Page 35 of Hera

“We’ll have to go,” Hera suggested, pulling slightly on his arm to lead him to the person greeting people. “It’s barely a hop from some exits back home.”

“To be perfectly honest, I had not considered that potential,” Augustine admitted. “I tend not to leave home very often.”

“We’ve come here several times on dates now,” Hera said, eyebrows rising in alarm. “You haven’t been uncomfortable, I hope?”

Augustine smiled at her. “I have had you with me. I may have been nervous, but only because I did not want to... How do my brothers phrase it? Mess things up with you.”

“Do you know, we’ve been dating for over a month, now, and I still haven’t met your brothers. How is it that they know slang terms but you don’t?” Hera asked.

“They watch more television,” Augustine said. “Would you like to meet them? I have not met your sister, either.”

“I definitely would like to meet them. How haven’t you met Demi, yet?” Hera gasped. “For Olympus’s sake, she works below my apartment!”

“I know,” Augustine said sheepishly. “I have been nervous about meeting her without you being present.”

“Well, we will have to remedy that.” Hera nodded her head sharply.

“If you’re ready to start?” the greeter said pointedly.

Augustine looked around the empty foyer, startled. “Sorry. Yes, we are ready.”

“Welcome to The Gardens of Dionysus. As you can see, we have a Greek theme to our winery, from the design of the fortress to the decor. That will carry on to our pairings that you will be tasting tonight.”

“Sounds delicious!” Hera exclaimed excitedly. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Right this way,” they gestured through the door behind them.

The room was exactly what Augustine expected for a wine tasting; giant barrels along one side of the room in racks, tall tables separated for the semblance of privacy, and one table at the front of the room. The walls were a continuation of the stonework in the foyer, the floor a pristine polished marble. The ceiling was lower, giving the room a more intimate feel.

There was one table left empty and they took their seats just as the sommelier started speaking to them. “Your first pairing is a—”

Augustine immediately tuned out the nasally voice of the man as he droned on about the year, color, and tones of the wine. According to him, it paired exceptionally well with olives. Obediently, Augustine took the glass that a server offered him and held it up to the light, admiring the deep ruby hue of the liquid within, and then smelled the wine, but they had been given a plate with two pungent olives and he couldn’t pick out the aromas that the sommelier was describing. Augustine glanced at Hera, who was frowning into her wine glass. “It will not bite,” he whispered to her.

She jumped and looked up at him. She giggled quietly. “I know that. It’s just... The way he talks about wine! I can’t see what he’s talking about at all!”

“Me neither.” Augustine heaved a sigh of relief. “I guess we are not high-society enough.” He gestured around the room at the other couples, who were nodding along with the sommelier as he talked about floral tastes. “Bottoms up, as they say.”

Hera gasped quietly, pretending to be shocked. “But you must taste every grape that was plucked from the vine!”

Augustine chuckled and lifted his glass to hers. They clinked them together and took sips. He picked up an olive, about to pop it into his mouth when he got an idea. He offered the small green fruit to Hera instead, holding it against her bottom lip. “Open up,” he ordered, his voice husky.

She took the olive between her lips, her tongue grazing his thumb. Her bright eyes never left his, as if gauging his reaction to her flirtation.

He smiled and brushed the thumb across her lips, making her shudder and her pupils expand. Her mouth opened slightly, her breath warming his fingers.

Augustine barely registered his free hand coming up to cup the back of her head as he ducked down to press his lips to hers, unable to resist the pull of attraction between them. She kissed him back just as fervently, her mouth welcoming his tongue as it danced with hers.

He drew back, dizzy with desire, when someone cleared their throat behind them. It was another server with a new wine.

The server took away their glasses from the first round and gave them new wine and two pieces of cheese.

“I think I see why the olive and wine pairs so well,” Augustine said, surprised by how raspy his voice came out. “The taste is exquisite in your mouth.”

Hera giggled. “I’m not sure that’s how you’re supposed to do a tasting.”

“If you are not sure, maybe we should try it again.” He was surprised by his boldness. She brought something out in him...

Something he really liked.

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