Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Tarren whistles, looking like a wolf with his wide grin. “A competition to the end?”

I glance at Tarren, and he looks thrilled, but I get an unsettled feeling. Something about Apollo seems off to me.

Laura is frowning like always, and Apollo leans against the carriage seemingly deep in thought. ~What is going on in that mind of his?~

He is now staring at me with a heavy-lidded expression. I feel like he is always undressing me with those predatory eyes. Sinful eyes.

A true crime to nature, for no one should wield such power with one glance.

Being completely honest here.

But really, though, I need to stop blushing every time our eyes meet, for the love of all that is holy.

It’s hard because it always seems like he is thinking very naughty thoughts—the dark glimmer and grin are not innocent, trust me. And it’s the way he tilts his head and slightly licks his lower lip.

I mean, ~come on~.

Maybe if I picture him with a beer belly and a double chin.

Nope. Still hot.

“Ladies against men,” Apollo says suddenly, gaining everyone’s attention.

I take a shaky breath and fan my face. He needs to stop staring at me like I’m his next meal. Laura might stab me in my sleep tonight—one-hundred-plus wounds in a crazy stabbing frenzy. Bad blood.

She is trying hard not to look pissed, but her cheeks are flushed.

“Do we have to get split up?” Laura groans out, making Apollo break his stare. Apollo smiles at her and she falters, hands tying knots in her skirts.

~Uhhhh.~

I hate when he grins like that. I actually feel bad for Laura. Innocent victim. Laura looks like he just told her he loved her and wants her to have his babies.

“Are you not up for a little game, ~Laura~?” he asks, and holds her prisoner with that dark stare.

I have to bite my lip and look the other way. Oh, he is ~good~. Apollo knows what he is doing, and she is absolute putty in his hands.

All he has to do is show her a little attention and she will jump as high as he says. It’s like a bug flying toward the blinding light only to get brutally shocked to death.

She looks flustered. “Oh, well, I am actually very competitive.”

Apollo stares at her. “Are you really?”

She laughs and places an awkward hand on her hip, probably not used to this much attention from Apollo. “Oh yes, by nature.”

Tarren saves her by stepping forward, and the look on her face is pure relief. “Perfect, Apollo. What are the rules to this devious little competition?”

“Simple.” He shrugs. “We give the women a head start.”

“Seems easy enough,” Tarren says with a wicked smile. “If we catch the girls, do we get a kiss?”

Laura giggles. “I like the sound of that.”

Meanwhile, Apollo’s gaze is locked with Tarren’s, and it does not look good from where I’m standing.

Tarren is taunting him, and it gives me a thrill that Apollo is acting that possessive over me. I will bet anything this silent feud is not over Laura.

“I think that is fair,” Apollo says carefully, still holding Tarren prisoner with his stare.

Tarren holds his gaze with a nod. “Perfect.”

I clear my throat, trying to break up this alpha-male energy. “We just enter through there?” I point to the massive stone wall entrance with overgrown vines.

Laura glares at me and takes off her coat, throwing it on the ground. “We don’t have to stick together, do we?”

Apollo unties his necktie like he is getting ready for a chase. “You can do what you want, my dear.”

I see her shoot me a look before walking to the entrance. “May the best lady win then.”

My heart starts to pound when I see Apollo take off his black coat and start cuffing up his white dress shirt, exposing his muscled forearms. “I will give you twenty minutes,” he says in a breathy tone.

I look away, feeling lightheaded, and walk to the entrance, feeling a bit threatened. It is thrilling and a little terrifying. My lady parts are behaving like escaped lunatics in a lightning storm.

I peek back, and he mouths, “Run fast, Angel.”

I glare at him, and he raises an arrogant brow. “Maybe I will let Tarren catch me,” I say in a stupid taunt, and turn fast, not wanting to see his expression.

A shiver licks its ways down my back, but I refuse to look at Apollo.

Heart pounding, I glance at Laura. “Ready?”

She glances back and smiles. “Don’t follow me.” And she takes off into the entrance, taking a sharp right.

I hear Tarren’s laughter as I run through the entrance in the opposite direction. I am running blind. I will be damned if Laura beats me to the end. I just hope this direction will not screw me.

The walls are towering with overgrown vegetation everywhere. Immediately I am transported to the ancient Mayan ruins of Mexico, a lot of stone and weird engravings carved into the walls.

Panic hits me.

Someone could really get lost in this place.

I keep running, turning left and right without pause. I jump over a large crack in the stone floor and keep up my pace.

The thought that Apollo will soon be on my tail makes me go faster. I would hate to see the arrogant smirk on his face.

I do not want him to catch me.

I want to catch him.

Breathing hard, I stop and think. Apollo is inhumanly strong and smart and probably knows this maze by heart.

“Shit,” I mutter. He will catch me. There is no way I am outsmarting him in his territory, let alone anywhere at all.

I glance around at my surroundings, trying to think fast.

Here’s an idea. I have always been quite the actress and could probably talk my way out of death row. I walk over to the stone wall and grab a vine, testing out the sturdiness of them.

“Oh crap,” I say as I try to break one. These are probably stronger than a rope, which gives me a brilliant idea.

A thrill shoots up my spine as I work out my plan in my head. This is either stupid or very smart, though I think I know which one it is.

Smart, duh.

I make quick work of the vines, getting a nice little pile ready.

Yes.

I am going to restrain Apollo, have a little fun, and make a clean break. I will finish and outsmart the amazing Apollo. Nothing can go wrong. I have it all worked out.

Famous last words? Nope.

I saw the carnal look in Apollo’s gaze. He is hot and bothered. Off his game.

I hide the vines underneath me, like so.

You’re probably wondering what in the hell I have planned. I have not worked it all out, but essentially, I will pretend my wrist is caught in the vines.

I am lying on my side and wait and wait for what feels like forever. I yell in the air like I’m in pain, and I know he is close. I can almost sense it.

There is a rock in my side and a stick poking my ass. He’d better hurry.

I am nervous now, my pulse hammering.

~This will not work.~

~Yes, it will!~

I tense when I hear something behind me, and I can’t help but hold my breath.

“What do we have here?” Apollo’s voice is smooth and low.

“Wipe the smile off your face and throw me a knife, my wrist is caught,” I say like I’m upset. I should be nominated for an Emmy.

“Stuck?” he says, confusion lacing his voice. I hear him come closer and feel his knee beside me. “Let me see.” He laughs.

“No, my pride will only allow me to free myself,” I shoot back.

“Oh, forgive me, Your Highness.” He is chuckling now, completely buying my unfortunate circumstance. “Don’t cut yourself.”

I reach behind me with one free hand. “Thank you.”

“And to think Princess Laura is still making her way through the maze unscathed. I believe I lost a bet here,” he taunts. “I thought you would demolish her.”

I grit my teeth.

~You just wait, buddy.~

“Come closer. I am having trouble.” I grab the vines with my hidden hand. “Ow!”

And just like that, I jump up and have his blade to his neck. He is up against the wall breathing hard as his own knife presses to his neck. ~I can’t believe that worked. I really can’t!~

I laugh, drawing a little blood from my awkward movements. ~Shit.~

“Angel, you have five seconds to lower the blade,” he warns.

“I give the orders!” I yell, getting into the part, feeling a bit insane. “Hands behind your back—now!”

He stares at me, then he does it, holding up his hands then putting them behind his back. I make quick work of the vines, tying an impressive army knot that some stripper who was really into S&M taught me.

Long story. I think she is in jail now after being sued for wrongful slavery or something like that. Super sketch.

I step back and laugh, clapping my hands. “Now, I will finish without you being there to stop me!”

“You little minx,” he whispers.

His muscles flex as he tries to break the vines with a series of aggressive movements.

I notice he is really trying hard to break free, and it makes me nervous. The veins in his neck are showing as he exhales, trying again with more power.

I need to distract him fast.

“I’m hot.”

He raises his head to see me slowly unbuttoning my cream riding jacket. His dark gaze turns animalistic as he slightly grins. “You’d better hope I do not get free, Angel.”

I swallow as my heart pounds and continue to take off my coat, revealing my sexy scarlet corset.

“I have a lot of running to do, and I’m hot, forgive me. I will send someone after you when I make it to the end. Don’t worry, dear prince.”

Apollo’s gaze widens when he sees my corset fully.

I look down and bite my lip.

The back and sides are see-through, I’ll be damned. Pierce, that dirty dog, made me a very scandalous corset. My breasts are pushed up and I look like a vixen, ready to seduce.

I did want to have a little fun, didn’t I? It is exhilarating to have this power over him. This god-like man is at ~my~ mercy.

I walk up to him slowly and take off my hat and throw it aside, then take out my hairpins one by one. My glossy locks fall down my back gloriously, and I give him a very feline smile.

I know exactly what ~I’m~ doing now. Let’s see how he likes it.

He closes his eyes and says something.

I stop right in front of him, skin tingling and adrenaline pounding. “Do you want me to touch you, Apollo?”

“No,” comes his raspy voice.

I click my tongue. “Too bad.” My hand is shaking as it starts to unbutton his white crisp shirt and under-armor, unzipping the contraption.

My goodness, he is glorious. His golden skin feels like granite but smooth as silk. I trail my hand over his large pecs and over his taut nipples, seeing him tense. I lick my lips and hear him groan, the sound deep and carnal.

“Untie me,” he whispers harshly.

I take a shaky breath. “No.”

He laughs and tries again to break the binds, almost scaring me. At this rate, he will do the impossible and break the damn vines.

I lean into him again and breathe into his neck and almost groan myself. He smells so good, wild, untamed, hot. He tilts his head back, and I can’t help it but taste him.

I feel him still trying to break the binds, but I don’t care. I just want to taste him for just a second. I mean, it’s only fair.

I suck on his neck and hear a rumble in his throat, spurring me on. I kiss down his chest, over every deep ripple and delicious dip.

His abs are out of this world, and I lick over every sharp ridge until I get to his pants— the man V.

I glance up, and he is breathing hard, his massive chest rising and falling rapidly. Apollo’s eyes squeeze shut as if he is in pain, but I know better.

I stand up and whisper in his ear, my tongue licking him. “You look uncomfortable.” My hand touches him through his tight pants, and he groans again, opening his eyes.

“Untie me,” he barely says.

I swallow, never having seen so much desire in someone’s gaze. A few strands of hair are in his face, and he is breathing hard.

“I will send someone back for you,” I say, feeling like I poked the bear a bit too hard this time.

He chuckles.

I frown.

“I have to leave. Thank you for being a good sport,” I say, and stumble a bit over a rock. I am losing my firm grip here.

“Is that so?”

I grab my jacket and put it on with shaky hands. “Yes.”

“You get me harder than steel, and you’re going to leave me?”

I blush.

I was very bold—even shocking myself.

He clicks his tongue this time. “Not happening, Angel.” He slowly raises his hands, revealing the broken vines over angry red wrists.

~Oh my…~

I back up slowly. “I get that you’re mad, and I want to apologize.”

He laughs as he rubs his wrists. Apollo looks tall and powerful—standing there, gazing at me the way he is.

“I’m not mad, Angel, quite the opposite. In fact, I don’t think I have ever been more turned on in my life.”

I stare at him with my mouth open.

His lips are on mine, and I didn’t even see him move. I’m crushed to the stone wall behind me, both of my arms held over my head by his hand. I am surrounded by him, he is everywhere.

Apollo lifts me, and my legs wrap around his waist as he grinds himself into me. His hot mouth sucks my neck as I feel his free hand grab my breast, molding it aggressively.

I don’t know where he begins and I end.

He is moaning my name, and I don’t even know what’s coming out of my mouth. Screams, pants, rushed breaths?

“You want me, Angel?!” he rasps in my ear as his hips roll into mine.

I feel him grabbing me here and there, ripping things. Somehow his shirt is off and mine as well. This is absolutely crazy. My brain is functioning in tunnel-vision spurts.

All I can register is his mouth on my skin, his hard erection thrusting against my lady bits, intense pleasure, my screams, skin on skin, and flashes of us tangled together.

I have never felt this amount of frenzied passion before—read about it, but never experienced it.

His mouth is everywhere, kissing, sucking, and licking. My head falls back as I scratch his back, bite his shoulder, and pant his name.

“I want you now,” he rasps. “Please.”

“Yes,” I moan. “Now!”

I faintly feel him doing something to his pants, and then my hand is on the long length of him. ~Holy moly~…

I hear him hiss and say things I can’t understand or make out as I explore his velvety splendor. My gosh, he may not fit, and I mean that.

“It will fit.” He smiles into my neck.

But my thoughts are scattered as my arms wrap around his neck to hold on for dear life. He thrusts against my entrance over and over. I gasp, and the rest is history.

He pounds me into oblivion, not slowing for a second. It is a pure raw passion, our bodies moving as one. My brain is on fire as I reach my climax for the third time—or fourth? I lost count.

I feel him come, and both of our bodies go limp, exhausted. It felt like a whirlwind, and I want more.

This was the most erotic experience of my life. Hands down.

Apollo’s forehead is resting on mine as we try and catch our breaths. I feel him smile more than I can see him, and he lowers me to the ground.

“You bewitched me,” he breathes. “How am I to be the same after this?”

What we just did still doesn’t register as he fixes my corset and skirts.

“Apollo,” I whisper, a little dizzy, dreamy in fact. Apollo is amazing, and all I want is more of him.

He lifts my chin, dark eyes glittering down at me. “You say my name like that and I will have you up against this wall again.”

“Something is touching my leg.”

He frowns.

We both look down and see a black snake coiling around my ankle. Apollo’s eyes widen, and his whole body tenses. “Don’t. Move,” he hisses.

Panic hits me hard.

“You move, and you die.”

“Apollo,” I whimper.

“Tell me something, Angel. Does someone want you dead?” he asks, his body still as a statue.

“Why?” I hold back tears.

~I hate snakes!~

His jaw flexes. “Well, because this snake is extremely rare—and it is not a snake at all. It’s a machine, and someone sent it out for you. Now, let me ask again. Does someone want you dead?”

I look down then back up innocently. “Now that you mention it…maybe?”