Page 33 of Poseidon's Island Flower

She was a sight to behold, more breathtaking than the sun's rays reflecting off the Pacific. More glorious than any creature I had ever made. Her parents must be proud of their daughter, not just for her selflessness and understanding that she had gifted me with but the beauty she radiated.

And she was supposed to be mine.

I did not compare to her. I was a god, a lousy one at that, and this human’s heart was more precious than any immortal.

A nervous tremor rattled my body. My knees wanted to buckle at her perfection, her confidence, and the sway in her step. Her gentle movements were like a dance, even a small gesture like pushing a tiny tendril from her face.

I had to remember this was the same woman I had texted over the past few days. That I knew her, that I could be myself around her. I was comfortable in that regard, which meant I should be able to talk to her.

I’d confided in her, as embarrassing as it was, that I had trouble meeting new people. Connecting with them on another level was difficult and because of that, my social cues and skills were lacking. I gave her the chance to end it right there, but she didn’t. Lani gently coaxed me without forcing me. She reassured me that this would be okay, and she would love to still be my friend. She was a patient woman.

Thefriendword stung, but that was all I could accept from her, now. I couldn’t promise her forever. I couldn’t tell her who I was, not yet. Not when I couldn’t promise to be able to kiss her, hold her.

I held back a pitiful whine in my throat. That wasn’t even a kiss two days ago. I was saving her life. But tonight, could that be a possibility again?

I could not deny how wonderful it felt to be close to someone, especially when that person was destined for me.

When Lani said, "Hi, Cy", she sounded timider than I was expecting.

It made me relax, my shoulders drooped in response.

She was far more outgoing than I. Her braveness to seek me out proved that.

“Hi.” I pulled on my khaki pants, trying to keep the urge to cross my arms away.

Zeus said it was an action that told people you were closed off and not welcoming, and that was not what I wanted Lani to see. Because I wanted to be open, I wanted to show her who I was.

Slowly.

“Are you ready to go? I’ve got a place picked out, I think you and Zeus will like it. It’s a local restaurant, few vacationers know where it is.”

I nodded, still not looking her in the eye.Fates, just look at her, I yelled to myself.

She giggled, her arms reaching out. “Hey Cy, is it okay if I fix your collar?”

I took all the courage I could muster to gaze into her eyes meet her face, and damn, it was so wonderful to see those multicolored eyes staring back at me.

Her lashes were painted darkly, her make-up only enhancing her natural beauty. Her cheeks were tinged pink, and her bright white smile was so wide it made me grin.

“There you are,” she whispered. “There’s the handsome Cy I remember.” She smiled.

Fates.

My cock stirred immediately, despite having taken care of it earlier. My face flushed, but Lani continued to wait patiently.

“Is it okay to fix your collar?”

Her hands stayed close to me, and I swallowed heavily, expecting her to touch me, anyway. But she didn’t. She waited.

I forced myself to nod, and her fingers fiddled with the top button of my shirt, grazing my neck and a soft hum escaped my throat.

She pulled away; her eyes filled with worry.

“No, it’s okay. Keep going,” I said in a strangled voice.

And she did, pulling the fabric away from two buttons and fixing the collar. “You looked so uncomfortable with your buttons buttoned all the way up your neck. It’s still fashionable to leave it open if you feel comfortable with that.”

I kept it buttoned because I felt more contained, that I could control what could touch my skin, but when Lani touched me and helped me free myself from the restraint of the clothes, I was surprisingly comfortable. And that was because she was here, her touch soothed me just like the other day.

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