Page 17 of Tempted By Hades

Hades’s mouth began to move, softly at first, tentatively almost, as if he was the one who was unsure and inexperienced. Urgency and eagerness, however, took over Persephone, and she lifted herself on tiptoes to press her mouth firmly against his. This motion made her tip forward, and a pair of strong hands grasped her waist to steady her, then wrapped around her to pull her close.

Finally.

He was so warm and big and he smelled so…good. One arm wrapped around her waist, while his other hand traced a path up her arm, shoulder, and back to her jaw, where his fingers tilted her head slightly. Not needing any further invitation, she opened her mouth slightly, and he ran the tip of his tongue over the inside of her lips.

She moaned aloud, urging him to deepen the kiss. And he did, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth. Her tongue seemingly had a mind of its own as it tangled with his. Meanwhile, her fingers grasped at the front of his shirt, crumpling the fabric.

The kiss felt like an eternity, yet, it also seemed much too short to Persephone once his mouth released hers. Her mind reeled from the newness of the sensations he had brought about. In all her life, she had never ever felt this way after being kissed. Kissing other men had seemed more like an inevitable consequence of attraction. She had liked them well enough to do it, and even enjoyed them.

But this kiss…it was consuming.

She didn’t just want to kiss him, but she needed it. Like she was a flower that would wither and die without it.

His arms unwound from her waist. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome?” Her hands slid down his chest and then back to her sides. She didn’t dare look up into his eyes.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to take a rain check on that tour.”

“E-excuse me?” Her head snapped up toward his face so fast she got dizzy. “What do you mean, rain check?”

“I’m afraid I’m being called away. Important business in the Underworld.” He took a deep bow. “I’ll see you again, Persephone.” And with that, he disappeared.

Persephone stood there, staring at empty air, stunned.

He had left, just like that.

After that mind-blowing kiss.

After making her feel like no other man had made her feel.

And after promising her he would take her to the Underworld.

What, as the mortal would say, THE. FUCK.

Chapter 4

Hades

“This is what you called me back for?” Hades thundered at the daemon, Polyglotnus, as he cowered back into the corner of the vast office, arms covering his face.

“B-but my Lord Hades,” he stammered. “Y-you said you always want to know when a soul tries to escape. You are the caretaker of souls?—”

“Do you dare to tell me my duty? In my realm?” His voice rose a few decibels.

“N-no, forgive me!” The daemon dropped to his knees. “Forgive me, my lord.”

Hades gritted his teeth and forced his anger down. He never, ever treated his people this way, and only then if it was justified. Polyglotnus, indeed, had been right to call him back to make his report about the escaped soul.

He was just mad because it interrupted his time with Persephone.

Sighing, he waved his hand at the daemon. “Get up.”

“M-my lord?”

“It’s fine, I mean.” He let out a snort. “What I meant is, one of my lieutenants dealt with the soul, correct?”

His head bobbed up and down. “Y-yes, my lord. The soul is secure and captured.”

---