Page 14 of Poltergeists & Change of Life

A lump formed in my throat, and I blinked back the unexpected sting of tears. He wasn’t just saying it to comfort me. He meant it. His hands were warm and gentle as they moved again. He undid the last button and slipped my shirt open. His lips followed the path of his fingers and brushed over my skin, paying special attention to the scar that ran down the center of my chest. A reminder of the battle I had survived. A reminder of my strength. His lips pressed softly against it, lingering and honoring everything I had been through.

I felt myself relaxing. The tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying melted away as his lips moved lower. His hand slid beneath my bra strap. I reached up to pull it down, exposing more of my skin to his kisses. But he didn’t rush. He didn’t tear at my clothes or devour me with urgency. No, Aidoneus was a god who knew how to savor the moment.

“I mean it,” he whispered as his fingers traced the edge of my bra, his lips brushing over the swell of my breast. "You're incredible."

The emotion behind his words hit me hard. My breath caught again as my body responded to his touch. My heart pounded, and the heat between us built with every kiss and caress. My hand trembled as I tugged one bra strap off my shoulder, giving him full access.

But instead of rushing, Aidoneus lowered his mouth to my breast, gently kissing and teasing my flesh. His hands worked the fabric away with a patience that both soothed and set my body on fire. It wasn’t just the physical need, though that was certainly there. It was the way he moved. The way he seemed to appreciate every inch of me like I was the most precious thing in the world. That feeling would never get old. I’d gone my wholelife without knowing what that was like. I would never give it up or let anyone take it from me.

For the first time in a long while, I let go of everything. Instead, I focused on the way his touch ignited a fire in me. Before I could overthink it, I tugged my top the rest of the way off and tossed it aside. His eyes never left mine as he helped me out of the rest of my clothes, his touch was steady and sure. There was no hesitation in him, no uncertainty.

And when he knelt there, bare and beautiful before me, that familiar fire burned low in my belly. The connection between us only fanned the flames of my desire. His body, scarred and perfect, pressed to mine in a way that made every nerve in my body come alive. His erection slid through the wet heat between my legs, teasing me and sending sparks of electricity racing through my limbs.

“Come here,” I breathed, my voice trembling with need.

He didn’t hesitate. Aidon moved with fluid grace. His lips captured mine as he lowered himself to me. Every movement was designed to prolong the anticipation and keep me on that edge of pleasure until I thought I might come undone.

His mouth was on mine, and I lost myself in him. There was nothing but the feel of his body against mine. The way he moved was slow and deliberate. It built us both up to the brink. My hands tangled in his hair as I arched against him. My body was desperate for more, for the release that was already building.

When he finally slid into me, it was like coming home. The connection between us was so powerful, so deep, that it was almost overwhelming. His hands gripped my hips as he moved, slow and steady. His mouth left a trail of kisses along my neck and chest. My body responded to him like we’d been doing it for a thousand years. My hips moved with his, matching his rhythm. Every nerve was alive with the sensation of being filled, of being wanted, of being loved in a way that went beyond justthe physical. This was about us—about everything we had built, everything we had survived, everything we were still fighting for.

As he moved inside me, his breath was hot against my skin. It took that slow burn of pleasure higher and higher until it threatened to consume me. Aidon was right there with me. His body was taut with restraint as he held himself back, letting the pleasure build between us until neither of us could take it anymore.

When the release finally came, it was like a tidal wave crashing over me. I cried out his name. My body shuddered as the orgasm tore through me. He followed a second later, his body trembling against mine as he found his own release. For a long moment, we stayed like that, tangled together. Aidon pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead and his hands brushed through my hair.

When we parted a few minutes later, I saw my own mix of fear and hope reflected in Aidon's eyes. Reality had a way of crashing back in like an unwanted guest at the worst times. "We're really doing this, huh?" I whispered. "Saving the world and raising three kids at the same time?"

Aidon's forehead rested against mine. "If anyone can do it, it's us. Besides, think of all the babysitters we know. I bet even Melinoë would make a great aunt. And my parents will be happy to help any time."

The image of the divine Persephone changing diapers startled a laugh out of me. "I'd pay to see your mom changing diapers."

He made a face and said, “She’s got magic. They won’t go dirty.” That made me laugh.

As we lay there, tangled in each other's arms, I felt a peace I hadn't experienced in weeks. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, in this moment, we were just Phoebe and Aidon, soon-to-be parents, facing the future together.

"I love you," I murmured, sleep starting to claim me. "Even if your kids are using my bladder as a trampoline."

Aidon's chuckle was the last thing I heard as I drifted off. "I love you too. All four of you."

CHAPTER 7

Dawn broke with all the subtlety of a supernova in a minefield. I peeled my eyes open, immediately regretting the decision as nausea hit me like a freight train. Ah yes, the joys of pregnancy mixed with the looming threat of supernatural doom. It was so much worse because Aidon wasn’t next to me. His presence always made me feel better.

I hauled myself out of bed and headed for the bathroom. My gait was reminiscent of a penguin trying to navigate an obstacle course. The mirror caught my reflection, and I grimaced. I looked like I'd been dragged backwards through a hedge, then run over by a steamroller for good measure. After relieving my bladder, I brushed my teeth and hair then threw on some leggings and an oversized shirt.

Waddling into the kitchen, I found Stella already nursing a cup of coffee. The aroma wafting from her mug was potent enough to wake the dead and conduct a full séance. "Morning, sunshine," Stella chirped. Her demeanor was so chipper it bordered on criminally insane. "Ready to save the world? Again?"

I responded with a grunt so eloquent it could have won a Pulitzer for encapsulating the full spectrum of human misery in a single syllable. My hands made grabby motions toward the coffee pot with all the desperation of a caffeine addict in withdrawal. I was no better than a zombie without it.

"Ah-ah," Stella tutted, whisking the pot away. "Decaf for you, momma bear. Doctor's orders."

I fixed her with a glare that could have curdled milk from fifty paces. "I will end you," I promised, my voice a low growl. "Slowly. Painfully. With a spoon."

"Love you too, sweetie," she grinned and slid a mug of what I'm sure was dishwater masquerading as coffee towards me.

Before I could formulate a retort scathing enough to strip paint, Nana bustled in. Her eyes were as sharp as ever despite her advanced years. She took one look at me and snorted. "Well, don't you look like something the cat dragged in, pissed on, then dragged back out again," she declared. "What's the matter, sweetheart? Pregnancy got your tongue? Or is it just the impending doom?"

I blinked, momentarily stunned by her bluntness. I shouldn’t have been. That was Nana for you. "Good morning to you too, Nana. I see you've started the day with your usual tact and charm."

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