Page 28 of Hades and Persephone: Keeper of Sins

What the hell?

He shutters his eyes, and when they open again the fire is gone. A mirage, I decide, of the heat that simmers in my own core.

His voice is rough, like thrown gravel as he dares again, “Have a glass with me, Persephone. I vow toyou; your virtue is safe with me.” There is a pause, before he adds, “For tonight.”

I think his words are supposed to assure me, but instead, I can’t help but read the underlying promise within them. The delicious threat. The dark assurance that it’s only a matter of time before this man devours my virtue, corrupting all of me until I’m so wound up in the darkness of him, I won’t be able to unthread the knots we foolishly weave.

When I fail to agree, he simply pours the wine into two glasses. “There is a pool on the rooftop. Why don’t you go get changed into a swimsuit?” His dark eyes dance. “Join me for a swim?”

I manage, “I don’t have a swimsuit.”

“Yes, you do.”

I frown, because I know the meager items I packed. The massive closet in the room Hades provided for me make my lack of personal possessions all the more glaringly obvious.

I shake my head. “I only have the four outfits, Hades. This—” I gesture down at what I’m wearing. “Is the last outfit I have. I’ll need to do my laundry tomorrow before I get dressed.”

I really should have done my laundry last night. But I’d been so tired after spending time with Hades after dinner, I’d fallen into bed and slept, as I’d been sleeping every night in the bedHades provided for me, like the dead.

“Maya did your laundry this morning, along with the clothing I had delivered for you today.”

“You—” I stutter, swallowing hard. “You had clothing delivered for me?”

“I did.” He takes a slow sip of his wine.

“Why?”

“Why not?”

“Because…” I grasp for words. “It’s expensive.”

His lips twitch. “Hmm.”

“Hades.” I drop my hands onto my hips. “You can’t go around spending money on me.”

His voice drops to a low and dangerous warning. “I can do whatever I wish.”

I ignore the warning. “Not when it comes to me, you can’t.”

That damn brow arcs. “Is that a dare?”

“It’s a demand!” I huff. “I don’t want you spending money on me. It’s pointless and—and it makes me feel…”

He pushes away from the counter to take dangerous steps closer. “What does it make you feel?”

“I don’t k-know,” I stammer, hating that I do.

After a long pause, Hades says softly, “You deserve everything this world has to give. I am not only able to give it to you, but I want to give it to you.”

Searching the dark pools of his eyes, I feel so terribly fragile. “Hades, I’m your employee.”

“You are a beautiful young woman, and I am an affected man.”

My skin heats. “That’s not what we are.”

How does he always make me so hot?

He cocks his head slightly to the side. “I am aware of exactly what we are. Now, be a good girl and do as you’re told, as a good employee should, and get changed.”

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