Orion's Star

Love’s Immortal Pantheon Vol.3: Orion’s Star

By Selena Illyria  

TEASE PUBLISHING www.teasepublishingllc.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. A Tease Publishing Book/E book The Innocents Copyright© 2008 Selena Illyria ISBN: 978-1-60767-095-7 Cover Artist: Stella Price Interior text design: Stacee Sierra

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Tease Publishing LLC www.teasepublishingllc.com PO BOX 234 Swansboro, North Carolina 28584-0234 Tease and the T logo is  Tease Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

Trademarks: Mr. Coffee © Sunbeam products Starbucks © Starbucks Corporation Toyota Prius © Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc

Dedication: For the ladies of the L.I.P, Lena, Cyn and Lissa.

Chapter One “Oh, powerful and almighty, Zeus, I beg a word please.” Artemis fought not to roll her eyes as another giggle erupted from the blonde on her father’s lap. A groan followed the laughter and Artemis had to keep from shouting at her father to stop playing with his current flavors of the week and listen to her but she was not a child and she did have manners. Sometimes. Artemis resisted the urge to grit her teeth as the fondling continued this time with his hand caressing the groin of one of his new male servants. “That’s it,” Artemis muttered before she strode forward, yanked the blonde off of his lap and pushed the man away. “Both of you, out of the room now,” she growled. She released the wrist of the woman and watched them scurry out of the room. “Artie, that wasn’t very nice,” Zeus pouted. He picked up a goblet only to scowl. “I need more ambrosia. Where is that…oh, yes, you sent him away.” The god glared at her and she glared right back. She didn’t request that he stop calling her that. Instead she let it pass. For now. “Father, I must insist that if you care at all for Hera’s, feelings you won’t do this.” She waved her hand in the air trying to find the words. “Do what? Enjoy myself?” He got up, leaned over the table and poured himself more ambrosia. Zeus sat back down and looked up at her. His bright blue eyes sparkled with untold mischief. Artemis shook her head. He will never learn. She sighed aloud. “I didn’t come here to fight. I actually came here to ask a favor. I just don’t think you’d understand.” Artemis turned to walk away when Zeus called out stopping her. “Don’t go Artie, come, come sit down next to me, tell me what is you think I won’t understand.” She sighed and made her way around the table. The only seat next to him was one on a low stool. With great reluctance she sank down to find the seat hard and uncomfortable. “Talk to me.” Zeus made a rolling motion with his hand as he took a sip from his goblet. “Um, well, as you know father, I have a great fondness for Orion.” “Yes, I know. What do you want me to do with him?” He peered at her with intense interest which caused her to squirm a bit. “I would like to reward him with a second chance at life. I want you to send him back down to Earth.” She watched many emotions flit across his face before his features became serious. “I can’t do that.” Zeus returned his focus to the banquet laid out on the table before him and began gathering food for his plate. “What do you mean, can’t?” Artemis demanded. “He’s a part of the sky, Artie. I can’t just pluck him down from the heavens and make him human again. People would notice. He’s a constellation now. Besides that he has two week vacation coming up. He gets those every ten years. Why can’t he just keep doing those?” “I don’t think that’s enough for him. It’s torture for him to get a taste of a life he can’t truly have. You pluck people off the runways of Milan and street corners of New York. Olympus is now filled with mortals you’ve fancied and yet you can’t give one man another chance at life? You could always give him a new body, just take down his consciousness and put it in the new form,” Artemis pointed out. “Well, Pygmalion, has just made up some new clay that he’s been dying to try out.” Zeus stroked his beard. “How about this, he takes his two week vacation and if he chooses to stay, he can.” Artemis stood up. “Thank you father. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll send your, erm, company back to you.” “Don’t bother, Hera’s, probably home already.” He waved her away and began to eat. Artemis bowed and left the hall. She didn’t go straight to her rooms; instead, she took herself to the Mortal plane and ended up right in front of Ba’al’s club The Cave. She pushed open the doors to find the god, renovating the place. “Yes, put the statues over there.” He shook his dark head. “Don’t give me that look. Bacchus ordered them. I don’t know what they are and I don’t want to.”

Artemis strode right up to him. “I need your help,” she said without an introduction. “Uh huh. No hi, how are you, just straight to the point? I like that. What can I do for you, Artemis?” He turned his black eyes toward her and she felt as if for a second her soul was being assessed in that one glance. She brought herself up to her full height and looked him square in the eye. “I have a favor to ask.” Artemis explained the situation and watched as Ba’al took it all in. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for him to answer. “So you want me to give him a job?” He stroked his goatee. Artemis nodded. Ba’al shrugged. “I could use another bartender. Think you can teach him how to make drinks before he gets here?” Artemis nodded. “I know I can.” “Good.” He turned away from her. “Starla, get Dionysius, on the horn, tell him we need more wine. I’ll see you in a week, Artemis.” Artemis grinned. For the rest of the day she set things up for Orion’s return to the mortal plane. She wanted to give him as much as she could before she let go of the man she once loved and let him live out the rest of his days as a mortal. He deserved that much after what she had put him through. *** Two Weeks later… Coffee. I need coffee. Starla shuffled into the kitchen and looked around the shiny silver countertops for anything to combat her caffeine craving. “You know you’re late?” Her roommate and best friend, Tillie said as she brushed past her, mug filled with hot chocolate in hand. “Yeah, yeah, Ba’al can bite me.” Starla paused. “Don’t tell him I said that. He actually might do it.” Tillie laughed long and loud. “The coffee is ready. You know one day I’m going to catch you cuddling up to Mr. Coffee and I have to ask, what would your dream man think of that?” Starla groaned. “Don’t remind me, please. Those dreams started again. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a week and a half and it shows. Ba’al thinks I’ve turned into a klutz. I’m scared he might actually fire me.” Tillie snorted. “Doubt it. If you just explain-” Starla held up a hand as she picked up the coffee pot. “No, no, no. Then he’ll think I’ve over imbibed on Morpheus’ Special punch.” “Star-” Starla shook her head and poured herself a mug of coffee. “I’ll deal. It will go away like it does every year.” “Yeah, but you’re not hearing what I do at night. You actually screamed. I was jealous. All I get are dreams about lost socks. You have a full blown dreamgasm. I think we should switch.” Tillie chuckled and took a sip of hot chocolate. “You have a boyfriend so stop complaining. How the hell do you drink that stuff? I had one sip and damn near blew out my esophagus.” Tillie chuckled. “You just haven’t got a taste for it. Besides I could say the same thing for you. All that caffeine.” She shuddered. “Don’t knock it, till you’ve tried it. Ahhh, French Press, you love me so much.” “Seriously if I get an invite to your wedding and find out you’re marrying Mr. Coffee and I’m going to commit you.” “You’re just jealous that I have a great relationship with the coffee maker and you don’t. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to grab my crap and get going before Ba’al, sets the hounds of hell on my cute ass.” “Don’t stop by Starbucks, they’ve just released a new flavored mocha.” “Thanks for the tip. Later.” Starla downed the rest of her coffee, grabbed her coat and purse and headed out the door. As she drove to The Cave, her thoughts turned to her dreams. Her grip on the

wheel of her Toyota Prius tightened as she tried to suppress the shiver of arousal that traced its way down her spine. Her nerve endings came alive as her pussy clenched. She wanted to squeeze her thighs together to stave off the hunger that burned in the pit of her stomach. A fog of desire wove patterns throughout her mind reminding her of his hands, his lips, his body pressed against hers, the feel of his cock as it pressed against her dripping entrance before he sunk into her wet heat. Starla groaned and shook her head. “Snap out of it. You’re driving moron.” She slowed the car and came to a full stop at a red light before reaching over and blasting some music. Much to her annoyance Enter the Sandman began to blare from the speakers. She quickly shut off the radio and resumed driving, with a stop at Starbucks, of course. Coffee cup in hand she strolled into the private adult club, The Cave, owned and operated by the god Ba’al, who judging by the way he was barking out orders was not in a good mood. Starla was about to creep by him and pretend that she had just come in from running errands when he growled out her name. “Starla.” She didn’t bother trying to tip toe past him. Coffee cup in hand she strode up to him, heels clicking on the flagstone floor. She came to a stop next him and waited for the verbal reaming that she expected. Instead, he surprised her. His voice was a soft, rough whisper when he spoke to her, “Next time you’re going to be late, call. Damn near had a heart attack when I walked into the club area to find twenty sets of buck antlers. I have no clue what the hell Bacchus, wants with them and don’t want to ask so you’ll have to deal with him on this. Damn Bacchanal is going to kill me. Addison’s, already pissed I’m not home much.” He shook his head. “But that’s beside the point. We have a new bartender. I need you to show him around. I can’t deal with him at the moment. His name is Orion Anso.” Her heart skipped before it started to beat at regular pace. She shook her head. It couldn’t be. He’s not… She whirled around, looking everywhere for him. “Where is he?” “By the bar. What the fuck, no, no, no that St. Andrew’s cross doesn’t go there. Jesus, what the hell are you doing?” Ba’al marched off to deal with some of the decorators. Starla scanned the bar area and spotted him. His back was to her. Long platinum blond hair streaked with strands so bright they looked white fell over his shoulders. Wide shoulders were covered in a worn black leather motorcycle jacket that fell at the waist. Dark rinse denim cupped and molded around his muscular ass and athletic thighs. She saw a hint of the black heels of boots but that was about it. As if sensing her scrutiny, he turned around. She forgot how to breathe. Everything stopped around her as the world melted away. Her grip loosened on the coffee cup. It fell to the floor forming one big puddle. Orion. Dear God, it is him. Blue-grey eyes bore into her with an intensity that heated her right to her soul. His square jaw and sharp cheekbones dusted with pale blond hair. His sensual mouth quirked into a smile. She licked her suddenly dry lips and tried to re-learn how to breathe. Her breath came out in soft puffs as her body heated and tightened. Her pussy tingled with awareness. A sob came out that she couldn’t take back. Goddess he hadn’t changed, not one bit. Her gaze caressed his thick white-blond eyebrows. His long, pale lashes made his eyes seem brighter. She remembered past times when she would trace a finger down his nose, giggle when her finger ran over the bump. He’d told her that his brother had broken it on a hunting trip where he’d bagged a stag. She swallowed. Can’t be him, can’t be the same man. He’d disappeared, left me. The beginning of tears formed in her eyes as she remained rooted to the spot staring at him. The man she’d loved in the bloom of her youth gazed back at her, a smile on his lips, his arms open and welcoming. Before she could stop herself she went to him, needing to feel his warmth around her once more, wanting to make sure he was indeed real. She threw her arms around him and inhaled the soft, sensual scent of leather, underneath that was the same musky male scent that she sometimes smelled in the air for the briefest second before it disappeared. For a moment she just melted into him and allowed old memories to run through her. Those two weeks they made love, laughed, cuddled and held each other. Tears blurred her vision and she buried her head deeper into his shoulder. White hot anger bubbled up dowsing the moment with bitterness.

Starla stepped out of his arms, wiped away the tears before she curled her right hand into a fist and punched him square in the jaw. Before anyone could say or do anything she ran to one of the club’s theme rooms and slammed the door behind her.

Chapter Two Orion stood by the bar and rubbed his jaw. The throbbing pain turned to a dull ache before it faded completely. Artemis had told him that the clay they had used to make his body was a new kind that healed faster. He didn’t care. The pain he’d seen in Starla’s eyes had cut him to the quick. He’d been worried about her reaction to seeing him again and now he had his answer. She wanted him but was angry with him. I’ll just have to work on that, he thought as he rubbed his jaw. “What’d you do to anger her?” Ba’al came over looking like a man at the end of his rope. He kept rubbing the back of his neck and rolling his shoulders. “We met on my last visit to the mortal plane. I spent two weeks with her and left without saying good-bye.” “I see,” Ba’al said flatly. Orion could tell that Ba’al had no sympathy for him which was fine. All he cared about was how Starla was feeling. “I’m going after her.” Ba’al put a hand on his shoulder. Orion looked down at the hand on his shoulder and then up at the god. He let himself go still and waited. If Ba’al tried to stop him, The Cave would be turned into cinder. One of the things he liked about his new body was that Pygmalion had made sure he could still carry some of his star power inside of him. “I suggest you approach her gently. She hasn’t been getting a lot of sleep lately,” the god said softly. He took his hand away and shook it as if he’d been burned. Orion shrugged. “I know.” Orion turned and went the same way Starla had gone. For the past week and half he’d been meeting her on the dream plane to be with her. Cruel to torment them both but he’d wanted to make sure she still wanted him, needed him as he did her. The past ten years had been hard. He’d watched her fall in and out love with others. From a distance he’d followed her every step, all the while longing to be with her and cursing the power that held him up in the heavens. Now he was with her again and he’d been given two weeks to win her over. Artemis had given him everything he would need. Orion had a penthouse, enough money in the bank to live a thousand lifetimes and everything else to live except his most important need: Starla. He used his senses as a hunter to track her down. The soft refreshing scent of mint with an edge of vanilla hinted at the path she had taken. The perfume stopped at a large, glossy black door with an ornate metal handle. He took hold of the cold metal, pressed his thumb down on the lock and stepped into a dim room. The scent of leather and fur rushed past him. He swallowed as his heart beat stumbled. With trepidation he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “Get the fuck out,” Starla yelled before she sniffled. “I’m not leaving until we talk.” “I have nothing to say to you,” she grumbled. “I have a lot to say to you.” Orion strode further into the room. He tried to figure out where she was. The lights were too low from him to make her out easily. “Then I’ll leave.” Starla came into view, rushing at him. She tried to brush past him but he caught her arm and hauled her against him. “Let me go.” He tried to ignore the heat tracing up his body at being in contact with her, even if he was only touching her sweater covered arm. Without permission, he reached up and brushed several dark strands tinged with varying shades of blue. The last time he’d seen Starla, her hair had been short and done in spikes tipped with violet. He liked the look. Her ebony locks curled at the end and hung past her shoulders. The streaks of blue complimented her milk chocolate complexion and coffee brown eyes. He felt the pull of those brown depths. Orion wanted to kiss her. No, not just kiss her. He wanted to throw her down on the floor and fuck her senseless until they were both hoarse and sated before they talked about the past. “Goddess you are so beautiful.” “Really?” She asked her tone soft and seductive. Starla smiled and he found himself responding to that one small gesture. He grinned back at her and turned fully toward her.

“Yes, bright one, you are.” Orion slipped a hand into her hair and savored the soft, silken weight. “Good to know.” He didn’t see it coming. She stepped back and kneed him hard in the groin. “Uggh,” Orion groaned as he doubled over, his arms went around his stomach and he gasped for air. Starla stepped away and headed for the door. He heard her trying to open the door before she kicked it. “Damn it how did this thing get locked.” *** Bacchus snickered as he melted the lock. “Ah, young love. Sometimes a couple needs some forced time alone.” Once he was sure they couldn’t get out, the god went on his merry way to pester Ba’al on more aspects he’d just thought up for his party. “Oh he’s going to love when I ask to hang live pixies from the ceiling. They’ll hold little lanterns to mimic stars.” *** Starla tried the door again but it wouldn’t budge. The handle felt hot to touch. She blew out a breath and turned toward him. “What did you do?” He looked up at her, still hunched over, his face was flushed a bright red and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I didn’t do anything. Why the hell did you do that?” “You left me without a word, not even a Post-it note. I woke up and you were gone. How do you think that made me feel?” She shook her head. “Never mind, just undo whatever you did to the lock so I can leave.” “I didn’t do anything,” he rasped out. Orion slowly straightened up, puffing soft breaths as he did so. “Are we stuck?” Gingerly, he made his way over to her. She winced at the pulls of pain on his face. For a second she felt bad. The feeling passed. Once he was by her side his gaze roamed over the door. Orion tapped on the metal. “What are you going to do, break down the door with your magic finger?” She raised an eyebrow in skepticism. “I have no clue why I even told you I was a god.” “Cause you wanted to shaaare,” she said in a sing-song voice. He glanced at her. “Are you drunk or do you need more coffee.” She stuck her tongue out him and sighed. “I need more coffee.” “I should have gotten you that IV and drip bag you were always yammering on about.” “Christmas is a few months away. Oh wait, you won’t be here.” She turned and folded her arms. Orion sighed. “And that is why we have to talk. I have very little time on this plane. I want to spend every available moment making it up to you.” “Why should I give you another chance? You left me without a word. I didn’t know where to find you. None of the gods I spoke to about you would tell me anything about you other than your name.” “That is because Artemis swore them to secrecy. I am only allowed out of my cage for two weeks every ten years. That is such a short time. When I met you I didn’t think I’d fall in love.” “You show your love in really craptastic ways you know that?” She refused to turn around and face him as she tore open the wound that still throbbed on her heart. “I gave you all I could.” “Did you?” Finally she whirled around to confront him. “How can you say you gave me your all when you couldn’t even tell me the truth about our time together? You didn’t even have the decency to inform me that your time in my world would be a short. How is that giving me your all if you can’t even tell me the whole truth?” Orion shook his head. “I didn’t want to think about it. I denied it to myself the whole time we were together. How could I confess it to you if I didn’t want it to be real to me?” She swore. Starla could actually understand that logic. Defeated she went and sat down on a pile of furs. The plush silken feel made her squirm. Her pussy swelled and tingled as her cunt contracted. She had the strongest urge to strip down and rub herself against the softness. Starla spied the leather and groaned aloud. The sweet kiss of leather rubbing against her skin called to her. Her nipples

pebbled and her panties became damp as she remembered moments when Orion would tie her down and tease her with the feel of both fabrics to heighten her pleasure. Her cell phone ring tone, U + UR Hand by Pink sounded in the silence that fell between them. Quickly she answered it. “Yeah?” “I’m standing in the middle of a freakin’ forest with antlers everywhere and a St. Andrew’s cross in every corner. What the hell is Bacchus, doing?” “Till, why are you here? Don’t you have work?” “Brought you a coffee fix. Where are you?” “Trapped in the leather and fur room. Where’s the boss man?” “Um I think he’s having a mythological shouting match with Bacchus. Which I don’t think will be ending any time soon judging by the tone. Shit, a large bird just tried to dive bomb me.” “Crap. Call Addison, someone’s got to get us out of here. The door is stuck.” “So just kick it open with your mad martial art skills. Who’s us? Damn it, I’m not food, get the hell away from me.” “Are the birds trying to eat you? I’m stuck in here with, Orion, it’s a long story I just want out, now and I’m not sure that would work.” “Duuude, he came back. That explains the dreams. No, they’re just using me for target practice. Damn it, stop shitting on me. I will turn you into bird salad or bird pie or bird something. Don’t make me electrocute you. Cause I’ll do it. My father is a god of lightening. I’ll fry your little feathered asses and wear them as hats. Damn it. Listen I’ll call Addi, but I’m not going to stay here. These little fuckers are obsessed with me and I refuse to go back to work looking like some reject victim from The Birds. Laters honey, tell me all about Orion when you get out of the room and don’t fuck him. Oh, hell, ride him like he’s a bucking bull then leave his ass.” Before she could protest, Tillie hung up leaving Starla with no one else to talk to. She looked up at Orion who was running his fingers along the doorway. “Feels magickal in origin. I can feel the residue of the power used.” “So, someone thought it’d be funny to lock us in here? Damn it, why do I feel that Bacchus, is behind this?” She sighed. “Sit down we’ll be in here for awhile.” Starla tried not to shift so much. She could feel the silken slide of fur beneath her and just knew it would be so soft and warm and delicious in texture. Orion chose to sit at her feet rather than all the way across the room as she’d hoped. Just the scent of his warm musk combined with the fur and leather made her senses go wild. Her temperature rose a few degrees. He looked up her with those eyes that had haunted her for the past ten years and nearly got lost in them. It was as if old times had arisen and they were happy again. She could feel the pull to just forgive and forget and fall into his embrace once more. Then she was reminded that he would have to leave in thirteen days. “We can make of it what we can. I don’t want to waste my time here chasing after to you, begging for forgiveness. I made a mistake and I want to make it up to you, show you that things can be better if we just accept all of this.” Tears blurred her vision. “But I want all of you not a few seconds in between decades.” That small confession ripped open the wound and all her emotions bled out. The one thing she could honestly say she was truly angry about was that he hadn’t given her the chance to say good-bye. “You let me wake up alone. You didn’t give me a chance to say good-bye. If you had just sent a messenger to me, anyone, to let me know what was going on...I thought something had happened to you.” She let the tears fall free and unchecked. He reached up and brushed a few away. Starla didn’t put any distance between them; instead she pushed her cheek against his palm wanting to feel more of his touch. It felt like forever since she had felt his embrace. Her body ached to be surrounded by him again. She slid down to the floor next to him and rested her head on his shoulder as the world narrowed down to them, just as it had been when they had first been together. “I cried for you. I thought maybe…” She stopped talking unsure that she wanted to utter what she had originally thought for fear that he’d either laugh or she’d bring down the wrath of the goddess on her.

“What? Tell me.” Orion wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. She hesitated before giving voice to her fears. “I thought Artemis, had fetched you back to her.” Orion shook his head. “She made peace with what she’d done to me a long time ago. She still cares, that I know. It is because of her that every ten years, I get my two week vacation. No. I didn’t say anything because to say it would turn that time with you into something angry. I didn’t want to taint it. Now I’m here and I want to make it up to you. I want to be with you and only you, even if it’s only for two weeks or a day or whatever time I have. I need to be with you. My bright one, I love you.” He rested his head on hers and sighed. Emotions rose in her throat, threatening to choke her. She let out a sob. “This is so unfair.” Starla was torn between telling him to leave her alone and just wanting to be with him. She made a sound of defeat and turned her head toward him. All his emotions lay bare in his gaze. The most prevalent feeling was regret. She could see how sorry he truly was. Orion reached up and caressed her cheek, the roughened feel of his fingers running down the side of her face set off trails of heat. His touch continued down her neck until he cupped her shoulder. “I hurt you and I hate every second that you were in pain because of me. Please, bright one let me love you, even if it’s for a short time.” Starla couldn’t say no. “Kiss me.”

Chapter Three Orion couldn’t say no. He needed to kiss her as much as he needed to take his next breath. When their lips met his whole word blew apart and became her. Starla’s mouth opened and his tongue slipped in. He groaned at her taste of chocolate, coffee and mint. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tunneled her fingers through his hair. He could feel the wetness on her cheek and vowed not to make her cry. Any way he could keep that from happening, he’d do it. Orion slipped his hands into her hair, grabbed a handful and pulled gently. He deepened the kiss, swirling his tongue around hers, teasing and tickling the roof of her mouth and teeth before he pulled back. The room felt hot, his body tightened as sensation slid down his spine and buzzed in his balls. His cock pressed against the fly of his jeans as arousal throbbed to life within him. His control was slowly wearing away as he tried to take things at a leisurely pace. It had been so long since he’d tasted her kiss. He was drowning in that simple contact. His body burned to strip away every barrier they had between them and feel her against him once again. He could almost feel the phantom silken glide of her skin against his as he pumped into her slowly, building the heat between them until she was clawing at his back and begging him to ride her harder. The ghost of her nails raking his back caused him to hiss. He pulled away from her breathing hard. “Orion?” “Goddess, forgive me but I don’t want to go slowly,” he groaned but didn’t move away from her. “You going weak on me? I remember a time when you use to tease me for what felt like hours with the feel of leather and fur. I would hate to think that you didn’t have that kind of control anymore.” She pouted at him. He growled at the challenge. “I’ve been without you for a decade and you think I should be able to control myself. I haven’t even had the relief of my hand. Watch yourself.” “Or what?” She bent her head and looked up at him through a thick fan of ebony lashes. He growled low in his throat. “You know what will happen.” “No, I don’t. It’s been such a long time since we’ve last been together. Remind me. What are you going to do?” She rose up and threw one leg over his lap and settled down. Starla pressed herself against him, rocking her hips against his erection. She lowered her head until their lips were millimeters away. Her humid breath teased his lips. Her breasts pushed against his chest. He was reminded of the salty-sweet taste of her skin, the way her hardened nipple felt in his mouth and the sounds she made as he sucked on each bud. He had loved the way she writhed against him. Orion reached up and grabbed a handful of her dark tresses and yanked back hard. “Don’t toy with me,” he grumbled low. “What will you do?”She demanded. Her hand slipped into his hair and took a handful of his tresses and pulled hard. “What. Are. You. Going. To. Do?” She enunciated each word, putting emphasis on the last one. He could feel his demeanor change. His very manhood felt threatened by her question. Starla was taunting him and he knew he couldn’t let that go. Orion let go of her hair. “Stop pushing me.” She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t think so.” She pressed herself tighter against him, her thighs squeezed his legs. “I want to know what you’re going to do if I keep pressing you.” He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Orion didn’t want to say the usual thing. Didn’t want to do what others would do. The usual threats didn’t work with her. He drew in a shaky breath and tried to ignore the sweet press of her full breasts against his chest. “Well?” Her raised eye brow seemed to mock him and he growled. He looked away from her. Orion grinned when he realized his eyes had adjusted enough to the dimness to make out a padded St. Andrew’s cross in the corner. An idea began to form but first he needed to put Starla in her place before giving her something she really needed. ***

Starla wanted Orion to lose some control. She didn’t care how much time apart they’d had. It was the here and now she was most concerned about. At that very moment she wanted him to fuck her. Hard. Her body ached for a bit of his rough handling. “Well, Orion. What are you going to do?” She could feel his erection pressing against her denim covered sex. Her panties were soaked at the thought of finally acting out all those dreams she’d had of them together. The seconds ticked by and for a moment she didn’t think he would answer her. He reached up and grabbed her wrists and brought them down. His silken tresses slipped from her grip and she groaned at the loss. “Get off my lap.” Orion ordered. For a moment she considered defying him. Instead she silently obeyed him. Starla didn’t just get off his lap she settled down next to him, sitting on her heels. She waited for his next move. Anticipation hung in the air. The room crackled with unexpended energy as he rose to his full height. Silently he made his way across the room and dragged out a St. Andrew’s cross into a dim circle of light close to the center of the room. She swallowed. He’d tied her to the bed before but he’d never done this. Her lips twitched in an effort not to grin. She’d always wondered what it would be like to be strapped down to a St. Andrew’s cross. She watched him pull out strips of leather and fur that hung on the walls and place them around the apparatus. The only sounds she heard were him moving around, his footsteps thudding on the hard floor and echoing off the walls. Her heart began to hammer in her chest as he continued to move without saying a word. He didn’t even glance her way. It was like a thin pane of glass had risen between them. She could hear and see him but it was as if she wasn’t there. Irritation spread through her body. Her fingers twitched in an effort to give her something to do. Tension sung along her muscles as he continued to pull things from the walls and put them near the cross. The dimness of the room began to bother her. Why didn’t he turn on the lights? She’d been in all the rooms before and yet this one seemed different somehow. She couldn’t tell if it was the poorly lit room of the fact that he wasn’t speaking to her. She bit her lip and fidgeted again. Starla opened her mouth to ask a question but no sound came out. A sense of loneliness slipped over her. She resisted the urge to hug herself. This was worse than losing him, he was here and yet he wasn’t. It was as if a switch had been thrown and he’d become distant. She wondered if she’d done something wrong, angered him in some way by her pushing. “I’m sorry.” The words came out of nowhere. She’d said them so softly that she wondered if he’d heard her at all. Still Orion moved around the room in silence. When he did turn around there was a hard glint in his eyes making them seem like grey ice. She swallowed; fearful of what’d she’d awakened. He came toward her. His body moved like a sleek jungle cat all muscle and sinew. She could picture him naked and coming toward her, muscles rippling under the skin sliding up and down as he moved toward her. Arousal flared hot in the pit of her stomach batting away the unease. “You will not push me,” he said quietly. A ribbon of flame slipped down her spine to settle in her lower back. Her pussy tingled at the gravel tinge to his tone. “I call the shots and we’re going to take it slow. Regardless of how much I want to fuck you right now. We are not going to rush things, understand?” He bent down over her. His form blocked out everything but him. His hair seemed to shine in the weak light. Orion reached out and traced his finger along her jaw line. That small touched sizzled over her skin and made her gasp as the heat moved down her neck. “Understand?” He asked again. “Y-y-yes,” she stuttered. Starla had never stuttered in her life and yet something about the situation put her off her game. His features softened. “Goddess, you are beautiful. I’ve missed you, bright one. I want to savor all our moments together until the next time and damn it there will be a next time.” His gaze burned with possession. Heat flared on her skin as if she were being branded with just his look alone. For a moment she felt lightheaded and faint. Starla drew in a deep breath and blew it out slowly.

“There can be no one else,” she murmured softly. “I couldn’t find anyone else that could make me feel the way you do.” He grinned. That one small act made her heart expand. “And there is no one else for me but you.” It was like he’d said a vow. Something moved inside of her. A shift of her world had taken place by his words alone. The truth resonated loud and clear. The past pain, after that string of words spread a soothing balm over the pain. She grinned back at him happier than she’d been in years. Those ten words were better, for her, than him saying he loved her. “I shone down from the heavens and watched you. It pained me to see you with other men. What hurt the most was watching you in pain. I couldn’t bear it. It was as if I had wounded myself. As much as I would hate to leave you again, just know you’ll always have my heart.” Orion sealed those worlds with a gentle kiss that took her breath away. He pulled his head back and gazed at her. “Having said that, get up and go over to the cross.” With eagerness to find out what he had in mind, Starla rose and rushed over to the apparatus. His deep chuckle followed her. “Enthusiastic are you?” “Curious.” “Liar.” She ignored him and looked over the device. It had straps for holding the wrists and ankles and platforms for both feet to stand on. Starla was fascinated. She reached out and ran a finger along the padding, smooth and soft as leather. “Undress while I find the light switch.” Part of her didn’t want to see the rest of the room. She was getting use to the dimness. It made the encounter more intimate. Starla opened her mouth to say something but shut her mouth. She glanced around her. I’ll let him turn the lights on for now. She went back to studying the St. Andrew’s cross. She leaned forward and sniffed the air around it. Smells new. Slowly, Starla circled the contraption. Metal glinted softly on the back in the low light. Ba’al kept his equipment in top condition but this looked as if it had just been unpacked. She was both eager to try the device and cautious. Starla wasn’t sure how Ba’al would feel about this being used without his permission. She shrugged. Well, if push comes to shove I’ll buy the damn thing. He pays me enough. Although she doubted that Tillie would be pleased to see it being brought into the house. Their neighbors were a nosey bunch. If they caught even a glimpse of the cross the whole street would know by the end of the day. I’ll just have to get it crated up. “Starla?” Orion purred next to her. A shiver of heat raced down her spine. She glanced up and noticed for the first time that the room was brighter but not by much. It was more of a candlelight setting rather than full blown illumination. She glanced around the space. It looked like a giant closet. There were hangers, blankets of fur and silk, pillows of leather and satin. There were rows of padded leather benches that sat along the wall. Metallic sconces with frosted glass were positioned high up on the walls. The ceilings and walls had dark grey leather cushions. Straps were positioned high up and close to the baseboard. Close to the door were racks and racks of hangers with leather belts and strips of silk. Her pussy tingled as her breath quickened. The possibilities of the room were almost overwhelming her. She could see them in here for hours. Adrenaline rushed through her veins. “What do you think?” “I want one of these rooms in my house but somehow I don’t think Tillie would like that.” He chuckled behind her before swatting her gently on her butt. “You were supposed to undress.” “Not yet.” Her vision spotted straps along the walls. Orion looked up at her. “Why not?” “Because I have an idea.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “W-w-what is it?” “You sound scared.” Orion swallowed and straightened to his full height. “I am not nervous. Just tell me.” “I want to strap you down.”

He gazed at her for a second before he headed to the back of the room to lift the lid of padded trunk and rummage around in it. Orion produced a flogger, bottle of lube and an anal plug. She nearly groaned aloud. When he took out a vibrator she wondered what he was going to do with it. Starla made her way toward him, her heels clicking on the marble. “What are you doing? You don’t like vibrators.” She peeked around his shoulder to see what else he’d taken out. There was a mitt made out of what looked like nubby fabric. She could also see a long wand with feathers on the end and a blindfold. “Am I going to get to play with you or not?” Without turning toward he answered over her shoulder, “If you’d like.” “You don’t sound too enthusiastic.” “I’ve never been a sub,” he murmured as he continued to rummage around. “Aren’t you curious? Not even just a little bit?” The idea of him being at her mercy peaked her interest. “You really want me to be strapped to the wall don’t you?” Orion finally looked at her. His eyes were darker and she almost whopped in glee. “You want to be tied down.” She beamed at him. “Later. First this.” He held up a paddle. Her buttocks tingled and warmed at the thought of a good spanking. “Go back to the St. Andrew’s cross, undress and I’ll strap you down in a moment.” She grinned. “How about this, you get on first and I get to punish you for leaving me without a good-bye.” “You’re not going to let me forget are you?” Starla shook her head. “Nope.” He sighed. “What do you have in mind?” She tried to think of something that wouldn’t involve the cross. Starla looked around the room and spotted a spanking bench with straps attached at the base. Then there were the bindings on the wall. “I want you tied to the wall and blindfolded, but I don’t want you naked. Take off your shirt and undo your belt and fly.” “Anything else, bright one?” “I don’t want you to say a word, not one. Let me do what I want and then I’ll be at your mercy.” Starla didn’t tell him exactly what she had in mind because she didn’t know herself. It was all spur of the moment. Although the idea of him tied against the wall aroused her. She waited for him to say something, anything. He drew in a shaky breath and blew it out. “Pick a spot and I’ll go where you tell me.” Orion shrugged out of his jacket, took off his shirt, undid his belt and fly and waited. For a moment she was speechless. In the dream world he’d been perfect but here in the now she saw every scar and wound that had haunted her fantasies. With a shaky hand she reached out and touched him. Her palm met hot skin. His heart beat under her hand. She took in the expanse of his golden skin and highly defined abs. The hard wall of his chest was topped with rose colored nipples already flushed red and puckered. She sighed at the sight of his long muscular arms made her want to be wrapped up in his embrace again. Starla trailed her fingertips over his stomach. A thin line of pale blond hair trailed from his navel to disappear into the zipper. She stopped just short of his waist band. Starla drew back a shaky hand. She wanted to slip her hand beneath the denim and take hold of his cock, draw it out of his pants and stroke him until he broke apart. Instead she let her arm drop to her side; her palm itched to touch him. Starla whirled away from him and took in the whole room. “Finish undressing,” she ordered before darting around him to scoop up a few of the toys, including a few nipple clamps. “What are you going to do with those” He asked as be bent down to remove his shoes. “You’ll see. When you’re done come join me.” Before he could ask any questions she darted off. Starla could hardly keep the smile off of her face. Orion had always been the one in control. A thrill shot through her at the thought of finally being able to turn the tables on him. As angry and hurt as she was for his leaving the thrill of having him back trumped the past and she was going to savor every minute she had with him. The end was sure to come, she knew that. To

her it was no use denying that she loved him, needed and couldn’t find anyone else that made her feel like he had. “I’m going to make this work and if I have to wait every ten years to be with him so be it.” Starla spread out the sex toys on a nearby padded leather bench. She looked up at the straps and grumbled. “Too high.” With a sigh she grabbed a chair and waited for him to join her. “You look so cute.” His soft voice, filled with amusement came from behind her. With a scream of shock she turned around, almost losing her balance in the process. “Whoa, there.” Orion caught her with ease. The warmth of his body heated her through her clothes. She sighed, even with barriers between them he set her at ease. She relaxed and giggled before steadying herself on the chair. With her hands on his shoulder, she gave them a squeeze before pointing at the straps. “All right you, up against the wall,” she said in her firmest voice. He smiled and bobbed his head. “As you wish, mistress,” he whispered huskily. She sucked in a breath as her pussy clenched. Just hearing that tone made her body tighten. It made her think of nights they had spent making love slowly, letting the pleasure build until she almost couldn’t stand it. Her toes curled in her boots at the thought of doing it all over again. A brush of calloused fingers on her cheek made her look up. The heated look her gave her had her sucking in hair. She blew it out slowly. Once he was in position she tied down one side and then the other. Once Starla was done she surveyed her work. “I’m going to have to ask, Ba’al to make these things lower or adjustable to height.” He chuckled and she smacked him. “Don’t laugh, I’m short you’re tall, shut up.” Orion just shook his head. “I’m sorry.” “You’ll get yours.” Starla hopped down from the chair and dragged it out of the way. “Now, which to use first? The cock ring? Nipple clamps? Or maybe I should tease you with leather and suede? Decisions, decisions.” She picked up a Cat of Nine tails and heard him suck in a breath. Starla ran the tails over her palm. The suede rushed over her palm like a whisper of softness. She snapped it in the air to hear a dull thudding crack and smiled. He winced. “Don’t worry, I promise to be gentle.” She reached up and trailed the tails over his chest, rubbing the softness against first one nipple and then the other. He leaned his head back and groaned. Starla trailed the suede down his chest, over his abdomen and brushed his thick cockhead. She watched his body shudder. “What does it feel like? Describe it to me,” she murmured before pressing her lips to the center of his chest. Starla kissed her way to one nipple. She licked, nipped and sucked the hardened nub into her mouth before pulling back to view her handy work. The tip was flushed a rose red. She flicked it with just the tip of her tongue and heard him groan. Her hand continued to trail just the ends of the tails over his crest while she moved on to the other nipple showing it the same attention. “Starla. Goddess. Feels so good.” She pulled back and smiled. Starla stepped back to gauge her work. His cock head glistened in the low light, the wide crest covered in pre-cum. She licked her lips wanting to taste him but held back. Not yet, a bit more teasing. She glanced at the pile of toys and shook her head. Where to begin? Her gaze landed on the nubby glove. Perfect. She put down the cat o’ nine tails and slipped her hand into the glove. Before he could ask what she was doing she took a nipple into her mouth at same time that she curled her hand around the base of his shaft. With slow strokes she teased him while sucking and nipping the tightened peak. His hips thrust in a short, jerking motion. Soft grunting filled the air as the perfume of sex increased. She released his nipple, repeated her actions with the other nub while slipping her free hand around his balls to roll the delicate eggs. Her hand moved faster, squeezing just under the wide helmet when she felt he was getting too close. “Starla, please,” he groaned.

“No,” she murmured against his stomach. Starla dipped her tongue into his navel, swirling it around before kissing her way over the patch of pale blond hair. She crouched down and gazed at his shaft. She released his cock and placed the tip of her tongue at the base and traced along the thick vein on the underside of the shaft. His heartbeat pulsed against her tongue. She paused. “Don’t come,” she murmured, the heat of his cock pressed against her lips. The softness of his dick always surprised her. His shaft twitched against her mouth and she growled. “Don’t come.” She moved her face away from his cock and with her free hand pinched the slit of his dick. “Fuck! Starla!” he cried out. “I told you not to come, now behave.” She continued to trace his vein and this time she traced her glove covered fingertips around the tip of his cock as she kissed, licked and gently nipped his shaft. His cock jumped and twitched, she felt his heart beat begin to race. Starla pulled away and gave him a moment to calm down. “Shhh, it’s okay.” She stood up, ignoring the pain in her legs and lower back, to stroke his chest and stomach with the gloved hand. “Starla, please, let me go. I want to be inside of you,” he pleaded. “Not yet.” She grinned. The thrill of having power over such a large man was heady. “Just a little bit longer.” Starla looked over the toys and tried to figure out what to use next. She spied the cock rings but then thought better. Her own arousal had increased. She knew that when the time came she’d want instant gratification nothing to impede them. Starla spied the leather ties. For a moment she considered them but knew nothing about the art of tying them so that when one got pulled the others would loosen and fall away. Instead she picked up a flogger with a feathered end. A wicked grin spread across her face as a sense of power and sexuality came over her. She slapped the flogger against her palm. The sting burned before turning into a heat the crawled up her arm and shot down to her pussy. Her cunt clenched, dampening her panties further. She had to take in a deep breath before she could continue. Carefully she brushed the tip of the flogger against his chest, circling his nipples with light strokes before moving downward. He groaned and struggled against his bonds. “Starla, please stop torturing me. Let me be inside of you.” “No.” She traced the feather down his treasure trail, through his pubic hair to circle the base of his cock before trailing it up the underside of his cock. She glanced back at the cock rings again. Starla had heard that the use of the cock ring could make the sensations more intense for men. She traced the feather around the crest of his shaft. Pre-cum dribbled down the side of the wide crown and down his cock. She continued to tease his cock with light brushes. Starla leaned forward and flicked his nipple with the tip of her tongue. She took the turgid nub between her teeth and tugged gently before sucking it into her mouth. The pull of her lips started out mild before she used harder tugs. She released his nipple with a soft pop and transferred her attentions to his other nipple. He squirmed under her administrations. His groans sent a thrill of heat racing down her spine to her pussy. The pleasure of giving added to her arousal. She trailed soft kisses down the center of his chest and worked her way down. “I want to use a cock ring on you. Would you like that?” Starla whispered against his skin. She gazed up at him and saw the indecision. This was a whole new side that she’d never seen. When they had been together he’d called all the shots and she’d gone along with it because she’d wanted to experience it all with him. Starla had discovered that once she’d let go and just experienced it all there was joy and pleasure to be had and with Orion she’d felt safe and comfortable enough to ask for things she’d only read about. Now, being in charge, she wanted to give him something, maybe it was pleasure, maybe it was the freedom to ask for something he’d been curious about. Starla waited for him to say something, anything. He let out a groan. “Later, later, now I just want to be inside of you.” The edge of need in his voice was what made her give in.

She put down the flogger and was about to drag the chair over when a loud snap cracked through the air. A glance back showed her that Orion had managed to break out of his straps. She stood there staring at him. He gave her a sheepish grin. “You could have done that this whole time?” Starla wasn’t sure whether to laugh or give into the questions now swirling in her mind of what else he could do. “I’ll answer all your questions later. Right now, fucking.” He grabbed her hand, pulled her toward a pile of furs and leather and pointed. “Get naked and get on there, now.” She did as he ordered, tossing her clothing all over the place without looking. Before she lay down, Starla glanced at the cross that had been hauled to the center of the room. His heated gaze gave her no leeway. “Later. I need you now.” She smiled. “You better or I’ll tie you up again and this time I won’t let you up.” He snorted. “You didn’t do anything, I allowed you-” She got up on tiptoe and pressed a finger to his lips. “Finish that sentence and you’ll be using your hand.” Starla sank down to the makeshift pallet on the floor of furs and leather and laid back. Lava threaded through her veins at a sluggish pace. Her heart was beating a tattoo against her chest as her anticipation lit up her nerve endings. Her body craved the feeling of his. She parted her legs and waited for him to join her. Time seemed to slow and speed up at the same time as she watched him stare down at her. Orion looked up at the darkened ceiling and with a wave of his hands stars burst into the dim space. They winked and glittered down at her. She gasped. Another motion of his hand and a full moon formed in the corner, next were soft, wispy clouds that moved slowly across this new sky. She gazed at him in wonder. “I always wanted to make love to you under moonlight.” Orion turned back to her and grinned. She was speechless. No words formed in her head as he lowered himself down to join her. He nuzzled her neck, placing soft, open mouthed kisses down her throat. She buried a hand in his hair and sighed as he peppered her chest with gentle touches of his mouth. “So beautiful,” he murmured against her skin. “I’ve missed you so much.” “I missed you too. I wish you didn’t have to leave.” She shifted toward him until her nipples touched his chest. The soft brush of his heated skin against the aching peaks set off small bursts of pleasure straight to her clit. She groaned and threw a leg over his hip and ground her damp sex against his groin in hopes of some relief. He rocked against. The pleasure tightened as her cunt contracted. She gasped out when he took her nipple into his mouth and sucked hard. He released the tightened peak and transferred his attention to the other before he rolled her onto her back. Starla wrapped her legs around his waist. She looped her arms around his neck and drew his head down for a kiss. Their mouths met in a melding of lips, tongue and teeth. He sunk into her slowly, stretching her walls. Her moan was swallowed by his mouth as she contracted her walls around his cock. They moved together in a meld of limbs and a glide of bodies. Each stroke of his shaft, every thrust pushed her closer to climax. The pressure grew and built, twisting and writhing in the pit of her stomach as the pleasure mounted until it was all too much to take. She pulled away from his kiss. She panted, trying to draw more air into her lungs as her heart pounded against her rib cave. “Starla,” Orion groaned as he pumped his hips faster, fucking her harder. She tightened her legs around his waist and lifted her hips to meet his thrusts. Her nails dug into his shoulders as her orgasm drew closer. With each pass of his chest against her nipples, sparks of electricity shot straight to her clit, increasing the pleasure. Her muscles contracted, the tension snapped and her body shook as the orgasm burst over her. Fire spread outward as the desire and pain merged into each other. Her toes curled and she cried out. Aftershock turned into mini climaxes as she came over and over again with each thrust. The pleasure grew and spiraled until she was drowning in it. “Orion,” Starla gasped out. She felt his cock expand in her cunt before he came drenching her vagina with his seed and crying out her name. He covered her mouth in small kisses in between taking in and blowing out breaths.

“Rest and talk now. More sex later.” He rolled over, taking her with him. His arms wrapped around her tightly as he hugged her close. She laughed. “Is that all you can say?” “Brain is trying to reboot.” Starla chuckled. “Okay, no hard topics for the poor male brain.” “You’ll pay for that later.” She snuggled against him and laid her head on his chest. The sound of his heart beat below her ear soothed her as the afterglow set in. Silence fell between them but it was a comfortable calm that put her at ease. His fingers traced patterns between her shoulder blades. “I thought of you always while I was up in the heavens. It was painful, to see you and not be able to be with you. Now that I’m here I don’t want to dwell on the past. I see I made a mistake. I should have explained things. I was so overjoyed to have someone like you and then to think it could all be taken away…” his voice trailed off but the pain in his tone told her more than his words could have said. She swallowed. The anger was fading to a dull throb. Now that she knew what the deal was, Starla could plan things out. “Okay, so the first time didn’t go well. We can still make things work. All we have to do is plan appropriately. We plan as much time as we can around the schedules we have. I mean I work for Ba’al and you’re his new bartender so we can carpool to work, maybe?” “Definitely, although Tillie will have to get use to seeing less of you as I plan to hog as much time with you as I can.” His fingers moved from between her shoulders to her arm, sliding down and then up again blazing a heated path that made her squirm. He threaded his fingers through hers and brought up her hand to kiss each knuckle. “I don’t think she’ll mind as that way she and her boyfriend can spend more time together.” “Good. How about after we get out of here we go get something to eat?” “Well, depending on when Ba’al and Bacchus stop shouting at each other. We could be here for awhile. So, what can we do to amuse ourselves?” She didn’t say what was on her mind. “I know what you’re thinking. You want to use the St. Andrew’s cross. I’d love to see you up there. I’d get some payback.” Orion pulled back his fingers and started to scoot out from under her when the squeak the handle turning sounded. “Shit! We’re naked!” Starla called out. “Oh, for the love-” Ba’al grumbled. “Put some clothes on. I’ll leave the door open a crack for you.” She could hear her boss grumble as he walked away. Heat flushed her cheeks, neck and flesh. “I can’t believe that happened,” she murmured as she dashed for her clothes. “It was a possibility.” Orion was slow to dress and Starla shook her head. “Come on, hurry up. I need to know if I still have a job after this.” She pulled her top on and stepped into her shoes before crouching down to grab her purse. A glance behind her showed Orion all dressed. “Later, we’ll get to play later.” “We better. I need you again.” He grabbed her hand and they made their way out of the room. When they got to the dance area nothing for Bacchus’ party was up and the birds that had attacked Tillie were nowhere to be found. “Got rid of everything. We’ll start over again. You,” Ba’al pointed at Orion. “Behind the bar. There’s a list of recipes ready to go. Starla start making calls for new food and decorations. I’m not letting that jackass make arrangements anymore. We’ll plan this party my way or so help me I’ll burn this place down.” Ba’al stomped off. Starla gave Orion an apologetic look before she rushed after her boss. She barely had time to take a breath. Ba’al had her making and returning phone calls for most of the day by the time she was done it was almost midnight. She dragged herself to the bar area hoping that Orion would be there. A smile spread across her face when she saw him sitting at the bar with a glass of clear liquid. He glanced up and held up his drink. “Water. Ready for a late dinner?” “Was ready hours ago.” She walked up to him and he slid off the stool. “Let’s go to my place.” “Okay.”

Chapter Four Orion kept his eye on the rearview mirror as he wove in and out of traffic toward the building where his penthouse was. One part of him hated that Artemis had chosen the place and another loved that Artemis had given him such a lovely place to live. The only problem was that he preferred to be surrounded by nature. He longed to be lulled by the night sounds of the forest all around him like it use to be. The penthouse may have a wonderful view of the city but he’d prefer to be lower to the ground. He just hoped that Starla would like it. If she did then he’d be okay with it. As he pulled into the private underground parking lot of the hotel he checked to make sure she was still behind him. Her Toyota Prius continued to trail behind him at a safe distance. He pulled into his usual spot and waited for her to park next to him. Once she was out of her car he left his and waited for her to join him by the trunk of his car. “Nice, did Artemis put you up here?” He sighed. “Yes. I do have money of my own but I’ve never thought to invest in anything like property and such. So, Midas, takes care of my finances for me but Artemis, usually preps for my arrival or one of her handmaidens does. It normally takes me a day or two to get up to speed on everything that’s happened. I may be able to see things from up there and keep up with the times but sometimes I miss certain events and news and such and need to be debriefed as it were about them.” He felt silly that every time he came down to the mortal plane they had to check and make sure he was aware of major world events and what year it was. What was even more ridiculous was that they made sure he was also up to date on the latest fashion trends, something he wasn’t that invested in. He glanced down at his own outfit. Adonis had dressed him and Orion had allowed it because he’d just wanted out of there without a fight. He just prayed that no one would be there when he got home. Apollo and Cupid had requested a report on his first day as a bartender and his possible meeting with Starla. The two gods were gossips of the highest order, almost worse that Hermes, but that god was so busy running errands all over the place that he would miss this, which Orion was thankful for. He reached out and grabbed Starla’s hand, leading her to the doors of the private elevator. In silence they rode up to the top. With each floor that passed, the tension in him wound tighter. Anticipation and nervousness made his stomach clench and threaten to repel the water that he’d drunk before. When the doors slid open he was relieved that he hadn’t thrown up. “Nervous? Your palm is sweaty.” Horrified he tried to draw back his hand. She didn’t let go. Instead she squeezed his hand and tried to pull him out of the elevator. “In order for me to be able to walk with you hand in hand, you’d have to walk next to me. So come on.” Starla tried again and this time he stumbled after her. “Starla…” He wasn’t sure what he was going to say so he just stopped talking. “It’s okay. I’m a bit nervous too. I have to say, I’m not sure what to expect.” Orion dug out his keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. “How about we take it one step at a time? We never really talked while we were together the first time.” She ducked her head, embarrassment clear on her face. “We didn’t need to talk.” He grinned. “No, we didn’t, but we should have.” “We have two weeks to talk and of course do other things.” He chuckled. “Yes, it’s those other things I’m looking forward to.” “Men.” All he could do was laugh again and pull her into the apartment. Orion flicked on the lights and was relieved to see that the place was clean and there were no nosy gods loitering about wanting the latest news and gossip. He reluctantly let go of her hand and headed straight for the open air kitchen. “So what are you in the mood for?” He shrugged out of his jacket and opened the fridge only to see an empty carton of milk and an apple. “Damn it.” “What’s wrong?” He jumped at the sound of Starla being right behind him. “Sorry to surprise you. What’s wrong? Oh, wow. Did they clean you out?”

Orion sighed and hung his head. “Yes. Would you mind if we ordered in.” “No problem. How about pizza? We can light up the fire, curl up on the couch and talk? That will give me some time to get Tillie to bring me some clothes. It slipped my mind that I needed a few things.” “That sounds fine.” He tried not to smile but failed. Orion used one of the numbers Cupid had left behind to order pizza before lighting the fireplace. He returned to the kitchen area and found a bottle of wine in the small fridge under the counter near the sink. “Look what I found.” Pulling out two glasses he poured a bit for her and some for him before carrying it to the sitting area. “Just spoke to Tillie, she’ll drop off my stuff on her way home. Oh, nice wine. Thanks. So, what do you do when you’re up in the sky?” She took off her shoes, put her purse on a nearby table and grabbed a glass of wine before she curled up in an overstuffed chair. He had to admit she looked adorable sitting in the large chair looking a bit dwarfed by the seat. Orion sat down near her and settled against the chair back. “Pretty much nothing. I just watch everything pass me by. It’s very boring.” He sipped his wine and let the sweet, dry taste burst over his taste buds. It felt so good to drink wine again. “I’m guessing you miss drinking wine among doing other things you miss a lot.” He nodded. “Yes, but that’s what makes it so meaningful since I don’t get to experience a lot of things.” “If you could, would you be willing to stay down here longer?” She sipped her wine but didn’t look at him when she asked her question. “Yes. If they allowed me, I’d stay here for the rest of my life.” The room began to glow brighter and there was a crack of lightening that tore through the air and deafened him for a moment. Orion swiveled around in his seat to find Artemis behind him. He stood up ready to do anything, including defend Starla. “Be at ease, I mean you no harm.” Orion looked over to find Starla frozen. He glanced back at Artemis. “Is she-” Artemis held up her hand. “Starla is fine. Just frozen. After much discussion with Zeus we have decided to allow you stay on this plane as a mortal. Your constellation will remain in the sky but you will be here to live the life you lost. It is our gift to you.” “Why? You could have given me this gift long ago.” “Because, for the first time you want to live life rather than view this as a trip. We can’t deny you this opportunity when you’ve found someone you love enough to stay here for. When you die you will be put back up in the sky.” “And my constellation will remain where it is.” Artemis nodded. “I’m sorry,” he blurted out. “I know that I caused you pain with my rejection and-” She held up her hand. “I am sorry that all this has caused you pain. Consider this my apology and gift to you. Enjoy life and the love you’ve found.” The room grew brighter and in a flash she was gone. “If you could, would you be willing to stay down here longer?” She sipped her wine and glanced at him. He grinned widely. “Yes. I would and I can.” Orion quickly explained what had just happened. He watched her eyes widen before she put her glass on the coffee table before launching herself at him. “So, I get to keep you?” “Yes, you get to keep me, that is, if you’ll have me.” He pulled his head back and gazed down at her. She grinned at him. “I’m not sure. You’ll have to prove you’re worth it.” “Oh let me show you.” He moved over to her chair and slid into it, crowding her against the other arm. Orion lowered his head for a passionate kiss. She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Orion was about to pull back when a knock on the door interrupted. He groaned aloud and reluctantly let go of her.

“That better be the pizza,” Starla grumbled. He got up and opened the door to find Tillie holding a pizza in one hand a bag in the other. She shoved them at him. “Treat her right or I’ll find a way to make your innards into stars.” With that threat, Tillie turned on her heel and walked away. Orion was left standing in the doorway with the hot pizza burning up one hand and the bag weighing down his shoulder in the other. “Problem?” Starla took the bag and pizza from him. “No, no problem at all.” He smiled, glad that she had such a loyal friend. Orion shut the door and joined her in the kitchen. The day caught up with him and fatigue set in. After getting out of the room, Ba’al had had him making drinks almost all day. “Would you mind if we just relaxed tonight? We have all our lives to catch up.” She chuckled. “Yeah, I’m pretty tired too. The boss man worked me hard today. Snuggling on the couch with pizza and wine sounds lovely.” *** One Month Later… Orion circled the St. Andrew’s cross slowly. Starla was strapped down, wearing nothing but a blindfold and strappy stilettos. After a hectic schedule the two had been given a day off and Orion wanted to spend it finally giving into the fantasy that had started when they’d been locked in the room. Candlelight lit up the otherwise darkened room. The musky scent of leather and fur filled the air along with an undercurrent of jasmine. He dragged the feathered end of the flogger down one arm and up the other tickling her fingertips before brushing her tightened nipples with the gentlest strokes of the softness. She shivered and arched her back. He moved the feathered tip around her breasts and down her abdomen, pausing to swirl it around her navel. Starla groaned. “Please,” she whispered. “Please, what?” He asked softly. Orion tickled the sensitive skin where her legs meet her abdomen before brushing the fluff over her mound. She moaned and struggled against her bonds. “Orion, touch me. Stop teasing me.” “Can’t take it? Wimp,” he teased. “Oh, you’ll pay for that,” she grumbled. The growl turned to a gasp as he ran the tip over the engorged lips of her pussy. With delicate touches he teased her sensitive flesh. She groaned and tilted her pelvis toward him. His mouthed watered at the thought of lapping up her cream and having her come in his mouth. Instead, he held to his resolve to tease and taut her just as she’d done to him when he’d been at her mercy. Beads of sweat trailed over her skin. The scent of her arousal joined the mingling perfumes in the air. He tickled her legs and the tips of her toes before returning to caress her pussy lips. Orion could see the head of her clit peeking out between the plump petals. With soft caresses he teased the bud. She writhed and moaned against the padded leather. “Orion.” Her soft cry caused his cock to twitch. Heat pumped through his body as arousal snaked through his veins. His balls throbbed with the need for release. He steeled himself to continue teasing her. With soft swipes of the flogger he watched as her body shook. He tickled her clit before trailing the feathers over her inner thighs and back to the engorged bud. Orion reached out and parted her labia to expose her clit. He circled the nub slowly at first before teasing her entrance and going back to the bundle of nerves. He watched as the passion ratcheted up for her. Her breath came out in soft puffs of air. Sweat slipped over her skin as her body heat increased. Starla shook her head and groaned. “Orion, please, fuck me,” she pleaded. Need coiled in his belly. He couldn’t keep up the torment any longer. Moving quickly, Orion threw down the flogger and undid the straps before hauling her down to the floor. He covered her body with his. Inserting a knee between her legs, he nudged them apart and settled between her thighs. The heat of her sex teased him. He couldn’t wait a second longer. Orion reached between them and positioned himself at her dripping entrance. “Please, inside me, now,” Starla moaned.

He pushed his hips forward sinking into her tight wet heat. Her cunt clenched around his cock drawing him further inside. They both groaned aloud before he pulled back and moved forward. They rocked against each other, the arousal grew between them. Each thrust, every contraction around his shaft brought him closer to climax. His balls drew closer to his body as heat sizzled at the base of his spine and slid upwards. He watched the desire wash over her face. The scrape of her nipples against his chest added to the growing pleasure. Her eyes glittered back at him, the desired burned in the brown depths. She slipped her hand into his hair and pulled his head down for a deep kiss while she reached between them. He felt her hand moving against her groin. Her pussy tightened around him. He groaned against her mouth. The pace increased as the passion grew. His climax was pushing him closer and closer to the edge. Orion refused to come without her. She pulled a handful of his hair as she rocked against him. Their lips mashed, tongues twined as they moved closer to orgasm. She wrapped her legs around him, giving him deeper penetration. He fucked her harder. Starla pulled her head away and cried out. Her body shook as her cunt rippled and contracted around his cock. “Orion,” she cried out as she came. He couldn’t hold back any longer. Heat rushed through his body as the pressure broke. His body tensed as her pussy clenched and relaxed around his cock milking him for every drop of his seed. Intense pleasure washed over him making him feel light headed. He fought not to fall on her. His arms trembled as it became too hard to hold himself up. She took a gentle kiss and urged him down. He rolled over onto his side bringing her with him. Pulses of arousal ebbed away as his body came down from the high he felt. Starla stroked his back with one hand and brushed hair away from his face. She placed gentle kisses all over his face. “I’m so happy that you’ll be with me always.” “I love you, Starla,” he murmured as he buried his face in her neck. “I love you too, Orion.” He smiled. For the first time since he’d been placed in the sky he was grateful to the gods for giving him the gift of this new life with the woman he loved. *** Artemis gazed down upon the man she had once loved and sighed. A smile tugged at her lips. She felt a sense of joy expand in her chest as her heart grew. Orion was happy. That was all she cared about. Even if it hadn’t been with her, she was thankful that she could give him this gift. “Happy, Artie?” Zeus asked as he came up behind her to peek over her shoulder. Instead of correcting him she just glanced back at him and smiled. Tears formed in her eyes. “Yes, yes, I am.” He squeezed her biceps. “You’ll find love one day, Artemis. I promise you that, my beautiful daughter. One day someone will love you.” Zeus gently kissed the top of her head before he moved away. All she could do was smile and hope that he was right.