CHAPTER 4

After settling the hotel matter with Percy's help, he had asked her on a date—to which she agreed. She never did things like this— going on dates and such, because she was so busy all the time. But right now, it felt good, just doing something for herself— something casual.

Annabeth put on a nice navy sweater instead of her usual blouse and some nicely fitting light washed jeans. She then swung a maroon scarf casually around her neck to fight the November cold outside, then stepped out of her apartment and got into her car.

She drove over to the central park, which was where Percy wanted to meet. Not many people were walking around as usual.

Annabeth started making her way to a bench near the lawn. The fresh evening air made her smile— thoroughly relaxed in the scenery around her. It felt nice once in a while to take things slow. She sat on the bench and let out a satisfied breathe. Tapping her tan colored combat boots on the pavement, she waited for him.

And waited for him..

Then waited for him a bit more…

Her eyes grew heavy and she soon found herself fast asleep, lost in peaceful, bright dreams-on a bench in the middle of Central Park.

Percy walked through the pavement of the park, which was hidden by piles of leaves. He had on a nice dark brown leather jacket over his navy patterned flannel and a dusty orange colored beanie on his head, to keep it warm. His green eyes looked even more striking against the fall colors of the trees.

He kicked some leaves then looked up to see a gorgeous blonde sitting on the bench with her head hung to the side so that her golden curls covered most of her face. Slipping his hands in his pockets, he went closer up to the bench and realized she had fallen asleep.

Admittedly it was adorable that she had waited this long for him.

He had been late because of an unexpected meeting from a certain brunette. Her expensive designer clothing was very out of place in his ordinary home.

"Are you trying to make me jealous?"

He looked back at her with a nonchalance that irritated her.

"Or what? You want some kind of revenge on me? Because if that's what you're trying to do, then you're stupider than I thought you were."

"If you came all the way here to my humble abode, then it must be working."

"What do you want exactly?"

"You." he said casually, "At the bottom of a pit, down below the garbage dumps where you came from, to put it simply."

Her dark brown eyes went even darker, "Don't think that by playing with Annabeth you'll get even half way near to where I am." She let out a deep breathe, "Just stay away from her and out of my life, Percy."

A smirk played on his lips, then it disappeared and his face turned to stone cold. He walked closer to her, until her back hit the wall and she couldn't move away any further away from him. He slammed his hand hard against the wall next to her face, making her flinch slightly.

He then leaned closer to her, his hot breathe tickling her nose. He moved in closer, making her eyes widen even more, until his lips were an inch from hers.

"Don't pretend to be so above me, Reyna. You're vulnerable and dumb, coming here alone. Come on, Reyna, you and I know very well that I could make you weak, screaming my name in bed— so easily. I wouldn't test me, if I were you." he said in a low, husky voice, "…Just because I hate you, doesn't mean I lost any sexual attraction that I had for you before, Reyna."

She couldn't help but shiver, her breathe quickening.

He then leaned over close to her ear, "Don't tempt me."

She pushed him away and slapped him across the face, " Fucking bastard." she said as she picked up her purse and coat— then left his apartment, leaving him standing there with his cold, hard eyes looking where she disappeared out his door.

Percy let out a sigh and sat next to the blonde, moving her head to let it rest on his shoulder. Her lovely lemony scent drifted through the chilly, autumn breeze to him. He let out a relaxed breathe, making puffs of smoke blow into the air.

He looked down to the blonde, watching her beautiful, peaceful face in her sleep. He slowly lifted his hand, and lightly brushed his fingers over her closed eyelids, down her rosy cheeks, to graze her pink, soft lips. Her eyes fluttered open at his touch and they widened seeing him so close.

"Hi." he said.

"Hey." she said, taking a deep breathe, "When did you get here?"

"Just a few minutes ago. I'm sorry I was late. Something came up." he said, giving her a sweet smile.

"Oh, it's fine. I was obviously content with getting a few minutes of sleep in."

A worried crease appeared on his brow as he reached up to touch her forehead. She looked a bit surprised at his loving touch.

"You're getting a healthy amount of sleep, right? I don't want you to almost die on a plane again."

She gave him a small smile.

"Yeah, I am. Don't worry."

"So, you want to go around for a walk?"

Her silvery grey eyes brightened up, "Sure."

"So I know you got kicked out of medical school. What do you do for money?" she asked him as they walked side by side through the park.

"I still save lives, but as a lifeguard."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I always thought lifeguards were so cool, when I was younger."

"Why did you think that?" he said with an amused expression.

"They save lives and they stand above everyone else on that tall white chair. Plus, they're almost always incredibly hot. " she said jokingly.

Percy let out a laugh, a real laugh.

"Don't judge me." she said with mock scrutinizing eyes.

He laughed even more, "Man, I haven't laughed that freely in a while." he said, as they reached the middle of a bridge. He smiled at her then stopped walking. She stopped also and looked up at him.

"Being with you makes me… happy, as cheesy as it sounds." he said to her.

"Me too." she said, surprising him. "I haven't had a casual, relaxing time in a while. You make me happy too, Percy Jackson."

He smiled over at her, leaning with his arms on the rails of the bridge. He stared into her eyes, then slowly to her lips. Reaching up a hand slowly to her face, he leaned closer to her— tilting his head ever so slightly, before lightly grazing her lips with his. She flinched a bit from his kiss, before letting out a soft puff of smoke into the air.

His hand still held her face, "Annabeth..." he said softly— his breathe tickling her nose.

She looked up at him with an expression he couldn't interpret. Did he calculate everything wrong about her? No, he was sure he did everything right. The girl was right there within his fingertips for him to catch.

His heart beat faster. He had never felt this unsure about a play. Annabeth Chase. He never knew what was going on in her head, which made everything that much harder. Damn it.

He stood there looking at her, troubled by his thoughts. But soon his worries were lifted when she suddenly fell into him, letting her lips collide with his. He was taken back by her sudden action, but he immediately kissed her back, pulling her closer to him in his warm embrace.

Her lips tasted amazing. Her hands went up around his neck to pull him closer to her.

It was heavenly. Everything about her—heavenly.

And it was all a huge, wonderful bonus to the game plan he was playing on the blonde.

All for the revenge he wanted for the brown haired love of his life.

His hands ran through her hair with want and his sea green eyes fluttered open, staring forward as the blonde kissed him with eyes closed. With his lips still on the woman he was playing, his cold green eyes glared straight at the full moon that lighted the night blue sky with its brilliance.

Author's Note:

Alright, I know it's a Friday. But here it is. The next chapter.
Updates every Wednesday and Thursday!

Bubyeee :D