Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

DAPHNE

I can’t sleep. I hear Apollo’s breathing, and what used to be a calming sound to me when we first wed, is now causing a sort of electric currant to flow through me. I feel his heat, even though we aren’t touching. I feel a sense of closeness, even though we haven’t connected at all.

Or have we?

He touched me tonight for the first time in…ages.

He held me. He carried me. His eyes looked into mine.

But more importantly, he spoke with me. We had a real conversation in the kitchen. Yes, it was awkward, but we at least spoke. And he made a dictate we’d no longer sleep in separate rooms. It was a command I wasn’t prepared for but one I wasn’t going to protest.

I was grateful he was already asleep when I came out of the bathroom once I was ready for bed.

Or was I?

Was there a part of me that was disappointed he wasn’t laying there waiting? Waiting for his wife.

Maybe…

So many conflicting thoughts and feelings running through me, but one thing is for certain—I can’t stay in this bed any longer. I need a moment to myself. I need to?—

I climb out of bed as gently as I can so I don’t wake him and tiptoe my way out of the room and head down to the living room. Flipping on the gas fireplace to heat the chilly room, I sit on the couch and stare into the flames. It feels like a lifetime ago when Apollo and I got married. He had promised me the world. He had sworn to protect me and give me anything my heart desired. He had offered me a life of a princess on a golden platter, and I was so desperate to take it. He was a Godwin, and growing up on Heathens Hollow, I knew exactly who they were and what that meant. The family not only owned Medusa Enterprises, but they owned the entire island I lived on. Poseidon Shipping provided the majority of employment to the people of the island, and though that division of Medusa was run by Leander Godwin—Troy’s brother— and his daughters, I most definitely knew the name Apollo Godwin.

And just when I thought I didn’t want anything to do with the Godwins again, and had started to plan my exit strategy, the accident happened. I saw a family dynasty nearly fall. The powerful Troy Godwin had pain in his eyes and tears threatening to escape as he said goodbye to one son while hoping the other fought to survive. When I once wanted nothing to do with Apollo, I suddenly couldn’t leave his side. He was my husband. I took vows. I made a promise in front of everyone. The Godwins were correct in their belief that divorce wasn’t an option.

I was wrong in wanting out. I was wrong in so many ways.

Did I love Apollo? Do I love him now? No…I don’t think so. But he was the first man I ever had sex with. He was the first man to care about me and to offer protection. He saved me. So, maybe the problem was me. I needed to learn to love him. And as I sat beside him in that hospital, holding his hand in mine, I swore I’d try. I’d try to love this man who has done nothing more than offer to share his power with me.

Athena had told me to spread my legs and all would be fine, and when I watched Apollo undress tonight…well, it didn’t sound like such a bad idea. My body still buzzed from the thought of what we could do if only exhaustion and tense reconnection didn’t get in the way.

My body is still aflame, and there is no way I’m going to be able to return to bed feeling this way unless…

I take the hem of my nightgown and lift it up above my hips. I then lower my panties to my feet and kick them out of the way. I feel the heat of the fire against my bare flesh, and I bring my finger to my clit and slowly circle. Closing my eyes and picturing Apollo being the one to touch me rather than me, I moan as my body thanks me for finally giving it the pleasure it’s been craving.

“Daphne…”

My heart flips as I look over my shoulder to see Apollo approaching the couch lit up by the fire.

“Have you come yet?”

“What? No…I uh…” I pull down my night gown as fast as I can, standing up and walking toward the fireplace as if it’s heat can protect me from the cold splash of water Apollo’s entrance just caused. My face has never felt so hot. Mortification nearly suffocates me. I feel as if the flames from the fire are licking my body.

“That’s a shame.” He sits down on the couch and pats the seat next to him.

“What are you doing?” I ask, feeling butterflies flap around in my tummy. I don’t understand why he won’t simply walk away and allow me to die in my embarrassment.

“Come over here and let me show you how it’s done.”

“What? Apollo… what ?” Did he just imply what I think he did? No way could I have heard him correctly, and yet his serious face, the casual way he sits on the couch with a seductive smirk, tells me I heard him correctly.

“Lift that nightie back up, come spread your thighs, and let’s finish what you started. You’ll come this time,” he says in a calm and even tone.

Although my thoughts and emotions are swirling in chaos, the man has full control of his, and though he caught me in the most private and compromising position, he’s not teasing me. There is no jest in his words. He appears completely at ease but also determined to do as he’s saying. He even appears dignified and nearly regal, sitting on the chair with his intent to perform his husbandly duties .

I try my best to seem calm. This is complete madness, and yet I’m not running out of the living room. I’m not saying no. Do I actually want him to do as he’s suggesting? I literally can’t remember the last time he ever has. We’ve never been that couple. We don’t…well, we just aren’t like this.

He pats the couch again. “Now, Daphne.”

“It’s fine. We really should get to bed. You’re still recovering, and we have the funeral tomorrow. I don’t know what got into me.” I let out a forced laugh. “It’s been a long time, and I was trying to relieve some stress and?— ”

“Now.”

My heart beats so loudly in my ears, I’m sure he has to hear it as well. “You don’t need to show me how?—”

“If I have to get up and drag you over here, you will regret it. Now get over here and spread those legs.”

Jesus, the man is serious. Dead serious. And even though his threat sounds aggressive in the wording—and completely unlike him—his tone remains calm and firm.

Not sure what else to do, as nothing I’m saying to defuse the situation is working, I stand up and take the first step toward him. Have I gone insane? Am I really walking toward Apollo so he can finish what I started? Did he just want me to lie there and…come? I can’t remember a time we’d ever done anything sexual if it wasn’t in the bedroom. The light cast from the fire is bright. He’ll be able to see everything if I truly spread my thighs like he’s commanding. The darkness from our room won’t conceal me from his view. Am I seriously even considering this? I could simply say no. It’s not like we’ve had sex in what feels like forever. Months… Maybe even a year.

But I continue on. With each step I take, my resistance seems to dissolve, and I am morphing into…willing… Or maybe just accepting of what my body desires. My body wants to come. Or maybe it’s that the embarrassment and shame of this entire situation is just too much, and I simply want it over with.

I stand before him, eyes cast down, praying he will direct me on exactly what he wants me to do next, because there is no way I will be able to even guess.

“Lift your nightgown and bare yourself. I want to see,” he commands so easily.

Does he not find his words, and what he’s asking me to do out of the ordinary? He seems so cool and casual, and acts as if this is just an everyday occurrence for us. Maybe for many lovers, but definitely not for us.

Attempting to drum up the nerve to pull up my nightgown, I peek up and make eye contact. With our eyes connected, I feel the thundering beat of my heart, a tingle between my legs, and a bizarre nervous desire rocking my body. With one powerful expression that tells me he is losing his patience and I better act fast, he gives me the courage to surrender to his request. When I pull up the hem to my belly, I shudder as the warm air from the roaring fire in the room touches my ass that my lack of panties doesn’t prevent.

I’m bare. Exposed.

He stares at my nightgown. His eyes seem to darken as he takes in every lacy inch. “Remove it completely.”

I pause, not sure I have the inner strength to do as he asks. He hasn’t seen my body exposed fully in bright light since…well, I don’t know when the last time was. Insecurity of my body takes over, and I’m not sure I’m willing to be nude completely.

“Apollo,” I begin.

“I’m your husband. You’re my wife. I want you naked.” He glances at my bare pussy. “I want to appreciate all of you.”

The way he says the words has jolts of electricity sizzling through my veins. The sane and reasonable part of me wants to scream no and storm out of the room. Yes, we are married, but we’re estranged. And even if we weren’t, why is Apollo acting so out of character? I should leave, but the sinful and wicked part of me wants to do exactly what he commands without hesitation.

My mind and body are at war, and I’m not sure which one I want to win, and which one will be defeated.

“If I have to do it for you,” he says, breaking my internal dialogue, “I might just have to spank that naughty ass of yours before I lick every inch of that body.”

Spank? Lick? Is this man for real? Oh my God, this is for real.

My mind might scream no, but my body does exactly as he asks, and I remove the nightgown, standing nude before him.