A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

She folded her arms over her chest. “Have you ever thought that maybe you’re mine, instead?”

His lips twitched and his eyes fell to her wrist. “It is my mark upon your skin.”

Maybe the alcohol made her brave. She shifted, sliding her leg across Hades lap so that she straddled him. Her dress rose, and she could feel him against her, hard and aroused. She smiled and his gaze returned to hers instantly, this time it was like fire scorching her skin.

“Shall I leave a mark?” she asked.

“Careful, Goddess.” His words were a harsh growl.

“Another order.” She rolled her eyes.

“A warning,” Hades said through gritted teeth, and then his hands clasped her bare thighs and she inhaled sharply at the feel of his skin against hers. “But we both know you don’t listen, even when it’s good for you.”

“You think you know what’s good for me?” she asked, dangerously close to his lips. “You think you know what I need?”

His hands moved up—pushing her dress higher, and she gasped as his fingers neared the apex of her thighs. Hades laughed. “I don’t think, Goddess, I know. I could make you worship me.”

Persephone bit her lip, and his eyes fell there and remained. So, she closed the distance between them, sealing her lips to his. He opened to her immediately, and she tasted him deep, taking what was hers to claim. Her fingers tangled into his hair, tilting his head back to kiss him deeper. In this position, she felt powerful.

When she finally pulled away, it was to nibble at his ear.

“You will worship me,” she said, and rolled her hips against him. His hands dug into her skin, and she moved in, her cheek brushing his as she whispered. “And I won’t even have to order you.”

She didn’t think his hands could grasp her any tighter, and then suddenly, he lifted her up effortlessly, and maneuvered her so that she was cradled tight against him. He fixed her dress, and then covered her with his own jacket.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Goddess.”

She blinked, confused by the sudden change in Hades. He had rejected her.

“You’re just afraid,” she said.

Hades didn’t speak, but when she glanced at him, he was glaring out the window, jaw locked tight, hands fisted, and she got the sense she might be right.

It wasn’t long after she fell asleep in his embrace.

CHAPTER XIV – A TOUCH OF JEALOUSY

When Persephone woke, she was aware of two things: one, she was in a stranger’s bed, and two, she was naked. She sat up, holding black silk sheets to her chest. She was in Hades room. She recognized it from the day she’d fallen into the Styx and he’d healed her.

She found Hades sitting before his blazing fireplace. It was probably the most god-like she’d ever seen him. He looked perfectly untouched—not a hair out of place, not a wrinkle in his jacket, not a button undone. He held his whisky in one hand, and the fingers of his other hand rested upon his lips. The halo of fire roaring behind him also seemed fitting, as it raged like his eyes.

It was how she knew that though he appeared to be reclining, he was wound tight.

He kept her gaze, not speaking, and took a sip of his drink.

“Why am I naked?” Persephone asked.

“Because you insisted on it,” he answered in a voice void of the barely restrained desire he’d exhibited in the limo.

She didn’t have many memories from last night, but she was sure she’d never forget the press of Hades’ fingers into her thighs, or the delicious friction that sent shockwaves through her body. “You were very determined to seduce me.”

Persephone blushed fiercely, embarrassed. She looked away when she asked, “Did we—”

Hades laughed darkly. Persephone clenched her teeth so hard, her jaw hurt. Why was he laughing?

“No, Lady Persephone. Trust me, when we fuck, you’ll remember.”

When? “Your arrogance is alarming.”