“Test me.”
I only hesitated for half a second then grinned. “Hades, take me. I’m yours.”
Obviously, I didn’t mean it. I’d said it in an exaggerated, funny voice. But when my clothes disappeared and he rolled on top of me, my eyes went wide, and I started to panic.
“Yes. You are mine. And I choose to keep you as you are now, perfect, gentle, and considerate. Loving.” His tender gaze swept over my face. “Forever.” His hips settled into the cradle of mine. “Feel my desperation for relief from this endless need for you, and know I will do nothing to seek my own pleasure. But I will take what you offer to give you yours.”
“That’s not what I—”
His lips covered mine.
The tender kiss melted all my fears and fed my need for the god who had slowly won my heart. If I was the sky that contained all that was good, he was my solace against the vast loneliness of my existence. Without him, I was nothing.
I looped my arms around his neck and tunneled my fingers through his hair. One of his hands slid under my back, caressing me until he put his weight on that side to free his other hand.
The first touch of his fingers on my chest sent a shiver of desire through me so strongly that I whimpered.
“Yes,” he breathed against my lips before kissing me with more hunger.
His hips dipped against mine; then he coaxed my legs apart with his knee. I knew I shouldn’t open for him. That this was dangerous in so many ways. Yet, I couldn’t stop. His taste and attention were too addictive. I wanted more. Ineededmore.
He groaned into my mouth as I gave in to his coaxing, and he settled his weight against my hips. The contact was jolting and oh-so-good. Without meaning to, I arched against him.
Tearing his mouth from mine, Hades’ ragged breathing filled my ear.
“You tempt me like no other. I would strip the world bare of its life and face Zeus’ wrath to sink myself into your welcoming heat. But I will not break my vow to you. Do you understand? You mean more to me than anything or anyone.”
He kissed my mouth hard and then my chin, working his way lower still as my fingers remained fixed in his hair.
“You are mine,” he said when he arrived between my legs.
He didn’t move, and I knew he wouldn’t until I acknowledged his claim.
I opened my mouth to remind him that I wasn’t the one he really wanted. Instead, only two words fell from my lips.
“I am.”
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Thoughts of Hadesbringing me pleasure drifted through my mind as I slowly woke.
Either I’d dreamed of what we’d done, or I’d subconsciously dwelled on it all night. Or maybe it was the way my bare skin pressed against his while he wore me like a blanket. Whichever the case, I nuzzled his chest, smoothing a hand over his soft and silky skin.
“Mmm. This is a good way to wake up.”
“It is indeed,” Hades rumbled beneath me. “Your touch rivals the sum of all that is good in our worlds. Nothing compares to this.” He ran his hands from my bare backside up to my shoulders then down again.
“Do you wish to shower?” he asked.
I remembered how yesterday had started and how upset I’d been. Nothing had changed in the last twenty-four hours. Hades still thought I was Persephone. But there didn’t seem to be any point in getting mad or being hurt over it. Why not embrace what I had for however long I had it?
So, I lifted my head and smirked down at him.
“That depends. Do you wish to join me?”
“I do.”
“Then I could shower.”
