Page 42 of Witches and Wine
Apollo blinked before tossing his head back and roaring with laughter. “Does the god of music play more than one instrument, she asks?”
My face warmed, and I folded a strand of hair over my ear. “Sorry. Prior human brain and all.”
“I’m just giving you a hard time, trying to lighten the mood a bit. But yeah, I can play damn near any string instrument you throw at me. A few woodwinds, too.” Apollo reached into his pocket, producing a yellow guitar pick, and proceeded to roll it over his knuckles.
“The cello?” I asked, my voice wistful.
Apollo clenched the pick in his fist. “I can play theshitout of the cello.”
“I love the cello,” I added.
Apollo raked a hand through his chin-length bright blonde hair, his glacial eyes glittering at my words. “Really? Would’ve pegged you more of the violin type.”
Simply smiling to myself, I continued to type notes. “We’ll need to talk with the owner about you performing here. They may not allow it.”
“Turn down the opportunity to havetheApollo here? Unlikely.” Apollo beat a hand against his chest like a gorilla.
Laughing, I propped my elbow on the table. “This isn’t a mortal realm, Apollo. They may not be as impressed.”
Apollo’s mouth gaped. “You insult me.” A grin soon slid over his lips.
“Do you know the owner?”
“I do. But it’s still too early in the evening for her to be in.” Apollo peeked out the window, the sun dipping under the horizon but still plainly in view in shades of purple, orange, and crimson.
“Not late enough?” I snorted. “What is she, a vampire?”
“Yes.”
My fingers froze on the keyboard, and after saving my progress, I rightly slapped the laptop shut. “I keep forgetting. This is all so overwhelming. I’m horrible with overwhelming. I start to stammer. I flush pink. I forget how to breathe, I?—”
Apollo rested his hand atop mine, nothing sensual, just a reassuring, friendly gesture. “Hey, Chelsea? It’s going to be okay.”
Tears welled in my eyes because as much as I appreciated Apollo’s kindness, I wanted that to be Dion’s hand. I desired nothing more than to have those amber eyes gleaming at me with that warm and calming nature only he could give me.
Only him.
“Or maybe—not,” Apollo said, his eyes widening at something behind me. He slid his hand from mine and slowly sat back.
“Apollo? What is it?”
Scents of soap, earth, and wine permeated the air around us, instantly making my core tighten.
Dion was here. How did he know where I was? Did I really have summoning power over him?
“What thefuckdo you think you’re doing?” Dion roared, his voice a beastly pitch I hadn’t heard from him. He loomed over Apollo, who stood as soon as Dion approached the table.
“Dion,” I whispered, wrapping my hand around his forearm.
He didn’t look at me and delicately shifted me so I was behind him, his arm protectively curling me against his side.
“Come on, bro, you know I wouldn’t go after your girl.” Apollo held his hands up like this was a stickup.
Dion’s horns started to poke through his skull, the claws edging from his fingertips. “Like that’s ever stopped you before.”
“Dion, come on, man, that was hundreds of years ago. We’ve both changed.” Apollo gestured between them and then jutted his thumb at Dion’s now fully exposed horns. “For example, when’s the last time you showed those in public?”
Dion grimaced and shook his head like he couldn’t decide between Dion or the beast. “You keep this strictly about business and keep your handsoffher.”
