Page 1 of Soft Bronze

Chapter One

If only I were free of this bronze, the things I’d do to you.Zelus watched the guard strolling around the antiquities store. He liked the way the guard admired his form. He’d kept himself in shape up until the moment he’d been encased in the bronze. Although he hated being trapped, he did prefer the way the metal showcased his assets. He yearned for the touch of the guard. Two thousand years without a cock made one quite lonely.

Was that why he wanted the guard to pay attention to him? Because he’d been without a cock for so many centuries?

Zelus sure hoped he wasn’t so shallow—not any longer. He’d been known for his devotion once he found someone to adore. Zeus had been one of those rare souls. So had Phthonos. The fool found another person to love and had left Zelus to his jealousy.

The guard didn’t remind Zelus of his former lovers. Not a bit. Instead, the thin man looked more scholarly or what the humans referred to as … a nerd.

Being stuck in bronze for all these years, some spent buried upside down in dirt and muck and some while on display, gave him the long opportunity to observe the humans. Most of the people didn’t turn his head. Far too many of them were too obsessed with themselves to even notice him. The males weren’t what he liked and the women were far too thin. Did he have a type he preferred? Not really.

His celestial mate would be nice—the forever lover he’d thought he’d found in Phthonos, but had been so wrong.

Zelus studied the guard again. The man was thin and his thick glasses slid down his angular nose. All the nights the handsome guard came to him, he’d never learned the man’s name. They had some wonderful talks. He knew so much about the man. He wished he could ask. He longed to touch the man and caress his body. If he’d have been free, he’d have shivered. A vision of his dick buried balls deep in the guard came to mind. He uttered a silent groan. In and out, he’d sink into the man until they both cried out. He needed to feel a warm, wet mouth surrounding his prick … one that belonged to the handsome guard. Would the guard allow himself to be taken completely and filled, or was he shy and needed a tender touch to get him to come apart? Zelus wanted to find out. He liked a man who could handle having his hair pulled during sex and who sucked cock deep. He hoped the sexy man would appreciate both.

“It’s a shame.” The guard held his hand up, not quite touching Zelus’s thigh. “They decided to sell you after all. I begged them to keep you, but they refused. Not that I had the money to purchase you.” He shook his head. His blond hair slipped over his brow. “You’re going to a private collection. You’re meant to be adored by museum patrons and studied as a classic of your time period.”

Studied and adored. Zelus liked those words. He parsed through the rest of what the guard had said. Being sold? To a store? He didn’t belong in a merchant area. The blasphemy!

“I tried to argue with the owners. Andy swears you have to go. They needed the money. I don’t see how—they’re loaded.” The guard sat at Zelus’s feet. “They wouldn’t listen to me. I get it. I’m a guard and not that important, but a statue of your importance can’t be part of a window display. He called you a minor statue meant for ambiance in a store. That’s crap.”

Irritation swam through Zelus. Minor statue? Andy knew better. He yearned to cry out in protest.

“I’m going to miss you. I’d planned to do my art paper on you, but you knew that. I’ve told you just about everything in my life.” He rested his head against Zelus’s thigh. “You’ve been the most understanding person. I get it, you’re not real, but you feel real. I wish you could come to life.”

I wish you knew how much I adore our talks and want to break the curse for you.Zelus bit back a silent moan. No one had touched him in so long and not with such reverence. Not even the mighty Zeus showed him so much care.

The guard moved his hand up Zelus’s leg to his thigh. He glanced up at Zelus, then inched his palm even higher to Zelus’s exposed cock.

A shiver wracked Zelus’s body, although he couldn’t show his reaction. He’d grown fond of the guard and enjoyed his touch. He wanted to run his own fingers through the young man’s hair and explore the valleys and peaks of his lanky body. The daydream from earlier, about fucking the guard, came back with a vengeance. Yeah, he wanted to dominate the younger man … but first, he needed to get out of the bronze.

“I can’t stop them from selling you.” The guard pressed his mouth to Zelus’s thigh. “I want to. I can’t see putting you in a store. You deserve better.”

He kissed Zelus’s leg again, a little bit higher.

Please, human. Keep going. Kiss my mouth. Please, save me. Break my curse. Free me.

Footsteps thumped on the floor and the guard jumped off the pedestal. He righted his uniform, but couldn’t hide his excitement—it tented his pants. He folded his hands in front of his problem.

“Camden Crowe, what are you doing here?”

So the guard’s name was Camden? Sexy. He looked like a Camden.

“I’m studying the statue for my paper,” Camden replied.

The second guard’s gaze switched between Camden and Zelus. He rolled his eyes. “When’s the paper due?”

“By the end of the semester.”

“Which class?”

“Art History.”

“They let you do papers on old statues?” The guard rolled his eyes again. “Just finish your rounds. You’re going to help me pack this guy up before they open the store in the morning.”

“Yes, sir.” Camden bowed his head and made his way across the room, putting distance between him and Zelus.

Zelus wished he could open his mouth. He wanted to scream. His heart ached. Camden enjoyed his company. He wanted to research Zelus. Camden could be the one to break his curse, but Zelus couldn’t let him know.

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