Theo sucks in a sharp breath, his whole body jerking.
“Sorry!” I blurt, horrified, trying to scramble upright. “Sorry, sorry!”
In the chaos, I manage to knock his shoulder, then his chin, before I finally stagger to my feet. He rises with less grace, one hand still cupping his dick, his glare scorching hotter than hellfire.
I bite back a laugh, cheeks still burning, and tilt my head with mock sweetness. “Well, maybe next time don’t hide from me. Besides, it’s fine; we don’t need little Theos running around.”
His brows knit, jaw flexing. “What?” he grits out, still half doubled in pain, but determined to look unbothered.
“If it’s damaged, it’s fine. That’s what I mean,” I clarify, glancing at his crotch, pressing my back against the cubicle wall. The space is suffocatingly small. It’s made for one, not two, and he’s taking up far too much room. We’re almost chest to chest. Way too close.
His eyes narrow further, and I’m actually impressed with how he manages to make them look so sharp, so piercing.
“You’d better get out of here,” he warns, voice dropping low, dangerous, “before I make sure there’s no little Heavens – or more like little Hells – running around.”
I frown, pouting slightly as I let a hand rest against my stomach. “You’re going to hurt me?”
His hand slams against the tile beside my head, the impact echoing in the cramped cubicle. He leans down until I can feel the heat of his breath ghosting over my skin, his voice a velvet threat.
“No, Blondie,” he whispers menacingly, “I’m going to kill you.”
The sinister tone should scare me, but it doesn’t. Instead, it coils like electricity low in my core. My lips part, readying a scathing retort, but before I can get the words out, my elbow knocks the shower lever.
A sharp blast of ice-cold water crashes down on both of us.
Theo swears violently as he jerks back, water soaking through in seconds, plastering his shirt against him, every line of his chest and stomach cutting through the thin fabric. His hair darkens, dripping into his eyes as he glares at me with murderous intent.
I choke on a laugh, sputtering as the spray drenches me, too, but I can’t stop. “This might cool the steam that’s literally coming out of your ears, Westwood.”
He runs his hand down his face, shoulders taut, nostrils flaring, eyes burning like he isn’t sure if he wants to throttle me or kill me. “You think you’re funny?” he growls.
“I can be,” I reply haughtily, though my voice betrays me with the faintest tremor beneath his gaze.
The air hums between us, thick despite the icy downpour. My pulse stumbles. He’s too close. Too bloody smug, even when drenched, and for one dizzying second, all I can think about is how the water has left him looking like he’s carved from stone.
I snap my eyes away, forcing a scoff to cover the traitorous thought before glaring at him with renewed resilience.
“Now, tell me what Hades said.”
Neither of us moves. Neither of us yields.
And for the first time, I’m not sure if I’m losing the battle… or myself.
A Waiting Game
Heaven
He exhales in frustration as he stands tall, and I push myself back, not wanting to touch him accidentally. I suddenly realise how inappropriate this is, squeezed into this tiny place with a guy who isn’t my boyfriend.
Eww, he is not my type! I can’t even imagine that.
“He has agreed to meet you, but he hasn’t said when. He just said when the stars align for it, whatever that shit means. But he did add that the price will be dear. And I know what that means. If you fuck up, you’ll be joining Sienna over there in Crazy-O-Realm.”
“He didn’t say when?” I suddenly feel deflated when he shakes his head. But that could be days or weeks! “We have to do this soon; there are certain parts of the year when my powers-”
“The world doesn’t revolve around you, Blondie. Take it or leave it. I will happily tell him you’re cancelling your date with death,” he says sarcastically.
“No! I’ll wait…” I try to hide my frustration. Is Hades trying to trick me? I’m certain he knows when the time will be right. Is he trying to delay on purpose? The urgency to bring Sienna back soon is growing inside of me, and Hades is a god who loves to play games. He’s equally as annoying as his favoured.
