Cupid's Daughter by Libby Sparks Read Free Book Online Page B

least."
    She grinned, but still had a sad look behind it. "Is that a hint for me to leave?"
    "No, it's nice to see you. It's been a while." I twirled the cigarette between my fingers.
    "Well, whose fault is that?"
    "Mom, please, not now. You know how I feel about living on Olympus Lane. I don't belong there."
    My mother took my hand and held it between both of hers gently. "Yes, you do. You're my daughter."
    "Yeah, I'm your half human daughter, only one of my kind and I can't stand being around you guys all of the time. I feel better here, on Earth."
    She dropped my hand and it fell to my side. "You're not the only one of your kind, sweetheart."
    I rolled my eyes. "Oh, sorry. I forgot about the other demi-gods that run around with flashing lights. Even if I knew where one was, they probably wouldn't reveal their identity to me. We're kind of an abomination."
    "You are no such thing!" she shrieked, offended. "I created you out of love, you are my child, a perfect being....half human or not."
    "Okay, Mom, whatever you say." I couldn't help but smile at her eternal love for me. She truly believed that I was just as special as her. But, in reality, I wasn't. She was Cupid, the God of Love. I was just love's daughter.
    "Just be careful with this boy, Ari," she warned with a frown. "You have no idea how trying this job is going to be on the both of you. It's not as simple as just finding his soul mate."
    "Why don't you just tell me what the big deal is? Wouldn't it make this easier for me?"
    "No, sweetheart, this job is special. You will struggle, as will he. And there are things that you need to figure out on your own." She stood then and straightened out her already perfect gold dress that sparkled in the moonlight.
    I glanced down at my dirty converse sneakers and ripped jeans. We were worlds apart, yet, as close as you could get in terms of family. I stood then, too, and gave my mother a hug. The warmth that radiated from her was calming and soothing. I wished I could radiate that kind of energy.
    "Goodbye, sweetheart," she said and kissed my forehead. "Are you coming for supper this weekend? Psyche will be so happy to have you."
    "Yeah, sure, I'll be there." I pecked her cheek. "Bye, Mom." And she was gone in another poof of gold sparkles, leaving the concrete shimmering in the moonlight. I stared up at the big white circle in the dark sky, like a complete opposite image of Adam's eyes just staring back at me.
    "Ari?" called a voice from the sidewalk below. I looked own to find the last person I had ever expected.
    "Adam?" I walked down a few steps. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going home."
    He came towards me, climbing the bottom stairs to meet me halfway. "I had to come back," he said guiltily. "I had to make sure to do something before you read my file."
    "Okay, I'm scared now. What am I going to find in there?"
    "More than you want to, I'm sure. You might get freaked out, you might never want to see me again, or maybe...the complete opposite." He closed the distance between us, stepping up onto the last stair. His face was now level with mine and he gazed into my eyes with an intensity I never dreamed he was capable of. "I just had to do this before you read it, before you made a decision."
    Adam was inching closer to me, making me feel both uncomfortable and excited at the same time. "D-do what?"
    I felt his hand slide under my arm and reach around my back, pulling me closer to him. My breath caught, and I couldn't remember how to breathe...or blink...or move. I froze as I watched Adam lean in, his perfect pink lips getting closer to mine, until they pressed against my mouth. I didn't resist, but I didn't move either. He kissed me slow, sweet, and gentle. My head began to spin and my chest ached with the burning sensation again.
    Adam pulled away, just enough to look into my eyes. "I wanted to do that all day."
    Finally, I figured out how to blink. "W-why did you do that?"
    "Because I like you,