Chapter Nineteen

I approach where he sits on a throne, the music vibrating through me, dark, wild, sensual music. All eyes are on me, waiting for my next move. The immortals are a frenzy of swaying bodies, their eyes devouring me, almost beckoning me to come and play. But no longer, my skin raises with goosebumps as Ares eyes turn red, magic slipping his control. An ache builds in my core as his eyes devour me.

Slowly, I crawl into his lap. I slide my hands over his hard muscles, brushing my lips over his taut skin, his arousal pressing into my belly. Smiling up at him, I kiss my way to his shoulder and neck, my hands petting the contours of his body. My legs slide to move on either side of him, my body moving up his, like a predator ready to devour and claim. Ares rests his hands on my hips, pulling me against him. Desire clouds his dark eyes.

The eyes of other gods fall upon us, but I ignore the pressing stares as Ares runs his hand over the length of my bare leg up to my hip, exposed by the slit in the side of my dress. I run my hands over his hard, muscled torso, dipping my head down, my hair curtaining my face and pressing a kiss to his chest.

Ares hisses. I smile against his skin. "I told you I would crawl in your lap in front of everyone if it'd please you,"  I whisper, letting my breath fan across his skin. "And from what I can tell, it does please you."  I shift, dragging my mouth over his chest.

"You wicked, maddening woman. But I do believe you said you’d do more than crawl in my lap." A mischievous glint enters his dark eyes, causing them to sparkle. Ares chest heaves and he grips my shoulders to pull me up his body, hovering my most interesting part above his.

His mouth crashes against mine, the kiss is fire and explosions and crashes and earthquakes, rocking me to my very core. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and I press desperately against him, my hand fist in his thick hair.

My breasts smash against his chest and my tongue fights his, fighting to claim and to dominate, to control and to make the other submit. Teeth nip and breaths push against each other, all in an attempt to take, take, take. Ares hands roam and grab at me and I undulate, desperate for more, more, more.

I rock forward, drawing a groan from his throat, I brush my fingers over his throat, my tongue plundering his mouth, dominating him and his body, uncaring of the eyes around us. My hands wonder to his bulge and he hisses.

Ripping away, Ares pants, hands gripping my hips. "As much as I would love to have you right now," he pauses, yanking my hair back to kiss my throat. "It's best we leave it here, after all, we do have an audience."

His words jar me and I look around, all the gods and goddesses watching the show I freely gave them. Giggling, I look up at Ares. "I do suppose I got a bit carried away."

A sudden laugh burst from his mouth. "A bit?" he raises an eyebrow, shaking his head, he tucks me close to his chest and moves my legs so they both dangle to the side.

The immortals stare at us with shock and lust as though they're about ten seconds away from approaching us and joining in on the fun.

Whispers float through the air.

Whore.

Who would cheat on a lame husband?

No heart.

No loyalty. What do you expect, she rules over sensuality, I don't know why anyone would think to marry her off.

I heard she went down for Zeus some years back.

Wouldn't surprise me, he probably didn't even have to ask.

Now she sits in the lap of a nobody war god.

The words roll right off me. Let them believe what they want.

I lean into Ares, stroking my hand down his strong torso and presses kisses to his throat, he growls in approval and my skin pebbles. Ares strokes one hand over my back and the other over my thigh and I purr like a content cat.

Minor gods approach Ares, wanting to talk to him, not unusual, but they shift uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at me. I whisper in Ares ear all the naughty things I have had on my mind and he has to shift me over his growing arousal, attempting to listen to the gods while I climb his body like a jungle gym, moving on him, sliding up and down, snaking my arms around his neck, nibbling his earlobe.

After a while, it seems Zeus has had enough of our fun.

"Ares," Zeus's voice booms as he stalks towards the throne upon which we sit. "What the fuck do you think you are doing? This is supposed to be a peaceful gathering."

Ares face turns amused and he tilts his head at the God of Gods. "How is this not peaceful, exactly, Zeus? I do believe Aphrodite and I are being quite peaceful."  Ares smirks at his own dirty joke. If we were alone I would punch him for finding himself funny. He leans forward to kiss my neck as he runs his hand over my thigh, taunting Zeus.

Zeus seethes "Because she is married! Do what you want with her in private, but do not flaunt your affair for all to see."

Anger spikes through me. Who is he to say what I should or shouldn’t do with my body and my life? I slide from Ares lap with the fluid grace he often moves with. I approached Zeus, stopping merely inches from his face. " ’Do with her what you want?’ "I raise a brow, my voice a quiet menace. “I should have you whipped and gagged for that comment. I am no possession. Not of Ares and not of Hephaestus."

Zeus's blue eyes widen, offended with my outspokenness. "Do not forget your place Aphrodite, you have no power over me." he glares down at me, seemingly pleased he has thrown his power in my face.

A cruel smile twists my lips. "I do not fear a coward who is unfaithful to his wife with whom he still shares a bed with. That’s exactly what you are, a coward.  You hide behind your lineage and the power you possess. Who fights your battles Zeus? Oh, that's right. Ares does. I will not be cowed by a man, God or not, who thrives on the back of others. You are nothing without those you rely on. Never forget that.” I spit the words. With a swift swing, I walk back towards Ares, moving leisurely, and perch in his lap as if I am a queen and he is my throne.

Ares leans forward, kissing my shoulder, hand resting on my waist. "Well, look at you, love." Satisfaction coils through my body. I am no one's pretty thing and I refuse to let anyone treat me less than the goddess I am.