Page 43 of Tempted By Hades

Ignoring the quick skip of his heart, he sat down on the couch, scooting over to the opposite end. “I hope your suite is to your liking.”

“It is,” she said, taking another sip. “I love it. The bed, especially. It’s so soft and…bouncy.”

Fuck, he shouldn’t have started their small talk about her room.

Think of something that’s not sexy at all, damn you!

“Er, so, who’s taking care of your plant shop while you’re away?”

“Oh.” Her expression turned serious, and her shoulders sank. “Actually, I haven’t thought of that.”

Damn it, now you’re making her sad!

“I mean, you have the wolf shifter there, right? Geri?”

“Oh yeah.” She clucked her tongue. “Oh dear, I haven’t told her what happened. Everything happened so fast…”

“You could call or text her.”

“Call her—you get service here?” she asked, incredulous.

“What do you think this is? Ancient Greece? Of course, we get cell service.” It was a magical signal of course, something Hephaestus had helped him set up a few years ago.

“Oh, I never thought…but that means I have to go back to get my phone.”

“You’re not a prisoner here,” he reminded her. “You’re free to go, and as long as you don’t stay more than a few hours, it won’t count toward your time here. Why not take a trip and retrieve your phone, as well as some things?”

“Yeah, but it means I have to see my mother.” Her shoulders slumped further. “And I’m not ready to do that, not for a while, at least.”

“I’m sorry…what can I do? Can I have one of my people retrieve your things?”

“No, that’s rather personal,” she said. “If I can contact Geri, then she can at least help with packing my stuff.”

“I’ll have someone bring you a temporary phone you can use to contact your friend,” he offered.

“Really?” Her smile lit up her entire face. “That would be wonderful, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. In the meantime, what would you like to do? Or you don’t have to do anything. You don’t have to work for your room and board here,” he added. “Treat this time as a vacation.”

“That sounds lovely, but I think I’ll grow bored.” She placed her drink on the coffee table and folded her hands in her lap. “I guess I should have thought this through…”

He did not like that desolate expression on her face. “I have an idea,” he began, placing his glass next to hers. “Do you remember the spot outside the palace? Where I planned to have a garden.”

Her head cocked to the side. “Yes?”

“It’s yours. To do with as you please, I mean.”

Rich brown eyes turned the size of dinner plates. “Truly?”

“Yes. I don’t have any other plans for it, and I’m much too busy to interview potential landscapers. You would be doing me a favor.”

“You don’t know if I’ll do a good job,” she said with a chuckle. “How can you be so confident?”

“You are the literal embodiment of spring working,” he pointed out. “I’m sure you’ll do a great job.”

“I…” A deep blush covered her cheeks. “Thank you. For the opportunity.”

“You’re very welcome.”

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