How To Date A Moon Goddess

Excerpt from How To Date A Moon Goddess

Vee

I gripped my glass and brought it to my lips as I listened to date number thirty-seven tell me all about her travels across East Asia and how magical it made her feel. 

Jayla was cute with her curly black hair that fell around her shoulders and graced her lovely brown skin. Her bright brown eyes and plump red lips were so mesmerising but she bored me to tears. We've been at this bar for an hour and the only thing I wanted from her was her body, nothing else. I didn't really care to get to know her any more than that. 

In my year here I've learned that purely physical attraction won't get me home. I've got to find a deeper connection than that, but Gods it's so hard. 

"So, Vee," Jayla grinned and licked her lips. "Do you want to get out of here and I can show you some things from my travels?"

I doubt I’d be interested in any of her trinkets and we’d end up naked in her bed instead. I smiled and shook my head. "I’d love to but, I'm meeting a few friends here later, so I think I'll pass."

"Oh, that's too bad," she feigned a pout as she checked her phone on the table. She tapped her bright pink nails over the screen and looked up at me. "I've got plans with someone else too, but if you ever want to hook up again just call me." 

"Mm, I sure will. Enjoy the rest of your night, Jayla. It was lovely to meet you," I said and wished I didn’t have this quest looming over my head because I would love to indulge in her.

"You too," she smiled and leaned across the table to kiss my cheek. "Don't be so closed off next time. We could really have some fun," she whispered and her warm breath tingled over my skin but failed to make me want anything more than sex.

"Maybe next time," I said as she leaned away from me to pick up her purse. She swayed her wide hips in her black leather pants and looked over her shoulder and waved one more time as she left.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I stood and snatched my clutch from the table to take a seat on one of the brown leather stools at the bar. "A shot of vodka and a G&T," I grumbled to the bartender as I plucked my phone out of my purse to delete Jayla from my contacts. No need to see her again when it would only end in some debaucherous entanglements. 

I didn’t have time for fun like that anymore. I've spent enough time on this planet and I miss my home. I sighed as I swiped through the meet-up app. Countless dates of men and women have brought me no closer to finding anyone I've felt even an inkling for more than sex. Why would my mother do this to me? None of my other sisters were punished with such an onerous feat.

Of course they weren't as destructive as me and always did everything perfect to please our mother. They'd all gleefully followed her stringent rules of being the perfect little effervescent Goddesses.

I scowled and shoved my phone back into my purse. I just wanted to have fun. I think I deserve that as the first born child of the Moon. I didn't ask to be the next Goddess and my mother is an asshole for sending me to this cursed planet. 'To learn how to humble myself' she'd told me in her holier than thou tone. What a load of shit. 

"How many dates does that make, Vee?" 

I sighed and cut my eyes to the amused man beside me with his cocky grin and teasing grey eyes. I should've known he'd be here. We had a bet to see who could get home first. 

"Thirty-seven," I huffed as I threw back the shot of vodka in front of me and slammed it back on the counter. "What number are you on?"

"Tonight was lucky number thirty-nine," he laughed and leaned against the bar making his muscles tighten against his charcoal grey shirt. 

I laughed into my drink. "We're never getting home."

"I'm not even sure I want to anymore," he mumbled as he took a swig of the beer in his hand. The amusement in his eyes dimmed while he looked out at the people gathered in clusters around the dimly lit pub. "The Terran aren't so bad."

I raised an eyebrow. "The God of all that is mighty and powerful is giving up?" I shook my head. "Bullshit, Vik. Snap out of it. You want off this fucking rock as much as I do."

"Shit, you're right," he sighed and dragged his hand through his golden locks. "I'm tired of this place and I've learned my damn lesson," he said and the teasing look in his eyes was back as he sat his glass on the bar. "You've never told me why a delicate little Moon Goddess was banished to Earth. What could you have possibly done to deserve this?"

I smirked. "First of all, I'm not delicate and I was sent here because I'm not a do-gooder like my sisters. I like to - "

"Wake up naked in a stranger's bed?" 

A fire scorched my cheeks. "That was one time! I thought I was in your roommate's bed and I wasn’t completely naked..."

Vik snickered. "Mm-hm, well I was pretty surprised to wake up with you in my arms. The children of Selene are usually quite docile, but you're a bit rowdy for a Moon Goddess."

"That's what I was getting to before you interrupted me, Viktav."

"Ooo, using my full name. That hurts, Volana."

"Shut up," I chuckled, placing a tenner on the bar. "Walk me home? Unless you're meeting date number forty?" 

"Nope, I'm done with that  tonight," he said, handing my tenner back to me while he replaced it with his own and he held out his arm. "Shall we?" 

"Mm-hm, you didn't have to pay for my drinks," I said and slipped my arm through his as we moved through the crowding pub.

"Yeah, but I wanted to," he said as he opened the door and stepped aside to let me walk out first. "So, you were saying you're the wild child of your family?"

I laughed, slipping my arm back through his as we walked down the cobbled streets of old town. "Yes, I don't like rules. I do my own thing and I was sent here to learn humility and you know the rest."

"Mm, this true love shit seems impossible. None of my brothers and sisters were burdened with this quest," he sighed as he shoved his hand in his pocket. "I think my father hates me." 

I let out a bark of laughter as we strolled through the courtyard of the minster. "I'm sure he doesn't. You're his favorite warrior, are you not?"

Vik chuckled. "I was until I got a bit too -"

"Conceited, smug and cavalier. I heard about that ridiculous war you started with the Juptarians."

"I thought their Gods allowed one of their princes to trap my sister in marriage," he grumbled.

"I...I didn't know that's what she wanted." 

"Yet you didn't even ask her before you took an army to save her," I shook my head as we crossed the street to walk along the marina. "I believe Gisele is capable of making her own decisions."

"I know, but I couldn't imagine she'd want to spend eternity with a Jupe. Greygor is so," he scrunched his face in disgust. "...lame."

"That's not for you to decide and that's why your father gave you this quest." 

"Probably, but this is a bit extreme,” he laughed. “So, we're both here to learn a bit of humility, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess so," I sighed as I looked up at the sky and my heart sank at the moon peeking through the clouds. "I just want to go home. What if I don't find my true love? Then I'm stuck here forever." 

"No," he shook his head and his warm grey eyes looked down at me. "I don't believe our parents would send us here if that were the case. We just have to try harder," he said and a soft laugh escaped his lips. "Why don't we go on a date?"

I scrunched up my nose and snorted. "What? You know that's pointless. We're Gods. That's not how this works." 

Vik shrugged. "It wouldn't hurt, plus I'm still pretty jealous that Liam got to take you out."

My heart thumped and I choked out a laugh. "Why?"

He grinned. "Because it's not every day a goddess of your calibre is often banished to live amongst the Terran. You intrigue me and why should humans know the pleasure of dating a being like you?" 

A blush burned over my cheeks as I looked away from the smoldering look in his eyes. "I didn't know you felt that way. Isn't a Moon Goddess too tame for your God of War tendencies?" 

"I don't know, but I'm willing to experiment," he chuckled. "Come on, let's go on a date. It'll be a nice change of pace. The worst that could happen is we end up naked in bed again." 

I glared at him. "You're never going to let me live that down are you?"

He shook his head and his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Nope. So, what do you say?" 

I stared into his mischievous eyes and my gaze dragged over his deep golden tan skin to his flush lips, strong jaw and the black ink in the shape of a flame curling over his neck. My nipples rose to attention and a tingle pooled between my thighs. It wouldn't hurt to release some of my sexual frustration with him. I licked my lips and looked back into his smoldering depths. 

"Fuck it, why not? But you're still losing the bet by two dates."

"Fair enough," he nodded. "How about I take you out tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, alright. We can go to -"

"No, I'm making the plans. You just be ready at six," he said and curled his finger around one of my midnight curls. "And can I request that you come as yourself?"

My eyes grew wide. "You mean as a goddess? In front of the Terran?" I crossed my arms. "No, not unless you do the same."

He smiled letting my hair fall from his fingers and the dimples in his chiseled cheeks made my heart skip a quick beat. "I wouldn't ask you if I didn't plan on doing it too." 

I raised an eyebrow but a delightful shiver ran down my spine at the thought of walking freely in my true form. "Where are you taking me that humans won't freak out about your horns?" 

A mischievous glint filled his eyes. "You'll find out tomorrow, but don't worry I'll keep you safe, moonie." 

I rolled my eyes. "I'm capable of handling myself, warhead."

"Warhead," he laughed. "That's original."

"About as original as moonie," I scoffed. "Anyway, thanks for walking me home and I'm sorry your date didn't work out."

"It's alright. I'm sorry yours didn't work out either."

I shrugged. "It's fine. I'm kind of glad we're going out tomorrow. It'll be nice just to have fun without thinking about the quest." 

"Mm-hm and I've got the perfect date planned for you."

"Oh really?” I laughed. “And how do you know what's perfect for me?"

He smiled and a shiver raced down my spine as he leaned down to my ear. "Because I pay attention to you," he whispered and his warm breath and cedarwood scent made a flutter of tingles punch against my gut.

I let out a breath and stepped away from him. "Why?"

He chuckled. "I told you. You intrigue me and you must feel the same or you wouldn't have agreed."

I bit my lip. He wasn't wrong. I haven’t forgotten the way his arms felt wrapped around me and the feel of his hard body pressed against mine. He was the only being I'd ever slept with without fucking...yet. "True. Well, then I'll see you tomorrow in all of my goddess glory."

"I look forward to it," he said as he tucked his hands in his pockets. "Enjoy the rest of your night, Vee."

"You too," I said as I turned away from him to walk inside the small brick building behind me. I took the creaking stairs to my apartment with a small smile on my face. 

In the few months that I've known Vik I never realised the Marseon God had a crush on me. I laughed as I stuck my key into the door. It was cute and flattering since I've always had a bit of a crush on him too ever since I caught a glimpse of him at a Galaxia celebration. I wanted to talk to him then but I never got up the nerve and then I ended up in bed with a Nepturine and a Saturana. That was definitely not my proudest moment.

I may not be any closer to getting home but I've been good these past few months and I deserve a - hopefully - indulgent night with a Marseon God. My heart clenched and my smile fell as I kicked off my shoes. Oh Gods, can I do this? I hope I don't clam up like the first time because of my mother's incessant voice in my head warning me about the horrid ways of the war gods.

I padded across the small living room to my bedroom shrugging off my pastel pink top. Vik wasn't anything like my mother said. He's been nothing but kind to me since I met him and I really like being around him. Shit, this is terrible, but I don't want him to find his true love. At least not before I do. I sighed and sat on my bed. Earth would be so lonely without him.  

I shook that thought from my mind and a small smile curled over my lips. I'm going to enjoy his date tomorrow and not think about what's to come. My mother already banished me, I might as well break her most sacred rule while I'm here and have a little fun doing it.