XOXO Read online

  He sighed again and cast a glare over to his bow that laid on the table. It was perfectly weighted for him, no other hand had ever drawn it. Although he didn’t really need it, it was the symbol of his existence but now even it looked a bit worn and dulled around the edges, just like he felt.

  Apollo chuckled and hugged him harder. Cupid scowled, how could his friend be so callous?

  “You’ve got it all wrong! They haven’t developed far-seeing, telepathy, or any other god like power they are an inventive race they just invented tools to aid them.”

  Cupid resisted the urge to shrug the arm away and listened. When there was no more information forthcoming he prompted.

  “Go on?”

  “Honestly, some gods just don’t focus. These days everyone uses something called the internet. It allows people to get connected even though they are on the other side of the world and have never met.”

  “And they meet on this internet?” Cupid said his attention completely on Apollo now.

  “Yes, they use things called Online Dating Sites.” Apollo paused then smiled widely and slapped his arm back around Cupid’s shoulder. “In fact it’s about time you got yourself someone, we’ll make you a profile!”

  Nerves tickled Cupid’s stomach but his interest was peeked and he found himself nodding in agreement.

  ***

  Spirit looked around the restaurant nervously. It was fuller than she had been expecting but it was still in the open and in a very public place, all be it an exclusive one. All around her muted conversations were carried out by exquisitely suited men and perfectly dressed woman, their jewelery glistening in the candlelight. By comparison she felt very dull and not at all interesting. Dressed in her best dress it felt like nothing but rags next to those around her.

  Sighing she tugged at the hem of the deep red dress as if she had found a speck of dust on it then turned her attention back to the very empty table in front of her. Her date was late. She had been stood up before by people but never in such an exclusive restaurant, nor this close to Valentines Day.

  The perils of dating she thought with a sigh. Still with the vast amount of questions she had had to complete to create her online profile she was certain she had at least a few things in common. Being late wasn’t one of them however and she cast her mind back to Cupidthefirst’s profile trying to recall what she could.

  Other than his name which was just like many other on the site and made up to maintain some privacy at the start the rest of his profile had been completely filled in. He described himself as fun loving but completely dedicated to his job which she had admired instantly.

  Of the rest of the profile she could remember little, the only thing that stuck in her mind was his photograph. Most people had photographs of themselves smiling, some even went as far as getting professional ones done. Not him, he was stood in front of what looked like a field of olive trees. Instead of a smile he had what looked like a grimace although his eyes looked like they were filled with humor. The whole picture gave enough mixed messages to make Spirit wary but enough to spark her interest.

  She wasn’t normally someone who would decide to date a person on appearances but what had drawn her to his picture was the fact that he looked almost identical to the being she had been dreaming about every night for the past few years. Of course not exactly, he didn’t have wings in the photo for a start but it was enough to get her to respond to his initial contact.

  A number of emails had been exchanged before the meeting had been suggested. Spirit was always cautious but had also had enough of inaction. This date was her finally doing something...and now the man that had caused all of this was late.

  “Some wine miss?” The waiter appeared at her side causing her to jump.

  “N...no I’m fine thank you.”

  “More breadsticks? Or would you like to order now?” He looked pointedly at the empty chair then down to his watch and back to her.

  Irritation shot up her spine and she scowled up at him.

  “I’m fine thank you.” With that she turned her attention back to the empty chair and willed it to be suddenly filled.

  It wasn’t, but she stubbornly remained staring at it until the waiter melted away. When she was certain he was gone and couldn’t sense him starring at her she risked glancing around the restaurant, contemplating her next move.

  The easiest thing to do would be to cut her losses and leave before she got asked to pay for a full meal. Checking her phone for the seventh time she decided to give him another five minutes then would discreetly head to the toilet before slipping out. She had no intention of dealing with the mock look of sympathy on the servers when she told them she didn’t need the table after all Nor had she any intention for paying for the time she had spent at the table, she had nibbled the complimentary bread-sticks and that was it.

  The minutes dragged on but five minutes later she casually picked her things up put the phone under her ear and headed to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom she stood in a cubicle for what she decided was the correct amount of time before ducking back out and making a move to the door.

  “I know, but if it’s an emergency you just need to ring them.” She said as she moved out of the way of a waiter and talked animatedly into her phone.

  “Well of course but you don’t want the whole house going up now do you?”

  She cleared the final front of house staff and the doormen opened the door for her with a smile. She smiled to them, wafted at her phone and rolled her eyes by means of an apology then headed outside. Not looking back to see if anyone had signaled that she needed to be stopped she kept moving.

  “No don’t light anything for gods sake! You don’t want to end up in pieces, you could blow the whole house up. You.....” Her fake conversation came to an abrupt end as she walked straight into a great wall of man at the bottom of the restaurant steps.

  Furious she jumped back, opened her mouth to begin yelling then stopped and starred up into the face of her very late date.

  For a moment they starred at one another and Spirit became acutely aware of his closeness. The look of annoyance that had been evident in his photograph had been replaced by a gaze that she decided was a mix of curiosity and interest.

  “Which gods?” He said bending down a little so his breath tickled against her skin.

  “What?” Of all the things she thought he would say, this definitely was not one of them.

  “You were telling your box not to light anything for gods sake, which gods?”

  Spirit gaped at him her mind a whirl of confusion, she put away the phone she was still cradling by her ear to stall for time whilst she got some semblance of thoughts organised.

  “I don’t know, but I don’t think it really matters. Besides I should be annoyed at you, why are you late for our date!”

  Silence fell between them again as he stepped back and looked at her closely. He scrunched his eyes up in concentration and slowly looked her up and down. She normally didn’t like this sort of scrutiny but she felt as if he was looking deep into her soul, striping back the layers and setting her for who she truly was. What she found more surprising was she enjoyed it.

  He was taller than she had pictured but his massive frame was carefully enclosed in good quality fabric that seemed made for him. He looked slightly uncomfortable in his clothes but they fitted him perfectly. Spirit could see the hint of muscles rippling under the slate grey fabric and found her mouth watering at the thought of him holding her. It was his face however that took her breath away. A sharp chiseled chin and high cheekbones reminded her off the Greek statues she had seen on a holiday in Cyprus. His skin was flawless and with the addition of a plump red lips that cried out to be kissed and strange grey eyes that made her feel like she could get completely lost in them and never want to be anywhere else. His soft brown hair looked
sun kissed and very similar to her own curled around the nape of his neck whilst being brushed away from his eyes.

  She watched spellbound as his lips parted and his tongue darted out just enough to lick them before he began to speak.

  “I...” was as far as he got before a hand grabbed hold of Spirit making her squeak in surprise.

  “Miss you haven’t paid for the table. You need to come back with us.”

  She turned her head and saw the front of house staff and the two doormen looking at her sternly. Before she had chance to speak her date had grabbed hold of her and protectively wrapped his arms around her causing the man to lose his grip upon her.

  “I’m afraid that was my fault, I got very lost on the way here and she came out to direct me. We’ll be coming back in now, I presume you have left the table for us yes?”

  He spoke very softly but the effect was immediate and the waiter took a step back swallowed hard and nodded.

  “O....Of course sir. Right away if you would like to come this way we’ll make sure your table is ready.”

  Spirit only just registered that they were now all walking backup the steps of the restaurant her whole body tingled as the warmth from his body flooded through her shoulders. She could feel every single part of his hands where they rested upon her shoulders directing her toward the restaurant.

  She smelt olives and a spicy aroma wafting from him, that caused her stomach to knot and her pussy twitch with need. Taking a deep breath she felt dizzy as the heady mix of his scent pressed against her. His hands took a firmer grip on her as she slumped back a little against him her heart hammering.

  By the time he released her they were stood in front of the table she had left only minutes before.

  “We’d like the menu please.” he said softly sending people scuttling away.

  Pulling the chair out he helped her sit down and then moved to the other side of the table allowing Spirit to breath properly for the first time since he had moved so close. Her whole body protested at the lack of contact but she was at least able to calm herself down and steady her breathing so that she wasn’t going to pass out.

  Forcing herself to focus she gladly accepted the menu as it was thrust at her from a nervous looking waiter. Opening it up she couldn’t resist glancing over to her date, although he was big he looked huge in the seat and despite his suit looked out of place completely. Not that anyone else seemed to have noticed, she noted, people were looking around smiling at him whilst the staff didn’t seem to be able to stay still.

  A bottle of wine was delivered with the managements apologies and they hardly gave them chance to pick the food. When it came to giving their order he ordered for both of them leaving Spirit confused but intrigued with him.

  “So what do I call you?” She said sipping her wine.

  “Cupid.” he said simply with a slight shrug.

  “But that can’t be your real name surely?” She took a deeper gulp of the wine as she questioned him desperately trying not to look straight at him, knowing she’d lose all vocal abilities if she did.

  “Why not?” He said looking up at her. In a desperate attempt to not look at him she looked straight down at the table only to have the view changed as the food arrived. Never before had she been in a restaurant with such fast service, what was with this guy? Realising their was a silence building between them she tried to answer his question.

  “Well...I...” she fell silent unable to really think of anything, her own parents had named her after Cupid’s lover Psyche but not wanting her to stand out had translated it into something that fitted more into their lifestyle. She had stood out anyway but she was happy with her name.

  “You are after all named for me are you not?”

  For a moment she was struck by his phrasing but she shrugged it off and smiled.

  “Blame my parents.” she said with a half smile.

  “Oh I’ll thank them.” He smiled and she couldn’t help but gaze into his eyes as he held up his wine glass to hers. “A toast, to well meaning parents.”

  Instantly she was irritated by his self-assurance and straightened up with a scowl.

  “So are you going to tell me why you were late then? Normally I don’t wait for so long so the explanation best be good.”

  He smiled, his eyes twinkling in the candlelight and her irritation grew.

  “I had a few problems getting here, Apollo insisted on giving me some tips.”

  “Who?” she blinked

  “Apollo, God of Poetry, Music and Oracles?”

  “I thought.....sorry are you suggesting that you are actually Cupid, the Cupid?” Spirit couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing. So much for the date going well, not only was he late but he was also delusional. She glanced around the area wondering how to make a quick but discreet exit.

  “Of course, why would you think I wasn’t?”

  “Well...for a start why on earth would Cupid be using a dating site? You do realise Cupid is the god of love don’t you?”

  “That’s my job yes, and Apollo put me up to it. I’m not at all disappointed in the outcome though.” The way he looked at her made Spirits body throb with desire pushing overwhelming the irritation she felt.

  “And you aren’t on duty now?”

  “I have my eyes open but even gods need time off every now and then don’t you think?”

  “Well...I guess I have never thought about it, not having ever considered the Gods real.”

  “Ah so you think I am imaginary?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “But I’m not real?” he pushed causing her head to spin.

  “No I didn’t say that I...”

  “You?” He said reaching out and taking hold of her hand before she had chance to move it away.

  Immediately images of them together swam in front of her eyes. She felt his warmth rush through her with a familiarity that left her speechless. Her whole body tingled and as she sucked in a breath as images of the man she had been dreaming about melded with the figure in front of her.

  “You can feel me can’t you?” Cupid said not waiting for a response. “I can even prove it to you if you would like?”

  Spirit couldn’t find the words so nodded her response. She should stop believing him and just leave but somehow she couldn’t. For some reason she wanted him to be right, to be the one that had visited her dreams so often.

  He leaned forward and whispered in a conspiratorial manner. Squeezing her hand as he did so.

  “You see all the people looking at us?”

  She nodded.

  “Watch.”

  With his free hand he rummaged around in his pocket then pulling it out wafted his hand around. Spirit couldn’t see anything coming out of his hand but the effect was immediate.

  All at once every single one of the people turned away from Cupid and looked around at one another. Two tables down a woman stood up and smiled her eyes glued on a man sat in the corner by the window. He in turn looked at her with such adoration that he positively glowed. The woman quickly closed the distance between them took his face in her hands and kissed him passionately as if they had known one another for years.

  Spirit blinked and looked to Cupid. All around them people were standing up and switching tables, others were grabbing hold of peoples hands and leaving the restaurant main room. As she risked another glance around she noticed it wasn’t just the customers that had been affected in this way the staff members were also pairing off, some with other staff but others with customers and everyone looked so blissful it was as if they had the blinds taken away and were now noticing the people for the first time.

  Gaping Spirit opened her mouth to say something when Cupid coughed.

  “We should probably get out of here things are going to get a little.
..intense very soon.”

  He was already on his feet and propelling her to the door before she had chance to react and so for the second time that night she left the restaurant without paying.

  “What did you do?” she gasped as the cold air hit them.

  “My job.”

  “But....don’t you have a bow or something?” She said struggling to remember her Greek mythology.

  “Normally but in cases of emergencies I have my means. Don’t worry none of them are harmed and they will all live wonderfully happy lives if they let themselves,” he said as he walked them down the street.

  “How do I know you haven’t done whatever you did to me?”

  “Do you want to jump me right now?” There was a laughter in his voice that made her stomach knot.

  “Well....no not quite. I’m still irritated for you being late,” she did want him, but wasn’t going to let him know that just yet.

  “There you go, I promise I will never use anything like that on you. Now where are we headed?”

  “I don’t know...I wasn’t planning on sticking around to be honest, not with the story of you being a god.”

  “Ah home then?” He said holding her close. A cold breeze hit them and she was glad of his large bulk that she could press herself up against and shelter from the wind.

  “I’m not taking you home. I don’t know you well enough, god or no.” she said simply although more hesitantly as she breathed in his scent again.

  “Let me show you my home. Don’t worry if you ever want to leave you have but to ask. Close your eyes.”

  “But...I....” she said as the world shimmered in-front of her eyes. A wave of nausea hit her and she pressed herself against his body holding on for dear life. If she hadn’t she knew she would be a mess on the floor.