Silence.
“I’d like to be with you…but under those conditions.”
“Your conditions?” he asked coldly.
“Yes…”
“Well, here are mine.” His voice lowered in volume but turned more sinister. “Get on your fucking knees and apologize to me. Your conditions can fuck off.”
A few days passed as I tried to shrug off my last conversation with Hades. The smart thing to do was forget about him since our relationship was so tense now. But after a couple days, I started to miss him again.
And actually consider his request.
I was working at the hotel, daydreaming about the man I couldn’t have. I missed the connection between our souls, the way our hearts beat as one. I missed the taste of his sweat on my tongue, the way my nails sank into his skin. All I had to do was put on a short dress and pick up a guy at the bar, but I didn’t want to do that.
There was only one man I wanted.
I grabbed my phone and texted him. I get off in twenty minutes…
I never got a response back.
Ten minutes later, Hades walked inside, dressed in a black jacket and dark jeans. Boots were on his feet, and a gray scarf was around his neck. He walked through the lobby and ignored me, heading straight to his regular room.
I was scared of him over the phone. Imagined how scared I would be when I faced him in person.
When my shift was over, I made my way to room 402.
My heart was pumping almost in my throat, full of adrenaline and fear. I could turn back and abandon ship, but I wanted him too much to do the smart thing. I wanted to do the reckless thing.
I walked through the door then came face-to-face with him. Tall and muscular, he stood in front of me, his scarf and jacket hung on the back of the chair at the dining table. That erotic gaze he used to give me was long gone, replaced by an expression of such fury that he looked like a hit man.
I never let anyone steal my confidence or make me uncomfortable, but he made me want to shake everywhere.
“You have something to say to me?” His deep voice was low but full of command like the ruler of the world. His jaw was covered in a sexy shadow, his hair was styled the way I liked. His body was pumping with blood, so his muscles looked thicker than usual. He also looked angrier than usual.
I couldn’t believe I was about to succumb to his commands. I thought I had more strength than that. Had more self-respect than that. But I wanted this night to end one way—with us in bed together.
So, I swallowed my pride and lowered myself to my knees.
He watched me, his jaw tightening as he watched me kneel on the carpet and pull my dress to my thighs. He stepped closer to me, looming over me like a general about to bark orders.
“I’m sorry…”
“Didn’t hear you.”
I cleared my throat, suffocating in self-loathing. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I’m sorry for…getting upset.”
“Try again.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m sorry for ending things.”
“Wrong again.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry for hurting you…” I lowered my gaze because the humiliation was too much.
“Look at me when you talk to me.”
I lifted my gaze.
“Repeat what you just said.”
“I’m sorry for hurting you.”
“Anything else you want to add? Because I’m not sure if I’ve forgiven you.”
This man was a hard-ass. “I miss you…a lot. I haven’t been with anyone else because you’re all I want. I already told you I don’t want anything serious. When I said that, I meant it. But I do want you…and it’s hard to live without you.”
He stared at me for a long time, considering my apology like a judge issuing a ruling. He pulled his shirt off and set it on the chair, revealing his chiseled physique and the happy trail that led into his jeans.
I knew I’d been forgiven.
“Get your ass up.” He gave me his hand and helped me up.
My hands went to his chest so I could finally feel him, finally kiss him.
He grabbed me by the elbow and positioned me back, forcing me to look at him head on. “I only forgive people once—not twice. Fuck with me again, and it’s over. When you call, I won’t answer. When you need me, I won’t be there. Do you understand me?” His fingers dug into my arm.
Hades had never shown me this side of him before, and I wasn’t sure if I liked it. It was unnerving on the one hand, but also sexy on the other. This must be the way he treated his enemies, even his allies. “I understand.”
He released my arm then placed his hand on my shoulder. He gave a subtle push, lowering me back down to my knees. When I was on the carpet, he reached for his belt and loosened it before he pulled down his zipper. His rock-hard cock appeared a moment later, thick like a steel rod. “Show me how much you missed me.”