Sweet Surrender: Kiss from a Rose

Ares had booked the room, bought the wine, and even picked up flowers. He hoped Xena would show up. But more, he hoped that if she did show up, she wouldn't laugh at him for being a sentimental fool. He had everything ready at about twenty minutes til sunset. He surveyed the candlelit room, double checking that everything was in place. Satisfied, he poured himself a glass of wine and took a seat in a corner chair to wait for the Warrior Princess. When a half an hour passed, he knew she wasn't coming. Xena was never late. And even though he felt pathetic, he decided to give her a few more minutes.

With every second that crawled by, Ares grew more certain that she'd never show. He tried not to stare at the door. He felt like a sap! Why was he here anyway? He was doing this for her! He had half a mind to seek her out and fuck her anyway! No, she'd just like it if he took her like some savage. No. He wanted her to consent to it. To want it. He wanted her to surrender to her burning desire for him. The desire she fought so hard to kept hidden from him. He laughed at himself. Of course she'd stood him up. It was her way of reminding him that her resolve was stronger than her lust. That he was nothing that she couldn't live without.

"Ares," he heard Xena faintly calling him through space. Her breathy voice danced across the aether. Was she taunting him?

He looked around the room, even though he knew he wouldn't find her there.

"Ares," again she called out to him.

He scanned the aether for her presence. He located her soul signature in a tiny village that sat halfway between Athens and Thebes. In human distances, she was hours from him. Wow, she really hadn't had any intention of keeping their arrangement. What a fucking fool he'd been! Always her fool!

Ares downed his goblet of wine, threw the flowers on the floor, crushed them under his boot and disappeared from room Z-13 and reappeared at his temple in the podunk town where she'd called him from. When he materialized, he found her in the altar room. A middle-aged priest was lighting candles and sorting through the day's offerings. When Ares' presence lit up the room, the priest instantly went down on his knees and bowed in front of the god. "My Lord."

"Rise, Telmoneus. Carry on," Ares dismissed the priest.

Xena eyed the priest with scorn as he scurried away. She could remember a time when she'd looked upon Ares with such awe.

"Xena, Xena, Xena, what are you doing here? Weren't we supposed to meet elsewhere?"

"About that. . . ." Xena reached toward her scabbard.

Ares, not knowing that she had hidden the scrolls there, assumed she was pulling her sword. He drew before she could get a hand on the papers. If she wanted a fight then he was in a perfect mood to give it to her. When she produced the contracts, he was surprised and embarrassed. He re-sheathed his sword and took the proffered scrolls. He unrolled the documents, reading through her list of demands carefully.

"Scarring, Feces, Necrophilia? Xena, you've been with me before. When have these ever come into play? What kind of monster do you think I am?"

The hurt and puzzled look on his face pained her. "I was just trying to be thorough."

Ares continued reading the list. "For the record, I've had plenty of opportunities to force ambrosia on you, Xena. I'd never do that against you will."

"Well, you've certainly tried to manipulate me into it on more than one occasion." Xena reminded.

"You say manipulation, I say persuasion." Ares ran his finger across the bottom of the scroll. He'd reached her final stipulation. No talk of love. He'd figured that somehow she'd manage to work that one in. It hurt to see it there in writing. It killed him to have to agree to not tell her he loved her but he knew she would send him packing if he tried to renegotiate that particular line item. Ares rolled the scroll up and tucked it into the back of his pants. "Would you like to stay here or do you want to go back to Athens? I already have our room for the night."

"Whatever pleases you, Sir." She answered, addressing him by the title that he had requested in the contract.

Ares closed his eyes. What would really please him would be to take her to Olympus and love her in their marriage bed but that wasn't what she wanted to hear. So instead, he said, "I tell you what pleases me. You calling for me tonight. You bringing the contract here. You please me, Xena. Only you." He took her hand and before she could blink, they were flying through the recesses of the universe.

When they reappeared in room Z-13, Xena noticed the crushed flowers on the floor. Her delay had upset him. Angered him. No, not anger, hurt him, she had hurt him. He must have realized that she'd been having second thoughts. She felt bad that she had joyed in the prospect of standing him up. She'd meant to hurt him. She couldn't deny it. This whole exercise was going to hurt him, she realized. She knew she was being unfair. But she needed it, needed the release, needed the abandon. Needed him. That was the truth that she hadn't spoken. Not even to herself. But she knew that her need for him lay at the core of all of it. Yes, he was going to get hurt. They both were. He needed to understand that stolen moments and her body was all she could afford to give him. He couldn't have her heart.

Ares made sure she was steady on her feet. Sometimes travel through the aether was disorienting. When he was satisfied that she had all of her faculties about her, he asked. "Xena, do you want to talk about anything before we get started?"

"No, sir."

"I said before we start," he reiterated.

"Ares, no. I don't want to talk about it. I just want to do it. I just want to feel you.."

Ares felt a knot settle into his throat. She'd said she wanted to feel "him." Did he dare let himself hope that maybe this was more personal than she wanted to admit? He reminded himself not to read too much into the comment. "Okay, then thumbprints, here and here," he indicated spaces on both his and her scrolls where she should press. She signed first and then he placed his print next to hers. He rolled and tied both contracts and tossed them on a nearby table.

"Those for me?" Xena gestured to the trampled flowers.

"They were, but you disappointed me, Xena. You were late."

"I. . ."

Ares held up a finger. "I don't want to hear your excuses. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Do you understand"

"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry."

"I suppose you will have to be punished to remind you of the importance of punctuality."

Xena's center burned at the prospect of what her punishment might be. She felt herself go moist but stood stock still in the middle of the room awaiting his orders.

Ares circled around her a couple times, taking in her incomparable beauty. He couldn't believe for the life of him that she was letting him do this. He wanted to tell her how truly honored he felt that she had chosen him as her partner in this endeavor. He could read the excitement on her face, she was anxious to see what punishment he would mete out. After the third pass, he walked casually over to the couch and sat down.

"Pour me a glass of wine, Xena, while I figure out just how I am going to teach you not to keep me waiting."

Xena poured the blood red wine into a golden chalice. The heady scent of the grapes excited her. She couldn't wait to smell the wine on his breath as his mouth moved over her. She walked the full goblet over and handed it to him.

Ares took a sip, savoring the warm tingle on his tongue. "Undress for me, Xena."

Xena reached around to her sides and unclasped her brass breastplate. It fell to the floor with a clang. Her gauntlets and bicep cuffs quickly followed. She pulled the shoulder straps of her dress down and slowly squirmed out of the leather garment. Dressed only in her shift and boots, Xena put one foot up on the table and began unlacing her boot. After both boots had been removed, Xena started to pull down the shift but Ares interrupted her.

"Uh-uh, come here first," he ordered, his voice near a whisper.

She walked over to him as directed and stood in front of him. Ares caressed her strong thigh and ran his hand up under her shift. He was delighted when he found her sex bare and wet. He ran his fingers through her soft mound of hair before running a finger along her folds. "Very good, you remembered to leave the panties off." He lifted the front of her shift up and brought her mound up to his face. He breathed in the scent of her, clean but musky. She had bathed. Maybe she hadn't planned to come tonight but subconsciously she'd prepared herself anyway. She wanted this, even if she didn't want to want it. Ares placed tender kisses on her snatch. His cock stiffened at the sweet taste of her mortal nectar but he pulled away. "Take it off."

Xena stepped back so he could have a good view of her revealing herself to him.

"Does it make you hot Xena? To take your clothes off for the God of War? Does it make your cunt drip?"

"Yes, Sir." she answered and she knew it was true. She was completely drenched. She could feel her own wetness. And she knew that she was so turned on because it was him.

"Why?"

"Because I like the way your devour me with your eyes, like I am all yours."

"You are all mine, Xena."

Xena peeled off the shift and let it fall to the floor. Her nipples pebbled under his gaze. Her center was on fire, aching for him to touch it again.

"You won't be late again, will you?"

"No, Sir."

"Lay on the bed, Xena. Face down."

Xena walked over to the bed. The black silk bedding looked like spilled ink in the candlelight. Xena crawled onto the bed and lay down. The slick sheets felt sexy against her bare skin. She let her nipples glide along it as she laid down. She couldn't see him with her face down against the mattress but she heard him stand up and walk toward her.

"Raise your ass in the air, Xena," he commanded.

Xena scrunched her knees up, bringing her rear higher into the air. Ares smoothed his large palm over each cheek. "You have a lovely ass, Xena. Have ever told you how fuckable your ass is?"

"No, Sir." she answered. Her asshole clenched involuntarily in fear, she'd never had him in the ass and she knew just how well endowed he was. Her quim burst forth a new wave of liquid in spite of her terror. Ares made a noise that was somewhere between a growl and a chuckle. He was amused at how her body had betrayed her desire but he was so ramped up himself that he was having problem controlling his own vocal chords. "Look at you! You cunny is all swollen and begging to be dicked."

Xena whimpered against the sheets.

"I don't think she deserves to be fucked do you? I mean, if she really wanted to be filled, she should've shown up on time. Instead, she kept my cock waiting." He pressed his leather clad hardness against her heat.

"Unnghargh," Xena moaned at the feel of his hot cock pressing against her.

Ares reached down and undid his belt. Xena heard the buckle come undone and a loud thud when it crashed into the floor. Her heart raced faster. Her pussy spasmed. She was afraid if didn't get inside her soon, she was going to come from the anticipation alone. "I'm sorry, Sir. I should have been more aware of the time."

"Oh, I think you were fully aware. I think you are a stubborn bitch who needs to be reminded to whom she belongs. To whom she has to answer."

"Yes," she cried. "I meant to defy you. To mock you."

Ares cracked his open palm down hard on one ass cheek. The sting nearly sent tears to her eyes. He was strong. Sometimes, she forgot just how strong he was. "Defy me?"

"I'm sorry," she repeated.

Ares roamed his hands across her ass cheeks again, soothing the spot he had just smacked. He was surprised at how much his visible red handprint turned him on. "Get up on all fours, Xena." He ordered. She raised her torso off the mattress, complying.

"Are you sorry? I want to see the look in your eyes when you tell me just how fucking sorry you are to have kept me waiting. You always put me on the back burner, Xena. Well, I won't stand for it anymore." He smacked the other ass cheek with equal fervor.

Xena glared at him hard. He was making it personal. This wasn't supposed to be about them. It was role play, nothing more. But if he wanted to go there, then she'd remind him that she didn't fight fairly "Yeah, I kept you waiting. I bet you were sitting here with your little bouquet just boohooing too weren't you!" She taunted. Her eyes, ice blue daggers daring him to spank her again.

"Xena, I am warning you!" Ares' nostrils flared.

"If a hard smack on the ass is all you've got then I can take it!"

"What do you want from me?" He bellowed.

"Everything!" She screamed back. "Give me your worst! Give me everything you've got!"

"Sir!" He yelled.

"What?" She asked.

"Sir, you address me as Sir! I am your Master. You are my little fuck doll and you need to start acting like it!"

Xena laughed a full throated laugh.

Fuck her! He was here because this was what she wanted! Fuck her! Fuck her! Fuck her! He grabbed his belt from the floor and flogged it across her backside.

Flames spread out across her ass. The second assault whipped across the backs of her thighs.
"Say it, Xena. Say it!"

"To Hades with you!" She sneered.

"Dammit, Xena!" He released a torrent of lashes on her ass. Her cheeks were covered in welts. He knew she'd have trouble riding Argo tomorrow. He also knew if she didn't submit soon that he would draw blood. "What do you want? Do you want me to beat you to with an inch of your life? Do you want more reasons to hate me?" His heart sunk because he knew it was true. She would hate him for everything they were doing, even though she'd been the one to ask for it.

Finally, she collapsed. "Sir, Sir! I am sorry, Sir."

Ares was relieved that she had finally submitted but he had become so scared that he was going to seriously hurt her that his cock had gone soft during the beating. Xena, on the other hand, seemed more turned on than ever. She looked up at him with sex-hungry eyes. She rolled over and scooched toward the edge of the bed. Before he even knew what was happening, she reached for his trousers, jerked them down and was working his cock with her mouth.

"Did I say you could have some dick?" He reluctantly pulled his hardening member from her lips and tucked it back in his pants.

"Please, please?" she begged.

"Very well, but I want to taste you too." Ares reached down to kiss her. She turned her face away. So it was going to be like that? Okay. He pulled his pants down, kicked his boots off and laid down naked in the bed. Xena mounted him in the sixty-nine position and began gorging herself on him.

Ares lapped tenderly at her pussy, savoring her tangy oil. He teased her sensitive nub with the tip of his tongue. He'd wanted to take his sweet time kissing her cunt but she was working his cock like a pro. He was going to blow and fast. He swiped his tongue along her folds a couple more times before gripping her thighs tightly.

"Xena.. .Xena. I'm . . . I'm gonna come," he breathed against her pussy.

"Come my face, give it to me. Give it to me, Sir." He felt his balls tighten and then his load burst forth. Xena continued to gently pump his shaft as she sucked every last drop and finished by cleaning his head with her soft tongue.

Ares released his grip on her thighs as he finished coming. He tried to catch his breath, but Xena wasn't ready for a breather.

"Finger me."

Ares wondered exactly when she'd started giving the orders. Funny, if things were supposed to be going his way, she sure was orchestrating a lot of it! He wasn't about to argue, though. He slid two fingers deep into her wetness.

"Ummmm, yess! How long til your hard again?"

"You forget, I am a god, Xena."

"No, Sir, I never forget that!" She purred as she pushed back on his hand.

He felt himself growing stiff again. "Give me a minute."

Xena reached down and stroked his cock to life again. "Have I ever told you how pretty your dick is?"

"No, not really."

"Well, it is. I can't wait to feel it inside me."

"I can't wait to be inside you." Ares pulled his fingers out of her. "I'm ready, baby.."
Xena whipped her ass around and slid down on his fat member. Once she'd taken the length of him, she sat still for a minute, letting herself adjust to his thickness. It had only been a week but he still stretched her out.

"You okay?" The look of love and concern on his face brought tears to her eyes. She closed them so he couldn't see the love there. She placed her palms flat against his strong chest before starting a slow rocking rhythm.

Ares watched her face. He wished she'd open her eyes. He loved the look of sheer ecstasy that his touch usually brought to her face. Gods how he wanted to tell her that he loved her. He placed his hands on her hips, careful not to touch the welts on her ass. He didn't know how she was riding top with those lashes on her butt. Xena was relishing in the sting that every thrust sent through her core. She knew that the welts would remind her of tonight all week long. It was a part of him that she could take with her. The only part of him that she could have, his violence, his anger. She wondered if she could get it from him now.

"You gonna fuck me or lay there like a schoolboy who doesn't know how to fuck?"

"What?"

"I said fuck me."

"I was trying to take it easy on you."

"I don't want easy, Sir!"

"Ares, my name is Ares! Say it!" He commanded.

"Fuck me, Ares."

His hands dug into her hips and he started thrusting up into her.

"Is that all you have? You're the God of Fucking War for crying out loud?"

"Xena!" He rolled her over and started flesh pounding her into the mattress.

The silk sheets felt like glass digging into her flesh wounds. She clawed at his back and met him thrust for thrust as her desire mounted toward orgasm.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, gods yes, Ares, fill me up!" She wailed as she came all over his cock.

He followed quickly, almost on command. No, there was no doubt about who was in control here and it wasn't the Scorpion. No, the Swan was pulling all the strings. He tried to pull her into his arms but she rolled out of bed and poured herself a glass of wine. She picked up one of the roses that had been in the bouquet and studied it while she sipped her wine.

Ares sat up on the bed, folded his arms across his chest and looked at her, at a loss.

"Same time next week?" She asked.

"You gonna be in Athens?"

"I'll call you."

"You want me to take you back now?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." Without another word, Ares snapped both of their clothes on and transported them back to his temple. The place had gone quiet, all of the priests and acolytes had settled into their quarters for the evening. Xena looked at the offerings lined up on the altar. Without a word to him, she kissed the top of the rose and laid it on the altar.

Ares knew the gesture was meant as the only kiss she could give him. The act left him both heartened and sad at the same time. "Next time, I am taking you somewhere different." Ares informed.

"Whatever you want." Xena headed for the exit. He just watched her go. His heart was breaking. His soul shouted at him to go to her. She closed the door. The slam echoed through the stone building. It spurred him to action He had to say something. He couldn't leave it like this, not for a whole week. He loved her! He needed to hold her, kiss her, something, anything. He sprinted out the front door. He was stopped dead in his tracks by the bard railing at Xena.

'So you slinked off into the night to do what? To have a rendezvous with Ares?"

"Gabrielle, I told you not to follow me!"

"Hey Blondie, don't be mad at Xena."

Xena whipped around, expecting him to be gloating. She was caught red-handed. She just bet he was loving every minute of this!

"Ares, stay out of this!" Xena warned.

"Xena, no. It's my fault. Look, Gabrielle, I didn't mean to start a fight with you. I needed Xena's help with a little problem. It's not what you're thinking."

"What kind of problem?" Gabrielle eyed him suspiciously.

"I needed her to deliver a message to the god of Eli."

"Okay." Gabrielle looked to Xena for confirmation.

Xena just raised her eyebrow in a look that said, 'Are you satisfied?'

Gabrielle raised her own eyebrow in a look that answered, 'Not really.' But, she wasn't going to argue with Xena in front of Ares. He'd enjoy it too much.

"Thank you, Xena." Ares waved.

"Gabrielle can you go untether Argo. I'll be along in a minute."

"Yep," she answered and walked away. "God of Eli, my ass," she muttered as she unhooked Argo's reins.

Xena walked back up the temple steps and stood at the front door with Ares. "Thank you," she whispered.

Ares nodded and then watched her walk away.