Horns & Talons

Chapter Five

-Athena's POV-

After a very sleep filled night, I got up bright and early. I had made a deal with the devil. Unfortunately, my attempt at an escape to Bora Bora did nothing to prevent the inevitable. 

I had promised to help train Damian, the newest Robin.

As soon as I maneuvered carefully out of Grayson's arms, I slunk off to get dressed. Almost immediately, I felt a pair of ice cold hands grab my bare hips. "Good morning, beautiful," Dick's raspy voice tickled my neck. He pressed a soft kiss to the skin under my jaw. 

I turned around, meeting his glazed stare. "Grayson, go back to bed," I said. He shook his head. 

"And miss this? No chance," he smirked, "I'm not letting you leave so soon."

"Is that right?" I challenged, raising an eyebrow. This only deepened his smirk. Faster than I could even blink, he hooked underneath my legs and lifted me up into his arms. Pressing my back firm against the door, he held me.

Dipping his head, he kissed down my neck and onto my bare chest. I threaded my fingers in his thick, dark hair. His hand slid down as the other held me up. I locked my ankles around the small of his back. Pulling him up by his jawline, I smashed my lips against his. 

Passion and hot energy swelled up in both of us. I dragged my nails down his bare chest and back. His fingertips glided down my thighs to the waistband of his boxers. In that brief moment, my eyes went past Dick's head to the clock behind him. 

"Bruce will kill me if I'm late," I sighed, grabbing his hand with mine. He froze, disappointment dripping down his handsome face. He slowly let me down, pulling away. I rubbed my inner thigh where he had been poking me and grabbed a pair of pants. 

Dick stood behind me with his arms crossed. "Can't you just get out of it? You don't even like Damian."

I rolled my eyes. "I know, trust me, I know. But Bruce thinks we need to get to know each other and I promised him I would after we got back from the wedding," I yawned, "I'll see you after, okay?"

Dick groaned, crossed his arms, and blew a stray hair out of his face. His lips pushed together into a childish pout. He reached his arms out for me weakly, his eyes lowering. His little act wasn't going to work on me this time...right? I stared at him, my expression hardened, but he didn't budge. I sighed, stepping into his embrace. 

"Okay, okay," I said, shoving out of his hug, "I really have to go. Maybe you could pick up some groceries for the apartment while I'm gone?"

"By groceries do you mean restocks of your weapons and various medicines?" 

"Boo-yah," I winked, grabbing my keys and quickly leaving. 

To avoid any suspicion, I drove an actual car instead of my high speed bike. It wasn't anything special -- unlike Bruce's collection of sport cars -- just something I managed to buy with my new Wayne Enterprises paycheck. Being Bruce's employee has its upsides. 

I was greeted by Alfred when I entered Wayne Manor. He wrapped his arms around me loosly, a wide smile on his face. "I'm glad you've came, Bruce has been waiting for you."

"Sorry I'm late, but I really did not want to come," I grinned, chuckling through my teeth. Alfred nodded knowingly, already appearing exhausted. "How late did the cretin keep you up last night?"

"Master Damian insisted that he practice his knife skills," Alfred pinched the bridge of his nose, "however, he demanded that I be there to hold the camera steady."

I laughed. "Hold the camera? Is he vlogging now?"

"He uses the footage to quote, 'better himself,'" Alfred said, his expression blank, "but maybe he is posting it somewhere on the internet."