Chapter 12 #2
“Yes,” she sighed. “You are right. Give me a minute. I just need to … prepare.”
“Are you sure you can handle it now? Because I think we have a few hours before they return.”
“No. We should get it over with. Then we won’t ever have to go back to it.”
Apollo nodded solemnly. “I’ll be in the next room over.”
“Okay,” Maya said, looking up at him only after he headed toward the door.
He stopped and looked back at her before disappearing. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll come get you in a bit.”
He tapped his hand on the doorway, then left.
What are you doing, Maya? You need to convince him to stay so that he can find the woman he deserves. You are wasting his time. He may say he doesn’t want a mate, but he and Misty deserve someone to complete their family.
She stood up and walked over to the dresser. Looking in the mirror, Maya started to do her hair, something she rarely did. When she felt she had her emotions under control, Maya ensured her usual, emotionless expression was in place.
Maya found Apollo sitting at a desk, going over some papers. “I’m ready.”
He turned and looked at her, his expression as serious as her own.
Standing up, he didn’t say a word as he walked toward her.
After pausing, he reached out and took her hand.
Gently pulling her forward, he took her across the room to a sliding door that led outside.
Once they were away from the door, he released her hand, his fingers trailing along hers as he walked away from her.
Apollo shifted as he moved, his wing dipping down and lifting Maya up before she realized what was happening.
Carefully placing her on his back, the healer took off.
With no idea how long it would take, Maya lay down on his back, enjoying what she figured was the last bit of time she would have with him.
He had been healing her for about a week, so there didn’t seem like there was much reason to stay with him once they returned.
At the same time, she really didn’t want to leave.
All too soon, Maya noticed an island in the sky, and it was growing larger incredibly fast. As Apollo moved over it, she could see sun-kissed beaches, snow-covered mountains, and then a quaint town.
Apollo soared over a forest, then landed in a small clearing.
Maya just had time to notice the cabin as he landed.
Surprised by his choice of location, she wasn’t prepared when he suddenly shifted.
When he caught her, Maya looked up into his face. “Why did you return here?”
“I figured we needed to talk before we return to the bed and breakfast.”
Maya nodded. Apollo set her down, then started walking toward the cabin, but this time he did not take her hand. It stung, but Maya was determined to keep herself in check. When they entered, she noticed wet blood on the kitchen floor. Surprised, she asked, “How long has passed?”
Apollo’s voice was more serious than she was accustomed to hearing, almost guarded. “Since we have no idea about time here, I simply wished to be here seconds after Miss Madison took us away from here.” He walked over to the blood, then with a sweep of his hand, he removed the blood.
“That has to be useful,” Maya said, trying to loosen the knot in her chest.
He looked back at her. “My magic isn’t normally so effective for cleanup, so perhaps it’s your influence.”
A small grin flitted across her face as Maya said, “If some good could come from knowing me, I will be happy to hear it.”
Apollo nodded, then headed to the table. Maya noticed the dishes he had cleaned, still sitting out, now mostly dry.
No. The thought was sharp in her mind. I don’t want this. Not anymore.
Ignoring all of the objections she had accumulated over the years, Maya walked over to Apollo.
However, when he pulled out the chair, she placed a hand over his.
When he turned to look at her, Maya placed a hand on the side of his face.
Before she could think better of it, she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.
Apollo’s gorgeous yellow eyes looked at her, searching her face.
When he did not pull away, she leaned forward a little more and kissed him beside his mouth.
Slowly, he rose and stepped toward her. Maya’s heart was pounding as he looked down at her.
His gnarled hand reached up, but as soon as he realized how it looked, Apollo began to pull it away.
Maya quickly grabbed it. Keeping her eyes on his, she raised it to her lips and kissed the knuckles.
Straightening it as much as he could, Apollo brought his hand up to the side of her face.
His fingers brought a familiar warmth to her skin, and Maya’s eyes fluttered under his touch.
When she was able to open them, she watched as he hesitantly lowered his face.
Her breathing became shallow as his lips brushed against hers.
Maya brought a hand up and gently touched the side of his face as she pressed her lips against his.
Apollo’s hand stroked through her hair, stopping at the base of her head as his lips moved a little against hers.
Maya brought her other hand up and placed it on his chest as her body moved closer to his.
Apollo slid his other hand behind her lower back and pulled her body against his.
Maya let out a low moan as she opened her mouth a little. Apollo seemed to take this as a sign, and his tongue slipped between her parted lips. Momentarily startled, Maya pulled back.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, pulling away from her.
Maya reached up with both hands, holding his face and pressing her mouth against his. She opened her mouth again, and he slowly ran his tongue along her lips. Not entirely sure what to do, she flicked her tongue against his.
That seemed to be enough for him as Apollo pulled her body against his. Reveling in the feel of his lips against hers, Maya’s hand began to move to his chest. He responded by holding her tighter to him.
When they finally stopped to catch their breath, Maya looked at him, unsure what to say. His eyes shone like the sun as he stared at her.
Then his eyes traveled down, and they opened wide. Turning his head, he started apologizing. With no idea what had happened, Maya looked down, realizing a little late that the clothing she had applied had disappeared.
Although her face was flushed, Maya said, “I don’t mind—I want you to see me, Apollo.”
Keeping his eyes cast away from her, he said, “I already want you, Maya. Seeing you naked—I can’t.”
She placed a hand on the side of his face and turned his head so that he was looking directly into her eyes. “I want you too, Apollo.”
“If we do that here, that will be it. We will be mates. The physical act bonds people, and it cannot be undone without a lot of harm to one or both of us.”
She looked down. “I can understand if you don’t want to be my mate. I’m difficult and damaged.” Maya took a step away from him. “But just so you know, I wouldn't have told you no. Not now. Not after knowing you. After seeing you—”
Apollo’s mouth covered hers before she could finish, his hands sliding down her back and cupping her butt. His chest pressed against hers as his tongue moved gently into her mouth. There was an urgency to his actions, but his touch was gentle, stoking a fire in Maya she had never felt before.
Taking a step back, she grabbed the front of his shirt, keeping his face just a few inches from her.
She walked back toward the bedroom. Apollo removed his shirt, throwing it onto the floor.
Next, he began to undo his zipper as they neared the bed.
However, he stopped before letting his pants fall to the floor.
“Are you sure, Maya? Do you really want to be trapped with someone for the rest of your life?”
A sweet smile spread across her face as she felt an unfamiliar happiness growing in her chest. “I’ve never been more certain, Apollo. Over the last week, you quietly challenged everything I knew and thought. And now the thought of returning to life before you, it doesn’t seem worth living.”
He finally let go of his pants, and his erection sprang clear of it as he murmured, “Oh, thank the gods. I feel exactly the same way about you.”
Lifting her off of the floor, Apollo gingerly placed her on the bed, then he moved to the foot of the bed.
Maya watched him, her gaze inquisitive. He placed his hands on her feet, creating a different kind of warmth that made Maya’s breath hitch.
Her breast heaved and bounced a little as he watched her reaction.
She could feel his groan through the bed as his hands slowly moved up her ankles, then caressed her calves.
Bringing his face down, he began to kiss her skin, and Maya closed her eyes and moaned as his body moved slowly up her own.
When he reached her stomach, Apollo kissed the scar.
Opening his mouth, his eyes flicked up as his tongue touched her skin.
She swallowed hard as he ran his tongue slowly all the way to the other end.
His hand then followed, sending a pulse of heat through her body, and Maya bucked her hips in response.
Next, Apollo kissed the underside of her breast while his gnarled hand cupped the other.
His tongue moved over her breast, then he brought his mouth down to her nipple.
Closing his eyes, Apollo began to suck, occasionally running his tongue over it.
Maya gasped with each suckle. Wrapping a leg around his hip, she tried to pull him closer.
Instead of continuing up her body, Apollo moved over and repeated the action with her other breast until she opened her other leg and wrapped both of them around his lower back.
With a smile, he lightened his touch until it was barely on her skin as he moved his hands down her rib cage, and he moved his body up so that he could kiss her. Maya’s hands moved into his hair, working her fingers against his scalp as she felt him positioning himself between her legs.
Half expecting him to ask her if she was sure, Maya plunged her tongue into his mouth, her hips moving eagerly against him.
She felt his head slip along her opening, moving up and down, coating him in her wetness.
Slowly, he moved into her, then pulled out.
Her chest heaved at the sensation, but she wanted to feel more.
Turning her head, she delved further into his mouth to indicate what she wanted.
Apollo’s hips pressed against hers, pushing his head fully into her body.
He pulled out a little, then thrust a little deeper.
For a second, she felt a pinch, but he put his hand round to her lower back and stroked her so that she quickly forgot the pain.
Once he was sure she was ready for more, Apollo gave a slight thrust, then pulled back a little to build the friction.
The feel of him moving further consumed her thoughts, and Maya let her head drop back, her mouth open as she moaned at the sensation. Kissing down her face, he placed his lips near her ear. “I love you, Maya. Heaven help you, but I love you.”
His words were accompanied with a thrust, not hard, but enough that she felt him filling her.
Finally, he pulled out a little, then slid all the way inside of her.
Maya let out a cry, her body tightening with a new sensation.
Gripping him, she could feel him pulsing into her with small movements that heightened the sensation.
As her body began to relax, Maya turned and started fervently kissing him.
“Don’t stop, Apollo. I want you every day, forever.” Her words inspired him to move a bit faster, then he adjusted her body a little, opening her legs and giving him better access to her core. As she felt the pressure building again, she cried out.
Starting to tire, she buried her face in his neck. “I tried to let you go, but I can’t. I love you, Apollo.”
As he gently pulsed inside her, Apollo moved his upper body away from her a little. One of his hands stroked her hair as he stared into her eyes. No words were needed as he continued to make love to her long after the sun went down.