Still ... "I can't take this from you, Hector. It's too much."
"Yes, you can. I want you to have it."
"Hector-"
"Beth..." He pulled her back against his front and nuzzled her neck. "Please take it and give me some peace of mind about your safety."
He so often broke her heart. Whatever had happened to him at war had really damaged a part of him. While her safety had always concerned him before, he was now obsessed with it. He was forever teaching her new ways to disarm an attacker-not that she needed his tricks, but she couldn't tell him that. Whenever he fell asleep, he had ferocious nightmares that caused him to wake up frantic and angry.
Even now, he trembled in her arms.
Offering him a grateful smile, she kissed his cheek. "All right, Hector. Thank you."
Styxx closed his eyes as he held her and just let the scent of her skin soothe him. There was nothing in this world he valued above her. Nothing he wouldn't do to make her happy or keep her safe.
"So," he whispered in her ear. "What should we test first? The lake or the bed?"
She snorted playfully. "I knew you had an ulterior motive."
"Hey, I gave you the choice of the lake first."
"Umm-hmmm ... but I know you didn't mean it."
"I've been a perfect gentleman."
"That's not what the part of you poking me says." She turned his arms and kissed him. "I suppose I should take mercy on you." She nipped his chin, making him all the harder, before she dropped her hand to stroke his erection. "But no. I'd rather fish." Laughing, she ran past him.
Styxx groaned out loud as Dynatos chased after her. "You're so cold, my lady! Cruel. Heartless!" He caught up to her at the front door.
Expecting her to open it, he was surprised when she spun about and fell back against the wood. She buried her hands into his chiton and pulled him into her arms for a kiss so hot, it made his head reel.
Then she sank down on her knees in front of him and lifted the hem of his chiton.
Styxx couldn't breathe as she ran her hand over him, and when she took him into her mouth, it was all he could do to remain upright. "I love you, Bethany," he breathed as he sank his hand into her soft hair.
She licked the underside of him. "I love you, too."
His legs trembling, Styxx was completely distracted by her when Dynatos came up behind him unexpectedly and slammed into his back. He barely caught himself against the door before he knocked Bethany over. "Damn it, dog!"
Laughing, she pulled away. "Are you having trouble with your gift, sweetie?"
Styxx tried to push the mountainous beast back. "Not at all."
Bethany laughed harder as she heard Hector grunting in his attempts to move the dog out of his way. "Are you sure it's a dog and not a bear?"
"I'm thinking horse, given its weight."
She could hear the dog jumping and licking. "He doesn't seem ferocious."
"He can be when he's not yours." The door opened and then closed.
Suddenly, Hector scooped her up in his arms and ran with her to the bedroom, where he laid her on the bed. "Now, where were we?"
Dynatos barked at the door then rammed it.
"Distracted, I believe."
Hector placed his head down on the center of her chest and sighed. "I swear I'm cursed."