In Search of a Goddess 06: Columbus by Seldom It's not quite paradise, but it will do. ***** AUTHOR'S NOTE ***** I love hearing from you. I really do. Please e-mail me if you like this story, and even if you don't, tell me what you didn't like. There's sex in this one (Oh no! What will the Puritans think?). Sorry it took so long. I hope the wait was worth it! * * * * * Her fists slammed rapidly into the punching bag with a force that would reduce a mere man to jello in moments. The bag was tough but began to show the strain; little tears appeared in the leather. Sweat streamed down her pretty face, collecting on her chin and launching into the air with each violent movement. Her large biceps expanded to strain against her soft pale skin, every muscle outlined in full relief. Her breasts bobbed slightly as she angrily attacked the bag over and over again. Alyssa was aware of Ryan, knew that he was watching her work out. This only fueled her anger. Why was the poor bastard suddenly not talking to her? This was more than his usual shyness. He was actively avoiding her. Lauren, the best lay she'd ever had, was shacking up with some crazy intelligent assassin. And Alyssa was alone, so very alone, only her thoughts keeping her company, thoughts that turned to violence and self-loathing at every opportunity. Everyone else in the hotel gym was staring at her too, she knew; they had been since she walked in. She had gone through her stretches and weight-lifting with an intensity born of anger and frustration, pushing through reps that would kill a mortal without even noticing. The weights she stacked on were not lost on the gym-goers, nor was the damage she was doing to the punching bag. She didn't care what they thought. Let them look on with lust or fear or both. She was aware of Ryan's departure. Why hadn't he come talked to her? Why didn't she go talk to him? She quit punching the bag (much to the bag's relief) and changed into her swimsuit, taking a quick shower before plunging into the pool and attacking her laps with the same fervor she devoted to weight-lifting. She lost herself in the repetitive strokes across the pool, her sleek perfect form plowing through the water with seemingly impossible speed. She was physically perfect, and this manifested itself in every motion. Every muscle flexed in perfect coordination, propelling her faster and faster between the pool walls. Water dripped off her glistening body and fell onto the side of the pool. She stood, chest heaving, exhausted by her workout. Everyone in the pool room stared at her in awe and a little fear. She glared at them. "That was a helluva swim." Alyssa glanced at the speaker, a tall brunette who looked at Alyssa's body with frank admiration, the only other occupant in the elevator. Alyssa had changed out of her swimsuit. She was wearing a t-shirt several sizes too small for her and tight shorts that showed off her tight glutes and thick, powerful thighs. "Thank you," Alyssa said. The brunette looked like she wanted to say more, but the elevator arrived at Alyssa's floor and she stepped out. The woman watched Alyssa's perfect body stalk into the hall. "Lucky bitch," she breathed as the elevator's doors closed. Ryan's door was slightly ajar. Alyssa walked in. Ryan was typing at his laptop, some type of security agency's logo on the screen. She sat on the bed and waited impatiently for him to finish. He finished typing and closed his laptop. He turned to her and smiled sadly. "Hi," he said quietly. She patted the bed next to her. He hesitantly sat where she indicated. She reached up and stroked his hair. Her finger trailed down to his chin and tugged, pulling his face up to hers. She leaned down to kiss him. Before she could he put his hands on her rock-solid abs and pushed, struggling to get away. She held him firmly and looked questioningly in his eyes. "Please don't," he whispered. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Don't what? Why?" she asked. A drop formed in the corner of his eye and travelled down his cheek. "Don't pretend you like me." His voice cracked and he bit back a sob. Alyssa, shocked, let go of him. He was crying silently, humiliating tears flowing down his burning cheeks. "I, I..." she began. "Oh Ryan, I'm not pretending." He let out a strangled cry. "Don't do this to me!" he begged. She grabbed him before he could flee and crushed him to her chest, letting him push his face into her hard muscular shoulder. She ran her fingers along his spine, feeling his body shudder at her touch. "What makes you think I don't like you?" she whispered in his ear. "Lauren told me why you're with me," Ryan sobbed into her shoulder. "I don't care that you're using my money. You can have it. But please don't tease me. I can't take it!" Alyssa was stunned for a second. Then, as comprehension dawned, her face turned a most fetching shade of red. Her brows furrowed angrily. "Is that what she told you?" she asked. Then, "And you believed her?" "You're so beautiful. Why would you want me? I thought if I helped you...I was stupid," he choked out. She patted his hair. "And you still helped me?" she asked. He didn't answer. She leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "I didn't say any of that, Ryan, please believe me." "I want to believe you," he whispered. "I so badly wish you could like me." It would take the coldest of women not to melt at his words, and Alyssa was definitely not the coldest of women. She cradled him in her strong arms, rocking him back and forth until he stopped crying. She stroked the back of his neck. He molded to her embrace, feeling the heat of her body, her wonderful clean smell. "Oh baby, I do like you," she murmured into his hair. She pressed his face firmly into her shoulder, gently stroking his body. She let years of loneliness and sexual frustration pour out of him in anguished sobs. She realized that she, too, was lonely. She wanted Ryan. She needed him. That little bitch, Lauren...Alyssa released Ryan from her strong embrace and stood, emerald eyes flashing. Ryan wiped tears from his cheeks. She smiled at him, a fierce, feral grin. "I have to tell Lauren something. That girl has a lot to learn," Alyssa said. Ryan followed her to Lauren and Kolya's room. She knocked. Kolya answered. "Out," Alyssa ordered. Kolya looked up into her eyes and nodded. He opened the door wide and left. Kolya and Ryan heard angry yells muffled through the door. Kolya looked at Ryan questioningly. Ryan shrugged. They heard crashing from inside. Lauren left the room staring at the floor. Bruises were forming along her neck and back. Alyssa followed, flushed and angry, like a fiery enraged lioness. "I'm sorry," Lauren whispered. Alyssa shoved her angrily. Lauren looked up at Ryan. "I'm so sorry, Ryan. I...I don't know what to tell you. I just...well, I thought that if you and Alyssa had each other, you wouldn't need me. I really do like you, sport; I didn't want to be left behind...I'm sorry!" She brushed a wisp of curly blonde hair behind her ear and rubbed a tear from her cheek. "It would serve you right for him to leave you behind, you ungrateful little bitch," Alyssa growled at her. Lauren looked like she wanted to say something, but one glance at the angry redhead made her think better of it. Alyssa turned to Ryan and smiled gently. "Your call," she said softly. Ryan looked from Alyssa to Lauren. He was afraid of both of them, but also in love with Alyssa. He looked at Kolya. The assassin's expression was carefully neutral. So beautiful they were, so large and powerful, huge muscular predators. He watched Lauren. She was trying to smile at him but failing. All her assumed self-confidence was stripped now, her soul naked, terrified. He saw her fear of abandonment, of him, in her beautiful ice-blue eyes. Raped by her foster father, betrayed by the people she was supposed to rely on most...could he blame her for what she did out of fear? He reached out and stroked her soft golden cheek. "Hey, fuhgeddabout it," he said in an awful imitation of a Brooklyn accent. Lauren grinned in relief and threw her arms around him, crushing his small body up against her large muscular one and threatening to break a couple of ribs. "Can't...breathe..." he gasped out. "Thank you," she said into his ear, and kissed it. She flicked her tongue in gently. She put him down and went into her room so they couldn't see her cry. Kolya stared at Ryan long and hard. "You're an okay guy," he finally said. Ryan grinned at him weakly. After Kolya and Lauren's door closed, Alyssa hugged Ryan and kissed him on the cheek. "You're a good man, Ryan, any girl would be proud to have you," she said. She held him for a long moment, then said, "I need a hundred dollars and a credit card." Ryan was confused, then crestfallen. "Why?" he asked dully, handing over his wallet. Alyssa laughed at his sudden sadness. "I need to get ready for my date tonight. A beautiful girl is an expensive girlfriend." "What date?" Ryan asked, confused. "With who?" "With you, dummy. You're taking me to dinner tonight, so you'd better dress nice." * * * * * As governments go, the United States of America is very new. It's system is perhaps more stable than that of other types of government, but true representative democracy is only a few decades old. Some claim, with evidence, that we still have not achieved this ideal. Who can say whether our fragile experiment will last? This means it has to fight harder and faster than other governments to ensure its survival. It must be bigger, better, and more cunning. It needs to use the best and the brightest to succeed. When threats, or perceived threats, to its existence arise it will counter them using any means necessary. Any means necessary. Deep within the Pentagon, the unauthorized access to Hy Myu's file was logged and flagged for review. Records decades old were dusted off and re-read. Microfilms were poured over, black and white photographs examined, reports scoured. Some read with awe, many with a degree of skepticism, but the records were all there, self-consistent; they had to believe what their predecessors had documented years earlier, no matter how incredible. Project Athena was open once again. Sins are never forgiven. Governments do not forget. A good deed never goes unpunished. * * * * * Alyssa was extraordinarily beautiful, anybody who saw her knew that much. But she went beyond beautiful; for tonight, she was the most stunning creature ever sculpted. Her soft pale skin looked like it glowed from within, contrasting with the deep black satin of her dress. Her long flaming hair cascaded down to cover the low-cut back. She needed no make- up; her emerald eyes gleamed, her white teeth flashed in a smile that could melt ice. The front of the dress reached up nearly to her collarbone, stretched tight across her huge, impossibly firm chest. Spaghetti straps revealed her broad, powerful shoulders, large sleek muscles flowing under pale freckled skin. The black fabric flowed down to her ankles, a modest slit revealing her thickly muscled legs. Ryan gasped. He, who had never even been on a date, was going to dinner with this vision? She wasn't even human; she looked like she should sprout white feathery wings at any moment! He dressed up, of course; Kolya had helped with that, since Ryan's own fashion knowledge was confined to web site design. He cut a dashing figure in his black pants and jacket and white ruffled shirt, but Alyssa...wow! "Pick your jaw off the floor, drooling is not allowed on our date," Alyssa said with a laugh. "You're going to have to get used to this, because I like to look stunning." She slipped an arm around his back and kissed the top of his head. "You look great, Ryan," she murmured into his hair. He relaxed and hesitantly put his hand around her waist, his fingers on the thick layers of muscle covering her abdomen. They made an odd couple, Alyssa's six foot two, heavily muscled frame next to Ryan's slender five-five. Odd but charming, as Alyssa's radiant beauty enhanced Ryan's own geeky brand of attractiveness. The Refectory Restaurant & Lounge was the restaurant recommended by the Hyatt Regency host for a romantic (and expensive) evening. Every head turned to look and gasp as they entered. Ryan felt uncomfortable but Alyssa basked. She ran her hand along Ryan's side, making it clear that tonight, in here, she was Ryan's girl. A five star restaurant is not a place you can walk into without making reservations weeks in advance, even if you drip with money. No, to get in on same-day reservations, you need to drip with money and have Alyssa on your arm. The maitre'd didn't even blink, just led them to a table for two. The other patrons tried not to stare, without success. As escort to many a banker and rich-kid playboy, this was more Alyssa's scene, and she easily took control of the evening, ordering wine and appetizers. Ryan was content to just stare at her in awe, listening to her handle the waiter, enjoying the melody of her smooth, sexy, erotic voice. They were done ordering, and the conversation had reached a lull. Ryan looked nervously at his plate, unsure what to do or say. Alyssa smiled warmly at him. "So, Ryan," she said. "I've noticed you working on your computer once in a while. What is it you do, exactly?" Ryan looked up, surprised. "Oh, well, you know, I just do some, um, well, I'm a consultant. I help companies with internet security." "Ah," Alyssa nodded. Then, after a moment, "What does that mean?" Ryan looked uncomfortable. "It's pretty boring actually, geek stuff." Alyssa slid her hand across the table and engulfed Ryan's small delicate hand in her powerful grip. She squeezed slightly to encourage him. He smiled. "Okay, but you asked for it. You've ordered stuff online before, haven't you?" She nodded. "Well, they already have that part pretty well figured out. When you enter your credit card number, it's as secure as it can get when it's on its way from your computer to the company. The problem is that many companies are just ignorant about computers, so they store your credit card in a database that is sometimes very insecure. That's where I come in. I help companies..." Alyssa liked listening to his voice. It was soothing and sweet. She appreciated that he didn't talk down to her, which also meant that she didn't understand anything he said. That was okay. She watched his eyes and lips, the delicate bones of his face. He was very pretty in a small, shy way. She imagined kissing him and running her hands over his body... She had never been with a man in that way. Her several unfortunate experiences with dating had been in high school, with assholes, the only ones brave and arrogant enough to dare go out with her. They wanted it rough and hard. So did she, once in a while, but as Ryan talked she fantasized about what a night with him would be like... He had no idea that she was undressing him in her mind. At appropriate times she offered nods, words of encouragement, and "Oh really? How fascinating..." So he kept going, explaining all the details of his business, talking to her about his work as he hadn't talked to anybody in a long time. He was gradually aware, speaking to her, of how unbearably lonely his life was. He didn't want computers to be the only thing in his life, he wanted a woman, ached for a woman, to hold him, to be with... He talked faster to cover up the tears that threatened to fall. "And this all makes you very rich, does it?" Alyssa asked when he was finished. Ryan squirmed. "I do okay." Alyssa giggled. "You do okay... Honey, I think you do more okay in a year than most people do in a lifetime. Just how rich are you?" He shrugged and blushed. "It's okay, you don't have to tell me," she said softly. "I don't really care." He looked up, surprised. She reached her long arm across the table and tenderly stroked his cheek. "You look wonderful," she said. They stopped in front of Ryan's room. He was unsure what to do next, whether he was supposed to go inside or escort her back to her room. Alyssa inched closer while he looked uncomfortable, forcing him to back against the wall. When he could back away no farther, she pressed her body against his, her huge breasts surrounding his face. He looked so confused and funny down there; she laughed, causing her chest to bounce in his face. Finally she had mercy on him. She took his hands in hers and backed up slightly. She leaned down and put her soft plush lips right next to his ear. "I want you," she whispered. He looked terrified as she led him to his bed, her hands deftly removing his jacket. She gently pushed him back onto the mattress and kneeled down in front of him, putting her slightly below eye level with him. She stroked his cheeks, his ear, his hair. "Relax, Ryan; this will be fun, I promise." She firmly massaged his arms and legs, loosening his tense muscles. Her fingers undid the buttons on his shirt, taking it off. She pulled his undershirt off. She ran her long graceful fingers through the light brown hair on his chest, tracing around his nipples. She nuzzled her head in his shoulder, lightly nipping his neck. She forced him to lie flat on the bed, crawling up his body to mount his stomach. He looked small and frail beneath her gigantic powerful figure, her large muscular butt covering a good portion of his stomach and pelvis. She ran her hands all over his upper body. His back arched in pleasure. He finally began to relax. Alyssa smiled down at him, then reached a hand behind her and undid his pants. She slid them down his legs and he kicked them down to the floor. She cupped his genitals, his hard throbbing dick poking into her hand. She stroked his balls through the boxers, then pulled the boxers off. She slid down his body until she stood on the floor again. Ryan looked at her, his eyes longing. She gripped the fabric of her dress and pulled it up over her head. He gasped. She stood before him clad only in a pair of black panties. She was incredible! Her large, powerful, perfectly sculpted body was better than any he had ever seen; she was quite possibly the most beautiful woman in the world. Her huge chest thrust out proudly, supported by strong pectoral muscles. Her abdomen was ripped, rock-solid. Her waist curved in, then out to wide hips and huge, muscular legs. "What's the matter?" she teased, pulling off her panties. "Never seen a naked girl before?" "Not in real life," he whispered. She paused, surprised. "Really?" she asked. "You mean you're twenty-seven and you've never been with a girl, not even once?" He shook his head, suddenly ashamed. She kneeled down and stripped off his socks. She kissed his inner thigh. "Well then," she said quietly, smiling up at him, "I'd better make this very special." She kissed up both his thighs, steadily coming closer to his hairy pelvis and hard penis. Her strong hands rubbed his stomach and chest. Her soft lips touched the base of his throbbing dick. She kissed up along the base, finally pushing her lips against the head. His body arched like he had been shocked. Her lips were moist, soft, and warm. She parted them and slowly slid her mouth around the head, gently sucking. He involuntarily started thrusting his hips. Her hot mouth surrounded his dick, sliding easily to fit his whole penis into her mouth, the tip knocking gently against her throat. Her strong tongue massaged the length of his penis. Her sucking alternated between gentle and hard. His dick throbbed harder, close to release. Alyssa slid her mouth off and kissed the tip. She kissed his whole body, up his abdomen, stopping to nip lightly at his nipples, then trailing her long tongue up his neck. She thrust her mouth against his, engaging him in a long, hard, passionate kiss, her tongue tickling his mouth. She rotated her hips to push her soft bush against his dick, then finally let him enter her. Ryan felt his world explode in the burning hot confines of her pussy, his dick throbbing hard, spewing his seed deep into her. Ryan stopped, mortified. He had lasted for five seconds inside her! Now it was over! The shame burned his cheeks. Alyssa smiled gently and kissed him. That one gesture turned what could have been the most humiliating moment of his life into the most wonderful. She pulsed her inner muscles, keeping him hard inside her, the gentle rhythm almost painful to his sensitive penis. She arched her back, presenting her enormous breasts to Ryan's mouth. "Play with me, Ryan," she whispered. He ran his fingers over her stomach, tracing the hard rippling muscles. His hands moved up to her chest, cupping the huge globes. Her breasts overflowed his hands. He squeezed and she squealed delightedly. His fingers sought her erect nipples, rolling the hard nubs between them. She gasped and moaned as he played with her sensitive nipples and breasts. His hands closed around her broad, immensely muscular shoulders and drew her to him. He kissed her nipples, his tongue swirling around each one, lingering. He pushed his face into the deep valley between her breasts and licked her strong flexed pectorals. He kissed her neck, up her chin and gave her little pecks on the mouth. He nibbled on her nose. She laughed. She pulled his dick out of her pussy and let it throb into her engorged sensitive clitoris. She arched her back and thrust her hips down onto him almost painfully. She was very careful not to push too hard; she knew how easily her powerful body could break him. She closed her hands around Ryan's and fondled her own chest, their hands exploring her glorious breasts together. She brought one hand up to her mouth, kissing and sucking on his fingers. She moved his hands down to her genitals, showing him how she wanted her clit stimulated. His small fingers and throbbing penis rubbed her pink clit continuously, pinching the fleshy nub. Alyssa released a low, animal growl. Her lust burned through Ryan's eyes straight into his brain. "You're mine!" she rumbled, her voice deep and throaty. She plunged his dick into her pussy, grinding Ryan's pelvis hard into the mattress. He yelped. She grabbed his arms and pinned them to the bed. She leaned down and bit his neck, her soft lips sucking hungrily at his flesh. Her hard nipples dug into his chest. He felt like she would snap him in two under the insistent grinding of her thrusting hips. She grunted continuously, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. "Ooooohh Gooood!" she hissed. Her sleek, powerful body ground painfully down on him, seeking to further stimulate her pussy and clitoris. The slight pain enhanced his pleasure; he was close to release and so was she. Every muscle in her body tensed for a long moment, an animal yell escaping her lips. Her thick quads expanded, crunching his pelvis as she wrung his helpless body, seeking to pull all of him inside her. Her pussy pulsed quickly against his dick, the strong contractions propelling him to orgasm. He released again, his dick throbbing as it erupted into her. She collapsed onto him, smothering him in her sweaty fleshy breasts. He pushed her off so he could breathe. She rolled onto her side, nestling her head into his shoulder, kissing his side. Her strong legs gripped his middle. He was sore but luckily unbroken. He kissed the top of her head, then looked down at his pelvis. His pubic hair glistened from the drenching her pussy had given his crotch. "Wow," he breathed. "Thank you so much. That was...incredible." "I know," she murmured into his side. "Thank you, Ryan. That was wonderful." She stroked his chest for a while, then slipped into unconsciousness. He felt her hot breath wash rhythmically over his chest, her soft cheek on his shoulder. He joined her in sleep, warm and safe in her arms. End of ISOG 06: Columbus