Hello, my loves. You know the drill. More reviews = More chapters. I let you get away with less than five reviews this time because I already had this chapter drafted. But I rely on your feedback for inspiration and motivation. And there's nothing written for the next chapter. So if you want to know what happens next…

As always, PLEASE REVIEW!

Much love,

Cat

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After plunging them into darkness, Aphrodite pressed her lips to his in a fierce kiss, desperate to close the distance between them that had been tormenting her for months. Finally, she was in his arms. Finally, she felt alive again.

All too soon, Hephaestus pulled back. But he quickly returned, gentling her passion with lush, open-mouthed kisses that lightly caressed her bottom lip, seducing her into languid acquiescence before moving to her cheek, her jaw, the hollow of her neck. She gasped and clutched at him, her fingernails digging into his shoulders as his tongue tasted her pulse before he sucked that patch of skin between his lips. She could feel his lips curve against her neck.

"Put me down," Aphrodite demanded, her breathlessness undercutting her imperious tone.

Hephaestus complied, lowering her back down to the grass. She set the oil lamp aside and launched herself at him. He lay in a half-reclining position, braced on his elbows. Aphrodite had flown at him with such force that she had almost succeeded in knocking him prone. He was a little bemused by her fervor. Instead of the expected finesse, she was peppering his face with kisses like an affectionate puppy. It was charmingly unpracticed. And surprisingly stimulating. He eased himself up so he could hold her in his arms, groaning as she shifted so she was sitting in his lap, her lush bottom pressed right up against where he suddenly ached unbearably. Suddenly, their embrace did not feel so carefree or innocent. How had he slept beside her for so many nights? He bit back another groan as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her generous breasts against him once more. Though his earliest preferences were for slender, ethereal beauty, he tended to take athletic lovers; women who were muscular and sturdy and did not seem quite as breakable as the ones in his fantasies. But right now, he could not remember what another woman even looked like. He could not see her in the darkness but all his other senses were fully occupied with her. Aphrodite. The feel of her abundant curves pressed against him, the sweet smell of her hair, the taste of her lips. Tartarus. He wanted to taste those lips again. He wanted to taste every part of her. He wanted to release the ties of her dress and reveal every inch of her smooth skin. He wanted to carry her to their bed and touch and taste her everywhere.

"Aphrodite…" he whispered. "Sweetheart. We have to go back to the house."

She squirmed in protest, an inarticulate cry springing from her lips. She tried to distract him with more kisses but, unable to see in the darkness, her lips first landed on the bridge of his nose and then the corner of his mouth before her tongue finally slipped between his lips, tangling with his until he began to seriously consider laying out his tunic and taking her here on the grass. He moaned loudly as she shifted again, stimulating an organ that he was quite sure she could feel pressing insistently against her bottom. He pulled away again, burying his face in her neck and breathing harshly against her skin. "Please, sweetheart, let me take you home."

He felt her fingertips touch his face before she crawled out of his arms. A few moments later, her felt her hand against his leg. Gaia, if she moved her hand to the right, he wouldn't be able to stop himself… He could already picture it. Sinking into the soft grass, the night breeze wicking the sweat from their bodies as they…

"Do you have the flint?"

It took a moment for him to gather his wits. He was still distracted by the pressure of her fingertips on his thigh. He fumbled about for a moment, searching for his pocket in the folds of his tunic. "I have it," he told her.

He felt her hand lift from his thigh, only to catch his breath when she sent it trailing over his tight stomach and heavily muscled chest before finding his bicep. She wasn't caressing him. She simply couldn't see in the darkness. But the feel of her fingertips grazing gently over his body was almost as arousing as her passionate kisses earlier.

She clasped his bicep, seeming to enjoy the feel of it before skating her fingers down his arm until she felt his hand. He shuddered as she ran her thumb over the back of his hand, pausing to caress the callus on his index finger. She pulled his hand towards her, wrapping his fingers around a small, round object. The smooth clay was still warm. He struck the steel and flint, the spark helping him find the wick to ignite the oil. Soon a tiny flame lit her face in a faint, warm glow. She seemed a little startled to suddenly be staring into his eyes again, before her lips curved in a mischievous smile.

Unable to resist, he reached out his hand to caress her cheek. He leaned in slowly, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips before resting his face against her cheek. He took a deep breath, collecting himself and summoning all of his self-control. Though his voice was still hoarse when he whispered in her ear. "I'm going to lift you now."

She nodded her understanding, cradling the oil lamp carefully as his hands slid under her once more. She let out a choked sound of shocked pleasure. He had hooked one arm beneath her knees. The other braced her back, but it was his large, warm palm cradling her bottom that had drawn her attention.

One side of his lips quirked up as a wicked light lit his eyes. Had she ever thought he was not handsome? What a fool she'd been. She could not help herself from returning his steady gaze though she felt sure that hers was full of dreamy longing. But he did not tease her as he held her securely in his arms and began to walk purposefully back towards the house.

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I hope that you liked it. Please let me know. We're heading into some very sexy chapters. I don't know. It's what I feel like writing and it feels right for where Aphrodite and Hephaestus are in their relationship right now.

Normally, I don't like when male characters make comparisons between present and previous lovers but I didn't want to lose the thread of Hephaestus' past. We will get to it. Don't worry.

Also, all the unifying language ("we" and "they") and the emphasis on "home" and "their bed" was definitely intentional. And of course he didn't tease her. He said he'd never mock her. They're learning to be careful with each other's feelings.

Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW!

Much love,

Cat