Cassi went back to her room, showered and went to dinner. Tonight she was going to
relax and just watch television. As the night before, when men on the prowl asked her to
go to the nightclubs, she turned them down. She had the same plans this evening, she
came down here to relax not find a summer fling. Dinner at the same restaurant seemed
like a good idea, the food was good, so was the atmosphere, and she could watch the
sunset over Mallory Square. As the night before, Cassi failed to notice the handsome
blonde-haired man who watched her from the bar. Tonight he made his presence known.
"Ma'am," the server said, drawing her mind from her reverie, "this is complements of the
gentleman at the bar." and she motioned to the muscular, tanned, blue-green eyed man
who sat at the bar watching as the glass of wine was placed before Cassi.
When Cassi looked in his direction, he saluted her with his drink and smiled winningly.
"Thank you," Cassi said to the server and smiled at the man, who took it as an invitation,
and joined her at her table.
"Mademoiselle," he said, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Donovan Apollous. I am
from Greece visiting your country. May I join you?" his Greek accent prominent.
Cassi blushed a bit but with her sun-warmed glow, it wasn't really noticeable, "Please,"
she said. "Mr. Apollous, my name is Cassi."
"Cassi?" he said, "is that short for Cassandra?"
"How would you guess that?" she smiled.
"Cassandra is an old Greek name," he said with a little sadness in his voice.
Cassi's smile waned a bit, "I guess it is, but there is no connection to that Cassandra I
assure you." Cassi was familiar with Greek mythology and knew who Cassandra was.
Loved by Apollo, but shunned his love after he bestowed prophecy upon her, a sad love
story.
"There is sadness in your voice, Cassi," her Greek guest said with some sympathy.
Cassi smiled, "I always thought that she was a foolish maid," she shrugged unwilling to
share her life's story with a stranger.
"I would have to agree with you. But the sunset is beautiful so let us talk of other things.
Are you on holiday?"
"Yes," she smiled, "I love it down here. The sun, the water, where I come from it is cold
most of the year."
"Then why do you stay?" he asked.
"That is where my job is," Cassi answered simply.
"You are devoted to your job?" he took a drink and the server came for their orders.
"Allow me," and without waiting for her to agree, he ordered dinner for them both.
"Do women in Greece allow you to order their dinners?" Cassi asked wondering about
this attractive, seductive man.
He laughed, "Where I come from, the women allow me to do much as I wish," his eyes
seemed to look inside her, and Cassi found herself drawn to him.
Her imagination wondering what those strong arms would feel like wrapped around her.
This wasn't like her, since Jarrett had left she had refused first one offer to date then
another. Now this powerfully built, domineering man left her almost breathless. Normally
she would never allow a man to order her dinner, but with this man, it seemed natural.
"Tell me about yourself, Mr. Apollous." Cassi asked, wanting to learn more about her
unexpected dinner companion.
"I am on holiday of a sort myself. I had family business to take care of in Miami, and
thought a few days rest down here would be relaxing. The water color reminds me of
home," his voice sounded a bit homesick.
"How long have you been gone from Greece?" she asked. He wore expensive clothes
and jewelry. She noticed too, the jewelry was old, possibly family heirlooms. This man
was an enigma and obviously wealthy.
"It seems like a very long time but in the span of time not really," he said cryptically before
he could say more, however, their dinner arrived.
Casual conversation left Cassi wondering more about the inscrutable man who had joined
her for dinner. Their server cleared their dishes and Cassi excused herself for a moment
to freshen her make-up. While she was in the ladies’ room, her nerves became unsteady
with concern over the gentleman at her table. Something vaguely familiar about him
haunted her, yet she could not possibly know him. From a safe and hidden vantage, she
watched as he ordered after dinner drinks and dessert, then he paid the tab with a
platinum Visa card. Their server smiled at him broadly and flirted while she was away. He
must have given her a large tip because their dessert was waiting when she returned.
Donovan stood when she rejoined him and sat as she did. Cassi smiled at him, surprised,
for his benefit, that he had ordered dessert. "Thank you for dessert," she told him, "I rarely
indulge."
"I wish to delay the evening as long as possible, I have enjoyed your company, Cassi," he
told her with a captivating smile. His eyes smiling into hers branding her mind, she knew
those eyes would stay with her a long time. Cassi found she wasn't in a hurry to lose his
company either.
"Donovan, I have enjoyed our evening also," Cassi admitted.
"Good, then perhaps you would consent to have dinner with me tomorrow evening?"
Donovan asked with another convincing smile.
"I will," Cassi said, amazed he didn't try to convince her to go with him tonight or come to
her hotel. Such a gentleman was difficult to believe, one who made her blood heat, her
heart race, and her panties wet.
"I would pick you up where you are staying, if that would be agreeable with you,"
Donovan asked and seeing some hesitancy in her eyes, smiled and added. "If you would
prefer, I can meet you here or another restaurant that you might like."
Cassi looked into his eyes for long moments, could she trust this man, though she knew
nothing about him. "You may pick me up, Donovan," she told him where she was staying
but not the room. "I will be in the lobby."
Donovan stood, "Until tomorrow evening then, may I see you to your vehicle?"
"I think that would be nice," Cassi stood and Donovan placed his hand on the small of her
back in a gentlemanly gesture to escort her. His touch was electrifying. Never had a
touch sent such a flow of arousal through her body. Cassi found she didn't want him to
remove his hand. They walked up the three steps, off the deck where they had eaten
dinner, and out through the restaurant lobby.
"Where are you parked?" Cassi asked, her curiosity about this man growing by the
moment, she wanted to know what type of vehicle he would drive, that always told her
about the man.
"I am parked next to that pretty red Mustang convertible. The racing green Jaguar, also a
convertible is mine, I keep it in Miami so that I don't need to rent a car when I visit,"
Donovan explained.
"Oh," Cassie said walking towards her Mustang, "that Mustang is mine, but I rented it.
Where I live, I drive an S.U.V., because of the snow I need the four-wheel drive."
"Understandable," he opened the door to her car.
She had left the top down and the vehicle unlocked. She turned toward him and found
herself encased between the open door, the car, and his arms. She stood only inches
from touching him, the heat of his body sending waves of delight through her, soaking her
already damp panties. Cassi wanted to feel his lips on her own, his hands on her body,
she wanted to be wrapped in his arms. She looked into his deep blue-green eyes and
found they were the color of the sea at sunset. Without realizing it her breath came in little
gasps.
Two fingers touched her under the chin just before his lips tenderly touched hers. His
was a short kiss, sweet with promise, and just a little commanding. Cassi returned the
embrace and laid her free hand on his chest.
"Goodnight, Cassandra," Donovan said in a hypnotic voice, "I will be lonely without you.
Until tomorrow night, sweet Cassandra."
For a moment, she was tempted to invite him to sail with her, but living in the city taught
her to be wary of strangers and she didn't know this man. "And I without you," she
admitted. She regretfully slid into the car seat, allowed him to close her door, then drove
away.
Cassi was thankful for the coolness of the night. She was highly aroused and more than a
little lonely. Love, she thought. She had not been in love with Jarrett. He had been fun to
go out with, and occasionally have sex with, it took the edge off her body’s needs, but she
had not loved him. Cassi was twenty-six, established in her career, now she could begin
to think of settling down, of marriage, and someday children. But this man didn't fit that
description. A vacation fling, he would return to Greece, she to Chicago, and that would
be that. Turning into her hotel, she parked and went to her room. Her dreamtime taken by
dolphins, sailing, and deep blue-green eyes that watched from a high place.
Chapter Three
Cassi sailed in a different direction today wondering if she would again find the dolphin.
She knew dolphins’ area of hunt was large and it would not matter where she went. Her
dolphin would not necessarily stay in the same place. Today the seas were up a bit more
and the wind made for better sailing but less snorkeling. Careful to keep on a good layer
of sunscreen, she still started to turn a little more than pink and decided to head in early
and take a nap before her date with Donovan. Not being a native, she didn't read the
weather as well as she should, and before she could tack back and forth to make her port
the sea grew rough and a storm was on her before she could make land, much less her
marina. She had been in storms on the lake back home, so she could handle the
conditions. It began to thunder and lightning. Rain started to fall in heavy sheets and the
winds raised the waves to frightening heights. She tied her cooler to the trampoline and
put on a life jacket, by now the rental office would have called the Coast Guard. Still, Cassi
was scared, and knew darkness would soon fall. Some vacation, she thought and reefed
the sails.
With a blinding flash and a crack of thunder, a bolt of lightning struck the mast. Terrified,
Cassi huddled in the center of the trampoline away from the metal of the boat's skeletal
structure. Blue electrical light danced over the aluminum and the cable on the mast
snapped. The mast fell. Cassi screamed, not that anyone was close by to hear, and
covered her head as the sail spread over her. Luck was with her to a point and only the
boom dropped on her and bruised her shoulder.
Thankful to still be alive, Cassi sat up and pushed the sail away to scan the horizon. It
became strangely quiet, the rain abated, and she could no longer see the lights from the
Keys or the highway. She assumed the storm must have blown her further out to sea.
Night dragged on as the little vessel rode the waves and she tried to keep her mind on
something other than the dangers she was facing. Cassi thought about the strange man
she had met the night before. Finally, the storm passed, the winds settled, the clouds
cleared, and the stars and the full moon came out to illuminate the calming sea.
Exhausted, Cassi stretched out on the trampoline and fell asleep.
Droplets of water on her face woke her. Terribly disorientated, Cassi expected it had
begun to rain again but the light from the full moon was bright. She became aware of
another's presence. She sat up, surprised to find Donovan sitting next to her.
"I wondered if you were going to sleep all night," he said, his Greek accent thick, a broad
smile on his full sensuous lips.
"How did you find me," Cassi asked sitting up and looking around, "where is your boat?"
"I don't have a boat, I don't need one." he shrugged. His eyes devoured her and Cassi
noticed they seem to have a mysterious glow to them. "When you weren't at your hotel I
asked for you at the desk. They told me you had not returned from sailing, so I checked
with the rental office and was told you were still out," he noticed Cassi had begun to
shiver and pulled her, unresistingly, into his strong, warm arms. "I came looking for you."
"Without a boat?" Cassi asked incredulously.
"I don't need a boat, Cassandra," Donovan assured her. "My being here is proof of that."
His arms were a safe and warm haven, that made questioning his presence seem
ungrateful, but her curiosity was greater.
"For now, I'll accept that," she said after a few moments. "Just hold me."
"I can do better than that," he told her and took her trembling lips with his warm ones. His
tongue massaged her tongue with a promise of passion to come. His lips caressed her
throat issuing a deep sigh from her, her body relaxing under the purposeful caresses of
his hands. Streams of hot sensations of arousal ran through her where cold rain water
had chilled her not long before. Both stretched out on the comfortable trampoline and
only the sea creatures were witness to their passion. Donovan pulled the strings to her
top and bottoms, leaving her body to explore at his will with gentle kisses.
Cassandra reveled in his rippling muscles, amazed when her touch smoothed over his
buttocks and found he was naked. Reviving her curiosity again as to how he had gotten
to her damaged sailboat, but in her passion she dismissed it – for now. Her only care at
the moment was the burning sensations that propelled her to hold him close to her,
seeking the ultimate fulfillment of their lovemaking.
"I want you!" she whispered hoarsely. "What powers have you to find me without a boat,
in a storm, and without clothes? Then to reduce me to not caring but only wanting you
never to leave me, only to make love to me without end?"
"Those answers will come at a later time," he smiled into her beautiful violet eyes as their
bodies became joined and he kissed her neck while he began to build the rhythm that
would take them both to paradise.
Donovan held her for a time and she dozed safe and completed in his strong arms.
"Come with me, my love, and let us have a swim before the sun rises. I have a secret to
share with you."
"Swim?" Cassandra looked around, "But?"
He took her hand and drew her off the boat and into the water. It wasn't that she was really
afraid but there was no land, and they were well out to sea. Cassandra thought as she
swam around the boat, not willing to move away from her only island of stability and safety
– yes she was afraid. Donovan swam a bit away and swam back and she watch in
amazement as Donovan became a dolphin. Suddenly terrified she scrambled back onto
the trampoline of the stranded Hobe Cat. He swam out, jumped high into the air, and dove
deep into the ocean to surface again and swim beside the boat. Moments later, he
reappeared as a man.
"Oh lord, that is how you found me, you are a dolphin. I made love with a dolphin?"
Cassandra gasped.
Donovan climbed back on board the Hobe, "No, you made love with Apollo." He almost
laughed at the look of shocked outrage on her face, but centuries of experience had
taught him this course of action was not wise.
"I don't believe - but!" Cassandra stopped talking. She looked around still no land was
visible. The situation was overwhelming, Cassandra collapsed.
Chapter Four
Sunlight and the absence of motion awakened her, as well as the accented voice of
Donovan calling her name.
"Cassandra, wake up," he said in a soft voice.
She woke to look up into his deep sea green eyes, he wore an open white linen shirt and
briefs completed his swim suit. With a bewildered look on her face, she sat up and looked
around. Her Hobe had beached on an island that she didn't know. She couldn't see any
civilization, so Cassi assumed, it didn't appear to be an inhabited island.
"Donovan?" her voice held a number of questions in speaking only his name.
"Cassandra, you are safe." His arms were holding her tightly, despite the warmth of the
morning sun she was trembling. A strange memory came to her as she looked into his
face. She remembered Donovan pulling the boat onto the beach during the night and
holding her while she slept, and there were other memories.
It seemed one moment he was a dolphin and next a divinely handsome, virile, and naked
man who saved her and made sweet wonderful love to her. Had he said he was Apollo?
she asked herself.
Cassi sat up and looked around, the water was different, the color was more blue-green
and the beach rockier. She looked at the island and all at once knew it wasn't one of the
Florida Keys. There was no sand, only white rocks. Beyond the trees, there was a high
bluff and cliffs. What strange event had taken place while she slept?
"Donovan, where are we? This isn't the Florida Keys, is it?" Cassi asked him.
"Cassandra I will not lie to you, it isn't permitted," Donovan told her.
"What do mean it isn't ‘permitted’?" Cassi questioned before he could answer her first
question.
"You must allow me to explain, Cassandra, and I will ask you now to remember what you
said about the Cassandra who denied Apollo after he bestowed the gift of prophecy upon
her," Donovan said in a serious tone. His eyes devoured her giving her chills and causing
her to tremble again. He tightened his hold on her making her feel safe in a way she had
never experienced. Lightning of delight surged through her. To her surprise, her arms
went around him to draw him closer. Their lips were close and before he could begin his
explanation, he kissed her.
His look was fierce, "Will you allow me to explain?"
"Yes," she said in breathless wonder, some fear of what he would tell her returned. She
remembered their lovemaking in the middle of the night, followed by his shape shifting,
and waited in anticipation.
"My name is not Donovan but Apollo," he saw denial in her eyes. "No, I would not expect
a modern mortal to believe, but how else can you explain what has happened to you?" he
smiled slyly.
"But you lied about your name," she said firmly and pushed away as far as he would allow
her.
"No, not entirely, the name I gave you as my surname contained my real name, and I am
Greek. I did have business in Miami, and was on holiday in the Keys. I did not expect to
meet you," he paused long enough to take her lips with his again, but met with some
resistance. "And now you will deny me as the first Cassandra did?"
Cassi looked at this man, who was telling her he was a Greek god of legend, she was
skeptical, things like this just didn't happen today. Or did they? She asked herself.
"Do you really expect me to believe you are a god?" Cassandra asked him.
"That is what the ancients believed. Actually, we were once aliens who lived among you.
We have lived on Earth since the time of the first myths. Earth is also our home now, we
no longer consider ourselves aliens. I did have business in Miami. I have a house and a
car there." Apollo explained. "I use the name I gave you as my legal name. Who would
believe me if I used Apollo?" he laughed without humor. "Even you do not believe me
and, by the way, Cassandra, you are not in the United States any longer. This is my island
off the coast of Greece. I have lived here since before the fall of Troy."
Cassandra sat up, but didn't move away from the safety of his arms. "How did you do it?"
"Do what?" Apollo asked.
"Bring me from Florida to here?" Cassi asked.
He smiled, "Cassandra, you jest. I have a spaceship of course," Apollo said seriously,
then laughed. "No, now I jest with you, my love. When lightning struck your boat's mast it
was Zeus' doing. He teleported you and me here at my request. I did not wish to attempt
to convince you of my legitimacy in the Florida Keys." His hands gently caressed her
arms in a soothing gesture. "You must admit it is more difficult to deny my claims, after
you awaken and find yourself in Greece, after being adrift just off the Keys."
"I have a memory of a dolphin…" Cassi said in a quiet voice.
"I can also change my shape, as when you saw me after we made love. I am afraid it was a
little overwhelming for you and you fainted. I know you have read the old myths," he
teased. "The dolphin was one of my protected animals."
"And that was you who splashed me when I was sailing and that is how you found me, I
didn't dream it or our love…?" she queried.
Apollo smiled, "Of course, once I set my eyes on you, do you think there has been a
moment that I have not watched you?"
"Oh? And when was the first time you saw me?" Cassandra asked with feigned anger.
"When you went to dinner the first day you were in Key West," Apollo told her.
"You have watched me since?" Cassandra repeated. "What if I want to go home?
"I will see that you go back to Key West, Cassandra," he said in sadness that tore at her
heart.
Cassandra knew mythology well, she knew Apollo's record with women wasn't that good.
Why Cassandra could never figure out. She remembered reading the stories in school
and never understood why women denied him. He was gentle, oh so arousing and a
wonderful lover. She wanted him again, badly. She did not wish to leave him. Admittedly,
this was all difficult to believe, but she knew this wasn't the Florida Keys. His explanation
of how she got here was the most logical. Cassi smiled, if logic was applicable to her
situation in anyway
"Apollo, what does it mean that you have brought me here?" Cassandra asked him
looking deeply into his eyes, feeling his magnetism. His desire easy to read in his eyes,
stirring her to a heightened level she had never known.
"It means I want you, I want to keep you as my own for now and forever," he answered her
with fierceness and honesty that she could not doubt. "I have waited longer than all the
other gods for a true mate. All these centuries and never found that one woman who
would stay with me as mine."
"And you believe I am she?" Cassandra asked still looking into his eyes, searching, her
desire for him growing past her ability to control.
"I know you are she, and I knew the moment I saw you." He released her and got off the
trampoline leaving Cassandra behind, then turned back. "It was prophesied centuries ago
that my true mate, my true love would be called Cassandra. Naturally, when I loved
Cassandra of Troy I thought it was she. I gave her the gift of prophecy but she shunned
me, and denied me. In my anger, I did a terrible thing, and declared that no one would
believe her prophecies. You know the rest. I now know it is you who are the true
Cassandra."
Cassandra got off the trampoline too and stood looking out to sea. She walked down the
beach a little ways to think then turned back and came up behind Apollo to wrap her arms
around him from behind. "And if I am not the one?" Cassandra asked, testing him, and he
knew it.
"Then I will see you safely home and that will be that. I will return to my search. I have
vowed never again to do such a thing as I did to Cassandra of Troy."
"Kiss me, great Apollo," Cassandra pured, and he turned in her arms to take her tightly in
his. His kiss was all that he was and the promise of their future.
"You are perfection," he whispered. "Aphrodite can't even compare."
'Shhh, she will hear you and become jealous. I know those myths too and don't want her
angry with me, "Cassandra chided. "Now you are mine and will know no other," he
told her, "I will have Zeus himself marry us," Apollo swore.
She would never leave him and could not understand why the others had. The three fates
had decreed he wait all these long centuries for her, they even controlled the great Apollo.
She, a mere mortal held his head to her breasts as he loved her and he declared no other
would suffice. Tears sprang from her eyes, what would he do as she aged? Then one day
she would leave him in death to cross the river Styx.
"Why are you crying, my love?" Apollo asked in alarm.
"It is nothing," she shook her head. "I would bring you no grief. I love you." Cassandra
exclaimed and turned away.
"Tell me, I Apollo command it!" he said gently.
"It is only,-" Cassandra hid her face.
"Tell me, my love," he encouraged.
"I am a mortal, I will age and the day will come, for you it will seem quickly, and I will leave
you, "Cassandra said and drew a great breath then sobbed.
"No, my love, for upon our wedding day, only hours away, you will eat the legendary
ambrosia and become as an immortal. I would not loose you – nor our children," Apollo
explained.
"That too exists? I thought surely that was only a myth," Cassandra looked at him
through her tears.
"Yes, of course, we are not really gods, but there is ambrosia, which extends life so that it
seems we are immortal, our lives are so long," Apollo kissed her again. "Come, we have
things to do this day. My home is far up on the island and you need to rest, your skin will
burn in the sun."
Taking her hand, he led her off the beach, through the thick foliage, along a well-marked
and beautifully landscaped trail. Apollo picked a flower and placed it behind her ear.
Like Adam and Eve, they wore no clothes. It was his island and they encountered no one.
If Apollo needed anything, he simply requested it and it appeared. He explained this was a
part of his powers and she didn't question knowing the old myths. Night drew near and
they feasted. Apollo adorned Cassandra in robes of royal Egyptian blue made from a
gauze fabric and bound with a belt of old coins that flowed loose around her.
"Tomorrow we go to be married and the house will have servants. We will live as most
wealthy mortals do," Apollo explained. "I do have business to attend. Will this cause you
a problem?"
"No, my love. I should send a letter of resignation to my employer in Chicago Though,"
Cassandra explained.
"Yes you should - to be proper – then we will have a civil ceremony presided over by Zeus,
who, in the mortal world is a close friend." Apollo laughed. "You may have anything your
heart desires, Cassandra," he watched her closely.
"And what else could that be? I have you," then she smiled. "Well there are one or two
things."
"A car, jewelry?" Apollo tried to guess.
"No, my love, your children." Cassandra laughed and came to sit on his couch and make
love to the god Apollo who, after centuries of loneliness, had found his life-mate in the
twenty-first century.
relax and just watch television. As the night before, when men on the prowl asked her to
go to the nightclubs, she turned them down. She had the same plans this evening, she
came down here to relax not find a summer fling. Dinner at the same restaurant seemed
like a good idea, the food was good, so was the atmosphere, and she could watch the
sunset over Mallory Square. As the night before, Cassi failed to notice the handsome
blonde-haired man who watched her from the bar. Tonight he made his presence known.
"Ma'am," the server said, drawing her mind from her reverie, "this is complements of the
gentleman at the bar." and she motioned to the muscular, tanned, blue-green eyed man
who sat at the bar watching as the glass of wine was placed before Cassi.
When Cassi looked in his direction, he saluted her with his drink and smiled winningly.
"Thank you," Cassi said to the server and smiled at the man, who took it as an invitation,
and joined her at her table.
"Mademoiselle," he said, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Donovan Apollous. I am
from Greece visiting your country. May I join you?" his Greek accent prominent.
Cassi blushed a bit but with her sun-warmed glow, it wasn't really noticeable, "Please,"
she said. "Mr. Apollous, my name is Cassi."
"Cassi?" he said, "is that short for Cassandra?"
"How would you guess that?" she smiled.
"Cassandra is an old Greek name," he said with a little sadness in his voice.
Cassi's smile waned a bit, "I guess it is, but there is no connection to that Cassandra I
assure you." Cassi was familiar with Greek mythology and knew who Cassandra was.
Loved by Apollo, but shunned his love after he bestowed prophecy upon her, a sad love
story.
"There is sadness in your voice, Cassi," her Greek guest said with some sympathy.
Cassi smiled, "I always thought that she was a foolish maid," she shrugged unwilling to
share her life's story with a stranger.
"I would have to agree with you. But the sunset is beautiful so let us talk of other things.
Are you on holiday?"
"Yes," she smiled, "I love it down here. The sun, the water, where I come from it is cold
most of the year."
"Then why do you stay?" he asked.
"That is where my job is," Cassi answered simply.
"You are devoted to your job?" he took a drink and the server came for their orders.
"Allow me," and without waiting for her to agree, he ordered dinner for them both.
"Do women in Greece allow you to order their dinners?" Cassi asked wondering about
this attractive, seductive man.
He laughed, "Where I come from, the women allow me to do much as I wish," his eyes
seemed to look inside her, and Cassi found herself drawn to him.
Her imagination wondering what those strong arms would feel like wrapped around her.
This wasn't like her, since Jarrett had left she had refused first one offer to date then
another. Now this powerfully built, domineering man left her almost breathless. Normally
she would never allow a man to order her dinner, but with this man, it seemed natural.
"Tell me about yourself, Mr. Apollous." Cassi asked, wanting to learn more about her
unexpected dinner companion.
"I am on holiday of a sort myself. I had family business to take care of in Miami, and
thought a few days rest down here would be relaxing. The water color reminds me of
home," his voice sounded a bit homesick.
"How long have you been gone from Greece?" she asked. He wore expensive clothes
and jewelry. She noticed too, the jewelry was old, possibly family heirlooms. This man
was an enigma and obviously wealthy.
"It seems like a very long time but in the span of time not really," he said cryptically before
he could say more, however, their dinner arrived.
Casual conversation left Cassi wondering more about the inscrutable man who had joined
her for dinner. Their server cleared their dishes and Cassi excused herself for a moment
to freshen her make-up. While she was in the ladies’ room, her nerves became unsteady
with concern over the gentleman at her table. Something vaguely familiar about him
haunted her, yet she could not possibly know him. From a safe and hidden vantage, she
watched as he ordered after dinner drinks and dessert, then he paid the tab with a
platinum Visa card. Their server smiled at him broadly and flirted while she was away. He
must have given her a large tip because their dessert was waiting when she returned.
Donovan stood when she rejoined him and sat as she did. Cassi smiled at him, surprised,
for his benefit, that he had ordered dessert. "Thank you for dessert," she told him, "I rarely
indulge."
"I wish to delay the evening as long as possible, I have enjoyed your company, Cassi," he
told her with a captivating smile. His eyes smiling into hers branding her mind, she knew
those eyes would stay with her a long time. Cassi found she wasn't in a hurry to lose his
company either.
"Donovan, I have enjoyed our evening also," Cassi admitted.
"Good, then perhaps you would consent to have dinner with me tomorrow evening?"
Donovan asked with another convincing smile.
"I will," Cassi said, amazed he didn't try to convince her to go with him tonight or come to
her hotel. Such a gentleman was difficult to believe, one who made her blood heat, her
heart race, and her panties wet.
"I would pick you up where you are staying, if that would be agreeable with you,"
Donovan asked and seeing some hesitancy in her eyes, smiled and added. "If you would
prefer, I can meet you here or another restaurant that you might like."
Cassi looked into his eyes for long moments, could she trust this man, though she knew
nothing about him. "You may pick me up, Donovan," she told him where she was staying
but not the room. "I will be in the lobby."
Donovan stood, "Until tomorrow evening then, may I see you to your vehicle?"
"I think that would be nice," Cassi stood and Donovan placed his hand on the small of her
back in a gentlemanly gesture to escort her. His touch was electrifying. Never had a
touch sent such a flow of arousal through her body. Cassi found she didn't want him to
remove his hand. They walked up the three steps, off the deck where they had eaten
dinner, and out through the restaurant lobby.
"Where are you parked?" Cassi asked, her curiosity about this man growing by the
moment, she wanted to know what type of vehicle he would drive, that always told her
about the man.
"I am parked next to that pretty red Mustang convertible. The racing green Jaguar, also a
convertible is mine, I keep it in Miami so that I don't need to rent a car when I visit,"
Donovan explained.
"Oh," Cassie said walking towards her Mustang, "that Mustang is mine, but I rented it.
Where I live, I drive an S.U.V., because of the snow I need the four-wheel drive."
"Understandable," he opened the door to her car.
She had left the top down and the vehicle unlocked. She turned toward him and found
herself encased between the open door, the car, and his arms. She stood only inches
from touching him, the heat of his body sending waves of delight through her, soaking her
already damp panties. Cassi wanted to feel his lips on her own, his hands on her body,
she wanted to be wrapped in his arms. She looked into his deep blue-green eyes and
found they were the color of the sea at sunset. Without realizing it her breath came in little
gasps.
Two fingers touched her under the chin just before his lips tenderly touched hers. His
was a short kiss, sweet with promise, and just a little commanding. Cassi returned the
embrace and laid her free hand on his chest.
"Goodnight, Cassandra," Donovan said in a hypnotic voice, "I will be lonely without you.
Until tomorrow night, sweet Cassandra."
For a moment, she was tempted to invite him to sail with her, but living in the city taught
her to be wary of strangers and she didn't know this man. "And I without you," she
admitted. She regretfully slid into the car seat, allowed him to close her door, then drove
away.
Cassi was thankful for the coolness of the night. She was highly aroused and more than a
little lonely. Love, she thought. She had not been in love with Jarrett. He had been fun to
go out with, and occasionally have sex with, it took the edge off her body’s needs, but she
had not loved him. Cassi was twenty-six, established in her career, now she could begin
to think of settling down, of marriage, and someday children. But this man didn't fit that
description. A vacation fling, he would return to Greece, she to Chicago, and that would
be that. Turning into her hotel, she parked and went to her room. Her dreamtime taken by
dolphins, sailing, and deep blue-green eyes that watched from a high place.
Chapter Three
Cassi sailed in a different direction today wondering if she would again find the dolphin.
She knew dolphins’ area of hunt was large and it would not matter where she went. Her
dolphin would not necessarily stay in the same place. Today the seas were up a bit more
and the wind made for better sailing but less snorkeling. Careful to keep on a good layer
of sunscreen, she still started to turn a little more than pink and decided to head in early
and take a nap before her date with Donovan. Not being a native, she didn't read the
weather as well as she should, and before she could tack back and forth to make her port
the sea grew rough and a storm was on her before she could make land, much less her
marina. She had been in storms on the lake back home, so she could handle the
conditions. It began to thunder and lightning. Rain started to fall in heavy sheets and the
winds raised the waves to frightening heights. She tied her cooler to the trampoline and
put on a life jacket, by now the rental office would have called the Coast Guard. Still, Cassi
was scared, and knew darkness would soon fall. Some vacation, she thought and reefed
the sails.
With a blinding flash and a crack of thunder, a bolt of lightning struck the mast. Terrified,
Cassi huddled in the center of the trampoline away from the metal of the boat's skeletal
structure. Blue electrical light danced over the aluminum and the cable on the mast
snapped. The mast fell. Cassi screamed, not that anyone was close by to hear, and
covered her head as the sail spread over her. Luck was with her to a point and only the
boom dropped on her and bruised her shoulder.
Thankful to still be alive, Cassi sat up and pushed the sail away to scan the horizon. It
became strangely quiet, the rain abated, and she could no longer see the lights from the
Keys or the highway. She assumed the storm must have blown her further out to sea.
Night dragged on as the little vessel rode the waves and she tried to keep her mind on
something other than the dangers she was facing. Cassi thought about the strange man
she had met the night before. Finally, the storm passed, the winds settled, the clouds
cleared, and the stars and the full moon came out to illuminate the calming sea.
Exhausted, Cassi stretched out on the trampoline and fell asleep.
Droplets of water on her face woke her. Terribly disorientated, Cassi expected it had
begun to rain again but the light from the full moon was bright. She became aware of
another's presence. She sat up, surprised to find Donovan sitting next to her.
"I wondered if you were going to sleep all night," he said, his Greek accent thick, a broad
smile on his full sensuous lips.
"How did you find me," Cassi asked sitting up and looking around, "where is your boat?"
"I don't have a boat, I don't need one." he shrugged. His eyes devoured her and Cassi
noticed they seem to have a mysterious glow to them. "When you weren't at your hotel I
asked for you at the desk. They told me you had not returned from sailing, so I checked
with the rental office and was told you were still out," he noticed Cassi had begun to
shiver and pulled her, unresistingly, into his strong, warm arms. "I came looking for you."
"Without a boat?" Cassi asked incredulously.
"I don't need a boat, Cassandra," Donovan assured her. "My being here is proof of that."
His arms were a safe and warm haven, that made questioning his presence seem
ungrateful, but her curiosity was greater.
"For now, I'll accept that," she said after a few moments. "Just hold me."
"I can do better than that," he told her and took her trembling lips with his warm ones. His
tongue massaged her tongue with a promise of passion to come. His lips caressed her
throat issuing a deep sigh from her, her body relaxing under the purposeful caresses of
his hands. Streams of hot sensations of arousal ran through her where cold rain water
had chilled her not long before. Both stretched out on the comfortable trampoline and
only the sea creatures were witness to their passion. Donovan pulled the strings to her
top and bottoms, leaving her body to explore at his will with gentle kisses.
Cassandra reveled in his rippling muscles, amazed when her touch smoothed over his
buttocks and found he was naked. Reviving her curiosity again as to how he had gotten
to her damaged sailboat, but in her passion she dismissed it – for now. Her only care at
the moment was the burning sensations that propelled her to hold him close to her,
seeking the ultimate fulfillment of their lovemaking.
"I want you!" she whispered hoarsely. "What powers have you to find me without a boat,
in a storm, and without clothes? Then to reduce me to not caring but only wanting you
never to leave me, only to make love to me without end?"
"Those answers will come at a later time," he smiled into her beautiful violet eyes as their
bodies became joined and he kissed her neck while he began to build the rhythm that
would take them both to paradise.
Donovan held her for a time and she dozed safe and completed in his strong arms.
"Come with me, my love, and let us have a swim before the sun rises. I have a secret to
share with you."
"Swim?" Cassandra looked around, "But?"
He took her hand and drew her off the boat and into the water. It wasn't that she was really
afraid but there was no land, and they were well out to sea. Cassandra thought as she
swam around the boat, not willing to move away from her only island of stability and safety
– yes she was afraid. Donovan swam a bit away and swam back and she watch in
amazement as Donovan became a dolphin. Suddenly terrified she scrambled back onto
the trampoline of the stranded Hobe Cat. He swam out, jumped high into the air, and dove
deep into the ocean to surface again and swim beside the boat. Moments later, he
reappeared as a man.
"Oh lord, that is how you found me, you are a dolphin. I made love with a dolphin?"
Cassandra gasped.
Donovan climbed back on board the Hobe, "No, you made love with Apollo." He almost
laughed at the look of shocked outrage on her face, but centuries of experience had
taught him this course of action was not wise.
"I don't believe - but!" Cassandra stopped talking. She looked around still no land was
visible. The situation was overwhelming, Cassandra collapsed.
Chapter Four
Sunlight and the absence of motion awakened her, as well as the accented voice of
Donovan calling her name.
"Cassandra, wake up," he said in a soft voice.
She woke to look up into his deep sea green eyes, he wore an open white linen shirt and
briefs completed his swim suit. With a bewildered look on her face, she sat up and looked
around. Her Hobe had beached on an island that she didn't know. She couldn't see any
civilization, so Cassi assumed, it didn't appear to be an inhabited island.
"Donovan?" her voice held a number of questions in speaking only his name.
"Cassandra, you are safe." His arms were holding her tightly, despite the warmth of the
morning sun she was trembling. A strange memory came to her as she looked into his
face. She remembered Donovan pulling the boat onto the beach during the night and
holding her while she slept, and there were other memories.
It seemed one moment he was a dolphin and next a divinely handsome, virile, and naked
man who saved her and made sweet wonderful love to her. Had he said he was Apollo?
she asked herself.
Cassi sat up and looked around, the water was different, the color was more blue-green
and the beach rockier. She looked at the island and all at once knew it wasn't one of the
Florida Keys. There was no sand, only white rocks. Beyond the trees, there was a high
bluff and cliffs. What strange event had taken place while she slept?
"Donovan, where are we? This isn't the Florida Keys, is it?" Cassi asked him.
"Cassandra I will not lie to you, it isn't permitted," Donovan told her.
"What do mean it isn't ‘permitted’?" Cassi questioned before he could answer her first
question.
"You must allow me to explain, Cassandra, and I will ask you now to remember what you
said about the Cassandra who denied Apollo after he bestowed the gift of prophecy upon
her," Donovan said in a serious tone. His eyes devoured her giving her chills and causing
her to tremble again. He tightened his hold on her making her feel safe in a way she had
never experienced. Lightning of delight surged through her. To her surprise, her arms
went around him to draw him closer. Their lips were close and before he could begin his
explanation, he kissed her.
His look was fierce, "Will you allow me to explain?"
"Yes," she said in breathless wonder, some fear of what he would tell her returned. She
remembered their lovemaking in the middle of the night, followed by his shape shifting,
and waited in anticipation.
"My name is not Donovan but Apollo," he saw denial in her eyes. "No, I would not expect
a modern mortal to believe, but how else can you explain what has happened to you?" he
smiled slyly.
"But you lied about your name," she said firmly and pushed away as far as he would allow
her.
"No, not entirely, the name I gave you as my surname contained my real name, and I am
Greek. I did have business in Miami, and was on holiday in the Keys. I did not expect to
meet you," he paused long enough to take her lips with his again, but met with some
resistance. "And now you will deny me as the first Cassandra did?"
Cassi looked at this man, who was telling her he was a Greek god of legend, she was
skeptical, things like this just didn't happen today. Or did they? She asked herself.
"Do you really expect me to believe you are a god?" Cassandra asked him.
"That is what the ancients believed. Actually, we were once aliens who lived among you.
We have lived on Earth since the time of the first myths. Earth is also our home now, we
no longer consider ourselves aliens. I did have business in Miami. I have a house and a
car there." Apollo explained. "I use the name I gave you as my legal name. Who would
believe me if I used Apollo?" he laughed without humor. "Even you do not believe me
and, by the way, Cassandra, you are not in the United States any longer. This is my island
off the coast of Greece. I have lived here since before the fall of Troy."
Cassandra sat up, but didn't move away from the safety of his arms. "How did you do it?"
"Do what?" Apollo asked.
"Bring me from Florida to here?" Cassi asked.
He smiled, "Cassandra, you jest. I have a spaceship of course," Apollo said seriously,
then laughed. "No, now I jest with you, my love. When lightning struck your boat's mast it
was Zeus' doing. He teleported you and me here at my request. I did not wish to attempt
to convince you of my legitimacy in the Florida Keys." His hands gently caressed her
arms in a soothing gesture. "You must admit it is more difficult to deny my claims, after
you awaken and find yourself in Greece, after being adrift just off the Keys."
"I have a memory of a dolphin…" Cassi said in a quiet voice.
"I can also change my shape, as when you saw me after we made love. I am afraid it was a
little overwhelming for you and you fainted. I know you have read the old myths," he
teased. "The dolphin was one of my protected animals."
"And that was you who splashed me when I was sailing and that is how you found me, I
didn't dream it or our love…?" she queried.
Apollo smiled, "Of course, once I set my eyes on you, do you think there has been a
moment that I have not watched you?"
"Oh? And when was the first time you saw me?" Cassandra asked with feigned anger.
"When you went to dinner the first day you were in Key West," Apollo told her.
"You have watched me since?" Cassandra repeated. "What if I want to go home?
"I will see that you go back to Key West, Cassandra," he said in sadness that tore at her
heart.
Cassandra knew mythology well, she knew Apollo's record with women wasn't that good.
Why Cassandra could never figure out. She remembered reading the stories in school
and never understood why women denied him. He was gentle, oh so arousing and a
wonderful lover. She wanted him again, badly. She did not wish to leave him. Admittedly,
this was all difficult to believe, but she knew this wasn't the Florida Keys. His explanation
of how she got here was the most logical. Cassi smiled, if logic was applicable to her
situation in anyway
"Apollo, what does it mean that you have brought me here?" Cassandra asked him
looking deeply into his eyes, feeling his magnetism. His desire easy to read in his eyes,
stirring her to a heightened level she had never known.
"It means I want you, I want to keep you as my own for now and forever," he answered her
with fierceness and honesty that she could not doubt. "I have waited longer than all the
other gods for a true mate. All these centuries and never found that one woman who
would stay with me as mine."
"And you believe I am she?" Cassandra asked still looking into his eyes, searching, her
desire for him growing past her ability to control.
"I know you are she, and I knew the moment I saw you." He released her and got off the
trampoline leaving Cassandra behind, then turned back. "It was prophesied centuries ago
that my true mate, my true love would be called Cassandra. Naturally, when I loved
Cassandra of Troy I thought it was she. I gave her the gift of prophecy but she shunned
me, and denied me. In my anger, I did a terrible thing, and declared that no one would
believe her prophecies. You know the rest. I now know it is you who are the true
Cassandra."
Cassandra got off the trampoline too and stood looking out to sea. She walked down the
beach a little ways to think then turned back and came up behind Apollo to wrap her arms
around him from behind. "And if I am not the one?" Cassandra asked, testing him, and he
knew it.
"Then I will see you safely home and that will be that. I will return to my search. I have
vowed never again to do such a thing as I did to Cassandra of Troy."
"Kiss me, great Apollo," Cassandra pured, and he turned in her arms to take her tightly in
his. His kiss was all that he was and the promise of their future.
"You are perfection," he whispered. "Aphrodite can't even compare."
'Shhh, she will hear you and become jealous. I know those myths too and don't want her
angry with me, "Cassandra chided. "Now you are mine and will know no other," he
told her, "I will have Zeus himself marry us," Apollo swore.
She would never leave him and could not understand why the others had. The three fates
had decreed he wait all these long centuries for her, they even controlled the great Apollo.
She, a mere mortal held his head to her breasts as he loved her and he declared no other
would suffice. Tears sprang from her eyes, what would he do as she aged? Then one day
she would leave him in death to cross the river Styx.
"Why are you crying, my love?" Apollo asked in alarm.
"It is nothing," she shook her head. "I would bring you no grief. I love you." Cassandra
exclaimed and turned away.
"Tell me, I Apollo command it!" he said gently.
"It is only,-" Cassandra hid her face.
"Tell me, my love," he encouraged.
"I am a mortal, I will age and the day will come, for you it will seem quickly, and I will leave
you, "Cassandra said and drew a great breath then sobbed.
"No, my love, for upon our wedding day, only hours away, you will eat the legendary
ambrosia and become as an immortal. I would not loose you – nor our children," Apollo
explained.
"That too exists? I thought surely that was only a myth," Cassandra looked at him
through her tears.
"Yes, of course, we are not really gods, but there is ambrosia, which extends life so that it
seems we are immortal, our lives are so long," Apollo kissed her again. "Come, we have
things to do this day. My home is far up on the island and you need to rest, your skin will
burn in the sun."
Taking her hand, he led her off the beach, through the thick foliage, along a well-marked
and beautifully landscaped trail. Apollo picked a flower and placed it behind her ear.
Like Adam and Eve, they wore no clothes. It was his island and they encountered no one.
If Apollo needed anything, he simply requested it and it appeared. He explained this was a
part of his powers and she didn't question knowing the old myths. Night drew near and
they feasted. Apollo adorned Cassandra in robes of royal Egyptian blue made from a
gauze fabric and bound with a belt of old coins that flowed loose around her.
"Tomorrow we go to be married and the house will have servants. We will live as most
wealthy mortals do," Apollo explained. "I do have business to attend. Will this cause you
a problem?"
"No, my love. I should send a letter of resignation to my employer in Chicago Though,"
Cassandra explained.
"Yes you should - to be proper – then we will have a civil ceremony presided over by Zeus,
who, in the mortal world is a close friend." Apollo laughed. "You may have anything your
heart desires, Cassandra," he watched her closely.
"And what else could that be? I have you," then she smiled. "Well there are one or two
things."
"A car, jewelry?" Apollo tried to guess.
"No, my love, your children." Cassandra laughed and came to sit on his couch and make
love to the god Apollo who, after centuries of loneliness, had found his life-mate in the
twenty-first century.
HOME
Cassandra's
Dolphin
by Sheila N. Eskew
Dolphin
by Sheila N. Eskew
CHAPTER TWO &
three &Four
three &Four