Pandora's Box
Chapter 9

There was a fire inside my chest and my mind rosy and shivering with desire that echoed down my body. The heat was constricting but a cocoon of warmth that I didn’t want to leave. His jaw was sharp as I held onto the back of his neck tightly, his lips crushed against my own.

He grunted in surprise and feeling him tense beneath my hands, a cold bucket of water thrown on me, I pulled away, lips parted and straightened.

“Oh God, I-I’m sorry-Mmph!” I gasped when his hand on the back of my neck returned the favour as he pulled my face to his, crashing his lips against mine and I gasped, reaching for him, gripping onto his shoulder as his lips moved against mine harshly but the sensation drove me in. His lips parting mine gently when I gasped for air, his hand on the back of my neck, I could feel his fingers running up the back of my head, tangling into my thick hair and gripping tightly. I shivered, eyes fluttering shut and suddenly my body was shifting, he pulled me over his lap, my legs on either side of his hips, straddling his lap. A heavy flush ran down my neck as I gripped his shoulders and was pulled back into him, gripping his jacket as his hands gripping either side of my face crushed me to him, our lips moulding against each other, fighting against the other. A groan and whimper escaped me as both of his hands suddenly slid into my hair, tangling his fingers deeper into my hair and he groaned against my lips.

“Your hair,” He rasped against my mouth, lips brushing over the corner my own as I gasped loudly, the pressure on the back of my head eliciting such pleasurable runs down my spine and my skin shivered. “Drives me fucking insane.” He growled, biting the corner of my lips. Whimpering, my fingers digging into his shoulders as if I was trying to mold a grip for myself, my body shifting over his, a friction and sensation I’d never experienced before consuming me, making my mind grow blank and heady all at once. His hands ran down my hair, his grip tilting my head back, my throat and neck bared and his mouth latched onto the skin below my ear.

“W-War,” Gasping, I return the favour, gripping his hair with both my hands, my fingers locking into those beautiful, dark curls. He growls, his arm snaking around my waist, pulling me over his lap, rolling me over him. My mind and body a flurry of sensations, the heated kisses running down my neck and suddenly a sharp sensation as he bit hard on my neck where my pulse throbbed frantically. I cried out a choked moan, gripping onto him, a desperation growing inside me, his fingers digging painfully into my hips, having slipped under my shirt. His hands hot and powerful, the fingers digging in, slowly moving up and down my backside, tracing my spine. His touch was imprinted over my body and I was gonna feel it.

Oh

“War,” He ran his lips roughly up my neck and jaw, leaving his hot touches over me as I clung to him. “Warren...” Moaning softly as his touch burned me.

“You keep saying my name like that,” His voice ragged and husky, a hand on the front of my shirt as he played with my collar. “There will be trouble.”

I like trouble.

“I said before,” I whimpered. “Danger. Is all me.” He groaned, whether it was from frustration or lust, I didn’t know and forgot all about when suddenly with a jerk of his hand that me flinch in surprise until I realized the top half of my shirt had been ripped off, the buttons torn off. Thank Daphne for the bra. His hand on the back of my head pulled my face to his, lips crashing against each other, his kiss rough and heady and his hands over me, moving everywhere. His free hand slid up my hips and over my chest, caressing me roughly. I moaned wantonly in his ear, brushing my lips over his forehead. Suddenly the air around me shifted and looking up from where I lay on the backseat, the ceiling of the car briefly came into view until War’s face loomed overhead and I sunk into the rough kiss as his mouth found mine. I could feel his large body, lean and muscular, exuding power and strength and so many things that made me go all fuzzy.

“Tell me to stop.” He kissed my collarbone, gripping my wrist in his pinned down above my head, his other hand trailing down my body, slipping under my partially raised shirt. His fingers hot, rough and kneading my sensitive, heating skin. “Tell me to stop,” He gasped against my mouth while I writhed and sighed underneath him, pulling away to look into my eyes, the intensity freezing me and my heart stuttered nervously. “And I will, Pandora.” His eyes burned fierce, passionate flames, the desire matching mine.

My mind was a flurry of pleasure, desire and something else, something that was me. All me. This was my choice and he was still giving it to me. I squirmed under him, gripping the back of his shirt under his jacket, barely able to breathe.

“Don’t,” I moaned breathily. “Don’t stop.” He groaned heavily, and suddenly a flurry of movement above me and suddenly his jacket was gone and he was back on me, his body crushing me down into the backseat, my legs on either side of his hips as he suddenly ground his lower body against me.

Oh.

A taut sensation from between my legs set an ache I’ve never experienced. He shifted above me, his hand on my waist, my hips jerking as he frantically undid the buttons of my jeans and there was movement all around me. The cold air attacked my bare legs and hips as he lowered himself onto me between my thighs, the fabric of his jeans rubbing against my inner thighs. I heard a clinking of metal, feeling his arm between our bodies, but my eyes rolled in the back of my head as he kissed my neck roughly, forcefully, the sensations leaving impressions on my body that I could never be able to shake off.

This was far from what I expected but it was a desire I never knew I needed. War shifted above me, his hand touching the only piece of fabric that covered my lower body. A shiver ran down my body, my toes curling and a sudden lick of nerves arose but it was overtaken as his lips left hot-opened mouth kisses along my jawline and the corner of my lips until he caught my mouth, his tongue brushing lightly against mine. I moaned into his mouth, his groans and pants above me matching the rhythm of nerves and excitement throbbing through me.

So lost in a world of flurry of pleasure, lust, desire and heat, Warren’s hips moved between mine and with a harsh groan, he shifted his hips, something pushing against me. My mind and body were suddenly caught off guard by a sharp, aching pain. Unprepared for it, a strangled cry escaped me, I turned my face away, biting my knuckles, squeezing my eyes shut as the pain ached through my body, making me quiver.

Christ.

“Pandora?”

The pleasure and pain were hidden in the background of my sensitive body, the highlight was the ache throbbing in my body, starting between my legs as I let out a shuddering gasp.

“Pandora?”

I turned my head, realizing who was above me and Warren stared down at me. I lay beneath him, looking at him through watery eyes and his eyes widened, his mouth parting in shock.

“Pandora, I-”

“I-I,”

Oh God, I didn’t...

“Pandora, you’re...”

“I-I-”

BBBZZZZZZZZ

A suddenly loud ring echoed inside the car, breaking the moment, making us both jump in a panic and realization hit me like ice cubes thrown down on me.

I just...oh lord...I just, just did...

Shaken from the sudden stupor he was in, War pulled away, my body groaned in relief but protest as well and War reaching for his phone which rang loudly and sharply inside the car. I could hear a snarl leave his chest as he swiped the call button and snapped into it. While he was on the phone, I reached for my pants, chucked down on the floor and maneuverer awkwardly around in the backseat to slide them back on over my legs, trying to ignore the dull, throbbing ache between my thighs. My mind was running a mile a minute.

Mother did warn me it could sting a little.

I licked my suddenly dry lips, a shaky breath escaping me when suddenly War snapped his phone shut and was fixing his pants quickly.

“Is, is everything okay?” I stammered and he jumped slightly, glancing at me briefly but looked away.

“Yeah, everything’s fine. We’ve got company.” He growled lowly and opened the car and climbed out and confused, I followed after him, trying to ignore the aches in my body and the way the windows in the car were all fogged up and misty.

Oh my.

“How did you replace me?” War snapped and I looked past him, tensing when I saw Aello standing across from him, arms folded, her hood up over her face and head but her eyes glowed brightly in the dark parking lot, which I realized the lights were off now.

How long had we slept in the car?

Aello sneered at me, looking me up and down and I briefly wondered how on earth I would look. My hair all ruffled and my clothes askew.

“I can replace the stench of filth anywhere.” Aello threw me a cruel, smirk as they looked me up and down, disgust clouding their face. “Especially this night.” I flinched as it smirked smugly.

“You provided quickly.” War stepped partially in front of me and Aello rolled their eyes.

“Yeah, yeah.” Taking out a white envelope, Aello chucked it at Warren’s feet. “You’re welcome, you dirty animal.” Warren’s shoulders tightened. “Are we even?”

“Hardly.” War snapped. “For now.” Without waiting for a reply, War bent down picking up the envelope and turned back to the car, pushing me along with him. I scurried around into the passenger seat and jumped in as Warren did. Looking past Warren, Aello stood in the same spot, and as if they could feel my eyes on them, they smiled widely, baring their teeth and crooked two of her fingers as a wave goodbye. I had barely closed the door when Warren was already driving out of the parking lot and we were on the long drive home.

A long, silent drive home with the music cutting off all conversation. I didn’t have the capacity for it.

By the time we arrived to Warren’s home, the horizon had a slight orange glow in the distance and I had fallen asleep during the drive. I still needed sleep.

Oh, course you do, you silly goose- Oh let’s not go there now please.

Warren turned the car off and I was opening the door until I noticed him not moving, just staring out the window, his expression closed off and eyes dark and far away.

“Warren?” I called to him. He blinked, coming back to the present and glanced at me and quickly jumped out of the car. He trailed behind me, reaching the front door and letting us through.

“It’s still early, I’m going to bed.” Was his quiet response and he chucked his keys on the table beside the door after locking the house and left me standing there, feeling confused and... upset?

Shaking my head, I followed after him but heard his door close upstairs and with a heavy sigh, too exhausted to bother going upstairs, I collapsed on the couch, burying my face in the pillow and just closed my eyes.

I woke up with a start, feeling a chill run down my spine and yet, slightly warmer than I remembered being last night. Groggily, I tilted my head, looking past the arms of the couch and seeing the heater on instead of a fire, and a blanket was now tangled in my legs as I rolled over confused. Sitting up slowly, a twinge and dull ache echoed through my body from various places. My side ached badly much like a cramping, my neck felt bruised and sore.

Thanks to those stupid long fingers on that damn harpy.

Standing up, I noticed a slight twinge between my legs and blushing, I quickly hurried to the showers, feeling the need to clean up and shower. The shower was warm, even though I still felt quite warm and flushed, it was cleansing and refreshing. I closed my eyes under the spray of steaming water, the water soothing on my aching joints and muscles and feeling the tangles in my hair soften up as I ran my fingers through it-

-Both of his hands suddenly slid deep into my hair, tangling his fingers deeper into my hair, hearing him groan deep in the back of his throat. “Your hair,” The pressure on the back of my head eliciting such pleasurable shivers down my spine and my skin shivered. “Drives me fucking insane.” He growled, biting the corner of my lips-

Blinking, spluttering against the water as I felt steam rising from me. Another ache settled through me, one that quivered through my body everywhere and I fell back against the tiled wall, feeling the cold seep in.

What happened last night, was the last thing I could ever expect. Ever. Especially with War. And yet...there was not a single regret in me except...

Blushing, I quickly turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, my feet catching on the shower carpet and grabbing the sink for balance as my flustered mind tried to keep up. Grabbing one of the towels and drying myself off quickly as I heard some distant sounds outside the bathroom. Shaking my head, vaguely aware of facing my own reflection and I finally came face to face with some of the damage inflicted on me by Aello.

The bruising would darker in the next few days. A smudge on the left side of my abdomen from where the harpy kicked me and the long imprints on my throat and neck.

I hope I left some of my own bruises back.

Leaning closer, I noticed some darker, more pink and reddish marks around the bruises on my neck. Marks that matched up where Warren had-

“Pandora.”

I jumped, a slight curse leaving me as I almost slipped on the carpet as Warren knocked on the bathroom door.

“Nai!?” I almost shouted, voice shaking, suddenly feeling nervous, butterflies crowding my stomach and chest and I was chewing my lower lip, a flicker of excitement at the thought of him on the other side of the door.

Open that door.

I cringed inwardly, closing my eyes, shaking my head.

God, I’m ridiculous.

“I’m heading out for a short while, Pandora. So, stay here and I’ll be back soon.” I heard him move away from the door but I was already hurrying for the door, quickly wrapping the towel around me to cover myself up.

“Wait! Where are you going? Is everything okay-Gah!” My feet slipped a little under me and War caught my forearm before I slipped sideways. “Efcharistó.” I blushed, adjusting my towel as I straightened up. “Um, so where are you going again?”

“You’ll see.” Was all he said, a flicker of amusement passing his face until his expression closed off and his eyes hardened slightly and he suddenly yanked his hand away from my forearm as if burned.

I tried not to feel hurt or embarrassed but it was hard to do so...

“The event is tomorrow night by the way.” Warren’s voice was cool and distant as he looked away, avoiding my gaze and I felt a flicker of anger and disappointment.

Drop that towel-

“Keep me in the dark like I’m a child until the very last moment is not appreciated, Warren Red.” I snapped, raising my chin to meet his gaze defiantly. “I’m not a princess to be locked up while you go do errands for me, a loyal soldier.” His eyes flashed and I almost backed up at the glare he threw at me before he looked away as quickly as he could, almost like he was...ashamed? Embarrassed?

“I’m not.” He murmured and before I could say anything, he turned and hurried out the door, locking the door behind him. I remained standing where I was, inwardly torn at the slight hurt in his voice and look he had on his face.

Was he ashamed to have touched me? Or was he embarrassed to be had...been with me?

I was barely aware as I stepped back into the bathroom to change, feeling despondent and hurt and still angry.

Did he regret it? Maybe I should to.

I felt my shoulders slump. I lost my...purity to a man I barely know, better one I was not married to or at least anything to. A man, a harbinger I brought into this world who didn’t particularly like me...well, maybe a little, I hope. A whore, is that what it made me? I didn’t feel like it until I saw his look of shame and embarrassment.

I hid in my bedroom after my shower, unsure of what to do or how to face him-

No! Now is not the time! I have bigger priorities at the moment. People are counting on me. I can focus on him after I found them.

Shaking my head, I left my bedroom to go downstairs to replace the invitation Aello had provided us. It was a crisp black card letter with beautiful gold designs on the borders. The writing on the letter was beautiful gold lettering but the words seemed to shift as I moved the letter around. Greek lettering fading in and out to English then to Greek again.

To the Lucky One who holds this Letter,

Congratulations!

A party of desires, desires that are safe, accepted and protected.

Choices you make will never leave the room.

To feel lucky and powerful, you are invited to a Golden Theatrics by the Great and Exciting and Delightful Pan.

Come dressed to the nines, however you wish to be looking Golden at the Grand Ballroom Located in: The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York at 8PM.

Letter must be present upon arrival.

P.S. Bring your own luck.

Okay...Pan was certainly frivolous. This was going to be very, intriguing. If only I can survive til tomorrow with that damn horseman.

“Did you read the letter?”

“Yes.” I mutter, aware of his eyes vaguely avoiding my own briefly but he glances at the letter at the table and sighs heavily. Since War got back hours ago, there had seemed to be an unspoken truce where we both seemed to avoid each other.

I don’t know when I agreed to this said truce but I called myself a bloody coward for avoiding War for avoiding me. Obviously, this had to do with what happened in the back of his car and a part of me was terrified to replace out what he was thinking and too scared to ask in case it was not good.

Coward. Yes, I was but a coward focusing on other things for now...Until I had the guts to say something.

“Good. Knowing Pan, he’s strict about his style and parties. I’ve heard many, many rumours about those who have been kicked out of his extravagant parties. Not sure what’s real or not but being kicked out for wearing a colour that didn’t fit his theme seemed ridiculous yet Pan seems to be the more...overbearing type...”

He was babbling.

I frowned, tilting my head slightly as I watched him babble, almost nervously occasionally glancing at me and though he seemed normal, calm his voice betrayed him. especially with him talking almost like me when I got nervous.

“Warren.” He silenced quickly, looking weary and I decided to just do something- “What’s in the box?”

You coward.

Blinking as if confused, he finally realized the package he had brought back from wherever he went and had left in the living room during our... ‘truce’. It was a large cream coloured box with a pale-yellow silk ribbon to hold the box together nice and neatly in a bow at the top of it.

“Oh right. Um, this is for tomorrow.” Warren’s lips twitched. “Since there seems to be an implied theme for gold for the event tomorrow, and I don’t have women’s clothing here and I knew this place near where I work with decent clothes.”

Stunned, I slowly get up from the couch and walk over to the dining table to where Warren pushed the box closer to me.

“I wanted to surprise you. I had to guess your size but this should be close or at least I could something to tighten it up if it’s too big. Afterall, you’re more slender, skinny.” Warren sighed. “And I needed something for myself as well. I don’t have anything gold or well, yellow at least.” I was barely paying attention, stunned staring at War until he gestured for me to open the box. I did, taking my time to unwrap the silk ribbon from it and placing it on the table and I removed the lid of the box and the breath from my throat escaped me.

Oh my.

Open-mouthed, I stared at the folded-up gown in the box. The corset of the dress is the most visible part and already my eyes tear up. It appeared to be strapless from what I could see, with a sweetheart neckline and was a pale cream gold bodice that was covered with fake rosettes of white, pale pink, a few blue small flower bud designs and hidden green leaves trailed in very thin vines amongst the cluster of rosettes on the corset that drifted down into the skirt it was folded over. Lifting up the corset, the flowers I could drifted randomly down on to the long, pale skirt.

A pair of heels were settled comfortably and safely against the dresses skirt, matching in colour and a couple of sparkly pieces on the buckle.

It’s beautiful.

“If you don’t like it, too bad. It’s something to wear tomorrow-Oof.” Warren grunted as I threw myself at him, squeezing my arms around him, burying my face in his chest, briefly aware of the hardened muscles through his shirt.

“Efcharistó, efcharistó! I love it! It’s so beautiful!” I chanted and without thinking what I was doing, my heart golden and feeling a flutter of excitement, I reached for the back of his neck, pulling him down to my face and pressing my lips to his, kissing him quickly. “I love it! I appreciate it! It’s stunning!” I quickly let him go, trying to ignore the thundering of my heart and the way my lips tingled and ached for more and quickly turned away to focus on the dress, while Warren’s cheeks darkened and he stood there partially stunned. I grabbed the box and gave Warren a huge smile as I scurried away, blushing furiously.

I closed the door to my bedroom, my chest thundering as I leant against the door, inwardly cheering and cursing myself. I couldn’t help myself and maybe I might regret it later, but right now, furthest thing I regret.

Who’s a coward now?

Warren had remained avoidant for the rest of last night and most of the day until time approached closer to when we would need to leave. I took a shower as quickly as I could, replaceing my hair still stuck with tangles and honestly, the thought of playing dress-up right now was bothering me horribly.

I’m playing dress up just so I can ask if you, Pan, have any idea where a bunch of nuns and a priest might be after their church was attacked? No issues, no pressure at all, just life and death for them all.

Here I was fretting over the tension suffocating me in the house and Warren’s attitude and playing dress up while people were in danger for my benefit.

How much more selfish can I be?

I ran the comb harshly through my hair, braiding it so it could hopefully dry faster and look neater than the fluffy mess it came to be lately. Distantly I could hear Warren moving around in his room further down the hall before he headed downstairs. I opened the box my dress lay in, pulling it up from the corset and awed in delight at the stunning outfit.

It was stunning. So stunning.

There were buttons done up in the back which I had to undo and slip my legs through, pulling up the gown over my legs, hips and waist. I found a single strap on the left shoulder which I slipped my arm through, making it appear as it a vine of flowers were decorating over my shoulder. No mirror in my room, I couldn’t see the buttons on my back and scurried to the bathroom, looking over my shoulder as I tried to do up the buttons.

My aim and direction were useless.

Grumbling under my breath, even though I didn’t really want to face War just yet, the tension remained unavoidable and so did these damn buttons. Sighing reluctantly, I grabbed my shoes from my bedroom and followed Warren downstairs to where he was in the living room watching the news on the T.V. with his back to me. He was dressed in a black crisp jacket and pants with some shiny black shoes.

“Um, Warren, I need your help.” War shifted as if caught of guard and slowly turned around to face me.

“What’s wrong?” He questioned, coming to face me and his eyes fell on me and he blinked slowly. I blushed under his scrutiny, the intensity of his gaze making me tremble and look away bashfully.

“Um, the buttons.”

“Buttons?” His voice was dry and quiet, his eyes barely avoiding me now. “Wha-what, um, buttons?”

“The back of my dress. They need help, I do. I, um, can’t reach.” I cough nervously and he blinks, shaking his head slowly.

“Right. Of course.” His voice sounded strained and he came over to me and to avoid his penetrating gaze which seemed to take in everything like he could see right through me, I quickly turned around, keeping my back to him. I felt nothing at first but then his hands came to the first button at the bottom of the corset, buttoning it up and slowly moving up to the next one. Each time he did a button and moved to the next button, his fingers briefly grazing my spine, eliciting a shudder up and down my spine.

When he finished, I waited for his hands to leave my back except they remained against the top of my dress and I started to look over my shoulder at him.

“Your hair.” He suddenly murmured and I looked away when suddenly he pulled my braid back over my shoulder so it hung down my back. Suddenly, his hands were on the end of my braid, pulling the tie from it, and started to loosen and undo my braid. I stood there stunned, but I was immediately stuck on the sensation of his fingers ruffling through my hair. It took me back to the car and I bit my lip to stifle the sigh that threatened to escape me. My fingers played with my skirt, nervously twisting the fabric around as his fingers pulled gently at my hair until I felt it hang down past my shoulders, the waves of my hair more prominent but still wet or cooler to the touch.

“What about my hair?” I murmured, turning to face him, staring up at him imploringly, biting my lower lip nervously. His expression darkened and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed deeply.

“You should keep it like that. You could drive anyone insane with your hair.”

I blinked, confused and frustrated.

You said it drives you insane though.

Reaching up, I pulled my hair over my shoulders so it hung down past my collarbones, ruffling the waves and was thankful it was nice and soft, smooth and looked like honey in some flickers of light. I hadn’t paid much attention lately to it and I did love my hair, in a way. War watched me and with a heavy breath, he stepped away from me back into the living room to turn the T.V. off and faced me slowly but not looking at me.

“You ready?”

“Yes, I mean, I think so.” I muttered after slipping on my heels quickly. “I don’t have any make-up on, not sure if that would be something.” War glanced at me, his eyes slowly taking me over, leaving a trail blaze in their wake.

“You don’t need make-up. You’re...” He stopped and looking strangely away from me, he gestured to me quickly. “C’mon, let’s go.” I hurried after him, stumbling slightly after Warren in my new shoes, who lead me out to the car, locking the door behind him. It was nice outside, neither cold nor warm, the sun sinking in the distance which Warren followed after as we drove off in that tense silence with the music the only thing breaking the silence.