Grinning, Atlas followed her inside. He liked this softer side of her. She stood in the center, twirling, clearly trying to take everything in at once. Hed spread furs on the floor and had even carted a small round table here and piled it high with her favorite foods. There was a porcelain tub already filled with steaming water, rose petals floating on the surface.
Never let it be said that the Titan god of Strength did not know how to romance a woman.
Nikes hand fluttered over her heart, her gaze glued to the plate of strawberries and Feta. How did you know I liked those?
Because hed always been hyperaware of her every action. Hed watched her from his cell while shed eaten them with her friends and hed fumed that he was not the one with her, basking in her good humor. That was not something hed admit to, however.
Good guess, he finally said.
She peered down at the rug and kicked out her bare, dirty foot. I dont understand why youre doing this, Atlas.
That makes two of us, he replied gruffly.
But-
Just enjoy it, Nike. Its all I can give you.
Her lashes fluttered up, and her gaze pinned him. But why would you want to give me anything?
Stop analyzing my reasons. This isnt a ploy or a punishment, I promise you. And the food is not poisoned, if thats what youre thinking. He closed the distance between them, placed his hands on her shoulders and urged her to the table.
There, they ate in silence. The rapture on her face, rapture that increased with every bite, delighted him. The wine she savored sip by sip, moaning with every swallow.
Bringing her here was worth the risk of Cronuss wrath, he thought.
Although Cronus had merely ordered him to keep her in Tartarus. Which he had done. The clouds around the prison were part of the realm. So technically he had not broken any rules. Cronus, though, being Cronus, would not see it that way.
Still, Atlas couldnt regret it. He had never seen this joyful, eager side of the Greek goddess, and he found that he liked it just as much as he liked everything else about her. Which was way more than he should have.
When every crumb had been consumed, she turned her attention to the bath. Thats for me? Utter longing radiated from her, yet she didnt move toward it.
Yes. But I cant leave you. You know that, right?
She chewed on her bottom lip and nodded. What youre saying is, I can bathe with you watching or not at all.
Exactly.
He expected her to fight him on that. Hell, she could have refused outright. What he did not expect was for her to push to her feet and discard her robe without hesitation. At the sight of her nakedness, he hissed in a breath. Already hed thought her exquisitebut now, nowholy gods. She was the finest creature the gods had ever produced.
Her skin, so golden and smooth, covered lean muscle and succulent curves. Her breasts were soft, perfect for his hands, and her nipples were as pretty a pink as he remembered. His mouth watered for them.
She walked to the tub and stepped inside. Her ass, her backhis name. He was on his feet before he realized what hed done. He wanted to kiss those tattoos, something she would probably fight him over. He wouldnt apologize for having given them to her, though. Hell, no. He liked them too much.
Nike pivoted slowly, and her gaze met his as she sank into the water. There was no hiding the desire he felt-it consumed him, ate him up and left him as bare as she was. Her expression, however, was blank.
Slowly, she worked the bar of soap hed brought her over her entire body. She seemed completely unabashed as the suds danced over her, sliding down those magnificent breasts and hiding beneath the rose petals. She washed her hair, too, and soon the locks were dripping down her face and shoulders.
With every move she made, he inched a little closer to her. He just couldnt help himself. Finally she finished and stood. Another feast for his eyes. All those curves he craved more than anything else in the world were now wet. He wanted to lick away every drop.
What are you thinking about? she asked. Her voice was as devoid of emotion as her expression.
I need you, he managed to croak past the lump in his throat.
Finally. A reaction. Relief and desire, such intense desire, claimed her, and she grinned a sirens smile. Then have me you shall.
They were a mimic of his earlier words, and completely unexpected. But, as hed told her earlier, there was no good reason to analyze a change of heart. Not in either of them. Not now. He had the distance between them defeated a split second later. Had his arms wrapped around her, jerking her into him, a second after that. Their lips met in a wild tangle, their tongues seeking, rolling together. On and on the kiss continued, drowning him in all that she was.
He hated to stop, even for a moment, but he had to remove his clothes. If he didnt experience skin-to-skin contact soon, he was going to ignite into flames. Panting, he tore away his shirt, his boots, then his pants.
He pulled her back into his embrace. Finally. Blessedly. Skin to skin. Both of them groaned at the headiness. Her nipples rubbed against his chest, his tattoos, while their lower bodies thrust together. Then she was bending down, tracing those letters with her tongue-and gods, he had never been happier that he had them.
After shed traced the last one, she kissed her way down his stomach. She dropped to her knees.
Was she going toplease, please, pleasebut she didnt like him enough to do it. Did she? What are you-
She sucked his cock deep into her mouth.
His head fell back, and he roared. All that wet heat was ecstasy, surely the first hed ever truly known, for nothing had ever felt this damned good. Up and down she moved, allowing him to hit the back of her throat.
Gods! Dont make me come.
She laughed, pulled off and licked his sac. When have I ever listened to you?
Vixen. With a growl, he dropped to his knees, as well. She could taste his seed. Later. More than anything, even more of that ecstasy, he wanted inside her, and he didnt want to have to wait for it. Spread your legs for me.
The moment she obeyed, he had two fingers buried deep. More wet heat. And to his delightYoure ready for me. Never had he been more proud that hed brought a female to this point.
She trembled, had to grip his shoulders to remain upright. Im ready for you every damn time I see you.
And she didnt like it, he could tell from her tone, but he could only bask in the admission. Its the same for me.
At first, she blinked, as if she couldnt allow herself to believe him. So vulnerable she appeared, so-dare he wish? hopeful. Then she placed a sweet kiss on his lips and breathed him in. Dont say things like that, she whispered.
Why not? I spoke true.
Because they a-affect me.
Headier words had never been spoken. Lets finish this before I combust, sweetheart.
Please.
He was sweating, panting, as he settled back on his ass, reached out and cupped hers. He jerked her onto his lap, forcing her to wrap her thighs around his waist. As her hands tangled in his hair, he lifted her, placing her eager core at the tip of his erection.
Ready? he asked hoarsely. This was it. The moment he felt hed been waiting forever for.
Ready.
He thrust up and she pushed down, and then he was all the way in, surrounded by the very thing he had defied his king, his sovereign, to possess. It was better than he remembered, better than he could have imagined. He couldnt pause, couldnt give her time to adjust. Over and over he pushed in, pulled out, too overwhelmed by pleasure to do anything but ride out the storm. Perhaps it was the same for her. Her nails scored his back, and her moans rang in his ears.
Gods, he was close. On fire. Burning. Desperate. He reached between their bodies and pressed his thumb against his new favorite place.
Atlas, she shouted, her inner walls suddenly milking him.
She was climaxing, lost to all that he was, and the thought drove him over the last bit of the edge, as well. He jetted inside her, lost to all that she was, the most intense orgasm of his life claiming him.
Together, they fell backward, onto the softness of the fur. He kept his arms around her, unwilling to let her go. Nowalways?
Yes, always, he thought, and his eyes widened. He wanted her always. Wanted more of this. Had to have more of this. When hed forgiven her completely, he didnt know. When hed softened, he didnt know, either. He only knew that shed become an important part of his life. Perhaps she always had been; hed just been too foolish to realize it.
What the hell was he going to do? They could be together each night after his shift, but theyd never have privacy, and her pride would soon chafe at his amorous attentions, all while he refused to set her free. It would have been the same for him when the situation had been reversed. Besides, she was too precious to hurt in that way. But the problem was, he couldnt be without her. Hed proven that already.
Damn, he thought next, suddenly sick to his stomach. Damn!
Chapter 9
She loved him, Nike thought. Again. Im hopeless.
Hed justhed been so amazing. Hed whisked her away, given her everything shed craved: food, water and his body. Gods, had he given her that delectable body. Shed savored every moment. Savored his taste, his touch, the feel of him pounding inside her.
Four days had since passed, but she craved more. Always she craved more. Shed spent the time locked inside her cell, pacing, trying to think of ways for them to be together. If he still wanted her, that is. Atlas had come by at least once a day to make sure she was properly fed and that her basin of water was filled, but hed never said a word to her. Actually, they hadnt spoken since leaving the tent.
At the time, shed felt too raw, too exposed. Shed feared her feelings for him had been shining in her eyes, so they most assuredly would have seeped from her voice. He was everything shed ever wanted in a mate. His strength matched hers. She would never have to worry about hurting him. He was witty and charming. He was a protector, a warrior. He was deliciously vengeful, she knew firsthand.
She smiled, wishing she could reach between her shoulder blades and feel his name. She was certain the letters would be as hot as the man himself. But
Why hadnt he spoken to her?
Why didnt you speak to him?
Because she hadnt known what to say. Did he still want her? Did he feel anything for her? How would she react if he didnt, which was most likely the case? Part of her wanted to take anything he would give her. The other part of her knew her pride wouldnt allow her to do such a thing. But there at the end, when theyd returned to Tartarus and hed closed the bars to her cell, she had thought shed glimpsed regret. Regret that he had to seal her inside. Regret that they couldnt spend more time together-in bed and out.
Nike tugged at her collar and screeched. Damn this. She was the epitome of strength, yet was as helpless as a babe. How could she win a mans heart when she couldnt even win her own freedom?
Atlas heard a screech of frustration and knew immediately who had uttered it. Nike. His Nike. His beautiful Nike. Hed deliberated about what to do, how they could be together, for four days. Well, the time for thinking was over, it seemed. She was close to her breaking point. Shed tasted freedom; being sequestered now had to be a thousand times worse than before.
He hated that she was locked up, and he knew they could never be together while she was. He also knew they could not be together if he released her. She would most likely run, and he would most definitely be punished.
Maybe she loved him, maybe she didnt. Maybe shed stay with him. Or try to. She liked him and was attracted to him, he would go so far as to say. After everything that had transpired between them, she wouldnt have slept with him otherwise. But love? He wasnt sure.
And it didnt matter, really. He loved her. Perhaps he always had. Hed never felt so strongly about a woman. Hed never wanted to spend his every waking minute with someone before, had never wanted to cuddle someone into his side for every sleeping minute. Hed never wanted to eat every meal together. To talk and laugh about their days. To spar, verbally and physically. But he did with her.
And since they couldnt be together, no matter what way things panned out, there was only one thing to do.
He pounded up the stairs and to her cell. She was banging a fist into the wall, plumes of dust forming around her. The sight of her nearly undid him. He wanted to kiss her, put his fingers all over her, sink inside her. Harden your heart. Do what is needed. His hand was shaking as he lifted the sensor.
She heard the slid of the bars and turned. A gasp parted her beautiful lips. Without a word, he held out his palm.
What-
Just take it.
She frowned as she accepted.
Still silent, he pulled her along the same path he had just taken. The same path theyd taken those four days ago. No one tried to stop him this time. In fact, as he passed the guards station, the two gods on duty rolled their eyes.
Outside, with the clouds all around him, he whirled on Nike. He still wanted to kiss her, but knew that if he did so, he would not be able to let her go. And he had to let her go.
Atlas, she said with a seductive grin. She tried to wrap her arms around his neck. Another outing? Im glad.
He shook his head and placed his fingers on the designated indentions in the collar. Cool metal met his touch. Then he leaned down and fit his lips over the center.
Her grin fell away. A tremor moved through her. Wh-what are you doing?
Be still. He drew in a deep breath, held itheld itand then slowly released it. As that breath slithered through the inside of the collar, the metal loosenedfinally splitting down the center and tumbling to the ground.
Eyes wide, she reached up, felt her bare neck. I dont understand whats happening, she said. They were the same words shed spoken before. He hadnt had an answer then. He did now. He loved her, but he could never tell her that.
Go, he said. Flash somewhere. Maybe earth. And whatever you do, stay hidden. Do you understand me?
Atlasno. She shook her head violently, even fisted his shirt. No, I cant. When they discover Im gone for good, and they will, youll be charged with a crime. Youll be locked away, placed with the Greeks who hate you. Or, if youre lucky, youll be killed.
She felt, he realized, both amazed and saddened. She cared for him, which meant she would suffer without him. If anything, that only increased his determination to save her. She did not deserve a life behind bars.
He forced his expression to harden. Forced himself to jerk away from her. I cant stand to look at you anymore. Ive had you, and now Im bored with you.
Her arms dropped to her sides as if weighed down by rocks, but she quickly pulled them around her middle. Then keep me locked up and stay away from me. You dont want to do this.
Still willing to give up her freedom to be near him? Damn her. He fell a little more in love with her. Go! I cant stand the sight of you anymore. Dont you get it? You make me sick, Nike.
Shut up. Tears filled her eyes. Real godsdamned tears. You dont mean that. You cant mean that. The last was whispered brokenly.
His heart constricted painfully. Do it. Finish it. Id rather be killed or locked away than look at you another moment. Because every time I look at you, Im reminded of what we did and II want to vomit. I was using you, wanting to punish you, but I took things too far. Even for me. Hating himself, he turned away from her. So do us both a favor and go.
For a long while, she didnt speak. He knew she didnt flash away, either, for he heard no rustle of clothing. But then, he did hear a whimper. A sob. More of those tears must be falling.
Gods, he couldnt do it. He couldnt send her away like this. He spun, meaning to grab on to her and tell her the truth, to force her to listen. To make her leave another way. But she was gone before their eyes could meet and his hands encountered only air.
You insolent fool!
Atlas peered up at the fuming Cronus. Not like he could do anything else. His wrists were chained to poles, forcing him to remain on his knees. The very collar hed removed from Nike was now wrapped around his own neck.
Hed known this would happen, but he hadnt cared. He still didnt. Nike was free, and that was all that mattered.
Have you nothing to say for yourself?
No.
One Greek can raise an army. That army can attack us. Ruin us. I told you that, and still you defied me.
Nike wont do that, he said confidently. He trusted her to disappear. Even as angry as she had to be with him, she would not endanger herself to save people she had never truly liked.
Cronus slammed his fist against the arm of his throne, ever the petulant child. You cant know that! You arent my All-Seeing Eye.
Atlas arched a brow, refusing to be cowed. Would you risk being imprisoned again to help your fellow Titans? I may not be able to see all the secrets of the heavens and hell, yet I know you would not.
The king had no response to that, but that didnt stop him from growling. You disobeyed a direct order, and you will be punished.
I understand. He offered the statement without hesitation. It was the truth. He understood that the god king had to make an example out of him. Otherwise, others would see him as weak. They would disobey him as Atlas had.
I think you actually do. Some of Cronuss fury abated. Only this morning I saw a portrait of you. A portrait painted by my Eye. With it, she showed me exactly how to punish you. The king smiled evilly and looked to the ghostlike girl still standing at his side. You know what to do, sweet Sienna.
Sienna strode forward, a knife appearing in her hand. She stopped in front of Atlas and dropped to her knees, placing them eye to eye. So this was it, he thought. The end. As an immortal, hed never thought to reach this point. Still. He found he only regretted that he hadnt had more time with Nike, that he hadnt gotten the chance to apologize for his harsh words the last time they were together and that he would never have the chance to confess his love.
With absolutely no emotion on her face, the girl dug the tip of the blade into his wrist and cut out his sensor, rather than chop off his head. Thats when he realized Cronus meant to lock him away rather than kill him. Good. More time to think about Nike and what could have been.
But then Sienna moved the blade to his chest and pressed, slicing. It stung, but that was not what made him struggle against her ministrations. No, it was the fact that she began carving Nikes name from his chest. He roared loud and long, fighting for all he was worth. Guards were called over and hard hands settled over him, pressing him down, holding him steady. Still he fought, but in the end, they managed to remove all four letters.
As they walked away from him, he glanced down at himself through burning, watery eyes. Blood poured down his chest and four open wounds stared up at him, the muscles torn, the skin completely gone. He might have hated that brand at one point in his life, but hed grown to love it as much as the woman whod given it to him. More than that, it had been the last remaining evidence of her presence.
His hands fisted, and his back straightened. Blood and sweat mingled, stinging further. Another roar burst from his lips, and he tossed it to the domed ceiling. He didnt stop until his throat was shredded from the strain.
Are you quite finished? Cronus asked him.
His gaze fell to the dais, narrowing. I will destroy you for this, his vowed brokenly. One day you will die by my hand.
Not likely. Take him to Tartarus, the king told his guards, unconcerned. Where he will rot for all eternity.
Chapter 10
It took her two days, but Nike finally located Atlass home, a sprawling estate in Olympus. The amount of wealth hed needed to acquire such a place astonished her. But then, she supposed hed considered every cent worth it. After living in a tiny cell for thousands of years, hed most likely wanted every bit of space he could get. And every amenity.
There was a swimming pool, more than thirty bedrooms, two winding, marble staircases and four fireplaces, and all the walls were comprised of solid gold. None of that interested her, however. Only his bedroom did.
There, she discovered more about the man who had sent her on her way. A man who would not have risked this just to avoid her face, as hed claimed. A man who would not have risked his life for anything other than love.
He owned a huge bed and had covered it with black silk sheets. The walls were painted with murals of the sun and sky, and the furniture smelled of rich mahogany. There were multiple bookcases, each filled with leather-bound books. Beaded pillows were strategically placed along the floor. Places for him to lounge and read, she supposed.
What held her attention, however, was the portrait hanging above the hearth. A portrait of her.
He must have commissioned it after their time inside that tent, for she was reclined in a porcelain tub, bubbles sliding over her shoulder and chest, her hair soaked. She would have looked as plain and masculine as always, except hed had the artist add a sensual light to her dark eyes and a come-and-get-me curve to her lips.
Finally she knew how he saw her. As someone beautiful. Worthy.
Only a man in love would do such a thing. Only a man in love would keep such a thing in such a prominent place. Only a man in love would want to see a womans portrait every night before he fell asleep, then wake up looking at it.
Oh, yes. He loved her.
There, outside of Tartarus, shed thought, hoped, that he did so, but she had let his words scrape against her already low self-esteem. How could so beautiful and sensual a man want her? shed wondered. But he did. He loved her. Proof: hed risked everything for her.
She could do no less for him.
Nike strode through the bedroom, knowing her lover would have a weapons case stashed somewhere-and knowing exactly what to do with it.
Atlas was not given a cell of his own-not at first. Still bleeding and frantic, fighting, he had been thrust into a cell with Erebos. Of course, thats who had been chosen as his cell mate, hed thought, rage filling him. A male who had once thought to claim his Nike. A male who had then stolen food from her, pushed her around and called her terrible names.
Atlas had seen it happen on numerous occasions. He hadnt done anything about it then, telling himself she deserved what she got, but hed wanted to. And there was no better time than now.
Even with his strength corralled by the collar and half his blood dried to his chest, even with his still-seeping wounds splitting open with every move he made, Atlas managed to defeat Erebos in record time. He punched, he kicked, he did not play fair, kneeing the god in the balls while he was down. In the end, a broken, bloody Erebos lay crying on the dirty floor, right alongside everyone who had tried to save him.
Thats when Atlas was moved to the empty cell Nike had occupied. He stretched out on the cot, simply breathing in her lingering essence. His sweet, sweet Nike. He would have to spend eternity without her. Without even her brand. Once again, he roared.
What was she doing now? If she sought solace in the arms of another man, even in the years to come, he would tear this prison apart stone by stone and kill the bastard. As if. You sent her on her way to do just that. You want her happy.
Whats all the racket? Seriously.
Gods, he was hearing her voice now. Locked up two days, and he was already headed into insanity.
His bars rattled, slid open. He rolled to his side, determined to send whoever it was away. When he caught sight of his beloved Nike, he blinked. Oh, yes, he was indeed going insane. She stood before him, draped in a black leather bra top and black leather pants. Her hair was slicked back in a smooth ponytail. Blood splattered her cheeks. Never had she looked more beautiful. Her strength was there for all to see.
Well? she said, clearly impatient. Arent you going to say anything?
Slowly he sat up. He didnt want this moment to end. Didnt want to lose sight of her. I missed you. So much.
And I wanted an apology. I much prefer this. She grinned, practically beaming. I missed you, too, but well have to catch up later. Her gaze fell to his chest, and she gaped in astonishment. Then she growled. Did the god king cut my name off you?
Yes.
She was holding a knife, he saw, and her knuckles bleached of color. I. Will. Kill. Him.
Already promised to do so.
Well do it together, then. After we get out of here. Her attention flicked behind her, urgent, before returning to him. Come on. We have to go before someone realizes what Ive done.
Just let me look at you. Just let me enjoy this moment. Let me apologize for what I said to you. You said you wanted an apology, yes? I didnt mean it, not a word I said that last day, but I-
She closed the distance between them and slapped him. Hard. The blow knocked him back against the cot and caused stars to wink over his vision.
Once more, he blinked at her. You hit me.
Yeah, and Ill do it again if you dont get your ass in gear.
Youre real.
Yes.
But youre real.He sat up, saying the words but not truly absorbing them. This couldnt be happening.
She dropped to her knees. Again, yes. Just as hed once done to her, she placed her fingers over his collar and blew into the center. As the metal softened, he finally understood what his brain had been trying to tell him. Nike was here. She was really here. And she was saving his life.
With a scowl, he jumped to his feet. I told you to go to earth, damn it.
Okay, not the reaction I expected. She stood and pressed a swift kiss to his lips. Good thing I never listen to you. Now lets go. Ive already taken out the guards below. And no, I didnt kill your friends. Just made them wish they were dead. As she spoke, she latched on to his hand and dragged him out of the cell. Cronus could realize whats going down at any moment and appear, and then well both be in trouble. As long as were here, were easy pickings.
True. Nike was a fugitive now; he wanted her out of this prison, out of this realm, as soon as possible. You risked your life to save me, you fool.
Well, you risked your life to save me.
Down the stairs they pounded and, sure enough, all three of the guards were flat on their faces, motionless. But you were free. You had what you wanted.
Not everything, she threw over her shoulder.
Okay, wow. Shed just admitted she wanted him more than freedom. Atlas couldnt help himself. He gave a tug, propelling her backward, into his arms. I love you, he finally proclaimed, and mashed their lips together. His tongue thrust deep, tasting, demanding.
She only allowed the kiss for a few seconds, her hands fisting his hair and taking everything he had to give, before she pulled away, panting. I love you, too. But lets get the hell out of here. I need your pretty head connected to your body.
Once again, they surged forward. Still, he almost couldnt believe this was happening. It was too much like a dream. Im going to spend the rest of eternity making up for what I did to you.
Good. I think Ill like seeing you grovel. But just for the record, I love my tattoo and I know why you said those nasty things. Sure, I would have found a better way to get you to safety, but then, Im smarter than you are, so really, I cant blame you.