I sighed and sat down at the table. There was a gentle breeze, scented with salt. I breathed in deeply and tried to calm myself. My men would be terrified for me. But there was nothingI could do about that. I didn't have my purse with me, so I didn't have my cellphone. All I could do was hope that Hermes returned soon and we'd be able to work—
The cabin door slammed open.
I stood up and hurried back into the room. Hermes shut the door behind him. He didn't look calm. In fact, he looked even angrier than before. Fear lanced through me. This god held my life in his hands. He could kill me and toss my body overboard. He might even be able to remove the immortality he had given me and just watch me wither into a corpse.
But he didn't attack me. Instead, he started to undress.
My heart plummeted into a pit of acid.
Hermes strode to the bed, discarding clothes along the way. I didn't move. And I didn't lower my gaze. I just held his stare as he stripped. I didn't have to look to know his body was divine. Magnificent. Unlike any other body on Earth. His skin would be pale but with a touch of bronze and rose. It would stretch over perfect muscles and a firm, plump ass. The dark curls between his legs would be the perfect contrast to show off that proud piece of manhood. His cock would be without blemish, blushing pink at the tip. His thighs, sleek but muscular. Even the man's feet were pretty.
I could have painted him without looking.
“Come here,” Hermes said.
I went to stand before him.
“Take off your clothes.”
“Hermes, please.”
“Take off your clothes!”
I undressed, hands shaking. Only when I stood nude before him did he calm a little and take a deep breath. His hands reached out. I tried not to shudder when they cupped my breasts. And I don't mean in desire. Revulsion was rising. I had never felt this way with him before, not even the first time that he returned to me after breaking my heart. I had welcomed him then, relieved that he had come back, even hoping that his absence had shown him that he didn't want to be parted from me. But he had left again.
His hands slid over my body possessively, and I realized that it was exactly how he felt about me. I was his possession. He didn't mind other men playing with me, but he'd never give me away. I closed my eyes when he pinched my nipples hard. I would survive this. I had done this thousands of times before. But this time, I didn't want to. This time, when his hand delved between my legs, I was dry.
Hermes growled and jerked his hand back. He sat down on the end of the bed and spread his legs as he looked at me. I could tell that he was trying to calm his anger, and that helped. I tried to shove down my revulsion and remember that this man had saved my life many times. He may consider me to be his property, but he also cared about me. In his heart, Hermes didn't want me to suffer. So, maybe if I showed him that I was still his, he'd let me go. I knew it was insane, but it was my only shot.
Holding his stare, I went to my knees and laid my hands on his thighs. “I will always love you, Hermes,” I said softly. “You know you are the most glorious man I've ever met.”
Hermes instantly calmed. He let out a long sigh and stroked my hair. “I love you too, Lomasi. No matter how far I wander, I will always return to you. You are my first love.”
I went still. He had never said that to me before. I was his first love? Dear Gods, that made this so much harder. No wonder he kept coming back. They say you never forget your first.
“You know you hurt me every time you leave,” I said.
His lips tightened, and he looked away.
“You broke my heart, Hermes. So many times.”
“Lomasi,” Hermes whispered, his tone wounded. “I'm so sorry. I can't help myself. I need to wander.”
“Yes, and I understood that until you stopped taking me with you.”
“I mean, I need to wander away from you, sweetheart. Only when we're apart does the ache for you return. Then I can go back to you and feel like I did in the beginning. It's the way I keep our love alive.”
I blinked and leaned back. “You never told me that.”
“I thought you knew. You were so welcoming every time I returned.” He shook his head. “And I thought I was gracious, never showing you my hurt when I saw you with your lovers. It was only fair that you be allowed to wander too. But I wept for you, Lomasi. Every time.”
“What?” I whispered.
Hermes reached out and cupped my cheek. “I'm sorry I broke your heart. I'm sorry my heart is so strange. But I love you. I have never stopped loving you, my beautiful flower.”
“Hermes,” I whispered as a tear flowed down my cheek. “It's too late. I love—”
He put his hand over my mouth. “Don't say it. I can't hear that now.”
