I guess I'm going with Andris's plan after all. When I asked Penelope over to watch a movie, I was still on the fence. Taking mortal form was a rash decision born out of desperation when I realized I only had another six months before H-Day; the day they'll demote me to Harbinger and I'll grow ugly horns. I didn't have a plan as much as a grim determination to make sure no horns would ever tarnish my face and a willingness to do anything in my power to keep that from happening.

Seducing Penelope, however, had never occurred to me as a potential plan until Andris mentioned it. At this point, what have I got to lose? If a broken heart won't send her into the arms of Trevor, then nothing will. I ignore the warning bells ringing in the back of my mind as I resolve to forge ahead. Step one of my new scheme: make sure she knows this is a date.

We're facing each other on the couch, and I lean in closer, keeping my eyes locked with hers. She looks adorable tonight in an oversized jumper she keeps hiding her hands in because the sleeves are too long, and her chocolate-brown hair tied up in a messy bun after it kept getting stuck on her pizza. Her cheeks are dusted with pink from the alcohol, and her eyes sparkle as she stares back at me.

"Let's see if I can clear it up a little..."

When she doesn't pull back, I lift my hands to cup her head, my fingers touching the hair behind her ears. It's nearly as soft as Leonard's. Closing the space between us, I brush my lips over hers. Once. Twice. I only meant to prove my point, but her lips are so soft and inviting beneath mine that it's not nearly enough, so I capture her mouth in a fervent kiss.

She smells lightly of vanilla and almond after her shower, and she tastes like heaven.

Maybe this is a terrible plan, but right now, I don't really care. She's responding to my advances with a reckless abandon that might be partly because of the alcohol, but I like to think it's because she's enjoying herself. I certainly am, even if I shouldn't be. This is just another job, I remind myself as I deepen the kiss, exploring her fully.

Her arms snake around my shoulders and her fingers bury in the hair at the back of my head. A moment later, I'm sitting back against the couch and she's straddling me. I'm not even sure who made that move. It might have been me. The idea of just giving her a quick kiss to reaffirm my intention to date her is long forgotten.

I love the feel of her on top of me and my hands drift down along her back to cup her bottom, a part of her I may have admired for years without admitting it to anyone. Including me. It's truly a marvelous ass, though. My fondling makes her grind against me, and those warning bells are sounding a little louder as my body immediately responds. This is just another job.

Cupids aren't really meant to have relations with humans. It's not exactly banned to be with mortals, just frowned upon. We definitely shouldn't dally with our targets. Not that we're celibate, but most of us hook up with each other, or some of the other supernaturals. If someone is desperate enough, they might even deign to meet a Harbinger in a dark corner somewhere.

Some have even tried hitting on Fate, but she's shot everyone down, having zero interest in such things. The thought of Fate should be sobering, reminding me of what's at stake, but the quiet moans Penelope makes as I kiss my way along her jawline to nibble at a sensitive spot below her ear, cancels everything else out. She feels amazing in my arms and it's a little worrying how readily I'm diving into this seduction plan. Maybe I should consider some other options first.

Her jumper comes off—landing on the floor next to Leonard, who hops away in a huff—leaving Penelope in a black vest. I continue kissing her neck as one of my hands finds her breast through the fabric of her top. She makes the cutest little sound as I rub my thumb over her nipple. Wanting to see what other sounds I can elicit, I kiss my way down her neck and down the top of her chest.

This is just another job.

"Eros?"

I lift my head before I reach my destination, finding her watching me with hooded eyes, her lips swollen from my kisses. It makes me want to capture those lips again, but I wait to see what she wants to say.

"I... I don't usually... You know." She looks adorably embarrassed, considering the fact she's straddling my very evident reaction to her presence. "On a first date."

"Technically, it's the second," I joke. "But honestly, neither do I."

"Really?" She seems to find this difficult to believe. I can't blame her, since it's not strictly true. We don't really date at all back home, just hook up when we feel like it.

I lift my shoulder in a non-committing shrug, since I'm not sure what to say. I can't very well tell her I usually only have sex with supernatural beings. My human relations can be counted on one hand. One. Her. What can I say? I've never been one for breaking the rules. Until now. Maybe I've been missing out, if I'm to judge by what just happened here. It's been a long time since someone affected me this badly. It's somewhat disconcerting.

"I don't date a lot at all, really."

I smile. "You've said."

"I know. I just... I feel like we're probably on quite different levels. You know, considering—this." She makes a vague motion over my face and I have to hold back a laugh.

"Considering what?"

Her brows knit, and the disgruntled look on her face is adorable. "You know what I mean. Your handsome face." She puts her palm against my cheek as she stares down at me. "Your stupidly handsome face."

"Stop, you'll make me blush." I grin before turning my head to place a kiss against the inside of her hand.

"Pfft! You must be used to it. Women fawning all over you." She closes her eyes as I nibble the sensitive skin of her palm.

"You'd be surprised." She probably wouldn't be. Truth is, human women find Cupids nearly irresistible. Why that is, I'm not entirely sure, but it's a known fact. Something I know some take advantage of, even if I never have.

I pull back. Until now. I might as well have walked into a cold shower. Is she only reacting to me because I'm a Cupid? I should be pleased. It plays right into the scheme to seduce her and send her into Trevor's waiting arms when I break it off. Yet... My pride doesn't like it. It's absurd, but I want her to be attracted to me not because I'm a Cupid but—I don't even know. Pride is a fickle thing.

"I think it might be bedtime," I say as I gently lift her off my lap. "We both had a little too much wine. Let's continue this another time."

To make sure she doesn't take it as a rejection, I bend down and press another kiss on her lips. When she yields beneath me, my desire stirs again, and I have to force myself to stop. I have to ask Andris about this. Are humans addictive to us? That could be problematic. If they are, surely he wouldn't have suggested this course of action. I hope. But then why am I already missing the taste of her? It's literally been seconds.

She yawns. "You're right. I need some sleep. It's been a busy week at work."

I follow her to the door and only allow myself to kiss her on the cheek before I nudge her into the hallway and toward her apartment. The alcohol seems to have got to her by now, and she looks drowsy. After fumbling with her lock for a moment, she turns around and smiles. "See you soon?"

"Definitely," I promise, shocked by the urge to take the steps separating us and take her in my arms again. What is this?

I wait for her to disappear into her place—no sign of my furry nemesis—before I close my door. Right. I had better have a chat with my friend. What has he got me into?