- Eros -

That motherfucker.

Jordan ran off like a fucking dog with his tail between his legs, not even daring to take a look back at where he left Destiny.

I trailed my gaze back to the pathetic excuse of a gang in front of me and I glared at each of them, "Now who was the one that insulted my woman over here?"

The thugs looked at one another while the guy who got slapped by Destiny seethed at them, "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! BEAT HIM UP ALREADY!"

They ran up to me and I slammed each of their faces hard with a single blow, knocking them out cold one by one.

The last guy left standing, the one who got slapped by Destiny, looked at his friends around him then back at me.

I didn't know what he saw in my eyes, but the moment I cocked my head he sprinted off in the other direction, stumbling as he went.

The heat within me raged for a moment more before stilling into a calm storm. I couldn't shake off the adrenaline. I took a deep breath, letting my mind see clearly.

Jordan was just another douche. What now?

It was then that I felt Destiny grip the back of my shirt and I turned around slowly to face her.

The fear in her eyes was evident, but there was serenity and security reflecting in her beautiful brown orbs too. 

"Are you okay?" I whispered, my voice low and dangerous. 

She trembled at my tone, probably realising for once in her life that I was a man she should be cautious of. She nodded confidently though and tried a small smile.

"Thank you," her voice broke and I realised she was holding back her sobs.

Oh mighty lover of Greece.

My heart broke.

I took her into my arms, holding her firmly against my chest as her body shook with all her contained emotions.

She sobbed uncontrollably, her tears staining my shirt in a huge dark patch. I didn't know how long we stood there, I just held her until she was completely dry of tears.

Payne came out of the club to look for me and found us standing there. He didn't question anything though, he could hear and probably even feel her deep sorrow. 

He left us alone and turned back into the club.

When she finally stopped, I released my grip on her slightly. She nearly slipped to the ground but I held her again, realising she fell asleep in my arms.

I lifted her carefully and tucked her into her car. The car smelt brand new. Freshly polished leather seats, not a speck of dust could be seen.

I got into the driver's seat and took Destiny's car keys from her purse, pushing the key into the keyhole and pressing on it. The car erupted to life and I strapped my beautiful princess in.

I took another look at her, her wavy red hair resting past her shoulders, her eyes closed in deep slumber, her lips slightly parted so delicately. I sighed before speeding down the road.

Why did it hurt to love her?

***

- Destiny -

I shifted slightly, I felt completely exhausted. As if I ran a full marathon, my body felt weak and my eyes were tired and sore.

Then I felt him, could almost smell his masculinity in the air.

My eyes flew open and I sat upright. My head spun and I fell back onto the pillows again.

"Fuck," I whispered to myself. I clamped my hands over my eyes as last night's events flooded my mind.

I wanted to cry all over again. I'm back here at square one. Again a burden to Eros and being his lover's doppelganger.

"Are you okay?" I heard an edge to his tone, but it still somehow sounded husky.

I breathed in deeply, my hands were shaking terribly. I sat up properly on the bed and looked to where Eros was standing.

He was looking out his floor-to-ceiling window, the afternoon sun glowing on him. It was like Heaven was kissing him with the warm light.

Of course, he's a God. Everything will kiss his very being.

"Are you okay?" He repeated when I didn't answer.

"I am okay," I rasped. My throat was so scratchy and dry, my mouth felt like the desert sand.

I heard Eros breathe out a little forcefully and wondered if he was already annoyed by my presence.

I could feel my heart crack, he will never love me like he did with that girl.

He handed a glass of water to me, his eyes fierce and strong, "Drink up."

I drank quietly, my throat and tongue relishing in the cool liquid. I gulped it down quickly, for a moment forgetting that Eros was standing just next to me.

I swallowed and flinched slightly when he took the cup from me, placing it on the bedside table. 

"Move in," he instructed and I shifted my body so he could sit next to me.

He sighed and looked up at me, his eyes unreadable at this point.

I could already feel the tears building up, he's going to tell me to fuck off real soon.

"What happened with Jordan last night?" He asked.

My breathing hitched and my mind flew back to the way Jordan had touched me.

I shuddered at the thought and Eros placed a hand on my shoulder, "I saw you kiss him, I thought you wanted some alone time with him."

The way he said it made me recall the rage in his eyes when he saw us kissing.

Was he jealous? Did I care?

I honestly had nothing to say, I was almost too done with this. I wanted to become a nun when I was convinced I was finished with men.

"Destiny talk to me please," his hand slid up to hold my face and I shivered at his touch.

Why did he have to smell and feel so fucking good?

"Will you let me go now? Or maybe fire up the machine to pair me again? I'll probably just have to keep trying until someone reasonable comes by," I rambled.

Eros was quiet, calculating my words in his head, "I'm not going to pair you again."

My eyes widened at that, was I going to be alone now? Was I a defect? Was something wrong with me? Or was he going to pair me back with one of the three dicks?

"Why?" I asked.

He looked down and took my hands in his, when his eyes connected back with mine, there was an unbelievable softness in them.

"Because you're mine Destiny. I will protect and love you from now on."

What?!

I shook my head violently, "No! You're a God! I can't be paired with you!"

His expression barely changed, "Yes I am a God, I will pair with whoever I like. And I want to be paired with you."

God I was melting like butter under his gaze.

I shook my head again, "But the pairing machine! It said I was to be paired with Jordan-"

"And I'm not going to let you be with someone I know isn't going to be good for you. The way he ran away last night, the way you cried like your world was ending, I'm not letting that happen again. I've let you go too many times, I'm not letting you go any more," his hands were gentle as he caressed me. His fingers brushing my hair softly, his eyes warm as he gazed at me.

I almost believed that he loved me. But there was still a nagging in my heart, "You don't love me, you love Psyche."

His eyes widened at the mention of her name, "How did you know about her?"

His voice was lifeless as he asked for that bit of information.

"Payne told me, he told me that you loved her very deeply. She was your everything and you begged for your mother to let her go. He said you had to pair her yourself."

He stared at me, seemingly unable to say a thing to me.

There it was, my confirmation that he still felt something for her. I wasn't the one he loved.

"You still love her, don't you?" I focused on each word, not letting my voice crack at all.

He considered for more than a moment, my heart was pounding wildly. I knew all too well what his answer was, yet a selfish and stupid part of me hoped he would love me for me.

I pushed myself away from him, feeling suffocated in his beautiful presence.

He caught my wrist, “Where are you going?”

“I can’t do this Eros, I’d rather be alone than be your lookalike lover. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t love me, God or not,” I shot and pulled away from him before climbing out of his bed.

I picked my heels off the floor and heard him get out of the bed. He wrapped his arms around me, caging me to his rock hard body.

“Don’t leave me Destiny, please don’t. I can’t watch you leave me again,” he breathed out. The sadness in his voice, the loneliness, it reminded me of the night I left him standing in his doorway, the night he screamed on the dance floor.

My heart broke.

But I couldn’t do this to myself, I cannot be with someone who will never love me for who I am.

“Listen to your mother Eros, stay alone, it’s best for everyone,” I muttered and I felt his arms loosen around me.

I didn’t turn back, I couldn’t look at him. I only ran.

***

- Eros -

I swirled the bottle of bourbon whiskey in my hand, my cheek pressed to the cold glass table.

My heart was aching like a bitch, I downed some alcohol down my throat and closed my eyes.

Destiny didn't sleep well, she twitched and fidgeted a lot. It was hard, seeing her in so much pain.

I knew I shouldn't, but I did anyway. I laid next to her and pulled her close to me. She wrapped an arm around me and held me close, her face burying into my chest. 

I heard her breathe in deeply before she slept, peacefully this time.

She didn't whimper, didn't fidget, didn't cry, just slept quietly next to me. 

I played with her hair all night, twisting and turning it between my fingers. Her scent of berries lingered in the air, my heart had never felt calmer.

My fingers scaled down her soft skin, her arms, her neck, her cheek, her sweet succulent lips.

I pressed my lips to her forehead, my heart beating furiously with the love I had for her. 

I want to tell her, tell her how much I loved her. With every fibre of my being, I will love her and only her.

I will tell her about Psyche, apologize for everything I put her through, promise to love and protect her.

I brushed her cheek gently, a gentle whisper of a promise, "I promise to love and keep you safe by my side."

There was a soft knock on the door, I squeezed Destiny tightly for a second before pulling away.

I opened the door, Payne was standing there. His eyes scanned the room, seeing Destiny under my sheets in deep sleep.

He glared at me, “I hope you’re going to be responsible for her.”

"I will be."

He sighed loudly and shook his head, “Anyway, your mother would hear about this sooner or later. I found out some things you should know. Destiny and Jordan’s bond obviously has disappeared again. So Destiny is no longer paired. Your mother as I suspect will want her paired again like how she did with Psyche.

I know you won’t allow it and neither will I, considering how horribly those guys treated her.

So I will help you, with anything you need as long as you are true to your word and will keep her safe. If you can’t promise me that though, then you better be off pairing her with someone else again. You hear me?”

I could hear the threat in his tone, but I wasn’t afraid at all. Even with the knowledge that my mother will incur her wrath in some sick way again, I was determined to protect Destiny.

“I hear you Payne, I will keep to my word.”

I opened my eyes, my heart throbbing. I laughed, laughed at everything.

My promises, they will never be fulfilled. 

Destiny will never want someone like me.

I picked the gun up from my drawer and pushed the barrel into my mouth, pulling the trigger.