The Wager- BBW Erotic Curvy Paranormal Romance (TOUCH OF THE GODS) (26 page)

             
“Oh? That's a shame. How long?”

             
“Undetermined. Please tell Ginny, I'm sorry for tonight.”

             
“I will. She'll be sad to have missed saying goodbye. Well, come here, girls. Give me a hug.”

             
Both my sister and I wrapped ourselves around him, absorbing the strength in his embrace, before saying our final goodbyes, and headed out the door. The crickets chirped as we headed to Willa's van, the stiffness in her movements telling me she was upset that I didn't say a thing about Heph's upcoming departure. Her hand curled around the door handle and she kept her back to us.

Clearing his throat, Hephaestus reached out to touch her shoulder, “It was great knowing you, Willa. I'll never forget you and how you've helped me. Vanessa, I'll go get the truck started.”

              I watched his retreating back, the way the muscles bunched with each step, and though I was dreading him leaving, I did enjoy watching him as he walked away.
Sigh
. I would deal with that later, just now, my sister needed an explanation, as I had never kept much from her. Though it seemed since meeting the gods, it’d become a common occurrence.

Moving around until I faced her, I leaned against the neon pink door, my eyes glistening with the tears that had been threatening to fall all night. “I should have told you in the room. I just couldn't face the truth of it.”

              “That's not why I'm upset, Nessa.”

             
“It's not? Then… what?”

             
“You know he's leaving, and yet you're not going with him? Why the hell not? Did he not give you the vial?”

             
“Wait, you knew about that?”

             
“The day before you helped me leave my job, I went to his home. I was angry that he may have done something alien to you, since you'd gone all crazy on me. It was when I learned he was a god, and he said he had a way to keep you with him.”

             
“He gave it to me this morning.”

             
“And you've not become a Goddess yet because…?”

             
Biting my lower lip, I debated telling her, but as the sudden blast of rap music came from the waiting truck, I knew there needed to be no more lies. If there was one thing Willa was, it was honest. She would be able to help me figure out what to do.

             
“I didn't take it, because he told me that to become immortal, I’d have to die first. Then, I would go through a trial or something. Since then, I haven't been able to make up my mind and wanted to see my family before I did.”

             
“Oh. Well, I didn't know about the dying part. I can see why you've delayed your choice. But, if you're hoping I'd give you some great prophecy that will guide you to the light, you're wrong.”

             
“What? Oh, come on! Willa, tell me what to do!”

             
“Sorry sis, but the only person who'll make this decision, is the person with the vial. And that’s you. Just know, whatever you decide, we'll support you. I'll support you.”

             
“Yay!” I winked at her. “That was sarcasm by the way.”

             
Willa laughed, and I was glad to see her smiling again, especially after the dinner debacle with Graeme. I knew she was right, though I didn't like it, but I would heed her message.

Heph blew the horn, letting me know it was time to go. He probably didn't have long and we wanted to spend what little time he had left, in each other's arms. So, giving my sister a tight, long hug goodbye, I jogged to the truck, got in and waved as we drove off.

With only the music playing, the bass vibrating the car while he drove, his face remained an unreadable mask

When we made it to my home, I saw that his little house already had a ‘For Sale’ sign out front. Just the sight of it, broke my heart, knowing the inevitable was coming faster than I could stand.

Hephaestus opened my door, holding out his hand his fingers looked transparent.

I feared grabbing hold, thinking he would fade away before I could hold him one last time.

Luckily, he took hold of me, still very solid in form and pulled me into his arms, just as the truck faded from the realm, but he kept me walking until we were inside my home. He kissed me in the foyer, his motions gentle, loving and by the time we reached the bedroom, we had managed to undress, our entwined bodies landing on the bed in a tangled heap.

With no time for foreplay, I spread my legs. I just wanted to have him fill me. When I felt his thick, long heat slide deep inside my aching body, I sighed with joy. I caressed him with my hands from his back, down along his tapered waist, pausing on the side where his scar resided to stroke it lovingly. Finally, my hands rested on his firm ass while it clenched with each thrust. Our love making, for I had no other word to describe the union, was bittersweet. A poem started in my mind of what could have been, but it didn't become a whole piece. With several more decadent and glorious plunges, we both came, my pussy milking his cock, trying to imprison him, but I knew it wouldn't work.

One last shudder, and Hephaestus collapsed on me his weight crushing, but I welcomed it. Listening as his heart slowed.

After a few minutes, he pushed back onto his elbows, looking down at me with his glowing, immortal eyes. “Glykiá mou, Vanessa. S 'agapó̱. Poté den tha xechásete.”

              “What did you say?”

             
“I said, ‘My sweet, Vanessa. I love you. I will never forget you’. And I truly mean that. You have become branded on my heart.” His body began to shimmer under the light of the moon coming through my bedroom window, and it was as though he was turning into the embers of a fire, floating away in the breeze.

             
“Please Heph, I love you. Stay a little longer —leave in the morning.”

“I can't. Remember the hammer. Call me, I'll come, but I can never stay.”

              “Heph...”

             
The glow increased, until I couldn't look into it, and turned my face away until it died down. When I opened my eyes, I found myself alone in my bed, with no sign that Hephaestus ever existed in my life. I dove to my nightstand, opening it and sighed in relief. I hadn't dreamed the whole thing, staring down at both the necklace he made me, and the vial of ambrosia still resting in the drawer, waiting. Pushing it closed, I curled up under my blankets, smelling his lingering scent and finally allowed the pain to take over.

My tears fell, not in the same way as they had under the false emotions given to me by Ares, but of true love, gone away and it sucked. What would I do? For now, I would cry, and then hopefully when my tears dried, I'd have my answer. Live without him, or die and maybe fail the trial to still end up without him.

Chapter XXI

Vanessa

             
The weeks that followed, since Hephaestus's departure were mostly a blur. A boring, dull uneventful blur of nothing as I went to work, cleaning up after children and staff, went home, talked to my sister and Calvin, then stared at the vial before chickening out and going to bed.  The sun would come up the next day and repetition of the same events would start all over again. If only, I could figure out what to do, stay or go, but nothing gave me the right answer.

Every night was the same as well, I would be left sleeping in my cold, lonely bed. A newly married couple moved into the home that had been his, and while they were friendly enough, I wasn't in the right frame of mind to strike up a conversation with them.

This was now my tedious life and oddly enough, I realized it had gone back to the way it was before I ever met the gods. Here I was, plain old Vanessa, back to being the woman that blended in. One rarely mattered and lived in a constant loop of endless trivial chores which I tried to pretend was a real life. The one place where I was free was in my dreams, where I could be close to my immortal lover, wishing I would never wake.

             
It was Sunday and I had promised to meet Willa and Calvin at the cafe for dinner, but I had time. I decided to tidy up, wash the dishes and maybe read a book. I was dreading going into work the next day, as my stupid coworkers treated me worse each passing day, giving me degrading chores, while talking about me, and my embarrassing fling with Ares. Several times, I heard the kiss noises, and snickers from the male janitors as I made my way to my locker, but never did I react.

With each passing day of the cruel taunting, it was getting harder for me to keep my anger to myself, wanting to smack them all in the face and spit in their eyes, but that would mean ruining all the hard work Calvin did to get me back in.

I went home instead of losing my temper and found a book, reclining on the couch to read it, but found that I couldn't focus, my hand constantly traveled to the necklace Hephaestus had made for me. The hammer pendant tingled under my fingertips. How many times had I touched his gift, wanting to call him, but because I didn't think I could handle him leaving again I didn’t do it.  After re-reading the same sentence for the fifth time, I gave up on the book, placed it back in the shelf and made my way up to my bedroom. Perhaps, a soak before meeting up with my sister and friend would put me in a better mood.

             
Adding rose scented bubbles, I waited for the water to rise, already relaxing from the heat that came from the steam and pulled out a yellow sun dress from my closet. Running a hand over the soft, cotton fabric, I recalled the day I purchased it.

Heph had looked very out of place in the women's section of the department store. Most men would have grumbled after the third outfit I tried on but discarded in disgust. However, he merely sat on the chair, agreeing with every decision I went with, and it was when I came out in the fourth dress that he held up the yellow one for me to try.

The moment I pulled it over my head and looked at my reflection in the mirror, I was in love with how it hugged my body in the most flattering of ways. What made the outfit better and sealed the deal for me, was when I came out to model it for him. His eyes slowly raked over me, from top to bottom, heating me up and after purchasing it, we rushed to his house where he made love to me for hours. Shaking my head, I came back to the present, rushing to turn off the water. I undressed and sank into the warm depths of the tub. The water seeped into my pores until I was able to rest back, closing my eyes to finally find some peace.

             
After a half an hour with my body now a mass of jelly I dressed, making sure my make up was decent and my hair tangle free, as it hung around my shoulders. The clock on the wall told me that I still had an hour before I needed to get moving. I sat back on my sofa and listened to the ticking in silence. My hand reached back to grasp the hammer, my mind warring as to what I should do, but before I could make a decision, the doorbell rang and I frowned. I wasn't expecting anyone I knew, so who it could be was a mystery. A second chime sounded and I was rushing to answer it, hoping it wasn't one of my ditzy female neighbors. Looking through the peep hole, the shock of who had come to call was apparent on my face as I opened the door.

             
“Don't look so stunned, Ness. Can't I visit my big sister from time to time?”

             
“Graeme! I thought, after dinner, I wouldn't see you again.”

             
“Yeah well, I thought so too. But, a friend of a friend told me about your boyfriend leaving. So, I came to see how you were doing.”

             
“Wow, that's really… weird.” I couldn't see his eyes, the dark sunglasses hiding them and he had a new piercing in his eyebrow. His jean jacket looked as though it hadn't been washed since the last I'd seen him, nor did the rest of his clothing. And if I didn't know any better, I was sure he had a fading bruise on his jaw. What the hell was happening to my brother?

His gruff voice brought my attention back to his shade covered stare. “So, you going to let me in, or do I have to keep being the eye candy of the lady who is in the house next door?”

              “Oh yeah, um, come in. I can't talk long though I'm meeting Calvin and Willa soon.”

             
“Calvin?”

             
“Yeah, you know, my best friend?”

             
“Of course. That's cool. I just wanted to tell you something, and then I have to go away too.”

             
“Go away? To where?”

             
Graeme ignored my question, walking around my home while gliding his fingers over the television, shelves and tables.

Abruptly, I realized he’d never been in it, ever. I tried to see him as the man he’d become, but it was hard, especially when the person before me was so withdrawn and mysterious. I wanted to say that he hadn't always been that way, but the last time my brother had truly smiled was when he was heading to stay the summer with our aunt and uncle on the farm. Once he returned, he was a new boy, a darker personality and no matter how many times he was asked, Graeme never said what had changed. He would just tell us all that he’d grown up, he was a big boy.

After several moments, he finally ended his self given tour and turned to face me, removing his glasses to reveal a swollen, black eye.

Gasping, I ran over, touching it as gentle as I could, but he flinched away, stepping back from me.

              “Graeme, what happened?”

             
“Have you decided if you'll go to be with your boyfriend?”

             
“What? No, well… I don't know! Damn it, what is happening to you? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

             
“Vanessa, you need to go to him. You need to be happy, because you of all people deserve it.”

             
“I'll die if I do. Then, there's this trial and---”

             
“Time is short and we only get one life. Once it's done, it's done and we're left to regret thinking about the choices we didn't make, versus the ones we did. Stop living in the dark sis, because trust me, it's cold and painful.”

             
“Graeme, I… what if I fail?”

             
“The fact that you're still here, means you already did fail.”

             
“I'd have to say goodbye to you all.”

             
“I love you, Ness. So does the rest of the family and Calvin. Now, it's time for you to love you.”

             
His words were just what I needed to hear, the ones that pushed me to make the only decision I was going to make eventually, but it would have come much later. Moving in, I wrapped my baby brother in a tight embrace, my heart warming when he returned the gesture. It had been a long time since I had hugged Graeme and with my mind made up, it was going to be the last time.

My cell buzzed on the coffee table and I knew it was from Calvin, wondering if I was still on my way.  I pulled away from my brother, going over to text him back. When I grabbed my purse, dropping the phone inside, Graeme was already waiting for me at the door, his sunglasses back on his face. Together, we left and I giggled when I saw that my neighbor was indeed, staring at him as he made his way to his motorcycle. My baby brother - the chick magnet. Who would have thought?

Opening my car door, I looked back over at him.

  Graeme revved up his ignition, turning the handle so that the rumbling sound thundered in my driveway. With a small nod and salute, my brother peeled out onto the road and disappeared into the darkening horizon.

In my car, I hooked up my Bluetooth, calling my parents as I headed to the cafe. I wanted to see them, but knew I didn't have time, so speaking to them over the phone would have to do. My father answered on the second ring, his soothing voice making me choke up a bit.

             
“Hello?”

             
“Daddy?”

             
“Vanessa, what's wrong?”

             
“I just wanted to call you and mama. Is she able to get on the line too?”

             
“Yes, hold on.”

             
I knew the phone was pressed against his chest, because as he called for my mother, his voice was muffled and almost rumbled into the receiver. Several seconds later, and my mother cheeriness picked up from her end, both of my parents were there.

I was ready to say goodbye.

              “Baby girl, your Dad says you wanted to speak to us. Is everything okay?”

             
“Yes. I’m going to explain everything and I need you both to just listen. Once I'm done, you can say anything, okay?”

             
In unison, they agreed and remained silent as I told them everything, from the day I met Hephaestus and how I came to be entranced by his brother, Ares. What Hephaestus proposed and went on to explain that taking the ambrosia would kill me, then I had to face a trial of sorts that if I passed, I would be with the man I loved forever. Then finally, I confessed that I almost didn't take the chance, but after a heart to heart with Graeme, I knew I would never be happy without Heph, so decided to take the leap tonight. Getting all of that off my chest, made me feel dizzy with relief, but when they stayed quiet, I feared they were about to blow a gasket at all I had revealed.

My mother spoke first, but it wasn't with some meaningful thought. She deferred to my father, something she almost never done. “Brian? You know where I stand on this. So, I turn it over to you.”

              “Thank you, Ginny. Vanessa, I am a man who tries to stay on track of everything. Almost every decision I made was predestined and I followed the path my family expected of me. However, there has been only once I took a different turn. Do you know when that was?”

             
“No.”

             
“When I met your mother. Loving her wasn't part of the plan, but I wouldn't have wanted any other once I had her. I'll miss you baby, but I would never tell you not to follow your heart.”

             
His words, like my brother's, touched me and though my life had been a mundane one at best, I was blessed to have a family like them. I spoke with both my parents a while more and once I hung up, I felt even better about leaving.

When I pulled up to Sticky Licks, seeing that Willa and Calvin were already waiting, I was at peace. Waving as I walked up, I saw my sister's shiny eyes, so I knew my Mom and Dad had sent her my news. But she didn’t look upset, nor did my best friend. When I sat down, their grins broadened, telling me they were happy.

Ordering a large chocolate pizza, we each got a tall glass of milk and dug into our cinnamon chips. I would miss Sticky Licks, but maybe I could find a way to get my own. Once I passed the trial, of course. “So, you two are okay with this? I mean, I hope you are.”

             
“Oh, Nessa! It's like a romance novel. You're going to the very end of life to be with the man you love? So dreamy!”

             
“My mother couldn't have wrote it better herself, honey. Though, I do have to worry about that one little obstacle. Aphrodite may not be his wife anymore, but she hates sharing. You'll have to deal with her a lot.”

             
“I know Calvin, but I can deal with her. Do you know anything about the trial?”

             
“Sorry hon, I don't. I've never been to the other realm or heard of any mortals trying to become immortal. Well, except for Psyche.”

             
“Psyche?”

             
Our pizza came out before he could tell me about the name and we got lost in the deliciousness that I would definitely have to make a custom in Olympus.

As we ate, our discussion was light, Calvin telling me he'd deal with my job on Monday, while Willa talked about her job at the day care, about this one child who seemed very different from the others. We told her that he was probably shy, but she believed he was an alien for sure. She reminded us that she wasn't wrong about her predictions yet. I wanted to remind her about how she thought Hephaestus was an extraterrestrial, but decided to let my sister have her crazy ideas. Ones, I would miss for sure.