She was adorable, innocent face, her blushes, when she was admitting her naughty inclinations in my direction. Also a goddess, literally, her dark blue eyes captivating, and her nubile body and C cups deliciously outlined by the sheet I currently sat on. Shit, I’d better go, before I went back on my word and did something she wasn’t ready for.

  After all, I was positive she wouldn’t say no, because despite her confusion she wanted me badly. Her eyes might’ve been confused, but her body language was sending all the right signals. I was sure enough to bet my soul that she was wet for me that very moment.

  I grinned, “If you insist. Will you need help to move?”

  She shook her head, “I can’t remote view you because you’re stronger, but I can see the house since I was in it. I’ll just teleport my stuff over there now that I know what I’m capable of, directly to my room. Oh,” she gave me her e-mail address, so I could send her the kindle spell book.

  I focused on that for a moment, resisted the urge to brush her face with my fingertips as I stood up.

  “See you soon, June.”

  She bit her lip, and the warm conflicted look she gave sent a prescience through me. Part of my seer ability no doubt.

  It was my turn to blush, as I teleported to the studio, filled it with sunlight, and finished out the night with three more paintings, that fit with the other three. A solid six painting series, on a level of mastery I’d never before attained. In less than twenty-four hours.

  Anyway, what made me blush was as soon as I left, she was going to rub one out with my name falling from her sweet and full rosy lips as she came for me, a knowing given to me by my power, and it had me hard as a rock for hours.

  Resisting her would be difficult, but I was determined to give her the time she needed. Once she was past that, I was sure nothing would keep us apart.

  After all, she was mine.

  The gallery owner, Allison Bryman, shook her head, causing her light blonde short hair to tickle her shoulders.

  “Impossible. I can’t sell these here, your work has… exploded. The emotions in these are phenomenal.”

  I nodded, “I’ll try somewhere else.”

  Allison shook her head, “You misunderstand, Mark. The patrons that come to this location could never afford what they’re worth. I want to display them at my uptown location, and if you could create at least six more with the same magnificence, with a different theme and series, then I will host a showing for your work. I will take care of the transfer and insure them for a hundred grand each. They may be worth more, but if they are damaged that is what you will be paid.”

  Holy crap. It almost felt like cheating, using my power over art and leisure, but it beat painting houses and being a handyman. I figured I could crank out another six of a different theme over the next day or two.

  Her shoes clacked loudly on the floor as she moved toward her office, and I followed her in bemusement. She was a bit pretentious, but she’d always treated me fairly, so I’d give her first shot at displaying and selling my work. For a healthy percentage, but then she was the one with all the contacts for rich art lovers, I was just the artist.

  A few minutes later I had a receipt for the paintings, which were insured for a hundred grand each.

  It didn’t take long to find a shadowed alley without people or cameras, and I teleported home. The supernatural was exposed, but I was in no hurry to be identified as one of the new kind that just came out yesterday. So far there was nothing in the news about us, and it seemed prudent not to be lazy nor a showoff.

  Whether I was really a god, or just an Uber supernatural being far more powerful than the mortal ones, I wasn’t sure. But I knew I could still die if someone shot me in the head, or the heart, so I’d be cautious. Back when the first gods were around arrows would’ve been the biggest threat. The modern world had snipers and missiles, I might not even see or hear the bullet that ended me, if someone decided the gods needed to die.

  Which was why I was wearing an anti-bullet charm, but still. Missiles, grenades, and nuclear weapons were still a threat.

  I immediately sensed her up in her bedroom, June had moved in while I was gone. I considered going up to welcome her, but then decided to give her time to settle in. If she was still hiding in her room at lunchtime, I’d fetch her then.

  Instead, I got started with a new series, the idea of an actual showing and gallery party displaying my art in downtown Chicago was more than tempting. The first series had all revolved around supernatural themes, the second six painting series would be all about the sensuality of the human body.

  I lit up like a small sun, and got to work…

  “That’s… beautiful and evocative, provocative even, but I don’t know much about art.”

  I turned with a smile, “Thanks, June. Hungry?”

  June smiled back looking pretty amazing in just a pair of white yoga pants and an oversized light blue t-shirt that nonetheless clung in places. She also wasn’t wearing a bra, and there wasn’t a bit of downward movement to her generously rounded C cups. Also, it was warm in here, so I was guessing she was happy to see me, or maybe it was just the material sliding on and teasing her nipples, or both.

  Regardless, after my accidental peak yesterday at her bedroom wear yesterday, I was guessing yoga pants and t-shirt was her staple for writing, extremely comfortable clothes. And why not, she still looked like a goddess, and she never left the house.

  She replied, “Lunch sounds wonderful. BLT and tomato soup?”

  “That works for me.”

  I wanted to go to her, and the sexual tension made it painfully obvious she wanted to come to me, but it was time for that getting to know her better part. I put down the brush after rinsing it, then I headed into the kitchen and washed my hands thoroughly at least.

  She took the bacon out and preheated the oven, so I washed the lettuce and tomato and sliced it up, then put a large can of soup on in a small pot. By then she had the bacon in and was setting the table.

  “So what kind of books do you write?”

  She bit her lip, “Umm, mostly urban fantasy with romantic elements. I’ve also done a few romances and fictional histories.”

  “Fictional histories?”

  She grinned, “Yeah, you know. I ask a what-if question about the past. Like what if Rome hadn’t betrayed Cleopatra. Or what if guns hadn’t meant the end of the Samurai in Japan. Or… you get the idea. Then I write a story making up an alternate history.”

  “With romance?”

  She giggled, “Of course, everything’s better with romance, and it’s always about the woman the man wants.”

  She blushed at that as she stole a glance at me, then got the bread ready in the toaster, and took out the mayo and cream.

  I asked, “What do you do when you’re not writing?”

  She blushed harder, and I had to wonder if her mind had gone to rubbing one out first. How the hell was she this adorably innocent at twenty-one. I think I was already going to miss it, when those blushes stopped one day.

  “I like to read.”

  “Romances?”

  She giggled, “You’d think, right? But no, I don’t like to read the competition. I don’t want to take their stuff reworked even accidentally in my own voice. I like science fiction, space opera more than the hard science fiction, and I enjoy reading non-fiction history as well.

  “I don’t go out much, but I do enjoy dinner and dancing, an occasional movie or a day at the park relaxing. So how about you, you’ve got me babbling away.”

  “I haven’t even started to get to know you better, but fair is fair. I probably enjoy all entertainment and leisure activities, given what I am. But I tended to listen to books when I was on a painting job, I really didn’t have a lot of spare time while in college to sit for hours with a book. Umm, epic fantasy and science fiction for the most part.

  “TV can be a little banal, but I enjoy movies of all types. Dancing, live shows, comedians, concerts. As far as leisure goes… well I’ll have to work on that, but I like a day relaxing in the park as well. Art and music obviously, I’ll have to try out your books.”

  She bit her lip, “I’d like that, I think. A lot of me is in my books,” she pressed down the toaster, and took the now crispy bacon out of the oven.

  I grabbed the soup and put it in bowls, with a dash of cream that went back in the fridge.

  She put together the BLTs and added a little mayo, and then brought them to the table. We’d managed to cook a simple lunch together without getting closer than three feet, which was a bit amusing and sadly enough necessary, if I wanted to keep my promise.

  “You don’t seem to have any doubts, I mean I don’t see hesitation in your eyes.”

  I shrugged, “Guys are built differently. Of course I have doubts, but they wouldn’t stop me if you were ready to explore the more physical aspects. I can be totally shallow about that, and how lovely you are, but that doesn’t change the fact I need to know your heart and mind.”

  It felt incredibly blunt to say it that way, but she’d been that way with me on all topics, so I was returning the favor.

  She bit her lip, and nodded, “You want it all, but you’ll settle for hot and heavy while that happens.”

  I laughed, “Something like that yes, but I’ll also admit waiting until we connected on the other levels would make it more intense and meaningful for our first time, if that comes, and I wouldn’t want that if you need the intimacy. Most women do, and I’m not an impatient person.”

  She nodded, “I get it. Thank you. It’s as difficult for me, honestly, sitting here with you and not going to you. It’s intense, and I’ve never felt anything even remotely like it. You paint houses?”

  I shrugged, “Not for long. I suspect it will be the same for your writing, my art was always fantastic, but now… I have no doubt I’m about to sell a bunch of paintings. So I can really focus on arts, leisure, and you. Oh, and restoring this house to its former glory.”

  She giggled, and teased, “I see where your priorities are, I come slightly after an afternoon nap.”

  I waved that away, “Putting you first is too stalkerish, don’t you think?” then I winked.

  She laughed, then asked, “What about the future?”

  I tilted my head, “Us?”

  She giggled, “No, the literal future, your power is that too.”

  “Oh, good point. I don’t know, I’m also the sun, I think. It could come in useful to see things coming, but I think we need to define what we will be doing. I mean, will you go to author conventions and glow at people? I don’t mean that to be flip, I’m curious what you think there. Are you the embodiment of inspiration, or the generator of it. Do we have a responsibility to our powers?

  She tilted her head, “You have been thinking. Okay, I don’t know. Right now, I want to write my books and be here for you. Those two things are a priority to my… power instincts, let’s call it. Perhaps your future ability is meant to direct mine, you could direct me to those that need inspiration where it would lead to good things, a better world, or something.”

  I nodded, “That… could be. We’ll take it slow and see how things flow. The hardest will be separating our instincts on how to use our powers, and discerning what part is our own selfish desires and ambitions. I’m not sure I’m the hero type, I mean I never got into a fight in my life, but stopping the world from ending is kind of important, if only because you, I, and Brenna live here.”

  She giggled, “Good point. Are you sure you’re not a hero?”

  I shook my head, “I know I feel the need to protect you, Brenna, and what is ours. There’s no doubt there. Going out and stopping bad futures I see… maybe. There’s some appeal to it, but the world is too big a responsibility for one person. I can maybe do my part, but if I’m not careful I’ll get us all in over our heads. We aren’t the only gods out there, I’m sure of that much, and it’s only a matter of time before the waste hits the rotary impeller.”

  She smiled, “I like that answer. Not arrogant, not pretending to know all the answers, but you are a good man apparently.”

  “We’ll have to guard against corruption. Power corrupts, and we have a lot of it. Things went well this morning?”

  She nodded, “They did, once I compelled my dad to forget he tried to rape me that is. Which was useful. I think we have lesser compulsion too, or maybe call it influence. The ability to cajole a less powerful being to our way of thinking, on virtually any subject.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  She looked guilty for a moment, then said, “Mom hates supernaturals with a passion. She thinks they’re responsible for every evil in the world. When she found out I was one she wasn’t happy. I spoke… not commandingly like for compulsion, but passionately in a persuasive voice. It didn’t happen right away, we were going back and forth on it for ten minutes, but in the end, she just suddenly calmed down and decided I was right.

  “You talking about being corrupted by our power, made me think of it again. I didn’t mean to do it, but I’m sure I’ve solidly changed her opinion on supernatural kind. I feel guilty about it.”

  We didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last of the common godly powers we all shared. There were of course, still depths in many of our powers to be explored and learned, but influence, compulsion, farseeing, teleportation, fast healing, witchcraft, stealth, and our immortal bodies that were immune to corruption, poison, and disease was the definitive list of powers all gods shared.

  “Huh. Okay. I’ll be careful then with emotion in my speech.”

  She tilted her head, then her eyes widened, “You can compel and influence me.”

  “Probably, yes. But I won’t.”

  She smiled, “Tempted?”

  I shook my head, “You’re tempting, but those powers would be a violation, forcing or brainwashing you about anything repels me, even more repulsive is the thought to do that to get you into my bed, which would be nothing short of rape. I want your trust, loyalty, and even love, that can’t be taken. I think we should limit when we use those powers to essential and non-personal-aggrandizement things. Like stopping a bad thing from happening, not just to make our day go more smoothly.”

  She bit her lip, “I agree that’s wise, to guard against entitlement by power. You want my love?”

  I grinned, “Well, that would be the best turnout, wouldn’t it? Otherwise, we’re just business partners sharing a common power that are driven to the dance of ten toes by our powers daily. That sounds… empty.”

  She blushed, “I agree, I want it all, Mark.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  She giggled, “Going well so far. The soup is delicious.”

  I chuckled, “Campbell’s is the chef’s specialty, in this house.”

  She snorted, “In that case I’ll take up cooking duties.”

  I shook my head, “Playing, I’ll help cook our meals. I enjoy it. Would you like to go out to dinner tonight?”

  She asked, “Are you asking me on a date? When we could just eat dinner here together?”

  She didn’t look baffled, she looked hopeful. Was she already worried I’d take her for granted because of our intense connection?

  I nodded, “Yes. If I can’t use my creepy powers, then I’ll have to resort to old-fashioned romance to win your heart.”

  She giggled, “Seriously?”

  “Teasing about resorting to, but fully serious about romancing you, June. Why wouldn’t I want to take you out to dinner, and maybe dance or two? That sounds like an absolutely delightful and perfect night, to me. So, yes?”

  Not just to get her into bed, wooing was an ongoing thing for a couple, and I didn’t see how she’d deserve any less, even if our powers kept us together that didn’t mean she couldn’t feel neglected. Even just a few times a month. She was stunning, and I wanted her to be mine, but I also wanted to lay the world at her feet, so to speak. Deliver all of her needs and desires, the connection between us was intense, and the longer I was with her I realized not just on the physical level.

  I was also really trying hard not to assume or be arrogant. But it was actually hard, because of that dream I kind of knew it was going to happen. One day, very soon, she would be mine, heart, body, and mind. She was… exquisite, and as trite as it sounded, she truly was a goddess.

  She blushed, “I’d like that, a lot. You were right earlier, I wrote more words today than I do most full days, so far. It almost feels like cheating, how easy the story is flowing.”

  I nodded, “I get that last. I had that very same thought with the painting. I’ll have to consider what to do, or if I should even continue to flood the art world with god level art. I mean, once I pay off the house and have enough to live comfortably and restore the house, I might call it good enough and look into other options. Maybe not, but I’ll at least slow down to one painting a month or something, just enough to maintain things. I don’t want to be greedy, it feels too easy. Maybe work on commission only.”

  We continued to chat for a little longer, but lunch was winding up. I could tell she wanted me, no doubt, but she still wasn’t ready. Which was fine, it would be proper to woo her first, and probably feel more natural. Woman and situations like Brenna, well they didn’t come along very often in life.

  “Wear something light, we’ll be heading out at seven.”

  She nodded, “Looking forward to it.”

  We cleaned up after lunch, then she went upstairs. To rub one out. It was disturbing, that my power kept picking that up, but she was really excited about the date. Maybe that convinced her I was telling the truth, about not making assumptions, or maybe she just already felt wooed. That along with the intense sexual tension had us both itching for it.

  She rubbed one out, I had other options to dump my tension.

  I teleported to the back of Candle Dreams, verified Brenna was the only one in it, then surprised her and locked the door and flipped the be right back sign with a witch spell.