Apollo, p.16
Apollo, page 16
Then he was gone. She straightened up in her seat and huffed out a silent regret. Why did she stop him? Where did he go? Why did he tease her? Would he come back?
Just then a sound emitted from her phone. She pulled it out of her purse to confirm it was her friend who invited her to the service, and read the message: “Where are you?”
She found her friend up front and sat next to her for the hour-long service.
Lauren ran her fingers through her hair and then tugged. Augh! Eight months passed without Apollo’s presence, and she knew she was going insane. He spoke to her every once in a while, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted, no demanded, an explanation. If he could talk to her, why wasn’t he here, beside her, in physical form like he used to be? She had moments when she wanted to hug him, kiss him, tell him she loved him, and cuddle with him like she used to. These urges came on strong, vibrating throughout her body, allowing her to sense the deep love she had for him she didn’t realize she harbored until his long absence. Would he come back to her? If he didn’t, she’d surely die. Now that she experienced what true, genuine love was, she didn’t want to go on without him. It was him or no one. Everyone else paled in comparison.
Apollo gave her strength, confidence and encouragement. He loved her unconditionally and he accepted her the way she was. Lauren never knew such freedom and happiness in a relationship could exist. She was loathed to give it up without a fight. If he would only come back to her, she’d tell him everything. Unlike too many men in her past, she trusted him completely and knew he’d never berate her for sharing her feelings with him.
His sporadic communications with her did nothing to reassure her. Instead, they fueled her burning desire for him. She yearned for his touch, his musical laughter, and the several little nuances that made him special. However, she wanted answers. Her determination formed a strategy and she waited for his next move.
“Wildflower.”
Apollo’s voice murmured in her ear as she relaxed in her recliner. Her eyes slowly opened. She shook the foggy sensation out of her mind, willing it to be alert and ready to follow the plan.
When will you come back? Are you coming back to me?
“Soon and yes.”
When? She adjusted herself in the recliner.
“Time is different here.”
Where are you? What are you doing? Uncertain as to his whereabouts, she looked around the room and then focused on a spot on the ceiling.
“Serving time away from you.”
But you’ll be back with me? She asked this question again to make sure she heard correctly the first time.
“Yes, beautiful.”
Has anything changed? Did The Council do anything to change you or us?
She grimaced at the possibilities and prepared herself for his answer. Over the last eight months, she worried about the nature and length of his punishment. Grave images of what the Council might be doing to him, on a daily basis, weighed heavily on her heart. If she had the ability to speak to the Council on his behalf, discussing with them the injustice rendered upon him because of her request for help, she would’ve done so at the first opportunity, but she knew nothing of the Council and only heard they existed when Apollo sent Brandon to the abyss. She aimed to understand the terms of his sentence because they were a team.
For her to think of any male as part of her team was incredible. She found the concept ridiculous, at first, and uncomfortable, thereafter, but she did rely on and share her most intimate, private views with Apollo when she wouldn’t consider the same with her female friends. After many months of reflection, she realized Apollo was more than just a friend or a lover, he was her partner in life and the idea of a partnership with him didn’t scare her anymore because she trusted him. The problem with being his teammate was what affected him and affected her too and this life-affecting decision rendered by the Council affected them both. She had to know the details.
Lauren waited several minutes, whispering his name a few times to prompt him but the question remained unanswered. Apollo left.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A total of ten and a half months passed before Lauren pondered changing her mind. She tried meeting men only once, with Kitty-Kat but it didn’t feel right, and her heart wasn’t into it. Since then she hadn’t bothered searching for anyone else. However, her nights were lonesome, and her house was empty.
Despite Apollo’s continued absence, Lauren waited for him. The question why kept nagging at her. If she were truthful with herself, she should’ve moved on ten months ago. The idea of him coming back into her life was too powerful to consider exploring her options with other men. She held on for the ultimate prize—him—but after such a lengthy time waiting for an elusive dream, she considered walking out of the game.
At times, her frustration over the situation caused her to burst out in fits of anger. Shouting at Apollo through telepathy didn’t have the same effect as yelling out loud inside her apartment. She wanted to face him with the truth—if only he’d appear in physical form—because venting at an empty wall didn’t grant her adequate satisfaction.
Patience.
She’d experienced ten and a half months of patience. How much more time did he need? However, it was her fault he was sentenced in the first place. Ugh. When would the torture of missing him end?
She walked across the college campus, books in hand, when she saw him by her car. She did a double take and glanced back at the car but there he was with a wide grin. Before she knew what she was doing, she took off running.
“Apollo, Apollo!” She ran across the open field and through the parking lot straight into his open arms. He crushed her to him and kissed her forehead while she rambled on. “You’re here,” she rattled out, gasping for air.
She leaned into him, heaving in long breaths of air. Boy was she out of shape, but the short burst of physical activity was worth it to be nestled in his arms again.
She grabbed his coat and looked up at him with a start. “Wait a minute, are you really here or is this some sort of trick?”
Apollo’s soft chuckle sent giddy vibrations through her, enlivening her private spots. She rubbed her chest into his.
“Oh, you don’t know how I missed you.”
“I missed you too, my love.” He wasted no time in pulling her lips to his. His mouth claimed her, his tongue snaking in through her parted lips to finalize the deal. Her body weakened and relaxed into his firm hold and her knees threatened to buckle under her. He slipped his hands down her back, palming her rear with a low groan. Lifting her onto him, he tucked her legs around his waist and slid her up his torso. He re-adjusted his hands on her bottom, sliding them up to grip her upper thighs. “You are sexy, wildflower.” She locked her ankles together in response, molding his body, perfectly, to hers. He set her on the hood of her car and leaned into her, his eyes scanning the cars around them.
“Take me anywhere.” She ran several fingers through his thick hair and pulled herself up to lick the length of his neck from collarbone all the way up to the back of his earlobe. A guttural sound escaped his lips.
“Woman, you’re driving me insane.”
“Take me somewhere, Apollo, anywhere you want. I love you. I’m yours.”
Something flashed in his eyes. His lips curled up into a mischievous grin.
A burst of light surrounded them, and the parking lot faded. Lauren nibbled his shoulder, licking the spots she eventually nipped in her excitement. She felt the additional moisture down below readying her for his invasion. If he took her to bed, she would give herself fully to him. She was ready and very willing. Her body begged for him, a sweet but urgent aching below caused her to rock her body in his arms.
“There is somewhere I want to take you.”
Oh yes! “Anywhere my angel, take me anywhere.” She kneaded his back, trying to impress upon him her desire to get there quickly. The aching between her legs turned into a constant throb.
The background came into view. He set her down and led her through the heavy double doors. This was it. Apollo was going to make love to her and claim her for all eternity. Her heart flip-flopped in anticipation and her girl parts quickened their throbbing. She needed him now and quickly before she perished from unfulfilled longing.
She walked into their love nest, ready and willing, and found a darkened room with throngs of people. Some were at the bar and others were standing or seated at tables surrounding a large dance floor filled with couples gyrating to music in the middle of the room.
“My sweet wildflower, welcome to Mission.” He nuzzled her neck in between butterfly kisses.
She swung around and swatted his shoulder. “What in the hell is this? Where are we?”
The look of shock on his face made her giggle—almost.
“We are at The Mission Club.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You brought me to a nightclub? This is where you wanted to take me?”
“It’s a special club. Not many humans come here. I thought you’d be happy.”
“What? What kind of nightclub is this?”
“It’s the nightclub for angels. No human is allowed here unless you are invited by an angel. And here you are.” He did a formal sweep with one hand accompanied by a whimsical bow.
“You’re kidding, right? This is not where I thought you’d take me.”
“Darling?” He paused for a few seconds before his mouth formed an O. “I see. You’re not ready yet.”
“Huh? How can you say that? I thought you wanted it too. I mean it’s been ten months. Ten, long, lonely months without anyone.”
“I just came back, wildflower. Would you want me to take you straight to bed and take advantage of you upon my return or continue from where we left off and woo and romance you?”
She glared up at him. “Both!”
Apollo’s chuckle fluttered Lauren’s heart. She loved to see him happy. Despite the intense urge to give in, she curled her hands into fists and shoved them to her sides to keep herself from falling under his charm.
“Ten long, lonely months, huh? Without anything? You sure?” He raised one eyebrow. “I could’ve sworn you had pleasurable company in bed the few times I sneaked a peek at you.”
What was he talking about? Wait. Oh no. Could that be it? Holy hell! “You what? Oh geez!” She threw her hands over her face. “I’m out of here.” What an embarrassment. Lauren couldn’t believe he knew about her anatomically correct personal device she kept in a bedroom drawer much less that he found her using it. Was there no privacy with an angel? She wasn’t sticking around to find out.
He grabbed her arm and swung her back onto the dance floor. “Oh no, I’m back for you and I’m not letting you go that easy. You’re mine tonight.”
“But I wanted to be that for you, somewhere else.”
He held her in his arms and started moving. Lauren was forced to comply. She strove to keep up with his fast pace.
“Be assured, when you are ready, you will not be able to keep me away from you.” He winked. “For I won’t take no for an answer.”
“And what if I refuse?”
“I will convince you to say yes.” He winked.
She twisted her lips into a half-pout. “We’ll see about that.”
He laughed. “Wildflower, I love you. You are the best.” He twirled her and dipped her.
Surrounded by angels. That was the crazy predicament Lauren found herself in. The club was full of them, male and female. Without their wings, each of them could easily pass for human beings with no identifiable markings, flaws, or differences to tell they weren’t. It was uncanny and a bit unnerving. These angels were all good beings but what about the ones that weren’t, the ones that fell?
“They have blackened hearts, but they are not easily identifiable. Their true nature eventually appears. It is unavoidable. Sadly, sometimes they take humans with them. You have nothing to fear. I am your protector, and I would never let anyone harm you in that way. Besides, I was a hunter before. I know how to spot them.”
“A hunter? That sounds intriguing. What is a hunter?” Lauren’s face lit up with curiosity. She perched over the small, round table, cradling her head in her hands as she awaited Apollo’s explanation.
“I hunted demons in human form.”
“Wow. Do they actually live among us?”
“Not live. Show up, occasionally for a short period of time and a purpose. Unfortunately, their comings and goings are sporadic so hunters must always be on the job. Hunters are placed all over the planet to catch the demons.”
“Why did you stop doing that job?”
“I wanted to try something different. Being a hunter takes a lot of energy. I had to be on duty and alert at all times. I decided to be a guardian instead and then you were born.”
“And there was no going back, eh?” She chortled, leaning back in her seat.
“Not when I saw you. No.”
She averted her eyes. Did he just compliment her? It was amazing how he could take a few words and mean much more than what was spoken.
“I love you. I am so happy you received my signs during the past ten months. I left you many including the flowers left on your doormat. I wanted you to find them and know they were from me.”
“Thank you. I still missed you, greatly though.”
“I know. It couldn’t be helped. They sentenced me and I had to serve my time, but I am here now, exactly where I want to be. They did not strip me of your guardianship and for that I am thankful. I would not have wanted to leave you.”
“I wouldn’t want you to leave me either. I was so distraught and unhappy without you. I’m glad you’re back and that you’re my guardian again. I love you, so deeply. I didn’t truly realize how much until you were gone.”
“I am grateful for that too. That your love for me has deepened.”
“You’re an amazing man.”
“I try to impress, yes.”
“Silly.” She slapped his shoulder with a giggle.
“Beautiful, I don’t intend to leave you again unless you wish it.”
She cupped his chin in her hands and pulled him down to her. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me.” She rewarded his lips with a kiss.
“But what about her?’ Lauren spent the last ten minutes questioning Apollo about the women walking around them. The first two minutes, he merely grunted, and the next three he tried assuaging her insecurities by reassuring her she was the only one.
Waking from a nightmare, this morning, in which a harsh male pummeled Lauren with lies about her outer beauty, Apollo slipped into bed with her and held her in his arms, trying to ward off the negativity her dream produced. However, when she ran into Carl at Layla’s trying to find Mitzy, her insecurities reared up again. Thank goodness Carl took on another lover but his harsh comments drew her into a mini tailspin and now she wanted reassurance. Apollo gladly gave her what she needed for he loved her.
She patted his arm. “What about her? Do you like her?”
Why did human beings belittle themselves? Didn’t they know how beautiful they were despite their outer image? He twisted his body on the bench and looked Lauren over. Dressed in a graphic tee-shirt, shorts and flip flops, she was the most stunning woman in the mall. It was a shame she didn’t understand how much she meant to him. Now that he found her, there was no one else for him.
“Lauren,” he interrupted her ramblings, “have you looked at yourself lately?”
“What?” She glanced at him. “Yes, every day. Why?”
His lips curled into a frown.
“Appearances aren’t everything. I love you, Lauren. You are not pushing me away by showing me all these inadequate females you think are better suited to me. I told you, I’m not going anywhere without you.
Lauren scanned the area around her, unable to focus on one object, she looked uncomfortable. Apollo decided to deliver the final blow—words that would have her doubt her logic. “It makes me sad that you think so little of yourself. Have you seen how beautiful you are?”
Lauren shied away but Apollo wouldn’t let her.
“Look at me.” He commanded.
Her eyes met his.
“You’re beautiful and you know I can’t lie. I wish you’d accept the truth.”
She wiped at the corners of her eyes and cleared her throat. Apollo held back the insistent urge to pull her into his arms and allay her fears with strong kisses and heartfelt whispers of her name. How he wanted her to know the strong emotions that overtook him every time she was close. She was impossible to resist and only with great willpower did he accomplish the task. As a guardian, she was a distraction to him and his duties. However, off duty was another matter and he welcomed her unique talents, ready to immerse himself in every one of her tempting, tantalizing, playful mannerisms she didn’t realize she engaged in, daily. Lauren was an amazing female and sexy when she was passionate and raving over something that got her upset. It was times like that Apollo found hardest to hold back when all he wanted to do was toss her over his shoulder and run off with her, ready to claim, possess and tame her with unforgiving pleasure.
Only she affected him in this manner, driving him wild when he craved stability. When she was sad, the pain inside of her overwhelmed him to take action, to make it all better by any means possible. He’d willingly make love to her, repeatedly, until a smile reappeared on her luscious lips.
“You have my heart.” He whispered.
Her emotions whirling around inside her seeped into him and saddened him. Lauren jolted up into a stand, murmured an excuse, and left without looking back. He knew where she was headed, and she’d return. She only needed to compose herself before continuing their date. He watched her as she departed, allowing his eyes to wander down her delectable body, forming vivid images of them intertwined in the most intimate of ways, him grabbing her waist while entering her from behind and her delicious moans as he plundered her.
He adjusted his seat on the bench, clearing his throat and avoiding the direct glance from a female passerby. Despite his young age, Apollo never found a drought of women when he sought female companionship, but now that he was with Lauren, other women were out of the question. Sadly, the females around him were unaware of his attached status. He caught their glimpses and their giggles as they passed by, even their longing glances but he ignored them all. Drawing attention to any of them or returning their invitations was not his intent. He was not seeking female companionship but commitment from the one woman who stole his heart and ran away with it to the restroom.
