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I am the goddess of
time, immorality, and the cycle of life/death. Slow to
anger, easy to smile. Now I work with babies and the young
of humans since they are innocents. It was there I met him.
Rhodes Liatos. A man unlike any I’ve known before. He
challenges my disheartened beliefs of the human race. He has
taught me many things one of which was how to love. He is a
man who loves life and has no fear of death, what happens
when he learns who I truly am?
Devi |
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The following
afternoon, Devi lay in her hammock, enjoying the idyllic
day. Her doorbell chimed and she sighed, reluctant to get
up.
“It’s open,” she called out.
The familiar masculine scent that had surrounded Rhodes told
her who it was before he’d even made it through the house.
Turning her head, she watched him step out onto the patio.
“Kind of dangerous, don’t you think, just inviting people in
without knowing who it is?” he asked, giving her a
disapproving look before putting a bouquet of flowers on the
table.
She almost laughed at that, but smothered it. He was
concerned about her. How cute.
Today, Rhodes wore khaki slacks and a dark blue polo-necked
shirt. Licking her lips, she swung her legs over and got up
from the comfort of her hammock. He glanced at her and
swallowed. Hard.
She knew it was her outfit. Cream-coloured gauze woven with
gold threads made up her halter-top dress with its deep
V-neck. Although the material reached the floor, slits in
the skirt ran up to the tops of her thighs. With each step
she took, one leg flashed through. And she knew it looked
good on her—hell, it had been made just for her.
“Cat got your tongue, Rhodes?”
His forehead had a sheen of sweat on it.
“No. That’s… It’s… Damn.”
“I take it that’s a good thing,” she said with an assured
smile.
“Oh, yeah,” he rumbled. He flexed his fingers like he wanted
to grab her.
“Thank you.”
He had to tear his gaze away from her nearly exposed chest.
“What for?”
“The flowers. They’re beautiful.”
He acted as if he’d forgotten he’d even brought them.
“You’re welcome,” he muttered, his gaze on her.
“Something I can do for you, Rhodes?”
“I came to ask you to dinner.” His voice still not as smooth
as it had been.
“You didn’t call.”
“I wanted to see you.” His eyes burnt feverishly. “Luckily,
I’m a resourceful man—you didn’t give me much to go on.”
“You are that. I knew you’d find me if you wished to see
me.”
Warmth surrounded her at his admission. “I’ll go get
changed.” She moved past him and headed towards the sliding
door, then paused and glanced back over her left shoulder.
“A little help?”
He approached and stood behind her. His size made her feel
dainty and protected. Without a word, she moved her hair out
of the way. Her skin tingled from the light brush of his
fingertips as he undid the bow holding up her dress.
“There you go,” he whispered in her ear, his breath teasing
her skin.
“Be right back.”
She let go of her hair and it swung back into place,
covering her to the small of her back. He gasped as she left
him there, in between indoors and out. Alone except for her
dress, which had pooled at his feet. |
