Goddess of Love (Goddess Summoning #5)(24)

Venus grinned, glad the little mortal had begun to relax. "When in doubt, feel free to use the genitals of the gods as expletives. I certainly do."

"Thank you. I think."

"So you're not a virgin?"

"No."

"But you're also not very experienced sexually."

"No."

"Do you masturbate frequently?"

Pea blushed. "Do we really have to talk about this?"

"Do you really want to change?"

Pea drew a deep breath. "I don't masturbate very often."

"Why not?"

"For the same reason I don't like talking about it. It makes me feel uncomfortable, embarrassed and kinda guilty."

"What a shocking attitude!" Venus snorted her disbelief. "Before we change your hair, clothes or your makeup" - the goddess squinted at Pea's face - "or rather your lack thereof, we must change your attitude about pleasure."

"Okay..." Pea said doubtfully.

"Do you feel guilty and embarrassed when you prepare a sumptuous meal?"

"Of course not."

"Even if you are the only one eating it?"

"No, that's silly. Just because I'm alone doesn't mean I can't - " Understanding brightened Pea's face. "Oh! I see what you mean."

"Pleasure, like this excellent hot chocolate, is meant to be savored and enjoyed, not denied."

"Okay." This time Pea said it with more certainty.

"If you don't know your own body and what pleases it, how can you expect a man to know how to give you pleasure."

"That's logical."

"Of course it is. Love isn't always illogical, no matter what Persephone says." In response to Pea's questioning look, she said, "The Goddess of Spring can be remarkably unromantic. I'll have to remember to work on that little issue in the future...." Venus shook herself and refocused on Pea. "But one problem at a time. So - first I want you to begin pleasuring yourself regularly. Be uninhibited." With a mischievous smile Venus made a graceful gesture with her hand and a crystal bottle of sun-colored wine appeared on the table in a wave of glitter, causing Pea to yelp in surprise. "Do you have wine glasses, or shall I conjure some of those, too."

"No! I have glasses." Still staring at the sparkling golden liquid, Pea backed to a cabinet and pulled out two white wine glasses, and then brought them to the table. "Can you make anything appear like that?"

"Of course I can. I am a goddess." Venus poured the wine. "This will help with your inhibitions." She raised her glass and Pea did the same. "To pleasure," Venus said with a purr.

"To pleasure." Pea took a hesitant sip. She swallowed, and her entire face became suffused with joy. "This wine is amazing! I've never tasted anything like it."

"It's ambrosia - the nectar of the gods." Venus took a long, luxurious drink. "Harvested by nymphs from rare flower blossoms found only in the Elysian Fields. It is simply divine." The goddess took another drink. "So, my plan to bring happiness and ecstasy to your life is really rather simple. First, you learn to accept pleasure." Her shapely brows drew together. "What do you think of while you masturbate?"

"I - I don't know. Not much of anything I guess."

Venus shook her head slowly. "Sad. Terribly sad. That must change, too. The next time you bring yourself pleasure - which should be tonight - I want you to fantasize."

"About what?"

"Oh, darling! How tragic that you have to ask. Although I am, of course, the perfect goddess to ask." She patted the mortal's hand. "Pea, fantasies are personal. Let your mind roam free without guilty retribution. For instance, is there a particular man you find especially attractive?"

Pea's cheeks flushed with more than the potent wine.

Venus smiled knowingly. "I see there is. Tell me about him." She poured Pea more ambrosia.

"His name is Griffin. I guess you could say I've had a crush on him for awhile, but we sort of formally met just today. Actually he's what prompted me to get your book. He's the most gorgeous man I've ever seen, and he seems really nice, too." Pea's slightly woozy grin faded.

"But he barely knows I'm alive. Wait, no. He probably does know I'm alive now. On the way out of the restaurant I tripped and dropped the bag you gave me. The dildo fell out and rolled, vibrating, to his feet. I'm sure he thinks of me as 'that girl with the penis.'"

Venus sipped her ambrosia, remembering the exquisitely handsome man who had retrieved Pea's phallus, and at the same time ordered herself to forget the spark that had passed between them. Pea was the focus here, not her own pleasure, and that beautiful man could definitely help bring Pea happiness and ecstasy.

"Then we'll just have to change the way he thinks of you," Venus said with finality.

"Too bad it's not that simple."

"Darling, with Love on your side, everything becomes much simpler."

"And you" - Pea's hand was wobbly when she pointed at the goddess - "are Love!"

"And you" - Venus laughed lightly - "are finished with the ambrosia." She scooted the bottle out of Pea's reach, reminding herself that mortals were highly susceptible to the rich wine of the gods. "Now, this is what I want you to do - "