Elysian Dreams by Marie Medina

smiled up at him. Her eyes showed how aroused she was. “I promised Apollo I wouldn’t sleep with you until things were settled.”
    “You told him? That’s good. You need to keep that promise. I’ll make sure you do.”
    He started to back away, but she clung to him. “Hypnos, I love you. I want to hear you say it one day.”
    He stroked her hair. He could say it, but he didn’t dare. She’d never turn back if he said it. She had to be sure, and he wouldn’t be satisfied she was until Apollo had actually tried to win her and failed. He wasn’t testing her, though he knew she’d see it that way. He didn’t want her to wake up one day and resent him or regret choosing him. Holding her at a distance was the only way he knew to make her sit back and think more carefully. He wasn’t going to mention their ability to kiss again. She seemed to have forgotten how surprised he’d been when his kiss hadn’t harmed her. If she knew she was the only woman he could kiss without putting her to sleep, she’d refuse to give Apollo another thought.
    He kissed her forehead. “I’ll miss you until I see you again.”
    She pulled away and seemed to accept his answer. “I will too.”
    He turned away and walked out of the garden. His mind filled with visions of them making love. He wanted to take her properly, slowly. Their fevered coupling had been erotic, and his cock still responded to the memory, but he wanted more. He wanted to spend hours in her arms, but he wanted them both to be sure she’d never be as happy anywhere else.
    * * * *
    Apollo walked into his kitchen and stared at the stove. A roasting pan he knew was not his sat there, and two pots sat on the back burners, all covered. Something smelled amazing. He lifted all three lids and found a roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, and mashed potatoes that smelled richly of garlic. His small breakfast table was set, and a vase of flowers sat in the middle. He turned back again when he heard a bottle of wine being opened.
    He saw Harmonia pulling the cork off the corkscrew. She smiled at him.
    “This is to apologize for coming on so strong. And so inappropriately. Nothing romantic. A completely normal meal. I brought the wine simply because I love wine.”
    Apollo had no objection to having dinner with her or talking with her, but he didn’t like this invasion of his home and his privacy. He’d come into the room to make a grilled cheese sandwich, so the chicken was no disappointment. He wished she’d asked though.
    “You could have called me. I wasn’t doing anything tonight.”
    “I wanted it to be a surprise. I thought it would be nice.”
    “It is nice, but I’d have preferred it not be a surprise.”
    She blushed, but she still smiled. “I’m sorry. Would you still like to have dinner?”
    Apollo didn’t see any reason to say no. He wasn’t going to turn a beautiful and interesting woman away no matter what his situation, especially since she had just promised it would be ‘nothing romantic’.
    “Yes, I would. I’d like not being alone.” He looked around. “Can I do anything?”
    She shook her head. “Nope. Have a seat and I’ll bring it all to the table.”
    He did so, watching her place the chicken on a platter and heap the sides into bowls. She wore a very becoming but modest light pink linen dress. He tore his gaze away when he realized he’d been watching her ass sway back and forth. Yes, she was hot, and yes she liked him, but how stupid would it be to come on to her after he’d been angry when she’d flirted so aggressively before?
    Daphne had not given him an answer. He was focusing on that because most importantly it meant she hadn’t given him a no. Interesting as Harmonia was, and willing as she might be for anything from a one-time-only roll in the hay to being tumbled in his sheets every single night, he still wanted Daphne. He wanted to take her hunting. He remembered she’d liked that. Hopefully, he’d find out what else