159 Making a Grand Appearance (1/2)

Arei chuckled lightly as they left, turning the lock in the door as the last maid fled the room. He turned back to her trailing his eyes appreciatively over the dress his father had sent for her. He brushed a strand of hair away from her neck as he lowered his lips to her throat. Placing a light kiss there as he wrapped his arms around her waist careful not to upset the fabric, he whispered. ”It's a good thing you're already cursed.” He chuckled as she drew in a sharp breath and turned to him in shock. His smile widened as he ran the pad of his thumb over her crimson stained lips. ”I say that because, beauty like yours would cause the wrath of all the many vain and jealous goddesses.” When he was satisfied with the smudge proofing of the lip stain he bent and kissed her lips softly. He let his mouth hover over hers. ”You are absolutely breathtaking this evening.”

She began to say something, but then tilted her head to the side studying him. The bright tent of her rosy cheeks faded to the normal blush provided by the powder the maids had placed there. ”And will you be dressing for the occasion, or will you be going like... that?” She asked pointedly pausing and looking him over head to toe before finishing her sentence.

Arei let out a surprised, throaty laugh. ”My brother just flew in. We had a chat then went for a-” he thought his words over for a second. ”A run.”

She arched a brow, ”Why do I get the feeling you're not talking about a normal run?”

He shrugged as a boyish grin spread across his lips. ”Because I'm not.” He gave her a quick kiss silencing any further question she might have. He nodded toward the tub still full of her discarded water. ”I'm going to jump in there for a quick minute, then try to find something that can hold even the slightest flicker of appeal beside you tonight. If you'd like you can keep me company.” He offered. ”Or you could go downstairs and meet one of my other brothers, but I warn you he's a bit of a handful.”

She swallowed hard as she watched him work the buttons of his shirt. ”I... I'll stay here...” She said trailing the slow, erotic movements of his hands.

”Will you tell me everything?” She asked.

Arei frowned, ”I don't have time to tell you all the things you need to know right now, and I still believe it best to wait on my other brother... but I will tell you all you need to know about tonight.” He released her and grabbed the chair she'd been placed in while getting her hair and makeup done and placed it by the tub.

”You know the water is probably cold by now.” She commented as she sank down into the chair.

Arei laughed. ”Seeing you in that dress, trust me, the cold water will do me some good.” He turned away from her as he dropped his trousers and stepped into the water. Once he was settled into the tub, he continued. ”As I've already told you, my father plans to use tonight's ball to claim you for his kingdom one way or the other... His preferred plan is linking the two of us in some substantial way, preferring I announce an engagement but willing to stoop as low as claiming you as his own lover.”

Her mouth dropped, ”He wouldn't!”

Arei nodded. ”Sadly, he would. It wouldn't even be the most horrible thing he's done... this century.” He added. ”As you understand, he has left me little choice.”

She leaned forward placing her hands over his massive hand resting on the edge of the tubs rim. ”You already know my feelings about this. I want to be yours.”

He pursed his lips together, ”And I want you as mine but fully informed and fully free to choose for yourself. I feel like this is a form of taking that freedom from you.”

”But I don't care. It's what I want.” She argued.

He nodded. ”As we are still on the same difference of grounds about this, here is what I propose. We continue as we have been here in front of my family. We don't lie about our relationship or involvement. It will not give father the instant claim that he so desperately wants, but it will give him the promise of a claim against his brother and your great grandfather Zeus.” He flipped his hand over hers and gave it a light squeeze. ”Fair enough?”

She thought it over for a second before asking. ”So, we can continue exactly as we have been here?”