Ares' Temptation by Aubrie Dionne Page B

all over her body, but Ares pulled away. “We have another event planned for tomorrow?”
    Disappointment stung her chest. “Yes, Grammy has asked for us to join her on a tour of the coast.”
    Ares studied her for a moment as if deciding what to do with her. “You should get some sleep.”
    The finality in his voice stopped Kaye from arguing. They’d spent the whole day together, and their relationship had grown deeper. She should be content. Why push it to the next level? They still had the rest of the week to explore each other in more physical ways.
    Kaye took the bed, and Ares stayed on the couch. She turned her back and curled under the sheets. Had she pushed him away last night by moving too fast? Now his gentlemanliness seemed a little too chaste. Why didn’t he make a move?
    …
    Ares was not fond of boats, especially small ones with a glass bottom. Never mind the fact they entered Poseidon’s realm. Normally, mortals didn’t concern the trident holder. But, having a god among them may tempt his fury.
    If Ares was indeed still a god.
    His stomach flipped as he boarded The Mermaid’s Tail . He grabbed the rail.
    “Don’t have your sea legs?” Bradley teased as he sipped a beer from the portside.
    Ares had been on thousands of different kinds of boats over the eons: the Abydos funeral boats of the ancient Egyptians, the Greek’s triremes, three-masted pirate ships, and Victorian skiffs. But he’d never felt the deck move so precariously under his feet. It must have been another side effect of the curse.
    Kaye jumped on deck with ease and pointed a finger at Bradley. “Need another game of volleyball to put you in your place?”
    “Beginner’s luck.” Bradley smirked.
    Kaye moved toward her brother, and Ares placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let it go.” Another strangely beneficial side effect of the curse was a calmer disposition. In the past, he would have had that man’s head.
    “He shouldn’t be such a jerk,” Kaye growled.
    “Remember why we’re here.” Ares gestured toward where Grammy sat underneath her flamingo umbrella.
    Kaye smoothed over her hair. “You’re right. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately.”
    He had an idea. As Kaye inherited the powers of athleticism, confidence, and gracefulness, she also experienced heightened levels of aggression, frustration, and anger. He’d seen it in himself.
    The boat began to move, taking them into the aqua green waters of the lower Keys. A small yellow fish darted underneath the boat.
    “Look!” Mrs. Underhill pointed. She stood next to Mr. Underhill and a few of Kaye’s uncles and aunts. “Grammy, can you see it?”
    “I may be old, but my eyes are still sharp as an eagle’s.” Grammy wheeled her chair over to Ares and Kaye. “With these bottle-thick glasses of course.”
    Ares smiled. He admired her spirit. To go on a boat at ninety years old in a wheelchair took courage. He would bet she was just as brave as the lieutenants in his army. Kaye had inherited that bravery, and the powers brought it out.
    If only he didn’t have to take them away.
    “You’ll find a way.” Grammy glanced up at him. “Enjoy the journey.”
    Ares froze. Could this old woman—this mortal—have powers of her own?
    Kaye squeezed his arm and whispered, “Don’t mind her. She talks nonsense every now and then.”
    Ares kneeled next to Grammy. “What do you mean? Find a way how?”
    “Would you look at that coral?” Grammy smiled at him as if she hadn’t heard his questions. “Reminds me of this episode of Gilligan’s Island .”
    “Gilligan’s Island?” Ares shook his head. “Where is this Gilligan?”
    “He was lost as well, trapped on an island without any way to get back to his people. He found a way.” Grammy tapped on Ares’ arm.
    A shimmery tail disappeared into the kelp at the bottom of the sea. Ares glanced around to see if anyone else saw it, but everyone was still infatuated with the little yellow fish. Adrenaline