The Contest Winner

The phone rang at 6:25 AM, and my eyes immediately shot open. A strange nervousness stirred in my gut. I reached to answer the phone, but hesitated, fearing it would be that man again. I threw off the covers and sat on the edge of the bed and waited for the ringing to stop. Finally, it did, and I picked up the phone and dialed the front desk.

"Front desk. May I help you?"

"Hi, this is Ginger Quinn in room 642. Did someone just call my room for a 6:30 wake up?"

"Room 642, you say? Well, no, not yet. I was just getting ready to phone you, though."

"You didn't call?"

"No, ma'am."

"Okay, well, no need to now. I'm awake. Thanks."

"Have a nice day, ma'am."

I hung up the phone and felt a little lightheaded. Not more than ten seconds later, the phone rang again. There was no way I was going to answer it. I knew it had to be him calling again. I reached down and unplugged the phone from the wall, expecting to still hear it ringing from the other extensions. But there was only silence. I plugged my phone back into the wall and it continued ringing. I yanked it out again quickly, ran into the living room and grabbed the extension.

"Hello! HELLO," I cried, but there was only a dial tone.

I went back into mdroodroom and plugged in my phone once more. It was still ringing. I slowly picked up the receiver.

"Hello?" I said in a barely audible voice.

"There you are, sunshine! I was beginning to think that you partied too much last night and wouldn't get up this morning. You don't want to miss out on rehearsal time," the deep voice purred into my ear.

"Why are you calling me? What do you want from me?"

"I just want to make sure you’re up and ready to go when your ride shows up to get you, sunshi We We wouldn't want you to miss out on filming a Xena episode, right? Especially one with Ares in it, that smart, good looking god of war."

My head was spinning. I didn't know what to think. This guy on the other end of the phone line had way too much information about my activities. The stuff about Xena, maybe I could understand, if he was truly working for Renaissance. But how did he know what I was doing, where I was going, on my free time? That was way too spooky. And how was he only able to call my phone?

"I have to go now or I'll be late," I said quickly.

"Oh, we wouldn't want that to happen, now would we, Ginger." The sound of his voice was so deep and serious. It sent shivers down my spine.

"N-n-no," I responded with a cracking voice.

"Good. Well then, I'll be seeing you real soon, sunshine. I promise. Just be sure to do everything the director tells you to. Okay?"

"Ya, sure." I hung up the phone, contemplating whether or not I wanted to go do this filming thing any longer.

I rose and headed for the shower. Maybe a good cold shower would wash away this dreadful feeling I had. Maybe I was still sleeping - dreaming. A shower was bound to wake me from this nightmare.

*****************

Once again, Ruby met me at the gate of the production camp. We headed for wardrobe right away, to pick up my costume. I was amazed at what Annie had done in the short amount of time she had. She had transformed the simple skirt and halter into a beautiful sequined outfit and had alsooratorated the sheer wrap to match. Much more appropriate an outfit for a princess. I changed and we headed off to the make-up trailer. That's where I met the two stars of Xena, Warrior Princess; Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor.

Upon entering, Ruby introduced me to the two women. They were very friendly and encouraging, trying to soothe my apparent nervousness and excitement. We all chatted and made small talk while the hairdressers and make up artists transformed Lucy, Renee and me for the camera stills. When we were done, I couldn't believe the difference in my looks. I really felt like a princess. It was a magical moment.

Lucy, Renee and I had a short photo session after that. Promo shots, for the next contest. The contest director wanted us to be in full costume for these shots, otherwise we would not have had to go through the entire costume/make-up thing for just a rehearsal. About halfway through the session, Kevin Smith arrived. He said “cheers” to his two co-workers and gave me an extra large smile.

“So, how are we doing today, Ginger?”

I felt the heat in my cheeks start to rise and I knew I was getting flushed again.

“Fine, thank you, Mr. Smith.”

“Call me Kev, please. Mr. Smith is my father.”

“Thanks, Kev.” I smiled and felt a bit more at ease. Ruby was right. He's got a real easygoing way about him.

Kevin joined us in the next few shots. They were just normal poses, no props or anything, just group shots. They switched our positions a few times. Then the photographer wanted to get some of just Kevin and me. They had Kevin sitting in his throne and me sitting in his lap. I almost thought I would have an orgasm when my butt touched his thigh and his arm went around my waist. Then another one of us standing, facing each other, and he was kissing my forehead with his arms around me once again. Alert! Alert! Total meltdown. I'm surprised I could continue to stand. Then, they gave Kev a prop sword and wanted him to look like he was going to strike me. This was an easy one since we weren't touching in this pose. But taking still photography shots wasn't too tough. The photographer could take his time to turn our cheeks to pick up the light or instruct us to lift the prop higher or lower and then snap the photo. Filming would be completely different, though, I imagined. No time to pause and pose just right. I had a feeling it wasn't going to be as easy as Ruby had said it would be.

***************

After the photo session, there was a short break while the stage crew finished setting up props for the scenes. Everyone had gone to their own trailers to rest or read their lines or whatever an actor does in his trailer between shots. I was also shown to a l gul guest trailer. I sat patiently and studied my lines. There was a knock at the door and a man in his mid-thirties entered.

“Hi, Ginger. My name is Ramsey. I'm here to give you some instruction for your performance. I work very closely with the director and I know what he is looking for in this scene with Ares, Xena, and Princess Miranda.”

“Hi, Ramsey. I'm very glad you are here to help me. I was just sitting here, reading my lines, and wondering what was going to be expected from me. I'm pretty nervous and afraid I'll mess up the whole scene.”

“Well, I'm not going to let that happen to you, Ginger. You can count on me!” he said with a warm smile.

Ramsey was an attractive man. Sandy blonde hair, tan skin, bright blue eyes. He probably spent his free time on the local beaches, surfing. He had a nice build, too, but a little too short for my taste. Although I remember thinking that I wouldn't kick the guy out of bed. Ginger, get your mind out of the gutter and back on the set, I thought to myself.

“Okay, Princess Miranda, let’s run through your lines first and see how you convey them. We'll work from there.”

Ramsey worked with me until lunchtime, when we decided to break and grab a bite to eat. He was extremely helpful. By the time we had finished deciphering my three-minuart,art, I had a clear understanding of how the director viewed Miranda and her part in this story line. He wanted me to respond in a sort of trance-like state because Ares places a spell on me earlier ie ste story. Basically, he singsing me to get to Xena, his usual M.O. Miranda is only a pawn in his game, and the game was either to get Xena back or destroy the Kingdom of Augustine. Obtaining either one of those two goals was acceptable to Ares. But if he couldn't have one, he was determined to have the other. At this point in the scene, Ares is trying to make Xena jealous by taking Miranda away from her father and making her his lover.

Ramsey led me to the layout of catered food and told me to help myself. He and I sat together at one of the tables and ate until Ramsey got called away to do something else. I was alone, feeling a bit awkward, until Ruby showed up wearing her usual bright smile.

“Ginger! Here you are.”

“Hey, Ruby. Have a seat, please.”

“Thanks. So, how did it go with the Assistant Director?”

“Oh, you mean Ramsey? It went really well. I have a good understanding of how this episode is supposed to feel and what exactly my roll is on an overall scale.”

Ruby looked impressed. “You got all of that inside of a couple of hours with Ramsey? Wow. You better watch out or they might want to keep you on, Ginger,” Ruby teased, but then she got a more serious look in her eye.

“Ginger, there has been a delay in the schedule.”

I set down my fork and wiped my mouth with the napkin, placing it down next to my plate on the table and gave her my full attention.

“We were supposed to rehearse your scene right after lunch, but unfortunately, Lucy is still occupied with the scene she and Renee are working on right now. I guess one of the props didn't work correctly and they lost the entire morning’s film time. They're working through lunch to try and keep on schedule, but I'm afraid it's still going to cause a delay. We won't start your scene for a couple more hours.” Ruby gave me a sympathetic glance. “I'm sorry to have to make you sit around and wait, but 'that's show biz,' Ginger. Thing's happen.”

“I understand, Ruby. I don't mind having to wait, really. Besides, the trailer you put me in is almost as nice as my hotel room,” I said, letting her know that it didn't bother me.

“They might want you to change out of that costume if it's going to be much longer.”

“Fine. Whatever works, Ruby. I'm easy to get along with.”

“Ginger, you're a doll!”

“G’day, ladies,” a deep voice came from behind me. It was Kevin, and I immediately felt my body start to stiffen up.

“Cheers, Kev!” Ruby said cheerfully. “I was just informing Ginger about the delay in the schedule.’

He walked up to our table and was standing beside my chair. He smiled down at me, his beautiful brown eyes conveying friendship. “Happens all the time, Ginger. You get used to it, after awhile, even come to expect it. May I?” He motioned to the empty seat beside me.

“Yes, please, join us.” I tried not to sound too overjoyed at the proposal, but still, I could hear the excitement ringing in my voice. Oh my god, I can't believe Kevin Smith asked to join my table!

“Great! Thanks.”

“Ginger has been working with Ramsey this morning, Kev. She seems to have a real understanding for this show biz stuff. I think she's gonna do fine!’

Kevin raised his eyebrows as if surprised. “Well, then. Xena better watch out or Ares might just fall for the wrong girl, aye,” he joked; easing the tension I felt every time I got near the man.

Before long, we were all chatting and laughing like old friends. Kevin was very charming and funny, and had Ruby and I doubled over in laughter through most of the conversation. Ruby was right - he makes everyone feel very comfortable around him.

Ruby's cell phone rang. She answered it and then listened to the caller for about 30 seconds and said, “I'll be right there, D.L.” She stood and excused herself, mumbling something about her boss. She put her cell phone in her purse and turned to leave, but then hesitated and turned to Kevin.

“Kev, do you think you might be able to spend some time rehearsing your scene with Ginger? Ramsey's been called away and she won't have much to do until they call you.”

“That's all right, Ruby. I really don’t mind . . .”

“No worries, Rubs. I'm in the same boat as Ginger is, anyway. Good idea!”

“Great!” she said and then looked at me. “Is that okay with you, Ginger?”

“Oh, yeah! That's a great idea!” I happily agreed.

“Okay, I should be back before you start the dress rehearsal. Cheers!”

I looked to Kevin, and he looked back, raising his eyebrows up and down in a sinister way. “Your trailer . . . or mine?” he said jokingly.

I'm sure I blushed. “You're the god, so whatever you say goes.”

He stood, and motioned his head to the side. “Come on.”

***************

We didn't go to a trailer, but rather, Kevin led me to the set where we were going to be filming the scene. He wanted me to get a feel for how far I would have to walk when entering the room, how fast to walk, and other physical aspects of acting that Ramsey hadn't even touched on earlier. Ramsey had worked on my presence, my attitude, and the way I should appear. But Kevin took me through the other half: timing, body movements, how to face the camera and still look natural. His input and advice was just as valuable to me as Ramsey's. And what was especially noticeable with Kevin was that he really seemed to care about my performance and me. He took an interest in helping me and made my experience pleasant and memorable. By the time we ran through our scene a few times, I had a completely different attitude about Mr. Kevin Smith.

Oh, sure! I was still mega-attracted to him, and I hoped that I would still have some wild sexual dreams at night, but I saw him differently, now. He wasn't just Ares, the god of lust, to me anymore. He was Kevin Smith. A kind and thoughtful person with a terrific personality and a generous heart. I had total respect for the man. And with my newfound feelings came a certain confidence. I was no longer worried that I would screw up the scene because the director wanted me to look into Ares’ eyes, and cause me to forget my lines. No, I had moved past the infatuation stage now and I was glad that I had done so. We had even rehearsed the part that I had anticipated so much about since I first read the script. The part where he kissed me!
I won’t deny that I enjoyed that particular part. I liked the idea of having his lips touch my skin. And talk about having full, sexy lips! I had only wished that the writers had made it so that we had to lip lock in a heated moment of passion. But nonetheless, a kiss on the cheek was better than no kiss at all.

Besides, with my newfound respect for the man as a real person, it probably would have lost the “magic” I had imagined so many times in the past. In a way it was kind of sad to me. Would I ever feel the same way about Ares and I had before? Would I spend sleepless nights imagining his arms around me, kissing me? Touching me? Making wild, passionate love to me?

Then one of the stagehands approached Kevin and informed him that his wife and youngest son were there to visit with him. He excused himself and headed off to spend a little time with his family. I was alone, yet again and decided to wait in the trailer until they called me for rehearsal.

*******************

As I sat in the trailer waiting, I mentally reviewed the things I had learned earlier from Ramsey and Kevin. One thing that Kev had said seemed to stick in the forefront of my mind. He told me that one of the things that makes an actor a good one, is really being in character. He said that you have to pretend that you are whom you play, so that others will believe you. He said he used to really work on that when he first got into acting. Now, it just seems to come naturally.

I decided that for the rest of the time I spent there in the midst of the production, I would not be Ginger Quinn. I was Princess Miranda of Augustine!

I stood and looked into the full-length mirror that was set up at the far end of the trailer, opposite the door, and practiced my “presence.” I wanted to be dripping with a royal attitude when I walked onto the set for rehearsal. I wanted to fool everyone into thinking that I was a real princess. Walk the walk. Talk the talk.

Then I saw the trailer door open in the mirror’s reflection. I turned around, surprised to find Kevin entering. He was smiling devilishly.

“That was a quick visit. Does your wife ever stay and watch you work?” I asked.

Confusion flashed in Kevin’s eyes briefly and then disappeared as quickly as it had come. He shook his head. “No, not very often.”

I noticed his eyes drop down over the length of my body and then back up again to my face. “What are you doing?”

“Practicing being a princess.” I guess it must be working if Kevin is looking at me like he just did, I thought to myself. I turned around in a circle before him. “Do you believe I am a princess?”

Kevin crossed his arms in front of his chest, like Ares does. Once again, his eyes draped over my semi-clad form and his smile became even more wicked, if that’s possible.

“Yes, I believe I am in the presence of royalty,” he answered.

“Then bow before your highness,” I joked.

I was shocked when he actually did just that. He dropped to one knee and lowered his head, extending an arm out in front of him.

“Please, forgive me, my queen!”

I laughed. “Okay, Kevin. You’re forgiven. Now rise,” I said with a large smile.

He stood and stared at me seriously. I could feel his dark eyes almost piercing through my soul to find my heart, causing it to beat more heavily in my chest. I couldn’t take the silence between us as we both stared into each other’s eyes.

“Why are you looking at me that way?” I asked.

“Shouldn’t you show me the same respect as I have just done for you? I am a god, for Zeus’ sake!” he said in a low, spine-tingling tone.

“Oh!” I said, as I snapped out of the strange trance-like state I was in. “Sorry . . . my Lord,” I said, lowering my head to him.

“That’s better! Let’s not forget our place around here any more, understand?”

“Yes, Master,” I agreed, figuring that he was doing the “in character” thing as well now.

“Do we have time to run through our scene again before they call us?”

He nodded.

“Cool!” I said and began to walk towards the trailer door. Kevin grabbed my arm as I passed him, stopping me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His eyes narrowed a bit as he spoke to me, looking like he was losing his patience with me. Boy, when Kev gets into character, he really gets into character.

I looked at him, feeling a bit confused. “Back out to the set to practice.”

“We can do that right here,” he said, releasing my arm. “We don’t have much time.”
I looked around the trailer. It was certainly spacious enough. “Sure. That’s okay with me. What part are we starting at?”

“We’ll start at the part where I say: Now, now, Xena.”

“Okay. I’m ready whenever you are.”

He sat down on one of the chairs. “Now, now, Xena. No need to get all bent out of shape about it. Besides, what could you offer me that I don’t already have?” Kevin paused, just like the script had called for him to do, and then he continued. “Miranda?"

"Yes, my Lord?" I said, taking that as my cue.

"Come,” he said seductively. Even more so than during our previous run-throughs.

"As you wish, Master." I slowly walked over to Kev, trying to look like I was under Ares’ spell. You know, sort of half there – half not.

Kevin narrated Xena’s part as well. Just like he had done earlier, only this time he mocked Lucy’s voice. “Miranda? Miranda, the daughter of King Samhajan?'"

"Yes, that is correct,” I said, trying to hold back the smile threatening to ruin the scene from his imitation of Xena.

"What are you doing here with Ares? Don't you know your father has been heartbroken since you suddenly left the castle? The Kingdom of Augustine is falling apart since you left. All the king does is sit on his throne wondering why you left. You have to return, Miranda, before the entire kingdom is lost!"

He switched back to his own voice, or I should saes’ es’ voice, again.

"Now, Xena, why would Miranda want to go back to that boring existence? Only here, with me, does she have any certainty about her life. Right, lover?" Instead of standing and walking behind me, he reached out and stroked the back of his hand over my cheek and then pulled me onto his lap.

"Yes, Ares. Only with you, my Lord."

He took my face in his hands and turned it towards him, so that I was staring deeply into his gorgeous brown eyes. Hey, this isn’t part of the scene. I tried to speak up, to ask him what he was doing. This is not the way we had rehearsed it before! But he held me captive with ardent eyes.

The next thing I knew, his lips were pressed to mine. I could taste something sweet as he ran his tongue around the outline of my mouth, before trying to gain entry through my semi-parted lips. I gasped in shock, not expecting this kind of behavior from him. He had shown nothing but respect and professionalism up until now, but that seemed to be tossed into the wind. One hand cupped the back of my head, holding me to him. The other hand slowly stroked my arm and back, working its way down to my ass. When he reached it, he cupped a butt cheek and squeezed it.

I couldn’t help but moan. It felt so good to be in his arms. My entire life, I’d wanted to find a man just like him - strong and sensitive. The good looks were an added reward.

But this wasn’t just a man. This was Kevin Smith. Married Kevin Smith. What in god’s name did he think he was doing? My mind was telling me to stop, that this was wrong, but my body was giving me an entirely different message. Fuck! Is he ever a g kis kisser! My disobedient hands found his thick, dark hair and started running through it, pulling his head closer to mine. My breathing became labored as I started to feel myself becoming lost in desire – in need.

It had been so long since I had been with a man. My body was aching to be touched. I wanted to be touched. But this was wrong. This was so wrong. He had just returned from seeing his wife, for god’s sake.

The thought of his wife gave me the strength to break away from him. I pushed him back and struggled to get out of his lap, but he wouldn’t let me up.

“What are you doing, Kevin?” I said in apparent anguish.

He looked me over and stroked my cheek again. There was desire in his eyes. Passion. Lust. Need. He really looked more like Ares to me rather than Kevin. He was acting so seductive, yet he seemed distant. The hand he was stroking my cheek with slid further down my neck and over my breast.

“STOP IT, KEVIN! I don’t understand why you are acting this way with me.”

“Who said anything about acting, my princess?” he purred as he tried to slip that same hand into my blouse.

I struggled to get free, finally succeeding, and turned around in an exasperating whirl. My cheeks flushed as I stared at him. Before I could say anything to him, he spoke again.

“Why do you keep calling me Kevin? I am Ares, God of War!”

“Right, and I am Little Bo Peep.”

“You doubt my word, sunshine?”

Sunshine? SUNSHINE! That’s what the man on the phone kept calling me – sunshine. Oh my God! This couldn’t be . . .

I started to feel lightheaded. And frightened. Then I heard people approaching the trailer. I turned around to look at who it might be, and when I turned back around, Kevin, or whoever he was, was gone. Just then, a knock came on the trailer door and Kevin popped his head inside.

“You ready, mate? We’re on with Lucy,” he said cheerfully.

“Um, ya. I’ll be right there. I need to use the ladies room first. Okay?”

“No worries, Ginger. I’ll wait out here for you and we can walk over together.”

I went into the bathroom and looked at my face in the mirror.

“Ginger, you must be losing your mind, girl! Overactive imagination, most definitely!” I tried to assure myself as I splashed some cool water onto my face. I grabbed a towel and raised my head to dry my face off and looked into the mirror again and there he was in the reflection.

I gasped and quickly turned around, but no one was there. I looked back into the mirror and saw him again.

“Don’t be frightened, Ginger. I would never harm you,” he whispered in my mind.

I backed awaym thm the sink and out of the bathroom. Once I cleared the doorway, I turned and practically ran out of the trailer. Kevin was waiting outside, sitting down on one of the benches in the grassy area off to the left of the trailer.


**********************

Kevin and I walked over to the set together. I didn't say much on the way and Kev seemed a bit concerned about me.

“You doin' all right, Ginger?” he asked. “Your mood seems to be a little tepid.”

“I'll be fine, really. I'm just a bit nervous. That's all.”

“Well don't be. You're gonna do just fine. I'm sure of it.”

I smiled at his effort to soothe my fears, even though it wasn't the rehearsal that was wreaking havoc on my nerves.

The rehearsal went without incident. Kevin, Lucy, and I ran through the scene with the director only twice before he was satisfied with everyone's performance. I headed off to wardrobe to change back int own own clothes. When I was done, I went asking around for Ruby, who apparently hadn't returned yet. I didn't want to go back to the trailer, so I decided to wait by the lunch tables. I plopped myself down, resting my elbows on the table and my chin in my hands and sighed in frustration.

I couldn't get the vision of Kev, or whoever that was, out of my head. The way he kissed me, the feel of his touch, the warmth of his skin, the way he made my body ache for him. God, I just couldn't get him out of my mind and I hated it. Because even if he wasn't Kevin, he sure as hell looked like him, and so I felt guilty for allowing myself to get so turned on by his attentions.
“What are you still doing here, aye, Ginger?” a voice came from behind me.

I was shaken from my daydream only to shiver at the sound of deep tone and heavy kiwi accent. I knew it was Kevin. I turned around to look at him. He, too, had changed out of his costume and was wearing a pair of faded Levi's with a hole ripped in the knee, a Canterbury Crusaders team jersey and tennis shoes.

“My ride seems to have abandoned me. Ruby hasn't made it back yet.”

“What hotel did they put you up in?”

“The Auckland Grand.”

“Well, that's on my way home. I can drop you there if you want. We'll tell the gate security to inform Ruby that you got a ride. Come on.”

“Okay, thanks. I'm sure Melanie has got something planned for this evening and is probably wondering where I am by now.”

“Melanie?”

“Yeah. She's my best friend who came along with me on this trip. Renaissance paid for accommodations for two people!” I said cheerfully. “You’ll probably meet her at the luncheon on Friday.”

“Kewl!”

On the drive back to the hotel, Kevin told me how well I performed that day and that the director was quite pleased with me. Apparently there had been other people, who had won the opportunity to be in a show, who really didn't perform that well. They usually got edited out in the end product. But Kevin thought my performance would surely make it through the final cut.

By the time he dropped me at the hotel, he had filled me so full of praise about my 'acting' abilities that I practically floated out of the car. We said our good-byes, exchanged smiles, and Kevin drove off. I headed up to my room.

I got into the elevator and pushed the sixth floor button. The doors closed and the elevator started to ascend. It stopped at the second floor and the doors opened and to my surprise Kevin was standing there, faded blue jeans and all.

“Kevin? How did you . . ?”

He stepped in, the doors closed behind him, and the elevator began moving again, but a lot slower than before, it seemed.

At first he didn't say anything. He just looked at me with those gorgeous eyes, a slight smirk across his face.

“We need to talk,” he finally said, his usual Kiwi accent not present, which struck me odd.

I became concerned right away, not knowing what could be so important that it couldn’t wait until tomorrow.

“What? What is it, Kevin? Have I done something wrong?”

He took a step closer to me. I could feel the heat coming from his body as he studied my face with intensity. His eyebrows were drawn together and he looked to be very serious at the moment.
“Yes, you did do something wrong. You did not return to your trailer after rehearsal.”

I shook my head, not understanding why that would mean anything. “Yes, I know. So . . .” I left off, wanting him to fill in the rest.

“So, how am I supposed to talk to you when you keep avoiding me, sunshine?”
Sunshine? Oh my god! It's HIM again. This is all just a dream. It's got to be a dream.

“You're not dreaming, Ginger,” he answered my thoughts. “I'm really here.”

“No, you're not. I just saw you drive away not more than three minutes ago. And suddenly you're here again? I don't think so. You are just something my mind conjured up to play tricks on me. You are not real.”

“Oh, really? Well, you tell me if you don't think this is real, Ginger.” He reached out and snaked an arm around my waist and yanked me to his body. With his other hand, he stroked my hair, tilting my head back in the process, and placed his full lips against mine in a kiss so full of passion that I thought I would faint.

My eyes closed and my back arched, almost falling backwards away from him. I'm sure I would have tumbled over if he didn't have his arm supporting me. After what seemed like forever, he pulled his lips away, leaving me breathless and unable to think about anything except the way he made me feel.

Oh boy! I think I'm in trouble.

“Now, are you going to tell me that you didn't think that was real, sunshine? That you didn't feel that? I hardly think so,” he cooed, most seductively.

I finally opened my eyes and looked at him. I wasn’t sure what to think anymore. I didn't want to think. I only wanted to feel. Feel his arms around me, his lips on my body, causing that rush of heated excitement.

He turned to the button panel and pulled out the emergency stop lever and the elevator ride halted. He turned back around, piercing through me with those hypnotic, dark eyes. I thought my heart would stop beating.

His eyes draped down my body and a wicked grin crossed his face. He began to circle around me, checking me over like a used car.

“Mmmmm, yes! She made an excellent choice. Not too thin, not too heavy. Nice ass! Good skin and hair. Attractive, quite voluptuous!" he said, licking his lips. "Yes, I believe you are the right one, Ginger.”

“Right one for what?” I asked. I wasn't qusuresure if I felt insulted or not by his assessment of my appearance. I'm not some cheap piece of property at a garage sale, ya know!

His face turned serious and he stopped dead in front of me, looked into my eyes, and raised one eyebrow. His presence overwhelmed me, so strong and manly. I felt vulnerable, defenseless, and instinct made me take a step back away from him. But the elevator wall only greeted me.

“For what?” I asked again, in a tone that demanded an answer. He still didn't respond, but he sort of looked at me harshly, I suppose in reaction to my tone of voice with him.

Then, he put his hands on the wall, one on each side of me, trapping me. I was jailed within his arms. Panic rushed through me, my heart started pounding rapidly, and my eyes darted around looking for a way out. But there was none. I could feel his breath on my cheek, but I was too afraid at the time to look into his eyes. He frightened me, yet excited me at the same time. Where I had first thought this as only my mind playing tricks on me, I was now convinced that he was, at least, flesh and bones. The sensation of his body being so close to mine made my skin tingle in the awareness of a male presence. No, this was no dream! He was real, all right.

“W-w-what do you want?” I asked, unable to keep my voice from cracking. “Why are you here?”
Finally, he answered me. “What I want . . . well, that's a question that has many answers.” He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand, pushing my hair out of the way to better study my face. “But mainly…” he turned me by my chin to face him and slowly moved so that his lips were mere centimeters away from my own. He looked deeply into my eyes and whispered, “I want you, Ginger.”

He captured my lips and I heard myself moan at the suppleness of their touch. He pressed me against the wall with his body. His hands began to move over my hips and sides as the passion between us started to build.

I felt my self-control leave me, along with any good sense I might have had, and my arms slid around his neck, pulling myself harder into his kiss. His lips slid across my cheek and nuzzled into my neck, finding an ear. I heard him growl as he nibbled at my earlobe.

His hands moved up to my shoulders and then they found the top button of my blouse, unlatching it. He pushed the material outward, exposing my neck and chest, and moved his kisses towards the newly revealed area. Another button came undone, showing the tops of my nice-sized breasts.

“Mmmmm,” I heard him moan, when he looked at them. Then he looked back up at my face. His desire for me was more than apparent and it drove me crazy with need.

I attacked his lips. The push of my body against his had forced him back a couple steps. I backed him against the wall this time; the wall with the button panel, and his ass must have pushed the emergency button in again because we started to move once more.

By the time we hit the sixth floor, he had undone another button on my blouse, and I had pulled his shirt out, baring his stomach, and undid the top button of his Levi's. I couldn't stop kissing him. I didn't want to stop touching him. It was like I was being driven mad with such a lust for him that I just couldn't stop myself. We almost didn't make it out of the elevator before the doors shut on us.

Leading him by the hand, we started down the hallway to my hotel room. But before we reached the door, he yanked me backward and lightly knocked me up against the wall by my shoulders to engage me in another lust-crazed kiss. His lips moved frantically over my mouth and neck. I had lost all sense of thinking clearly by now and couldn't wait another moment to have him. He had me wild with desire.

I pushed him off me with all my strength, begging him to stop until we got inside. He complied, but it looked like it took everything he had to do so, as it had done me.

I barely had time to retrieve the key from the lock before he hurried me inside and pushed me down on one of the two couches, and practically ripped my shirt from my body.

He was straddled over my thighs, and had sat up once he got my shirt off. He just stayed there for a moment, his eyes dancing over my face and bosom.

"Beautiful!" he whispered through a heavy sigh and then pulled his jersey over his head.

My mouth dropped open at the perfection of his upper body when I saw it. A beautiful, well-muscled chest, with thick arms, golden-bronzed skin, and ample, dark hair covering it all.

"Damn! Are you sure you're not Adonis?"

He just chuckled softly, eyeing me with a sexy look about him and lowered his body on top of mine.
"I am Ares. I am a God. Your God! And together… we can set each other free!"

It was at that moment when he kissed me, drawing me into him slowly, joining with him as one, that I let myself go, willingly and completely. He seemed to sense my surrender and his kisses became more intense, deeper. I wouldn't have been able to stop for anything. His lips set me on fire. At that point, even if the room were ablaze, I wouldn't have cared if I burned to death, as long as he didn’t stop kissing me.

"Oh, god!" I moaned when he finally tore his lips from mine and started to explore other regions of my body. Moving down towards the top of my breast, he flicked the nipple with his thumb through the lacy material of my bra. As his mouth moved closer, he hooked his thumb under the edge of the material and pulled it down to expose the aureole. I felt the warm wetness of his full lips encircle it as he dragged his tongue across the erect tip. His free hand had already found my other breast and he was teasing it, pinching it, making it erect as well.

I shuddered at the stimulation it caused to flow through me and I could feel the heat building up between my thighs. I couldn't help rolling my hips against him and I saw him smile at my responses, his lips still pressed against my bosom, sucking at my nipple.

He moved his mouth from one breast to the other, exchanging his hand for his lips, slowly teasing them. Then his hands moved further down my sides and he began to kiss down my stomach, and paused to delve his tongue in my navel. It tickled, and I couldn't help giggling a little.

He looked up at me, briefly, before continuing down towards the center of my legs. That look he gave me - so sexy. His eyes were dark and full of lust and I could have spent forever just looking into them. They seemed to have a kind of power over my will, my mind, even my body. I found myself lifting my butt off the couch to allow him to remove my shorts. He didn't miss a beat, and easily slid them down my legs and tossed them to the side.

He whispered to me, telling me to take my bra off the rest of the way. His words sounded extremely sensual and irresistible. I complied, without any reservations. God, if he didn't have me so turned on! I wanted this man so much. I wanted to feel his bare body pressed against mine, holding me tightly to him. He was the ultimate example of the perfect man, and for some reason now, I felt at ease with him. He had succeeded in melting away any fears or doubts my mind had been reeling in not more that ten minutes earlier.

As he moved even further down my body with hot, wet busses, he grabbed the elastic on one side of my panties with his teeth and tugged at it until he had pulled it over my hip.

Then he did the same on the other side. The top of my panties was sitting below where my bikini line would normally be, and the beginning of my hair could be seen.

He pleasantly "hummed" and traced along the top of the elastic with his tongue from one side to the other. The anticipation was killing me, and my body responded to the touch of his velvety tongue by arching my back and pushing my pelvis against his face.

He pulled away from me and looked into my eyes. "Don't be in such a hurry, Ginger. I have much experience in the pleasures of the flesh, and I promise, my dear, to show you all of what I know," he purred.

My mind responded in reflection of his words. But I'm only here until Sunday. Then I have to go back home and I'll probably never see you again . . .

Don't be silly, girl. You'll not get rid of me that easily, he answered my thought in my head.

"You still don't really believe that I am who I say, do you, Ginger?"

I looked at him with a confirming 'sorry' look. He was right; I wasn't fully convinced at that moment that he was a god. But that was all about to change. All he did next was look at my panties and they disappeared into thin air.

I couldn't believe it! If they weren't on my body, if I hadn't have felt them disappear, I would have thought it was a trick - an illusion. But I knew it was not. It scared me at first. I mean, if he could do that, then what could he do to me?

"Relax, Ginger, I'm not going to hurt you. But rather, I've come to complete you. And you will do the same for me, my sweet." His eyes flowed over my now completely nude body. I was amazed at how something like my thin cotton panties felt more like an item of security for me. Without them between us, I was left completely open to him, vulnerable.

His voice got really low and deep sounding. "Let me show you what I mean," he said, before dropping his head down to the apex between my shaking legs.

What he had made me feel just by kissing me didn't compare to his sweet lips on the inside of my thigh. The searing of his tongue against my tender skin nearly sent me through the roof. When his face lightly brushed across my hair while moving to the other thigh, it sent boiling hot waves of ecstasy to my gut. I felt his hands slip under my buttocks and start to squeeze my cheeks, lifting me up slightly to meet his face.

After a moment or two of teasing me with his kisses, he lifted my ass even higher, and plunged his tongue into my passage, very quickly, then withdrew and continued to slowly move his way up my slit, until he found my clit. He teased it, taking the entire nub into his mouth and lightly closing his teeth around it. Then he let it go and quickly flicked his tongue over it.

My legs instantly wrapped around his neck, and I kept crying out, "Oh god. OH GOD!" My hands moved to his head, grabbing fistfuls of thick, satin hair, and then releasing them again. I could feel him quickly bringing me to a much-needed climax, swirling his velvet tongue inside me with such expertise.

He teased me forever, it seemed. He knew how to take me right to my bursting point and then ease off, leaving me panting in need. I begged him to please take me there, to send me over the edge, for I couldn't stand it a moment longer. And just as I thought he would comply, just when he got me to the peak for the umpteenth time, Melanie walked in the front door.

Distracting me from releasing, I looked over to her. Her face was as red as mine surely was. Her eyes quickly darted around the room, looking anywhere but at us. But how could she have missed us? She had the perfect side profile of Ares and me on the couch: his head between my legs and my hands still on his head, pushing him further into my crotch. She started backing up towards the door. Her eyes briefly met mine while she held up a finger in a gesture saying, "I'll be back in a minute," and then disappeared again.

I'm not sure if Ares had even noticed that Mel had come in. He hadn't missed a single lick, literally. Never once broke his rhythm. As a matter of fact, the sensations seemed to escalate and intensify as soon as Mel had entered the room and so the secshe she left, I threw my head back, overwhelmed with the erotic sensations he was giving me, and I started screaming in ecstasy.

"OOOHHH MMMYYYY GGGGOOOODDDD!!!!"

My body twisted and convulsed and my mind was filled with nothing but thoughts of sexual gratification. Ares grabbed hold of my hips, steadying me and not letting up in the least. It had to have been five straight minutes before my orgasm worked its course. Then my body went limp. Shit, I had never cum so hard in my entire life!

He stopped, lifted his head, and looked at me through ardent eyes. I heard a low, guttural groan escape him as he began to crawl on top of me. I noticed his clothes disappeared in the process, but in the anticipation of what was to happen next it didn't even faze me.

He kissed my lips in an almost violent need, and I felt the weight and warmth of his body cover me. His hands never stopped moving. They were everywhere, leaving my skin tingling wherever he touched me.

I managed to utter to him that we should move to my bedroom, before my roommate returned again and suddenly we were atop my bed in my room. There was candles and incense burning everywhere and I could hear the soft sounds of a mandolin or sitar playing off in the distance.

I was still beneath him, his large and hardened muscle pressed against my nether lips. He propped himself up on his forearms, and searched my face and eyes. His licentious expression never left him. He adjusted his hips to position his cock for entry and then in one swift, strong move, he entered me entirely.

I gasped, my back arched, and my eyes closed. He began to move in and out of me, every stroke causing me satisfaction beyond my wildest dreams. I opened my eyes again to find him still studying me. He looked fascinated and smug at the same time. He knew what he was doing, how he was making me feel, and he loved it! He also seemed to be absorbed in it. Like he had been waiting for this -- for me -- for a long time.

Me, could you imagine? Ordinary, simple me.

It was absurd for me to have thought that, yet the more he moved inside me, the more alive he seemed to become. He nuzzled his face into my neck, licking and kissing me, whispering to me.

"That's right, baby. Give it up to me. Let loose of all of that pent up frustration and pain you hide inside, Ginger. Let me free you so you can truly feel all of the sexual pleasures a god can give," he said breathlessly in my ear.

His words, the way he said them, seemed to touch my very soul. I bucked against him hard, feeling a spontaneous tightening in my stomach. The feeling of his cock sliding within me was becoming stronger and stronger, more intense. He reached down and rubbed his thumb over my clit. I could feel a climax building.

I clenched my teeth, dug my fingernails into his arms, his back, everywhere, and started to growl like an untamed animal. I just couldn't help myself. He had power over me. Everything thing he did, every place he touched, invoked an involuntary response from my body. I started cumming, and screaming. I even started to cry from the immense release that was happening. Not tears of sorrow, but more like a reaction to the huge orgasm I was having. A release of sorts.

He continued to urge me on with a deep, throaty, lustful voice. "Come on, baby. Gim'me all that hate, all that negativity that hinders you from being free. Oh, yeah . . .” He drifted off, seemingly lost in his own sensations.

Soon enough, his eyes closed, and a sexy smirk curled from his lips. I saw waves of new life color his face and before long, he was grunting and sweating and his cheeks had become flushed.

He moved furiously within me, slamming all the way against me. I clutched his large cock with my muscles, trying to hold him inside of me, but I was so wet, so hot, he would easily slide back out again.

"Oh, yeah! Ginger, I like it when you do that," he cooed.

I continued to clamp his muscle each time he entered me. Within moments, I could feel droplets of sweat falling upon my face and chest. He was breathing heavily through an open mouth with closed teeth. His hips jerked in uneven rhythm and his eyes were squeezed shut. I could feel him start to cum; and it felt so fucking good.

"Oh, yes! Sunshine. That's it, baby. I'm cumming. I'M CUMMING," he breathed, and then shot his seed inside of me, collapsing on top of me. He briefly kissed my lips and then whispered, "I'm here!"

He laughed a menacing laugh that gave me an uneasy feeling, but it quickly fled as soon as his laughter receded. He rolled off of me, onto his back at my side.

"FUCK! That was good, babe! You're something else, Ginger," he stated loudly, and with much excitement. Then he turned his head towards mine and groaned into my ear, "And I know you've got to be floating on a cloud. That was one helluva climax you had, huh?"

I nodded. "I don't think I've ever cum that hard in my entire life. It's like a huge burden has been lifted off me. Thank you." I turned on my side, facing him, propping my head up on my hand, and looked at his face. Damn, he was beautiful! Even more so now than when he got into the elevator with me, it seemed. He looked revived. I ran my hand over his chest. The hairs were still wet with sweat.

He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips and kissed the palm.

"It was my pleasure, my dear. But don't write me off so quickly. Now that you've given me . . . I mean, released all of that negativity bottled up inside you, there won't be anything hindering your true sexuality next time." He reached behind my head and pulled me into a lust-filled kiss.

My tits immediately became hard, pressed against his chest, as his wet lips covered mine. His tongue forcing entry between them and I couldn't help moaning, feeling my desire for him igniting all over again. He was insatiable!

Just as he began to take control again and had rolled over on top of me, I heard the door to the hotel room close. Melanie had returned and she was calling for me.

"Ginger? Ginger, are you still here? Listen, girl, I'm sorry to have walked in on you like that. I… I didn’t think… I thought you… Oh, never mind! You know what I mean. Ginger?"

Ares acted like he didn't even hear her. I pushed him away from me and he allowed himself to roll back off me.

He looked at me; his eyebrows were raised. "Well, go on, then. Go and talk to your little friend." He read my mind once agand and was giving me permission to leave him alone for a moment while I went to talk to Melanie. "Just hurry back, because I’ve got big plans for you this evening, sunshine!" he said as he looked down at his growing erection and then smiled and winked at me.

Big doesn’t even begin to describe what he had going for him down there. I would use a word more like huge or monstrous when referring to his sword. I felt a wave of lust wash over me as I got a real good look at his perfect cock for the first time that night. I had the biggest urge to grab it and suck it, run my tongue up and down that hardening shaft. It made me so extremely horny just looking at it, and it took all my will power to fight my desire and get up from the bed to go out into the living room and talk to Mel.

“I won’t be long. I promise!” I said as I threw my robe on. I walked over to his side of the bed, bent down and placed a tender kiss on his luscious lips. But I didn’t stop there. I let my lips travel quickly over his beautiful chest, down to his pelvis.

I reached for his cock, stroked it briefly, and then rubbed it over my lips, outlining the shape of them. I opened my mouth and slid the head inside, gave it a couple of good sucks and then slipped it back out, giving the tip a quick little kiss before standing up again.

I continued to stroke him with my right hand and looked at his face. He was eyeing me with a really sexy grin on his face.

“If you don’t stop that, you’re never getting out of this room, Ginger,” he told me.

“Oh, all right!” I responded in a half-disantednted tone. “I’m going. Just be ready for me when I return. Okay?”

“Baby, a god is always ready!” he laughed.

**************

When I entered the living room, Melanie was straightening the cushions on the sofa that Ares and I were on earlier. She looked over to me and said hellIt wIt was apparent that she still felt embarrassed since her face turned red when she saw me.

I couldn’t help but smirk a little. “Hi. Sorry about earlier. I guess it wasn’t too appropriate to be doing that sort of thing where someone can see you,” I said.

“I think I should be the one to apologize, Ging. You just really surprised me, that’s all. It’s not like I haven’t done the same thing myself, ya know. We all have needs. I prefer the shower myself. Much more private.” She chuckled.

“I know you understand. Still… I should have insisted on taking it into the bedroom.”
Melanie finished fluffing up the cushions, plopped a seat on the couch and grabbed a magazine from the coffee table.

“Don’t worry about it. As long as it makes you feel good,” she said as she started flipping through the pages. “So now that you’re ‘feeling better,’ wanna go hit a club tonight?” She looked up from the magazine, grinning.

I tipped my head to one side and studied my friend. Did she really think that he was gone already? She must, or she wouldn’t be talking about going out, I thought to myself.

“Sounds like fun, Mel, but I’ve still got my own little party going on in there.” I motioned towards my bedroom door. “You go ahead though.”

Mel’s face went blank for a moment and then she looked confused. “What are you talking about, Ginger? What party?”

I laughed aloud, thinking she was joking. But then I could tell by the look on her face that she was totally serious. She didn’t seem to have a clue. “Melanie? What’s up with you, girl? Catching me in the ‘act’ earlier must have really thrown you for a loop or something. He’s still in there, which is where I plan to be in another minute.”

“Who’s in where? What’s going on here, Ginger?” She stood up and walked towards my bedroom door. Then she stopped, turned around, and placed her hands on her hips, as if waiting for an explanation.

“You can’t tell me that you didn’t see him, Melanie. The most gorgeous guy in the entire world – joyfully bobbing his head between my legs – and you didn’t see him? Come on, give me a break.”

“When? Where? Who?”

“Earlier! On the couch! When you walked in on me.” I started to become concerned about her. Maybe she was sick or something.

“When I walked in on you – you were alone on the couch – playing with yourself!” she stated dryly.
I busted out laughing. I laughed so hard that I had to sit down.

“What’s so funny?” Now she sounded concerned.

“Alone? Is that what you think?” I managed to say between gasps of air. “No wonder you seem so nonchalant about it. Melanie, I wasn’t alone. I was with Ares.”

“Ares?”

I nodded.

“The God of War?”

I nodded again, smiling.

“Ginge thi think all this contest and filming and stuff had gone to your brain. Ares isn’t real. He’s only a character in a TV show. Remember?”

“Yeah, well, that’s what I used to think. Until today, that is. I’ll prove it to you.” I turned and yelled for Ares to come out. He didn’t respond. Then I realized – he is a god. He wouldn’t respond to a mere summons, but rather, I should be at his beck and call.

Melanie just shook her head.

“Okay, so he won’t come out. That doesn’t mean he’s not in there. Come on.” I stood up and reached for Mel’s arm, pulling her along with me. “I’ll show you.”

We reached the door and I opened it. The first thing I saw was a very naked god lounging on my bed, looking gorgeous but impatient. He was staring back at me, drumming the fingers of one hand on his hip.

I smiled. “See?” I said to Melanie.

“See… what?”

“Ares! Right there on the bed.”

“She can’t see me,” Ares said.

Melanie didn’t respond. She only turned and headed for her own room. “Ginger, if you didn’t want to go out tonight – you could have just said so.”

“But Mel…” I pleaded. “Why can’t she see you?”

“Because she doesn’t believe, that’s why. Now get in here and close the door. I have some bodily pleasures I promised I would show you,” he purred.

I hesitated, still looking down the hall after Melanie. “But… but…”

“Are you refusing me, Ginger? I would hate to think that you were refusing your Lord. Disobeying a god is a punishable crime,” he said seriously. “And I was so looking forward to having some fun tonight.” He sighed.

I looked back at him and his eyes caught mine. Suddenly, I seemed to forget all about Melanie, and the world around me. My thoughts were only of him. Nothing else mattered to me right then except his touch. I closed the door and let my robe fall to the floor as I returned to the bed.