The Wager- BBW Erotic Curvy Paranormal Romance (TOUCH OF THE GODS) by D.X. Luc Page B

rang. With a resigned sigh, I donned my robe and headed down to answer it, hoping that my scowl would scare the person away. Of course, my mood went from annoyed to shock when I opened the door and peered down at the eyes that haunted my dreams. They were full of emotions, seeking, questioning. Why did she have to come to me when my heart was still not quite prepared?
                  “Why did you leave?”
                  Was she serious?
                  “I don't know what you mean I haven't been near you recently. Well, other than at the cafe.”
                  “No, you were in my shower. I saw you. I felt you. I don't understand it, but I know it.” Vanessa pressed the heel of her hand against her eyes as though she were suffering from a headache.
    I wondered if she was having a moment of clarity. With Ares gone for the moment, it wouldn't be unusual for the withdrawal affects of his touch to start dissipating.
    Gently lifting her chin, I stared her down, and it was then, I saw the enormity of trauma Ares had caused. She appeared worse than when I had accidentally cursed her. Sunken and hallow, the unique coloring of her eyes was drowned out by the dark shadows beneath them. Unlike most of the women in our neighborhood, Vanessa's skin was as smooth and white as alabaster, but now its paleness was sickly and practically translucent, so much in fact, I could easily seen her blue veins pulsing.
      Anger came to life inside of me at the sight of her tortured image and the fire in my loins died down some, not a lot, but enough that my lust filled insanity balanced into normalcy. Like a sneaky incubus, my brother's sexual appetite was killing her and my fear of rejection that kept me from going to her when she needed me most meant I carried just as much blame.
    I pulled her inside and sat her at my dining room table, rushing to get a drink.
    She took it in frail looking hands, sipping it gingerly.
      I sat across from her and watched. Being so close, I could smell her sweet scent and had to adjust the robe belt to allow room for my reawakening pain in the groin. Distracted, it took me a moment to realize Vanessa had started speaking.
    Her words were jumbled and coming out in a fast blur, tears streaking down her ashen face glittering like diamonds in the sand.
    I reached out a finger, catching one before it could drop upon the table and palmed it for later. “Don't cry, Vanessa. It’ll all be okay.”
                  “You don't understand! I feel like I'm losing my mind. My sister is pissed at me, hell my parents are too! I vaguely remember what happened the other day, but it's like a broken film reel in my mind.”
                  Fidgeting, I wished I could ease her mind and tell her that it was a spell from Ares the God of War. That it only happened because of the curse I placed on her first. But her mind was still in a bad place, and any part of the truth might trigger a nervous breakdown. So, I did what my father taught me to do several centuries ago, when it came to upset women. I said nothing and just listened, holding her hand for support.
                  “And don't get me started on the dreams I've had of you. They’re so real I could swear that you were with me. That's why I thought you were in my shower with me today.”
                  “Um, dreams? About me?”
                  “I know, it's horrible. You barely know me. I mean, what happened in the back yard that was crazy, right? I've never felt such an instant attraction that way with any man. Even now as I sit here with you, I want you to just hold me—Forever.”
                  It was becoming more difficult to keep from blurting out everything and being honest with her. Not to mention, the steel hardness of my cock going from painful to excruciating. Swallowing hard past the lump in my throat, I nodded, keeping my eyes