Page 9 of Forced Vows

"You mean Helios?"

"Yes."

"Oh." Had Helios only been flirty because he made me spill my drink and he's ultra good at customer service?

"He called you Aphrodite."

I nod.

"Your name?" His confident demand for information draws me in a way none of the college age guys I see daily do.

I take another drink of my Manhattan and answer over the rim of the martini glass. "Tonight, it is."

"If you are Aphrodite tonight, then I will be Ares."

"Not Eros?"

He shakes his head decisively. "Eros was the god of carnal love, but Ares was Aphrodite's lover."

He was also the god of war. I can see this man in that role. He's big. Intense. Moves like a jungle cat and exudes an aura of power.

"Why not Adonis then?" It fits too. He's the most beautiful man I've ever met.

Including the gorgeous Helios.

"Ares is more fitting."

Because he was Aphrodite's lover? That sounds promising.

I know why I'm so up on the Greek gods and goddesses. Because a course in Greek Tragedy is part of my College of Fine Arts curriculum.

Why does this man know so much about them? I shove my curiosity into a dark closet and shut the door.

I'm not asking him.

Rule one in one-night stands to lose your virginity: don't get to know your sex partner.

Even if he's an intriguing older guy who sends alien sparks of want through your ladybits. Especially then.

That's how hookups work. Right?

If I'm wrong, I don't want to know. It's how it has to work for me. I can't let myself get to know him.

Whoa.

When did I decide he's going to be the guy to pop my cherry? Probably sooner than I should have. My ovaries cast their vote when I first heard his voice. Not French lullabies but deep, rich Jazz.

"Would you like to dance, Ares?" I ask in my best sexy-times-are-coming purr.

Which is a brand new voice element to my acting repertoire.

It must be on point because his dark eyes burn me up. "Yes."

Chapter 5: MICELI

She asks me to dance.

I like her confidence. Lala's snark hasn't fazed my beautiful Aphrodite.

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