Payback.(Kevin Hughes) Author's Note: Greek mythology is rife with Gods and Goddesses. Two of those Goddesses: Eris and Artemis...while stunningly beautiful were not overly fond of men. And that is all you need to know.

*****

He had taken her virginity. Later he had taken her dignity. Still later, he had taken her house and home. By then, she had learned a hard lesson. Pretty Boys are usually not trustworthy. Especially if they are rich spoiled brats who are never held accountable for their actions. She didn’t hate him anymore, not really. She had grown enough to know that she was a better person now…and maybe better than she would have ever been had she not spent those eight wasted years with him. Well, not wasted. She grew stronger, more independent, and confident….and what price those?

“Oh, Bryson, how nice to see you again!”

Bryson smiled back. Delighted that she seamed not to be angry with him anymore. All that emotional garbage women try and throw at you…she should have considered herself lucky she got to sleep with me- was one of the many thoughts going through Bryson’s head at the unexpected encounter with his Ex. Perhaps she wants to have sex. That made Bryson’s smile deepen. He thought again: “They can’t help it…I am just that good in bed.”

“Well, it is certainly nice to see you again too, Kathy. You look marvelous!”

And so it was that he was caught completely off guard by her next comment.

“Thank you. I am taking better care of myself. (Bryson completely missed the wording …and the point.) I was wondering if you would accept a recommendation for a date.”

“A date? With you?”

Bryson’s mind swirled with anticipation, when they came back to him like this, fawning and clawing to get close to him, and his riches (at least he wasn’t naive about some women’s motives for coming back for more of his …well…machinations). He could go all fifty shades of Grey on her. Oh, yeah.

Then he heard Kathy laugh. He hated that laugh. Because it was usually directed at him, his ego, or his foibles. A part of his brain tried to form a cohesive thought …but instead he fell for the bait.

“No, silly. We are done. Way past done. What was between us is in the past. The long past.”

She smiled, but Bryson caught a bit of something edgy in that smile. It didn’t register though. His curiosity was aroused - and so was a certain part of his mind. This could be good. A new play toy to bend to his will. Hmmm?

“I am glad you said that. I was afraid you would still be mad at me for taking the house back when I left.”

Kathy smiled.

“All’s fair in Love and War.”

He laughed this time. She finally understood the real world…and him. Only Winning counts.

“So if you aren’t the one…who would you like me to go out with? Is she ugly?”

Kathy laughed again. Bryson was still…Bryson.

“Oh no. In fact, I dare say she is the most beautiful woman I have ever known…or seen. There is no one like her. No one.”

Bryson almost drooled. Kathy was a lot of things, but an exaggerator or prone to hyperbole were not among those things. Quite the opposite. Kathy was one of those people who didn’t believe in praise for doing a good job. You should always do a good job. For Kathy to say something complimentary, you had to damn near be perfect…or an Artist…or the best at what you do. If she said this girl was beautiful…well, she must be a Goddess.

“Well, when can I meet her?”

“Right now. All I have to do is text her. She is waiting in my car. “

“Okay, but why don’t you text her…and we will just walk out to your car and meet her.”

Kathy had to hide a smug smile. Bryson took the whole line, sinker and hook. He was so eager to meet his new conquest that he was racing to his doom without a clue. She let Bryson take her arm…just like the Gentleman he pretended to be…and was not. They walked quickly out the side door of the Ballroom to the small employees lot out back. That is where Kathy had parked her car.

The woman waiting in the car said it would be “safer and less obvious” that way. And she was right.

Bryson’s jaw dropped. His arm fell from Kathy’s as the woman he was about to date stepped out of the car. His nostrils flared, his lips thickened, and his whole body twanged with anticipation. This woman was not just beautiful, she was a Goddess. Kathy was right, the woman getting out of the car was thee most beautiful woman he had ever seen too.

She was almost as tall as Bryson’s six for three. Her curves were remarkable and in all the right places. She had incredible smooth skin, the texture and look of the best porcelain china. Her hair was long, luxurious, and seemed to flow and ebb like silk in the slight breeze. Her eyes were pools of twin desire and promise. Her lips were red, puffy, and inviting. Bryson was ready to do her bidding…just to remove that evening gown that seemed to accentuate everything without revealing anything.

“Bryson I wold like you to meet Eris - Eris…this is Bryson. The man I was telling you about.”

“Oh, dear. You didn’t tell me he was so pretty!”

Bryson’s pumped up ego flashed to the surface.

“She doesn’t like to brag about the men she meets.”

“That’s true.” Said the stunning beauty back to Bryson.

She studied Bryson for a second and made a decision.

“I think I have another friend who would like to meet you too..if that’s okay with you?”

Bryson was in full infatuation now. His hormones were flooding his body, depleting them of any sense or reason. So he spoke the truth:

“If she looks like you…hell yeah.”

“Hell, that’s a good thought.”

Bryson had no idea why she laughed. But he laughed too.

Out of the back seat of the car stepped another woman. Just as beautiful. Just as full figured…maybe a tad to much muscle. One of those Women Olympic types that have all the curves of a female, but the toned muscles of a sprinter or javelin thrower. Bryson was almost out of his mind with the possibilities…and what possibilities were evident on the bulge in his Brooks Brother Suit. He wasn’t embarrassed at all…but proud.

‘Bryson, I would like you to meet my friend Artemis, she is Greek. And a very good Athlete.”

Bryson shook Artemis’s hand. It was the strongest grip he had ever felt. It sent a tingle up his spine. This was turning out to be a very good night.

Eris slipped an arm around Bryson. He could feel the heat of her body through his Suit. Artemis stepped up on the other side, and slid her arm around his waist. Bryson was in heaven. His mind already clouded with a sexual fog that blurred his thinking. The two woman holding him flared their nostrils too. The Hunt was over…the game was on.

Part of Bryson’s brain was fighting to warn him. He ignored it. They were just women. Even the strong one couldn’t really hurt him. Bryson prided himself on his physical prowess. He was good at every sport, and muscled like a Broadway Dancer…women loved his body…he did too. This would be fun, and if he had to wrestle with one or the other…or maybe both! That would just add to the excitement. And he was excited. More than he had ever been in his life. And he missed that clue too.

Eris turned to Kathy. This time the smile on her lips matched the one in her eyes.

“You can go Kathy. He is everything you promised. Artemis and I will take care of him from now on. You can leave him to us.”

Kathy felt a twinge of guilt. Just a twinge. Then she let it go. Bryson would never hurt another woman, ever. And that made her feel good. She saw Artemis turn Bryson’s head to her so she could kiss him. She saw the wince when Artemis bit Bryson’s lip. Bryson was breathing heavy…and spoke out loud in a stupor of hormonal intoxication”

“Oh, so it is going to be like that huh?”

And he licked the blood from his lip. Artemis licked the little bit of blood from her lips too. Her pointed tongue flicked out again.

“Oh, my dear. That was just the beginning.”

Kathy watched as the three sort of stepped into a portal of grey mist. She heard the echo of their laughter…and then a moment or two later…Screams.

Not female screams, but male screams. The kind of screams only men can make when they are forced above their register by circumstances.

Kathy got back in her car. Smiling.

“Gotta hand it to those Greeks.”

She laughed at her own pun.

She just did.

---