“I’m asking you not to be unnecessarily cruel. Please.”
His devil form slowly retreated as he cupped my cheek and lightly kissed my lips.
“So be it,” he said softly. “Come. We need answers.”
The clearing shimmered around us then disappeared as he portaled us from the gardens to the throne room. I stumbled a little, but he steadied me and led me to his chair. I settled onto his lap without a word of complaint and stole some comfort by resting my head on his shoulder.
“Two attempts to kill me in one day is definitely making me feel unwelcomed,” I said.
A mark I’d given him drew my attention, and how I’d felt while doing it flared to life.
“You have never been more wanted,” Hades said, running his hands over my back and arms.
I felt his desire for me the same as I’d felt it in the clearing. And like before, he didn’t try to take what he wanted. He waited for whatever I would willingly give. That made me want to give more.
I tipped my head, bringing my mouth close to his collarbone.
“I could tell,” I whispered before nipping his skin.
His breath left him in a whoosh.
I was very aware of the risk I was taking. Sex with Hades wasn’t an option. Kissing him like he wanted would probably be my downfall. But I wasn’t willing to give up all contact. For the first time in my life, something felt good and right, and I wanted to just enjoy it with little fear or guilt.
“You torment me,” he groaned. “I desire this more than the next beat of my heart. Yet, I cannot delay finding the one who would take you from me.”
“Are you asking me to stop?” I gently sucked the place I’d just scraped with my teeth.
“No, never stop. My daughters will understand.”
That had me pulling away in a hurry.
“Daughters?”
Hades groaned. “Resume marking me as your own, and I will grant you anything you desire.”
I hid my smirk by swiveling so my back rested against his chest.
“You already grant me everything I desire,” I said.
He lifted me and firmly settled my weight where he wanted it. Right over the part that desired me most.
“I would grant you more,” he said, leaning forward to kiss my ear.
I snorted and reached back to comb my fingers through the hair at the back of his neck.
“Name one thing that you wouldn’t give me now that you would give me if I kept kissing you.”
“I’m not allowed to speak of what I would give you,” he said, moving me against his hard length. “Yet another contract I wish removed.”
I laughed and tugged at his hair playfully.
“I can’t even imagine the dirty things you said to have that taken away.”
“Remove the contract, and discover for yourself.”
“I think that might be a contract we leave in place.”
He chuckled, not even a little upset by the idea at the moment. Probably because he was wearing me like a lap blanket.
