Eros

Chapter 16: Lightning

"Uh, where are you taking me?" Angie finally asked after dodging many people. Shay was like a bloodhound on a mission.

"You'll see," she sang out.

"Yea, if I could see through this mask—I don't like the sound of that!" Angie tried to pull her hand away, but Shay didn't let go. They finally reached the massive fountain where lovers kissed in corners, their sighs filling the air. "Shay!"

"Okay, see ya!"

"Shay?" Angie reached out, grabbed a part of her friend's clothing and pulled back her wig instead. "Hey." She laughed, waving it around. "Shay, I have your wig. You have to come back!" But her friend melted in with the rest of everyone.

"Hello."

Angie felt the voice, like liquid honey pouring over her skin. She shivered and hugged the wig to her chest. She spun around. "E-Eros?" She swallowed the desert in her throat. Her body tingled as her heart pumped a wild beat.

Eros stood right before her eyes in all his grace and wonder. He wore sandals that laced up his muscular calves, a little skirt that would put a cheerleader to shame, gold laurels that crowned his feathery hair and a skimpy mask that barely covered his face. She lost her breath when she saw his magnificent wings that flowed down his back.

Wings! Anyone else would have appeared clunky, but not Eros. He truly appeared the god of love in every way.

She swallowed hard against the drought that sprouted in her mouth. What was he doing here? She hadn't expected to see him here in the least bit, even though Shay had mentioned inviting him. Well, she was hoping, but that wasn't the same.

Her emotions built up so high and so strong, she had to look down.

"You are beautiful."

"Ah, thank you. I think." Angie felt her cheeks flush as she studied her gown, a ringlet flipped across her chest. With a squeak, she pulled the shawl closed. She squeezed her eyes shut as he stepped closer, his hand crossing her line of vision just as she peeked. Her heart hiccupped as he lifted it to her cheek, but he didn't touch her.

"Angelina," he said instead, his breath quivering.

So many feelings twisted themselves around her heart. Though her heart mourned remorse over the things she'd done, she couldn't help but feel the thorn in her heart from his betrayal. Didn't he realize how being with other girls so openly hurt? Where was her resolve to stay angry with him? She had none. Her fury melted and floated away with the cool breeze that tickled against her arms.

Angie sighed.

She was afraid to look at him, her heart in her mouth. His hand lowered to her shawl at her chest. Her eyes bulged at his daring act, but he gently tugged the curl that she had accidentally trapped. The tender gliding of her curl releasing hurled her into maddening throes of passion. Her mouth opened, her breath forgotten. She watched Eros place the curl behind her shoulder. He ran his warm fingers around the base of her neck and she shivered.

"Are you cold?"

Angie bit her lip, keeping her head bowed. Shayla, where are you? She closed her eyes when she felt his forehead touching her own. Thrills from his intimate contact rippled quickly through her body. The air vibrated around them, tightening them together like an invisible lasso. The music blurred to nothing more than her pounding heart.

"Angelina."

She breathed in his breath and tilted away. Honey. Always honey. If it wasn't for his strong hands on her shoulders, she would have most likely fallen. Angie lifted her chin and stared at his parted lips. Soft. Smooth. Sensuous.