Goddess of Love (Goddess Summoning #5)(50)

"Get to work? How?"

"I've been considering that." Venus tapped her fingernail against the mug. "In battle it is often best to engage one's enemy on one's own territory."

"Huh?"

"You need to see your fireman again."

"Griffin?" Pea perked up.

Venus frowned. "I meant your other fireman, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to see them both again." She lightened her tone. "It's always good for a woman to have choices."

"That does sound good." Pea nodded. "But how?"

"Your job."

"My job?"

"Exactly. Your job. You are in charge of educational and recreational instruction for the community. Am I correct?"

"Yeah."

"The firemen who were at the masquerade were all from the Midtown Fire Station. Correct?"

"Yeah."

"Then consider this - what if all of the men from the Midtown Fire Station were commanded to take instruction from your university."

"It's really just a community college," Pea said.

Venus waved her hand dismissively. "That is inconsequential. What is of consequence is that the firemen must come to your place of instruction - your place of power. And there you can learn more about both men and choose between them. Here's what I have in mind...."

Joe Daniels, training deputy chief for the Tulsa Fire Department, thought he'd died and gone straight to heaven when the blond beauty walked into his office the next morning. He shot to his feet, fiddling with his tie and sucking in his stomach.

"Deputy Chief Daniels, my name is Venus Pontia."

When he held out his hand for her to shake, she simply bowed her head slightly. He cleared his throat and wiped his sweaty, unshaken palm on his slacks.

"P-please, have a seat."

"Thank you, Chief Daniels."

She sat in the leather chair situated in front of his desk and crossed her incredibly long legs. He tried not to stare or stutter.

"Please call me Joe."

Her smile illuminated the room. "And you may call me Venus."

He thought no one had ever been better named.

"What can I do for you, Venus?"

"I know you're a very busy and important man, Joe, so I'll get right to the point. I'm working with Ms. Chamberlain at Tulsa Community College in the Continuing Education Department. It has come to our attention that some of your men, specifically the men at your Midtown Station, have been under quite a bit of stress lately."

Joe frowned, wondering what she knew that he didn't. He hadn't been aware the Midtown guys were having any problems at all. Hell, that group had just had a successful benefit last night. But before he could say anything her smile and the uncrossing and then recrossing of those incredible legs distracted him.

"Because of this stress, Ms. Chamberlain has created a series of classes for the Midtown firemen that will focus on teaching them relaxation techniques."

Joe opened and closed his mouth. What was she talking about?

"Oh, no need to thank us, darling. The outcome of the classes will be thanks enough." She handed him a paper. "Here are all the details. Be sure the first class reports to the Metro campus tomorrow morning at nine sharp."

"But, ma'am," he sputtered. "I can't possibly - "

Abruptly he lost his train of thought. It happened the same instant the extremely hot Venus waved her fingers at him, a little like she was saying a funny hello. Weird...really weird.

"I'm sorry, Joe, what were you saying?"

"Saying?" He couldn't seem to stop smiling at her. Good lord he felt fabulous!

"Yes, about the classes for the Midtown firemen."

He blinked and then his thoughts arranged themselves and he knew exactly what he'd been about to say.

"Damn good idea! Damn good. I'll have the men there first thing in the morning. I've heard reports that the Midtown Station was under stress, and this is the perfect answer to the problem."

"Well, Joe, it really was your idea. After all, you called Ms. Chamberlain's office and asked her to create the class. I'm just following up on your instincts, which are truly commendable." The beautiful Venus beamed and then wiggled her fingers at him again. God, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so good! And it had been his idea, now that he really thought about it.

"Excellent, Venus! Excellent!"

"Thank you, Joe. Please call us again any time our college can come to the aid of the fire department." She stood, smiled at him, and then sauntered from his office.

"Now that is one fine looking woman," he muttered, and then whistled low to himself. But he didn't have time to sit there gathering wool. He had work to do. Every one of those Midtown boys not on duty in the morning had to be at that college destressing class, and he was just the man to make it happen. He lifted his phone and started dialing.

Chapter Sixteen

"Y ou didn't say anything about meteaching the class!" Pea said.

"Of course you must teach the class. I can not bespell the entire college." Venus paused, considering for a moment. "Well, perhaps I could, but it would certainly be dreadfully complicated and who could say how it would affect the general populace?" She shook her head.