Athena's Human Mate

Chapter 21

     Athena woke up to a heavenly feeling, surrounded by the scent of her mate, one she couldn't accurately describe, his warm arms wrapped tight around her and his hot breath tickling her neck.

     Heavenly is right!  I haven't felt this good in a long time!  I want to wake up like this every day!  Finish mating today!

     Oh my Goddess, will you stop?  He had no choice when you marked him, I am not taking that away from him.  It will be his choice to either accept or reject us.  No matter how much it will hurt.  I like him too much to do that to him.

     You really are a good person Athena.  Better than I am.

     Of course I am, you're not a person.  She giggled and Roman kissed her neck.

     "What's so funny?"  His gruff voice sent shivers down her spine.

     "I was talking to Artemis."

     "That must be weird, to have another person speaking in your head."

     Athena broke out into a fit of laughter.  "That's exactly what I was laughing about!  She claimed I was a better person than her, but I said she isn't a person!"  She smiled at him, happy to be in this moment.

     "I love hearing you laugh and smile.  You're beautiful."  He moved a wayward piece of hair behind her ear, slowly trailing his finger along her jaw.

     "I must be a mess, makeup smeared everywhere, my hair a rats nest," she had to stop when his lips met hers.

     "You're beautiful, mess and all."  He looked into her eyes, hoping she understood he meant it.

     "It's the mate bond."

     "It's me talking, not because an unseen bond forces me to tell you how beautiful you are."  A blush made an appearance on her cheeks and she lowered her eyes.  He placed a finger under her chin, gently lifting her face back to his.  He searched her eyes before asking, "you aren't used to compliments, are you?"

     "Not really," he kissed her again, this time seeking entrance to her mouth which she willing gave.

     She wrapped her arms around his neck as he leaned on top of her.  He kissed her jaw, to her ear, where he licked the outer shell and was rewarded with a soft moan.  "You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear and he felt her shiver.

     "You're gorgeous," she whispered back and he chuckled.

     "That's better.  As much as I want to continue this, we need to get to the gym, you've been asleep about six hours."

     "Really?  Wow, I haven't had this much sleep since," she paused, "never mind."  She wiggled out from under him but he caught her wrist before she completely escaped.

     "What we're you going to say?  I want us to be honest with each other, even about those dark things we don't want to share."

     "I have to use the bathroom, but I'll tell you later, unless you want to skip the gym."

     He let her go, "no skipping, but you aren't off the hook!"

     "Deal."

     They walked into the gym hand in hand, him carrying both bags.  She protested, but he wanted to make a statement that she belonged to him.  Whistles, kisses and rude comments greeted them while they warmed up together.

     "Ignore them Roman, they don't matter."

     "Easier said than done, sweetheart, you might not be able to read their minds, but trust me, I know exactly what they're thinking.  And I don't like it."