I can’t help but stare as he moves closer, wearing a stark white dress shirt and black slacks. His glowing, olive skin contrasts perfectly with his wavy, chestnut hair. I almost have to struggle to keep my composure and my jaw closed.
“And who do we have here?” Apollo reaches out to me and I take his hand, warm and enormous. He leans down, eyes staying focused on mine as he gently kisses the top. If I wasn’t so in love with his son, I’m pretty sure I would do whatever the hell this man wanted.
He’s ridiculous.
“H-Hello,” I finally get out, suddenly aware of my surroundings and embarrassed to be so turned on by him. “Elise Crawford, it’s nice to meet you.”
“I assure you, the pleasure is all mine,” Apollo’s smile widens as he releases my hand.
His father’s allure is undeniable, even unbelievable, just like Ascot warned. I’m still in shock or maybe in awe when Ascot moves to my side and slips his arm around my back. I blink, finally breaking the spell of uncomfortable lust.
“It is good to see you, Asclepius,” Apollo says. “I do not enjoy going so long between visits,” he glances back at me. “Is Elise your girlfr…”
“Fiancé,” he blurts out and I whip my head, wide eyed.
Apollo’s expression changes, a mix of confusion and anger shadowing his features. “That is unadvisable,” he warns, eyes narrowing.
Eric steps closer, “Here, father, have some wine,” he says, handing him a full glass of burgundy.
Apollo’s face clears and he nods, reaching out. “Thank you, son,” he takes a long drink.
“Why don’t we sit down,” Ascot suggests, pulling out a chair for me. I take a seat, nervously watching Apollo sit at the head of the table. Ascot steps over to the bar, lifting one of the appetizers as Eric grabs the other.
A tray of assorted meats and cheeses, bread, olives and honey is placed in the center of the table next to a smaller tray of caviar, crackers, chives and red onions. Ascot takes a seat to my right as Eric pulls out a chair directly across and gives me a stealthy wink.
“How’s the wine?” Ascot looks over to his father, calm and collected. “Oh,” he glances to the center of the table, “it’s Beluga, your favorite.”
Apollo doesn’t say a word, glaring at his son with his intense, gorgeous green eyes. He’s waiting for an explanation, and quite frankly, so am I.
Engaged? Is he serious?
“Why don’t you excuse us, Elise,” Apollo suggests, keeping his eyes on Ascot. “We have family business to discuss.”
I move to get up but Ascot takes my hand under the table and I freeze glancing up at him. “She’s already part of the family,” he shakes his head and swallows.
“What are you saying, son,” Apollo leans in, expression unreadable, “you cannot take a wife, you know this.”
“Why not?” he asks, “I’ve been married before.”
Apollo glances at me, his brows pushing together. “Elise, please leave us.”
I give him a quick nod and motion to scoot out my chair.
“Stop,” Ascot tightens his grip on my hand, “she knows about us,” he whispers. “She’s also…”
“What? Carrying your child?” Apollo interrupts, a vein popping out on his temple.
“No!” Ascot blurts out.
“Then why on earth would you want to marry a mor…” Apollo stops himself, eyeing me apologetically.
Ascot takes a drink of his wine, glancing up at Eric who looks like he’s quite enjoying this awkward as hell conversation.
Apollo’s eyes are fixed on Ascot as he takes a drink of wine and methodically sets it back down.
“Son, you have been through this before, she will be gone in the blink of an eye…”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he stares at his father, “because she’s immortal too.”
Apollo leans back and laughs, shaking his head. “What is it about her that would make you want to lie abo…”
“I wouldn’t lie about this,” he whispers, glancing over to his brother. “He knows it’s true, too.”
Apollo’s smile fades, “What? How? It’s not possible!”
I look over to him and his eyes dart over to mine. “Apparently it is when you cut your foot and step in Poseidon’s water,” I whisper.
Apollo immediately stands and his chair falls back. “Asclepius!” his voice booms and I swear even the birds stop chirping outside. “What have you done?”
Ascot gets to his feet, straightening to meet his father’s glare. I’m instantly impressed by his bravery because I’m scared shitless.
“It was purely unintentional, I assure you,” he admits, as the two of them face off for what seems like a million years.
“Well, I for one, like her,” Eric chimes in, smiling as he leans back and he chews a piece of bread.
Apollo glances down at Eric and then to Ascot before looking straight at me. “This changes everything. You change everything.”
I swallow, nodding up at him. “It’s totally my fault,” I whisper. “I-I didn’t mean for any of it to happen and when…”
“Do not blame yourself,” Apollo interrupts, eyes full of compassion. “There is no way you could have known,” he whispers, rubbing this jawline.
“Don’t you see, father?” Ascot says, taking my hand. “Without realizing, Elise saved me.”
Apollo tilts his head, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“She’s my responsibility now,” Ascot says and I watch his father’s expression slowly clear as he steps away from the table.
“Zeus,” Apollo whispers, eyes far away, “my father will stop his pursuit,” he says under his breath, hands clasping together. “The hunt to find you will be over,” his face begins to brighten like a ray of sun through a thick layer of clouds.
“That’s right,” Ascot says. “So, you must tell him right away.”
Apollo moves toward his son. “There will be no need,” he shakes his head, “the moment it happened, Poseidon knew. I have no doubt he informed his brother immediately.”
“Well, that explains a lot,” Eric chimes in. “This visit has been way too easy. Father’s been here for several days without any issues, no one’s been tracking him.”
“How did I not know?” Apollo murmurs to himself.
Eric smirks. “First of all, Ascot has become the master of disappearing, no one would suspect him here,” his hands go up. “No offense, brother, but this place is a dump.”
“None taken,” Ascot shakes his head and grins.
“And secondly,” Eric continues, locking eyes with his father, “you were so focused on finding him,” he glances over to Ascot, “Even if Poseidon had found a way to tell you as well, it wouldn’t have stopped you.”
Apollo’s brows go up. “I suppose you are right,” he admits, his vulnerability only making his handsome features more charming.
“It makes sense,” Ascot nods, glancing down at me with an adoring gaze.
Apollo raises his brows and clears his throat, picking up his wine glass. “So,” he smiles, “when is the big day?”