before arrived on the scene, handing Eric and Arthur crisp white towels and demonstrating how to get the job done. Something about him reminded Leila of honey, smooth silks, and the pearly gates. He had thick, curly dark blond hair and dark blue eyes. All that was missing was a laurel, which would’ve completed the mental image of yet another Greek god come to life.
With the Corvette dry, the three men winked at her in unison and bowed to a fourth. Leila slid her sunglasses down her nose to catch a better look.
By God, he was gorgeous! In those tight leather pants and biker boots, his tattooed torso was on glorious display. Although not as bulky as Eric, it was clear that he did physical labour. His blood-red hair went past his shoulders, and his amber eyes held hers captive. For once, she didn’t think those colours were fake.
Maintaining eye contact, he held out his left hand, in which Eric placed a microfibre cloth. Arthur handed car polish over. Armed with everything he needed, the otherworldly man started buffing the curves of the Corvette.
Leila was riveted as this man finished the job the other three had started. She fanned her face, wishing for a cool breeze. As his hand slid from the roof, down the thin piece of metal next to the windshield, to the bonnet, she shook awake with a gasped: “Yes!”
Curled up on her side, Leila fought for breath while that incredible dream began fading. She wondered why she was so warm, and slowly glanced down her body. With her hand between her legs, her temperature didn’t remain a mystery for long.
Shit, I’m late!
She jumped out of bed and rushed through her usual shower routine, careful not to get her hair wet. Every time she closed her eyes, images from that dream flashed through her mind, making her skin tingle.
“Well, looks like you find Arthur attractive, at least,” she commented softly while dressing. Done, she grabbed her things and rushed out of her apartment, once again colliding with Eric.
“Hey, Lei—”
“So sorry,” she shouted over her shoulder, running down the hallway. “I’ll make it up to you!”
Her attempt to regain the time she’d wasted in bed came to a grinding halt at the train station. The last peak-hour train departed just as she got to the platform, and the next one was only scheduled to arrive in ten minutes. Sighing, she went to Starbucks and ordered a hot chocolate with extra cream, before sitting down on one of the benches.
“May I?”
She looked up. “Eric, hey. Yeah, sure,” she mumbled, making space for him.
“I’m going to take a wild guess and say you’re running late.”
“So late! Sorry about earlier. I didn’t have time to explain.” Leila laughed dryly. “And now I’m waiting anyway.”
“Having a bad morning?”
She made eye contact and blushed instantly. Every time she looked at him, she pictured him half-naked, washing her car. Her start to the morning hadn’t been bad at all.
“I’ve never been late for work before.”
“I’m sure they’ll forgive you. Who could stay mad at you for long?”
She wasn’t sure if he had some kind of magic that instantly calmed people, but she was starting to believe that everything will be fine. Peace wrapped around her, and she let out a long breath.
“Thanks, Eric, I really needed to hear that.”
“No problem,” he winked. “Can only get better from here, am I right?”
“Right.” She took in his outfit: a fashionable suit that matched the darkness of his eyes. “On your way to break some kneecaps?” When he frowned, she elaborated: “You look like a gangster.”
“Oh,” he laughed, “no, I’m on my way to court. I’m a lawyer.”
“So, a corporate gangster.” He let out another round of that booming laugh she liked so much, making her smile goofily. “I’m hoping you’re more like the guys from Boston Legal.”
Eric was familiar with the popular TV show. “How so?”
“I can picture you being ruthless, dry, and willing to take any woman to bed.”
He raised a thick eyebrow. “Do I detect a hint of judgement?”
“Of course not,” she replied, keeping her gaze on his even as her cheeks burned. “I’m sure you have many willing partners.”
The slight smile assured her that he knew what she was really hinting at. “None at present.”
“Oh.” She glanced away so that he wouldn’t see how relieved she was to hear that. “I have a feeling that’ll change, soon enough.”
Erebus felt the full force of her charm from his head down to his feet. What was it about Ananke in this form? Before he could form a witty double entendré, the train entered the station, and he sensed the familiar presence of his Light brother.
“Leila?”
Her lips curled upwards once she spotted Arthur walking towards her with a big smile. “Hi, what a pleasant surprise!”
“I got lost,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “Luckily I’m not late for work yet.”
“I wish I could say the same.” His eyes drifted past her to Eric, and she cleared her throat. “Arthur, this is my neighbour, Eric—”
“Sandler,” Arthur exclaimed, holding out his hand. “Wow, man, it’s been ages! How’ve you been?”
Leila looked from one man to the other, confused. “Wait, you two know each other? I thought you didn’t know anyone else in town,” she said to Arthur.
“I didn’t know he was in town.”
“We went to college together,” Eric explained as he shook Arthur’s hand. “Let’s catch up on the train, seeing as we’re all headed in the same direction.”
With her head tilted to the side, suspicions raised, she watched them enter the compartment. When they realised she wasn’t following, they gestured for her to hurry up. The three of them sat down at an empty table, where Eric and Arthur spoke animatedly about the good ol’ days. She couldn’t pay attention to the individual stories, more interested in the underlying connection that confirmed they knew each other well.
With them in each other’s presence, she also became aware of their differences. How did a calm, slightly mysterious person end up friends with a bubbly, hyper person? Something tugged at her memories. Had she met them before?
“So, you live across from Leila?” Arthur asked Eric.
“Yes, I recently swapped apartments in the building. We got to talking the other day.” The train slowed and Eric looked up. “Well, this is my stop. It was good to see you again, Arthur, we should keep in touch.” He glanced at Leila with a smile that made her catch her breath. “I’ll see you around.”
“Bye, Eric,” she called after him. “He seems like a great guy.”
“He is,” Arthur confirmed. “Often misunderstood.”
“How so?” she quizzed, curious.
“He has a dark past, but he’s risen above it. Couldn’t have been easy.”
She was curious to know more, but stopped herself for two reasons. One, she didn’t want Arthur to feel like she found Eric more interesting; and two, she’d rather hear it from the horse’s mouth.
“What about you? Any darkness I should be aware of?”
Arthur laughed softly. “I’m not that exciting, sadly.”
Maybe that’s why I didn’t feel a tingle. He’s... sweet. Safe. Not a hint of darkness or danger.
That line of thinking was ominous, though. Was there something wrong with her that she only got turned on by the worst qualities in a man? Hasn’t she learnt her lesson by now?
“You like him, don’t you?”
“I’ve only just met him.” Leila hesitated. “I’ve only just met you.”
Arthur nodded, glancing out the window for a while. “I play for keeps, you know.” His gaze met hers, the sudden depth in those ice-blue eyes causing tingles in her crotch. “I know you’re recently single and will need time to get over that relationship, but I’m not interested in hooking up.”
“What if... that’s all I can offer?” she asked quietly.
“That would be unfortunate,” he admitted. “I hope you know you deserve to be more than simply a one-night stand.”
Something about that both touched and infuriated her. She loved that he saw her as a high-value woman, but she hated that he was making up his own mind about her self-esteem. For all he knew, she knew she deserved more than a quick dalliance! Due to these conflicting emotions, the next thing out of her mouth wasn’t said in a kind tone.
“I like you, Arthur, but I hardly know you. I can’t promise you forever.”
Aether was taken aback but hoped he hid it. After her recent heartbreak, he assumed that his desire to be in a monogamous relationship would be commended, not rejected. Was Tartarus right? Were women really that different in today’s day and age? Leila Martins puzzled him.
“That’s fair. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Some of the tension left her shoulders. “Sorry for snapping at you.”
“Please, don’t worry about speaking your mind. Do you want to go out tomorrow night? My best friend is performing at the club next to the bistro.”
“Ooh, that sounds great. Can I bring a friend?”
“Of course. I’d love to meet your friends.”
“Awesome.” She whipped out her cell phone. “Give me your number.” They exchanged contact details as the train stopped at her station. “Gotta go, chat soon!”
“Bye.”
Aether’s gaze followed her off the train. Human women have changed. They had a will of their own, and while it made them more desirable, it also rendered them unpredictable. On Saturday, he’d been convinced she would choose him; now, his hopes have plummeted. It was anybody’s game, and they were steadily running out of time.
* * * * *
Leila alighted on her floor and was half-surprised that the wrath of God didn’t come down on her. Her supervisor was nowhere to be seen, and neither were the other lab rats. She checked her wristwatch: yes, she was late. How come no one was around to reprimand her?
She placed her handbag in the bottom drawer of her desk, grabbed the white coat from behind her door and hurried to the lab. She felt like she was in some kind of twilight zone: her workplace was completely deserted. Only once she was nearing the lab could she hear excited chatter. Had a new Star Wars movie come out since the last time she was here?
She rounded the corner and froze at the sight of eight physicists huddled around someone with dark blond hair. Her jaw dropped as soon as he lifted his head, and she recognised the man’s face from her dream.
No. Way.
“Ah, Miss Martins,” the man smiled. “Lovely of you to join us.”
The other men glanced up in confusion, as if they’d been under the impression that she’d been here all along.
“Uh, what’s going on?” she asked.
Her supervisor, Luke, was beside himself with excitement. “Leila, meet Dr Uri Quinn, one of the most celebrated and frequently referenced quantum physicists in the world. He’s in town for a couple of weeks and is roping us into a project.”
She shifted her gaze to Uri. The name rang zero bells, and yet everyone else acted like a celebrity was among them. “I’m embarrassed to say I’m not familiar with your work.”
Luke laughed, clapping Uri on the shoulder as if they were big buddies. “Don’t be offended. More often than not, she’s on a plane. She hasn’t had time to keep an ear to the ground.”
Leila didn’t even think to defend her honour because she was still reeling from Uri Quinn’s presence. Was she losing the plot? This couldn’t be a coincidence. The men she’d met, the dream... It had to be related somehow. Sure, Jazz had a point that Leila’s always been surrounded by gorgeous men. This was different. It felt like they were appearing now because they had a similar goal.
What was it?
“None taken.” Uri strode to her, holding out his hand. “It’s good to meet you, officially. The guys can barely stop talking about you.”
She was pretty sure he made that last part up to flatter her. She shook his hand, deep in thought, although it was cut off by the electricity that travelled up her arm. Pulling her hand out of his grasp, she took a step away from him to regain composure.
“What’s your famous theory, then?”
“Heaven exists.” Uri gave her a challenging look. “Would you like to see it?”
Is that a line? Is he flirting with me in front of our peers?
“Heaven?” she asked sceptically. When he nodded, she narrowed her eyes. “Let’s hear it, then.”
“Gather round, gang. Uri’s about to work his magic,” Luke announced.
An expectant silence descended as they watched Uri walk up to the whiteboard. He selected blue, red and green markers and started his complicated formula, confidently narrating his thought process. Clearly, the man has done public speaking before, because he kept them engaged even while having his back to his audience.
His broad, probably muscular back...
And even though the view was sensational, Leila felt like her brain was being stimulated for the first time in ages. The man knew his stuff. She disagreed with two subsections of his theory, but it mostly made sense. It could even be plausible. By the time he finished, she clapped along with her colleagues, genuinely impressed.
“Thank you. The last time I demonstrated this, I had Bibles thrown at me. This is a much warmer reception.”
“I can understand why they were up in arms,” Leila reasoned. “You’re basically saying that every soul has a shot at heaven.”
He frowned slightly. “You didn’t strike me as the religious type.”
“I’m not, but I do believe that some sort of positive spiritual journey is needed in order to get into ‘heaven’, whatever that may be.”
“And why do you say that?”
Now that he was so close to her, she became aware that everyone else had left. Like the other men who’ve recently popped into her life, he was taller than her. With him so near, she could appreciate his dark blue eyes better. His gaze reminded her of her favourite jeans: the pair of Levi’s she’d had since her first photo shoot.
Focus, she scolded herself.
“Well, souls who rape and kill are different from the ones who choose the higher road. I’d like to think that those would be reborn over and over again until they ‘get it’. Only then can they ascend to a higher realm.”
“Good point, but no soul gets it right the first time. Each accumulates more spiritual knowledge as they go through lifetime after lifetime. Some might take longer to ‘get it’, as you say, but they all inevitably make their way back to the Source of Creation.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, struggling not to show how intellectually and emotionally affected she was by his argument. The man was a breath of fresh air. “Maybe. I haven’t thought of it that way.”
“There’s no such thing as being wrong when it comes to this. We all have different perspectives but, ultimately, many of us say the same thing.” He glanced at his watch. “Why don’t we grab lunch and continue this conversation?”
“Is it that time already? Wow, I’d love to, but I should get back to work. I was late today, so it feels arrogant to take lunch.”
“Nonsense, they didn’t even notice, and they won’t now. Come on, I promise I won’t bite.”
She couldn’t imagine him biting in any capacity, but now was not the time to think of her co-worker in the nude. She couldn’t believe how hot she was for him and blamed her decadent dream for her reaction.
How was I able to dream of him before we met?
“Sure,” she conceded. “Where would you like to go?”
“I saw a cafe around the corner from here. Is it any good?”
“Oh, yes. They make the best subs. I always go there when I’m in town.”
“Then it’s settled. Lead the way.”
Uranus was enjoying interacting with Leila and finally understood why the others were so drawn to her. He suspected that even Tartarus would succumb to Ananke’s human form. The thought made him smile.
“Where are you from?” she asked as they made their way to the ground floor.
“Well, I grew up in Russia. Over the last decade, I’ve travelled quite extensively. I don’t really have a home at the moment.”
“What brings you here, then?”
“Mostly work, but I also needed a change.” He paused, eyeing her. “I’m recently divorced.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” She glanced at him, exiting the building first. “How long are you planning on staying?”
He smiled in a way that made her heartbeat accelerate. “I’m open to negotiation.”
“I guess I’ll have to be on guard, then. You might just take my place on this project,” she teased.
He burst out laughing. “If I promise I won’t try to outshine you, could we be friends?”
Friends.
She wanted to jump his bones, not play Scrabble! “Sure.”
They ordered sodas and subs at the counter and Uri held out his arm as he steered her to a secluded table in the corner, which had a street-facing window.
“Why didn’t your marriage work out, if you don’t mind me asking?”
He leaned back in his chair. “She saw other men during our relationship.”
That hit too close to home. Leila’s jaw sagged. “She cheated on you?”
“Is that unbelievable?”
“Yes! I mean, look at you! You’re gorgeous.” She blushed, embarrassed that she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. “Sorry. It’s just that you’re attractive and smart. How could she think she’d find someone better?”
“You’re making a few assumptions about me.”
“Fair enough.”
“I believe it takes two to make a relationship succeed—or fail. I had a part in our divorce, too.” He peered at her. “You look like you’ve been hurt recently.”
“Similar situation.”
“Ah, now the shoe’s on the other foot. I can’t imagine that any man would want another when he could have you.”
She blushed scarlet. “I guess he didn’t know how good he had it.”
The waiter brought their order, and Uri raised his glass to Leila. “Here’s to realising our worth.”
She quietly echoed his statement and clinked their glasses together. Uri had a certain quality that Arthur and Eric lacked. There was life in Uri, like he had boundless energy and depth. If she had to be honest with herself, he was exactly the type of man her parents wanted for her.
The man only wants to be friends. Down girl.
“You were right, this sub is delicious,” Uri told her around a mouthful of food.
“I know, right? I try not to eat too much of it, otherwise I’ll pick up a ton of weight.”
There was heat in his gaze as it raked over her. “I doubt it.”
“Maybe one day, when I’m ready to have kids, I won’t mind being heavier.”
Uranus pictured her body growing with child. Currently, she still had the shape of a model. Yes, her breasts and rounded behind were incredible assets, but with a bit of extra weight she would have fuller thighs, like Gaia’s—a body he adored so much. At nine months, ready to give birth, Leila would be glowing and happy.
Why is that vision so tantalising?
“You’re not ready now?” he asked, taking another bite of the sub.
“I don’t think so,” she answered slowly. “It feels like my life has been about proving that I’m more than my looks. Now that I’ve achieved that, I might look at settling down. My best friend has, which was totally unexpected.”
“What’s she like?”
“She’s an artist and a bit of a wild child. Her parents were always worried that she was going to burn bright and fade fast. She dabbled in drugs and alcohol but then she pulled herself together, at about the same time I started my degree.” She smiled, remembering. “And then she pursued my brother. She’s still a bit crazy, but she’s doing great. I think she’s ready to start a family.”
“Have you always felt like you had to protect her?”
Leila was taken aback by the question. No one’s ever asked her that before, but it was true. She did want to protect Jazz—from herself. Jazz had saved Leila from being a social outcast, and Leila’s been trying to return the favour ever since.
“Yes.”
“I’d love to meet her.”
Leila remembered the social event she would be attending the next evening. “I know! A friend of mine has a friend who’s performing with a band close to where I live. Would you like to join us?”
“Sounds good. Give me your number.” He typed her details into his BlackBerry and gave her his contact number when she got her phone out, too. “Now I can give you a call if I get lost.”
“Deal,” she said happily, finishing her sub.
“What’re you doing tonight?”
Leila froze, butterflies erupting in her stomach. “Nothing that I can recall.”
“I’d like to take you to dinner, then. What do you say?”
She couldn’t quite curb her broad smile this time. “Sure. Sounds divine.”
* * * * *
Uranus stood in front of Leila’s apartment, waiting for her to grace him with her presence.
He was dressed semi-casually: dark grey jeans with a white button-up, collared shirt, and shiny black shoes. He looked forward to spending the evening with her, although he didn’t want it to end, for that meant having to face Erebus, Aether and Tartarus again. The last time they’d spoken, Uranus had been so certain he wouldn’t fall under Leila’s spell, but in a matter of hours, he’d changed from cool and collected to possessive.
The reason had everything to do with the woman who opened the door. She wore a white knee-length pencil skirt with an olive-green strapless top tucked in at the waist, creating the illusion that she was curvier. Her necklace was decorated with small shells, her hair loose and coming to rest at the middle of her back. For all intents and purposes, she appeared to be the Goddess she was at heart.
He placed a hand on his chest. “Wow, you look spectacular.”
She giggled, flushing with pleasure. “You did not just say that.”
“Too much?”
“Incredibly cheesy, but I liked it.”
“Then I’m not going to apologise. Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, linking her arm with his after she locked up.
The door opposite hers opened and Erebus stepped out. He did a double-take when he saw how beautiful she looked. “Leila, hey.” Her answering smile was friendly, but nowhere near the one she’d given Uranus. He felt his hope sink. “Going out?”
“Uri’s taking me to dinner.” She noticed that he was dressed up and pouted. He was incredibly handsome, in his own right. “You?”
“Meeting Arthur,” he replied. He held out his hand to Uranus. “Hey man, I’m Eric.”
“Uri.”
Leila seemed embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I should’ve introduced you. My mind is somewhere else.”
“Well, don’t let me keep you,” Erebus said, barely keeping the disappointment out of his tone. “Enjoy your evening.”
“Thanks, Eric. You, too.”
Uranus hoped that Erebus knew that he hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. It was a fair fight, although it was beginning to look like she would choose him. “He seems like a nice guy,” he said to Leila.
“He’s great,” she smiled. “He helped me sort out my geyser yesterday. We’ve both lived in this apartment building for a while, and we’ve never seen each other before. How crazy is that?”
“Sometimes one doesn’t see what’s right in front of you.”
Leila looked up at Uri and felt her heart stutter. “I can see what’s in front of me.”
Uranus suppressed the urge to kiss her. Again, only barely. “I hope you eat Indian food.”
“I love Indian food. As long as there is naan, I’m there.”
“Good. I saw this quaint place on the way over here, so I figured I’d take you there. It’s not far. Would you mind walking?” he asked, glancing at her shoes. They must be uncomfortable.
“I don’t mind,” she told him, laughing at his worried expression. “My shoes are actually very comfy. As an ex-model, I could play tennis in these.”
“I forgot about that. Do you miss modelling?”
“Not as much as I thought I would. I’m enjoying my work as a physicist more.” She glanced at him. She could feel the heat of his body where their arms were joined, driving her to distraction. “Do you miss Mother Russia?”
“Not as much as I thought I would,” he echoed, chuckling. “Each moment I spend here makes me want to relocate permanently.”
“Would that take long? I mean, you’d probably have to get a visa first.”
“I have dual citizenship. My mother is Russian, but I was born here.” He leered at her. “Would you like it if I lived closer?”
She blushed. “Yes, I think so. Unless you turn out to be a dick, of course.”
He roared with laughter. “That’s fair.” When they arrived at the entrance of the Indian restaurant, he turned to her, tugging her closer. Gods, she was breathtaking. “Would you mind if I kissed you?”
Leila stared intently at his lips, which she burned to feel on hers. The top one was curved in a cupid’s bow. Everything about him was like a Michelangelo sculpture brought to life.
“No.”
He took her face in his hands and pressed their mouths together. Her hand snaked around his neck to pull him closer, and his awareness of her soft curves pushing against him caused his heart to race. Heat pulsed through him. He wanted more of her.
She was the first to step away, her breath snatching at her chest. Unlike with Arthur, she definitely felt a spark this time. She touched the side of Uri’s face and wiped away the lipstick stains on his lips with her thumb.
“Time for food?”
Uranus nodded, though he wasn’t sure how he was going to focus on dinner when his thoughts were already on dessert.