Hearing Lauren say “I love you” is like being hit by a train made of emotions, and I’m usually never at a loss for words. But right now? Right now, I know one thing for sure—I’m going to marry this woman. No doubt about it.
We’re building an empire together, and she’s the Persephone to my very suave, incredibly handsome Hades. Fate had us in its crosshairs from day one.
I kiss her, deep and slow, my hands slidingdown her body like I’ve been waiting to do it for a century. And when they finally grab that perfect ass I’ve been missing, Lauren lets out this little moan that makes my brain just ... short-circuit. All the rational thoughts? Gone.
I hoist her up, making sure we fit together like puzzle pieces that were never meant to be apart.
“I’m going to fuck you for the three weeks you ignored my ass, Lauren.” My voice sounds wilder than human. “Just giving you a courtesy warning.”
“Okay,” she says, nodding rapidly.
I love seeing the urgency in her eyes; she wants my hands on her, and she wants them now. In a few strides, I'm at the end of her bed. I remove her black T-shirt and jeans so fast I'm embarrassed, as she rips off my tie and shirt with the same eagerness I feel.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t wait,” I say, positioning myself between her legs and pushing as far as her body allows.
“Aah!” she screams in pleasure as I pull out and thrust back in.
“Three weeks,” I grunt through clenched teeth, my jaw so tight it could crack. “Over a rumor … unbelievable.”
I slam into her viciously.
“I’m sorry,” she whimpers, lost in pleasure.
“You owe me, BIG TIME,” I whisper in her ear as I keep thrusting.
“Anything,” she moans, digging her nails into my back.
I can tell she’s about to climax, and I take full advantage of it. “Marry me.”
“Wha—”
Before she can respond to my proposal, her orgasm overtakes her, rendering her speechless. Mine follows soon after, and when we both finish trembling, Lauren whispers, “Okay,” her breath ragged.
I lower my gaze, and we connect. “Did you think I was just asking? I knew you were going to be my wife the day I saw you in my office after all those years.”
Her arms wrap around my neck. “Really?”
I kiss her lips. “Really, Persephone. And as I said before, my power, my protection, and my love are yours. I’ll be your slave if you’ll haveme. I’ll kiss your feet every morning and your lips every night. I’ll let you rule me in mind, body, and soul.”
Lauren smiles as she hears our exchange. I know it by heart; these last three weeks, I spent hours watching that conversation, reading it over and over, trying to figure out how to keep her in my life.
“Hades, you’ve convinced me.”
I've always known something was off about my heart—maybe it was the emptiness, the cracks, or just how dark it felt. For years, I was too much of a coward to figure it out, and now, as an adult, it’s coming back to haunt me.
“You’re squeezing my hand,” Lauren whispers beside me.
I loosen my grip slightly. “Sorry, it’s hospitals—they give me the creeps,” I admit as we make our way toward Dr. Mike’s office.
Why am I seeing him? The answer is simple: I want him to see the ring on Lauren’s finger ... and, well, my heart, too. But let’s be honest, the ring is the real priority here.
“I don’t like them either,” she murmurs, her voice low, blending in with the dim atmosphere of the hallway.
I stop, pulling her to a halt as well. She tries to keep walking, but my arm holds her back. “So, what are we doing here? Let’s just leave,” I suggest, half-serious.
“No, sir,” she says, dragging me along the hall. “We need to see the results with a professional.”
Reluctantly, I let her take the lead. Only Lauren can boss me around and get away with it. “This is going to cost you, Green,” I whisper in her ear, enjoying the banter.
