Free Goddess's Saga 1: Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad

called many things, but that’s not one of them.
    “ No. I... Don’t worry about it.”
    “ How can I ever repay you?”
    Maria touched her cheek.
    “ That’s easy. Keep safe, and take care of yourself. Live a happy life. That’s all I need.”
    Our paths will cross again. I just don ’t know where or when.
    It was a matter of minutes before Stephan returned with Dean, the latter babbling.
    “ So you mean you’re paying me to transport a girl? A real girl? Not a statue or anything?”
    Stephan rolled his eyes.
    “Yes, a girl.”
    He stopped and let a heavy hand fall on the other man ’s shoulder.
    “ No fooling around. No detours. Pretend she’s your sister or something.”
    Dean sighe d and sounded exasperated.
    “ Man you’re serious nowadays.”
    Maria waved them closer and held up a wad of money. Dean grabbed it and leafed through the bills.
    “ For you I’d do it for free, but this helps...”
    She held up a finger , wanting to get his attention; he seemed somewhat preoccupied by the feeling of money in his hands.
    “ This is Chrys. I want you to fuss over her, treat her like a princess. Can you do that for me?”
    “ Baby, toss in a little kiss for me, and my ship will be her palace.”
    He bent forward, puckering his lips, but Stephan’s hand fell down on his neck and pulled him away.
    “ Yeah, man, that’s not happening.”
    “ Wow, she’s really got you. Where did you say you two met?”
    Stephan grinned.
    “ I got drunk and rammed her ship.”

~ 10 ~
     
     
    To Stephan, it seemed to take forever before Dean and Chrys were on their way.
    When Maria wanted to walk them to Dean ’s ship, he whispered, “They’ll be fine.”
    She stopped abruptly with the teddy bear dangling under her arm.
    “ Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were so eager to get rid of them.”
    “ I’m not, I’m eager to be alone with you. But, if you really want to go wave them off we can catch up.”
    It was clearly the right thing to say; she flashed a smile.
    “No. We’ll see them again.”
    What?
    “Why? When?”
    “ I don’t know. I try not to pay attention to the future.”
    God , I love her, but sometimes talking to her gives me a headache.
    He put his hands on her shoulders.
    “Don’t go picking fights with guys that big if I’m not around, okay?”
    Her mouth twitched.
    “Why? Don’t you think I can take care of myself?”
    “ Of course you can, but it’s my job now. You shouldn’t have to deal with it.”
    She ’ll probably just teleport out of the way, or turn them into cotton wool or an ear ring or something, but why risk it? Dammit, I want to hug her, but that bear is the size of a bus. Maybe I’ll always have to fight it for her from now on.
    “ Would you mind sending Mister Teddy home? He can wait for us in the ship.”
    He expected her to say something cheeky, but the bear disappeared and she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him. A part of him wanted to suggest they return home too. Her little black dress was darned sexy, and he wanted to unzip it and take it off. The closet they’d borrowed wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t their own bed, or even the kitchen...
    Maria’s voice shook him back to reality.
    “You seem far away, what are you thinking?”
    “ I’m thinking about you on the kitchen table.”
    The honest answer made her laugh.
    “Well handsome, good things come to those who wait, and you’ve only waited a couple of hours.”
    It wasn ’t easy to pretend to suffer, but he sighed and tried a sad puppy look.
    “ But, that’s forever.”
    He trailed his hands up to her shoulders and rubbed them.
    Think, Stephan... I want to take the dress off, but it ’s so sexy on. Stop thinking about sex. What’s here that’s safe and something she might like? Oh, I know.
    “ C’mon.”
    “ Where are we going?”
    Grinning, he smacked her butt.
    “ I’m not telling. Good things come to those who wait, remember?”
    She stuck her tongue out. It was impossible not to