Chapter 16
HADES
Iwas trying to stay away from Persephone because she was driving me crazy with need—a need to fuck her until she couldn’t walk, and a temptation to bury her in Tartarus for that brazen mouth.
I knew she’d lied about the average kisser comment, but it still displeased me.
As I strolled to my office, I heard feminine laughter escaping from the kitchen. It was Persephone. Who the hell was making her laugh like that? I walked slowly to the door as I listened.
‘Oh, my gods, it’s really hard.’
‘I know, my queen,’ Charon’s silky voice replied with a husky chuckle. ‘We need to hurry before the boss catches me.’
My vision clouded with the red mist of fury, and my shadows exploded as I threw open the kitchen door, ready to eviscerate the Titan. Persephone yelped as a pan clattered to the floor.
‘Boss.’ Charon gulped, shifting uncomfortably. ‘You alright, boss?’ He could sense my fury and dropped his gaze as he picked up his coffee.
‘Charon’s been teaching me to flip pancakes.
’ Persephone squinted at me as she picked up the pan and started cleaning up the mess.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she moved around the kitchen, then perched on a chair, picking up her coffee.
Her waves of blonde hair tumbled over one shoulder as she took a sip.
Charon smiled brightly at Persephone, but the smile slipped when he caught my eye.
‘Erm, I best be off. Duty calls.’ Charon gave Persephone a slight bow.
She responded with a dazzling smile. ‘Oh, don’t forget this!’ Persephone held out a small coin to him.
He shook his head. ‘Keep it, my queen.’
My brows raised of their own accord. Charon had been with me from the beginning; he was part of the Underworld family, but he could be ruthless when the occasion deserved it, and as the original ferryman who once transported the dead across the river Acheron, he never ever gave away his collection of coins from bygone days.
Persephone fluttered her long lashes at him and smiled. The Titan blushed. He fucking blushed.
‘See you later.’ He winked at Persephone as he edged towards the door, then turned to me with a slight bow. ‘Your Highness.’ I glared at him as he backed out of the door, fighting his smirk. Fucking Titans.
‘So…’ Persephone said, tilting her head.
Those green eyes caught mine, and I cleared my throat, aware that I hadn’t moved since entering the room.
‘Do you fancy making me another grilled cheese sandwich? Considering you ruined my pancake.’
‘As long as you don’t try to stab me again, maybe.’
She breathed a laugh, her eyes sparkling, and my cock throbbed.
‘And stay out of my way.’ I walked towards the fridge and picked up a handful of ingredients.
‘You’re very uptight about things.’
‘I like order. And I dislike people making a mess,’ I said unapologetically without turning around. I busied myself with cooking, aware of Persephone’s eyes on me the entire time. Neither of us uttered a word.
Once the grilled cheese sandwiches were perfect, I placed them on plates, popping one in front of Persephone and taking a seat in the chair opposite.
My eyes fixed on her as we ate, and she stared back at me.
The intensity of that gaze sent shock ripples to my dick, and as I felt myself hardening, it was a toss-up between dragging her over the table and fucking her senseless or dropping my gaze. Ultimately, I chose to look away.
‘That was delicious,’ Persephone said as she licked her fingers, then ran her tongue along her bottom lip. Shit. My eyes were glued to her mouth as I felt my cock begin to engorge even more.
‘I should go,’ I said, my voice slightly hoarse. ‘Minthe is waiting for me.’
‘Minthe?’ she asked, but I could see fire ignite in her eyes.
‘Yes. She is something akin to my PA.’
‘I’ll bet she is,’ she muttered.
‘Sorry?’ I could taste her jealousy, like burned sugar on my lips.
‘Never mind.’ She shook her head. ‘Anyway, you promised to tell me what happened to the other Persephone. About the war. Why won’t you tell me?’
‘I will. But I have much to do today.’ I knew I was putting it off, but Fates, even the thought of the time made my shadows twitchy.
Her anger tickled my nostrils like cayenne pepper, and she nailed me with a ‘you’re-full-of-shit’ look, causing my erection to soften. I stood and paced towards the door.
‘Running away again?’ I turned to regard her, my jaw tight. She stood with her hands on her hips.
‘You should really stop provoking me,’ I said in a low voice.
‘Or what? You’ll scowl me into submission?’ Her emerald eyes blazed with anger, and before I could overreact, I took a long, slow breath, turned towards the door and said, ‘Enjoy your day.’
‘You too, jackass. You’re such a prick,’ I heard her mumble, and I stopped in my tracks.
She was facing away from me as she carefully placed the dishes in the sink.
The metallic, bitter taste of indignation filled my mouth.
Did she not respect who I was? What I was capable of?
This tiny woman was insufferable. Maybe I should let Zeus have her?
At the thought, another wave of anger washed over me.
My irritation spiked, and as fast as a strike of lightning, I was behind her, my arms wrapping around her body.
She yelped and tried to pull free, but I held her firmly against me.
‘You need to watch your mouth, little goddess. It will get you in trouble one day,’ I whispered into her ear, and she stilled, sucking in a shuttering breath. The smell of her arousal hit my nose and dick at the same time.
Fates. I was doomed.
My hand moved of its own accord, sliding over her stomach, down over her rounded hip, and to the apex of her thighs.
I’m pretty sure she stopped breathing. She relaxed into me, and a soft groan left her lips, causing my throbbing cock to strain against my jeans and press into her back.
I stroked my hand back up her stomach and slid it into the waistband of her yoga pants, then down over the silk of her underwear and gently stroked her hot pussy, finding the nub of nerves with my thumb.
She shuddered and groaned, arching closer to me. Gods, she was wet. So wet.
‘You can pick fights with me. Disrespect me. Pretend you don’t feel our bond, but this doesn’t lie. You’re so gloriously wet, and it’s because you want me to touch you, isn’t it, Persephone?’ I whispered hoarsely against her cheek.
‘Yes,’ she moaned, her head tipping back against my chest as her hand reached behind, grabbing my arse. As I stroked her, I was close to losing control, and I couldn’t do that. My cock was a long, swollen mass of urgent need, fighting for fulfilment.
I needed her to accept me on her terms. I needed her to love me again, not merely submit to the attraction she felt. If I took her now, I’d keep her, willing or not—and I could not do that. I would not take away her choice.
I withdrew my hand, and she let out a frustrated moan. Then I shadow-walked the hell out of there, her curses bouncing off the walls.