Free Ancient Ties by Jane Leopold Quinn

whispered, “I can’t.” A flush climbed up her neck, quickly covered her cheeks. Even her earlobes turned bright red in the process.
    His protective instincts flared again. He wanted to keep her safe. It took all his willpower not to pull her into his arms.
    Marek shifted his gaze to her mouth, trying not to stare at the water rippling around and over her breasts. He couldn’t help it, his lips lifted in a smile. He realized his mistake immediately.
    Janney snarled, “This isn’t funny, and you’re horrible to laugh at my expense.” Turning, she plowed through the water away from him. Before he could react, a servant scrambled over to help her out.
    Great Jupiter, help me!
    The sight of her nearly nude, barely-clothed body shook him to his core. Her torso elongated, stretched out to take the hand of the attendant helping her out. Releasing a short, sharp blast of breath, as if he’d been punched in the gut, he angled his head, and openly ogled her firm bottom, as silver water droplets spilled off down the gown. It clung, wedging into the dark crease of her bottom, wrapping around her thighs, hobbling her legs. His fingers curled into his palms. The sight of the material clinging lovingly to her body imprinted itself in his brain. He couldn’t breathe.
    Abruptly, to his surprise, Janney turned to face him, her eyes sparking with anger. She deliberately flaunted herself,
     

     
    daring him. Taunting him. As if she knew how arousing she looked.
    If he’d thought she looked spectacular from the rear, he could have sunk below the water and drowned with pleasure at the view he had now of her front. The shift molded itself to her breasts—breasts quivering with her every breath and swelling right here before everyone.
    Hades! Her pale nipples poked sharply at the cloth. Marek’s face flamed, his lips suddenly parched. He’d lick his lips, but he wasn’t sure he had enough saliva in his mouth to do the job.
    Marek narrowed his gaze, trying to drag it off her breasts.
    Good Gods. Everyone could see her. She was practically naked.
    Curse it.
    In part of his mind, he heard the murmurs of conversation around him, the sound of the water rushing into the pool, but he just stood there. His body primed, his phallus rock hard. It wasn’t possible to do anything other than stare.
    Great Jupiter!
    Marek blinked. His gaze tracked downward to her gently rounded belly. Suddenly, his lips quirked, and he grinned broadly.
    She really is! Another breath burst from his lungs, his laugh echoing to the top of the dome. The puffs of curls, even waterlogged, were light.
    She really is naturally yellow-haired. Ahhh! He just barely stifled a groan.
    Janney angrily whipped around, treating him to another view of her perfect bottom and stalked off toward the undressing room.
    Great God Mars! Help me!
    It would be quite a while before his erection subsided enough for him to leave the pool.

    Mt. Olympus

     
    “Venus, my love. That was not fair.”
     

     
    “Mars, my dear love, who said I had to be fair?”
    “Where is Cupid? Did you send him to the baths? Did he use gold-tipped arrows or darts?” Mars shot questions at her in rapid order. He rose from his throne and stalked toward the love of his life, the Goddess of Love.
    “Do you mean is Marek in love or in lust?” Venus asked, as she watched him warily, fully intending to be standing by the time he reached her.
    Moving faster, Mars imprisoned her, placing a hand on each arm of her plush, golden throne. “What is the difference? He is under your spell, my dear.”
    Furious, Venus tried to rise but Mars refused to step back.
    “It makes a huge difference, my dear Mars.”
    Irritated, she taunted him, “One will change him forever, and he will be mine. You will just have to watch to find out what antics our cherubic child, Cupid, is up to. He does take after me more than he does you. Cupid knows that love is the most important emotion. War is vicious and gets mortal man nowhere