Chapter Five #2
Then she began to ride him, moving in a rhythm that shifted between slow, teasing circles and deep, steady thrusts. When his hands glided up her thighs, warm and possessive, a soft sigh slipped from her lips. Gods, she loved the way his touch made her feel—claimed, worshipped, and utterly undone.
“Look at you,” Apollo murmured, voice thick with awe. “You’re perfect…every move, every sound…you were made to drive me wild.”
She tilted her head, breath coming fast as she stared down at him. Sweat glistened on his golden skin, his blue eyes half-lidded with desire and yet still daring her with that cocky spark. She smirked.
“Am I?” she said, voice low and teasing. “Doesn’t seem like it.”
Before he could answer, she shifted forward, pressing her breasts firmly against his chest. The move drove him deeper inside her, stealing both their breaths. She felt him twitch, felt the ripple of pleasure tightening his body beneath hers.
“Seems like I’m the only one doing all the work for nothing.”
Apollo’s mouth opened, about to protest, but Geri was faster. She leaned in and bit down sharply on the claiming mark she’d given him—a mark that glowed faintly whenever they were joined like this.
A guttural sound tore from Apollo’s throat. His hips bucked reflexively, hands gripping her waist so hard she was sure she’d have finger-shaped bruises tomorrow.
“Oh, fuck. Geri—”
She braced herself and gave him a wicked grin. “Prove me wrong, sun god.”
His eyes darkened, and in the next heartbeat, he surged up, flipping them so she was on her back, pinned under the weight and heat of him.
“Oh, I’ll prove it,” he growled, voice rough as he thrust hard enough to make her gasp. “And you’re not getting out of here until you’re screaming my name.”
Geri’s laughter dissolved into a moan as he took her mouth in a fierce, devouring kiss, the spark of challenge between them igniting into blazing, unstoppable fire.
He pulled back slowly, teasingly, making her feel every inch leaving her body before he slammed forward with a force that stole her breath. The hard thrust sent a jolt of pleasure spiraling up her spine, and a raw, needy sound tore from her lips.
“Yes…that…so fucking good,” she gasped, clutching at his shoulders. Her nails dug into his skin, leaving crescent marks as he set a relentless rhythm.
“You feel so fucking good,” Apollo groaned, eyes burning as he watched her face twist in bliss.
“Like nothing else,” she moaned, barely able to get the words out as another thrust rocked her world.
His fingers dug into her thigh, spreading her wider as he drove in deeper than she thought possible. His hips rolled forward in a slow, grinding motion, hitting a spot inside her that made her vision spark white.
“Right there,” she managed to choke out, her voice trembling.
A wicked grin flashed across his face. “Here?” he taunted, angling himself to keep hitting that perfect place as he thrust again, hard.
Geri couldn’t answer with words. Instead, she started rocking against him, matching his pace, desperate to take him even deeper. The air was thick with heat and the sound of their bodies colliding, echoing in the trees around them.
She felt utterly lost in him—in the way his sweat slicked their skin, in the thunder of his heartbeat crashing into hers through their bond.
She didn’t know if it was because they were in the forest or because they were capable of things mortal lovers could only dream about. Or maybe it was simply the two of them—knowing each other’s bodies, knowing exactly how to make the other come undone.
All she knew was that nothing had ever felt this good.
It was only this way with him.
No one else had ever made her body sing like this, made her feel so utterly worshipped and wild all at once. Only Apollo could unravel her so completely, and tie her back together in pleasure and light.
“Oh, gods,” she gasped.
But he always seemed to know exactly what she craved, driving her to the edge and pulling her back, until she was caught in a rhythm of moans and breathless gasps of his name.
Her cries tore through the forest, as waves of pleasure ricocheted between them, raw and relentless, driving her higher until she screamed his name, her body clenching around him as ecstasy exploded like wildfire through every nerve.
And he joined her, thrusting deep and hard, his movements turning frantic as pleasure overtook him.
Each stroke hit deeper, rougher, until they were both crying out.
Their moans tangled in the air, guttural and desperate, gasping into each other’s mouths, sweat slicking their bodies as they chased every last ripple of release.
“Looks like we both got what we wanted,” Geri quipped breathlessly.
Apollo lifted his head from her neck, laughter rumbling in his chest, before rolling onto his side and pulling her close. She nestled against him, her cheek pressed to his warm skin, listening as his pounding heart gradually slowed, each beat echoing the lingering rush between them.
He traced lazy circles along her back. “I did have something to talk to you about.”
“What’s that?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Hestia mentioned she’d like to take you around Olympus. To show you a different side of things—one I might not think to show you myself.”
Geri blinked. “She did? That’s…actually really nice of her.”
She knew of Hestia mostly through Persephone—how the goddess of the hearth had been one of the few to remain neutral during family conflicts, how she was a quiet force of peace in the background.
She’d helped Persephone patch things up with Demeter before her wedding, something that earned her Geri’s silent respect.
“I think she sees you the way she sees Persephone,” he added. “Someone new, but important. Someone who might bring change.”
Geri blinked again, unsure how to respond. “Well…I don’t know about bringing change, but I’d like to meet her properly.”
“Good. I think you’ll like her. She’s calm. Centered.”
She chuckled. “A nice balance to you, you mean?”
He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Exactly.”
*****
What did I get myself into? Geri wondered, trying not to groan aloud as she wove her way through the bustling agora near their home.
The marketplace was lively as ever, bright stalls bursting with bolts of colored cloth, fragrant spices swirling in the warm breeze, and immortals chatting over displays of glittering jewelry and art.
But even all that sparkle wasn’t enough to distract her from the churn of uncertainty spinning in her chest.
She needed to get to one of the courtyards where Hestia had told her to meet. Geri pushed onward, skirting around a pair of satyrs arguing over figs, and finally stepped through an archway into a sun-drenched courtyard.
She came up short, blinking at the unexpected sight before her. A small crowd was gathered in neat rows, all diligently working on embroidery hoops.
At the front of the group stood the Hecatoncheires—the hundred-handed giants—each of them simultaneously holding up dozens of needles and brightly colored threads, moving at a mesmerizing speed.
She just stared. Of all the things she’d expected to encounter in Olympus, this was nowhere on the list.
She wandered closer, curiosity tugging her forward despite her earlier reluctance. She peered at the rows of embroidery hoops, and a delighted grin crept across her face when she realized the theme of the projects was plants.
Tiny leaves unfurled in green silk threads.
Blossoms bloomed in delicate stitches of pinks and yellows.
Someone was even painstakingly crafting a cluster of ferns, every frond perfectly detailed.
Geri was about to lean in and ask a goddess about the pale blue lavender she was embroidering when a gentle voice called out behind her.
“Ah, Geri, there you are.”
Geri spun around and found herself face-to-face with Hestia.
Hestia wasn’t flashy like some of the other goddesses.
She radiated a quiet warmth, like the comforting glow of a fireplace on a cold Alaskan night.
Her soft brown hair was gathered loosely at her nape, and her eyes shone with a calm, steady light.
Her presence made Geri’s nerves settle just a little, as though someone had thrown a cozy blanket around her shoulders.
Hestia smiled. “I’m glad you came. I wanted to show you how different groups gather here in Olympus—some for governance, of course, but many simply for…hobbies.”
She gestured at the busy giants, who were now adding tiny embroidered mushrooms to a forest scene. “It’s how we connect and relax.”
Geri blinked, a laugh bubbling up inside her. Immortals…they’re just like us. But she managed to bite back her laugh, pressing her lips together as she tried to focus on what Hestia was saying instead of gawking at hundred-handed giants delicately stitching daisies.
“I’m glad you agreed to meet with me,” Hestia said, giving Geri a small smile.
“Of course. I’m…trying to figure all this out.”
“Well,” Hestia said, linking her arm through Geri’s, “I thought I’d show you some of the sights. Just a few places to give you a taste of Olympus.”
Their first stop was a marble-columned side office tucked just off the agora. A polished gold sign above the door read EternaGlow in elegant script. Inside, Hebe, the goddess of youth, was presiding over a group of immortals, passing out tiny tasting cups filled with a pale, sparkling liquid.
“This is my new line,” Hebe proclaimed as they entered. “A refreshing drink that gives you eternal youth—from the inside out!”
Geri leaned closer to Hestia and whispered, “But…gods don’t age, right?”
Hestia let out a warm laugh. “You’re right. But it’s something to keep busy—and to post about on the Hellenagram app.”
“The…what?” Geri asked, blinking.
“Hellenagram!” Hestia chuckled. “It’s a social feed where we share updates, selfies, recipes...”
“Or stir up drama?” quipped Geri.
“Now you get it!” Hestia laughed. “Do you have it?”
Geri shook her head. “I’m…not really into social media.”
“Neither am I,” Hestia confessed, lowering her voice as though sharing a sacred secret. “But sometimes it’s good to go on and see what everyone’s up to. Keeps the peace, you know?”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Geri smiled.
“I’m sure Artemis will make you get the Hellenagram eventually,” Hestia teased, eyes twinkling. “I’m surprised she hasn’t already.”
“Oh, she’s busy helping out my pack since I can’t,” Geri admitted. “There’s just…some drama. Apollo suggested she step in so I wouldn’t freak out.”
Hestia nodded and then handed her a small crystal cup of the sparkling drink, and Geri took a cautious sip. A burst of tropical fruit exploded on her tongue, leaving a gentle warmth and a faint giddiness dancing through her veins.
Hebe, who had been observing them with keen interest, beamed. “That’s the feeling of youth!” she declared.
They lingered a few minutes longer, chatting politely, before Hestia guided Geri back out into the agora. Merchants called out in melodic Greek, divine beings bartered for silks, perfumes, and glittering jewelry.
Overhead, rainbow prisms shimmered as Iris, goddess of the rainbow and divine messenger, zipped past. She clutched an armful of golden scrolls, her hair sparkling with iridescence, and seemed to be firing off Olympus-wide updates via rainbow-hued holograms projected into the sky.
Geri stared after her, thinking how life here was, in many ways, surprisingly ordinary—and yet entirely different.
A goddess with dark hair tumbling in glossy waves glided into view, greeting them.
“Hestia! Geri!” Her sharp eyes sparkled as they landed on them.
She beamed as though she’d just discovered her favorite audience.
“You will not believe what’s happening. There’s a dinner party at Hera’s palace tonight, and guess what?
Someone conveniently ‘misplaced’ Aphrodite’s formal invitation.
Meanwhile, a few choice words were dropped about Athena’s rather…
rigid conversation skills. Nothing like a bit of pre-banquet chaos to spice things up, don’t you think? ”
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially as a swirl of market noise rolled around them.
“I’m not saying it was me, but let’s just say the seating chart might be…
fascinating. Hermes has been running scrolls back and forth all day, and Dionysus is already halfway into his amphora because he refuses to attend if Ares ends up seated beside him again.
Hestia, you must come just to see it unfold.
Geri, darling, welcome to Olympus—where dinner is never just dinner. ”
She flashed them both a wicked grin, then blew a kiss toward Hestia. “Anyway, must dash! More seeds of discord to sow, you know how it is. Bye-eee!” And just like that, she spun on her heel and vanished into the throng, leaving a faint trace of sandalwood and chaos in her wake.
Geri blinked after her, turning slowly back to Hestia. “How did she even know me?” she asked, bewildered.
“Oh, Eris knows everything about everyone. It’s practically her hobby and her job. Consider yourself officially on Olympus’ radar.”
It reminded Geri of pack drama back in Alaska, but multiplied a hundred times, because here the squabbles involved divine egos, centuries-old grudges, and powers that could literally shake the earth. She couldn’t decide if it was fascinating…or utterly exhausting.
Hestia nudged her gently. “So…how’s it been for you so far?”
“It’s been…pretty chill,” Geri said honestly.
“It’s nice settling into our home…” She remembered that very morning when Apollo had backed her against the kitchen counter and murmured, “You know, when you’re a goddess, you won’t really need to sleep…
or eat.” Then, he lifted her onto the table to have her for breakfast and made her come two more times.
Her cheeks were burning.
Hestia gave her a knowing smile but didn’t pry. “Well, there are always new things happening here. Would it be okay if I told you whenever I hear about something interesting? No pressure to join, of course—but just in case.”
“Yes,” Geri said, meaning it. “I’d like that. It’s probably good to learn new things…or hobbies.”
Hestia brightened. “Do you have any hobbies now?”
“Plants, for sure.”
“Amazing! I have fruit trees. Why don’t we go to my orchard?”
“I would love that,” Geri smiled.