Part 77 (2/2)
”I didn't do it for you.”
NEVERTHELESS.
Backed up against the dishwasher, the G.o.ddess of love so close he could see her image in the reflection of his gla.s.ses in her eyes, Dean had no easy out. The room started to spin, beads of sweat formed along his spine, and he knew that in a moment he'd do something he'd be embarra.s.sed about for the rest of his life. He wasn't entirely sure what that was likely to be, but it certainly appeared that Aphrodite had a very good idea. Taking a deep breath, he dropped his shoulder, faked right, and moved left.
Fortunately, Aphrodite's corseting insured that her reach impeded her grasp.
Distance helped. With the length of the kitchen between them, he began to regain his equilibrium although his jeans were still uncomfortably tight. ”The decafs in the pot on the counter there, ma'am. Help yourself.”
Tipping her cleavage forward, the G.o.ddess smiled. ”You going to sweeten it for me, sugar?”
He pushed the sugar bowl toward her.
Her fingers lingered on his as she picked it up, and her expression segued from seductive to delighted. ”Why, you're just a big old...”
”Dytie!” Even from the second floor landing, Hephaestus' voice carried. ”Are you bothering that boy?”
”Why, yes, I do believe I am.”
”Well, stop it and come to bed!”
To Dean's relief, she picked up her cup and turned to go, tossing a provocative, ”Pleasant dreams, honeycake,” in his general direction. He had an uncomfortable feeling it wasn't merely a suggestion.
Coming back downstairs from returning Hades to his wife, Claire stepped aside to let Aphrodite pa.s.s.
”You know, Keeper,” the G.o.ddess said, leaning close, ”that boy of yours is a treasure.”
”Dean's not mine.”
”Sure he is. Or he could be if you gave him a little bitsy bit of encouragement.”
”Encouragement?”
”You're right.” She patted Claire on the shoulder with one plump hand. ”He won't understand subtle. Kick his feet out from under him and beat him to the floor.”
”Dytie! You coming?”
”Not yet, darlin', and don't you start without me.” Adding a quiet, ”You remember what I said,” she sashayed on past, and Claire descended the rest of the way to the lobby.
Hearing noises in the kitchen, she hurried down the hall. It could be a G.o.d getting a late night snack, but on the other hand, it could also be a G.o.d attempting a senile manifestation of ancient, eldritch powers with catastrophic results. The odds were about equal.
”Oh. It's you.”
Dean closed the dishwasher and straightened. ”I couldn't sleep without putting the dishes away.”
”Kick his feet out from under him and beat him to the floor.”
<script>