Hades huffed. “Just accept the compliment, sweetheart.”
He held Aaren’s gaze and didn’t look away.
“Fine.” Aaren finally let Hades’ words settle around him.He really admires me.That felt new, and amazing. “But at some point, I want to tasteyourcooking too. Please?”
Hades gave him a wry look. “Sure. Just lower your expectations when you taste it.”
“That’s better than what any other alpha has done for me. Even just... agreeing to cook for me. Most alphas think it’s below them.”
Hades curled his lip. “All those alphas you’ve been with, none of them are good enough for you.”
Aaren’s heart skipped. He let himself enjoy the indignant look on Hades’ face for a while. Then a thought struck him. “What if I cook for you on my days off? Either for real, or just pretending to. I’ll be your ‘private chef’. It’ll give me an excuse to stay away from Ballus’ house for a longer time.”
Hades lit up. “I can cook for you on those days, too. I love it.”
“Or you could paint me.”
They exchanged a look, a nameless thing pulling taut between them. Hades’ gaze darkened. “We could do a combination of both. I could paint you in the kitchen, too.”
“Naked?”
“Wearing just an apron.” Hades licked his lips. “Yeah, I like that idea.”
“You’re going to fuck me over the counter, aren’t you?”
“No promises.”
But going by the look in Hades’ eyes, Aaren’s future involved a very messy cream filling. He swallowed hard. “I can’t work during my heat.”
“Mmm.” Hades growled. “Is your heat still reserved for me?”
“Yes,” Aaren moaned. “It’s next week. But I don’t know if you’re gonna be busy with work or something.”
“Any alpha who worries more about his schedule than his omega’s heat is not a good alpha. I’ll be ready.” Hades palmed himself. “Then again, maybe I’m just completely selfish. Heats are alphas’ wet dreams, sweetheart. Having you writhing and begging for my cock? Watching you spread yourself to show me your wet, ready hole? There’s nothing that’ll make me harder.”
A blush rose through Aaren, starting from his chest and sweeping up his neck, to his face. Hades rumbled, gathering Aaren into his arms.
“Anything you need, I’ll provide it,” Hades said into his hair. He pulled Aaren flush against his strong chest, his bulge growing thick. “And before I forget—we should get a lawyer to look over your contract. Maybe we can get you out of it.”
Aaren grimaced. “Lawyers are expensive. It’s okay. I can hang in there for another six months.”
Hades grimaced back at him. “Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll pay for it. I don’t want you to suffer.”
Did he hear what he was saying? Lawyers were expensive! Aaren couldn’t wrap his mind around it.
“At some point, I’ll have to meet with Gran’s inheritance lawyer again,” Aaren blurted instead. “To prove that Ballus and I are still a thing.”
“Ugh.” Hades rubbed his back. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Just think about having some new eyes on your contract, all right? I want this to be as painless for you as possible.”
“I’ll try,” Aaren sighed.
“Good omega.” Hades dropped a kiss on the crown of Aaren’s head.
Was it even possible? It would be so nice to come home to Hades every night, to burrow into Hades’ bed and cuddle with him, instead of suffering Ballus’ hurtful insults. But lawyers cost thousands of dollars, and that was too much for six months of peace. Aaren wouldn’t be able to make enough money to pay Hades back for it.
It was a nice daydream, though. Aaren would content himself with these stolen moments with his alpha.
Hades scooped Aaren onto the counter and caught his knees, pushing his legs apart. Aaren gasped. Hades’ smile turned hungry.
