Page 25 of Winning Back Persephone

"Neither have you." I turned around so I was facing him, taken in by the intimacy of the moment. I put my hand on his chest and looked into his eyes. There was more love in themthat I wanted to admit, though there was also a slight hint of hesitation that I hated having caused. I'd hurt him by leaving.

More than that, I'd hurt myself by leaving. And while this was a step in what seemed like the right direction, I still didn't know how to broach the subject of the whole break-up being a mistake.

He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine, kissing me softly and in a way that made me want a thousand more kisses.

My stomach rumbled again.

"We should get you some breakfast," he murmured against my lips.

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for," he assured me. "We can get breakfast." He threw off the covers and got out of bed, gaining an unimpressed look from Cebby as he did. No doubt all of that would change when the dog realised that food was involved. I knew what he was like.

I watched him get out of bed and grab his robe, a familiar sight that I'd missed more than I realised I had.

"There's one of yours still in the wardrobe," he said.

"I didn't realise."

"Mmm. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it." His words weren't a surprise, especially considering how much of the rest of our home was still exactly the same as when I'd left. "I'll put some coffee on. Come join me when you're ready." He kissed me softly before leaving to go to the kitchen.

I leaned back on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to think everything through. I wanted more of this. The domesticity, the comfort, everything that was just within my grasp. All I had to do was admit out loud to Hades that it was what I wanted, and then maybe I could have it.

"Come on, Cebby," I said to the dog.

He lifted his head and flopped back down.

"You can't sleep forever." I reached out and ruffled his head. I knew there was no putting off getting up, especially when my stomach rumbled again. "All right, it really is time to get up." I threw off the covers and hurried over to the wardrobe. I pulled it open, not surprised to easily find the robe Hades had mentioned. I pulled it off the hanger and put it on.

Hades smiled as I walked into the kitchen with Cebby on my heels.

"Strong coffee coming up." He put a mug down in front of me. "And the most delicious dried kibble for Mr Cerberus."

I laughed. "You can pretend all you like, but I know you'll feed him stewed beef later."

"Ah yes, but boring kibble in the morning, exciting beef in the evening, that's how these things work."

"I remember," I responded, watching as he got Cebby's food ready for him. From how quickly Cebby's tail was wagging, anyone would think that his breakfast was the best thing that could ever possibly be available to eat.

I picked up my coffee and took a sip, letting out a satisfied sigh. It wasgoodcoffee, made just how I liked it.

Hades hummed to himself as he pulled yoghurt out of the fridge, putting it on the breakfast bar for me, along with some honey and frozen fruit.

I got myself a bowl without thinking, putting one down in front of him too.

"Thanks." He flashed me a smile that made my insides melt.

I loaded up my bowl with yoghurt and toppings while he grabbed a box of cereal out of the cupboard. "It's blue," I said.

He gave me a strange look. "They changed the packaging."

"It's weird."

"It is. Cebby is fed up with hearing me complain about it. The box has been yellow for forty years, why did they change it?"

"How long have you been holding that in?"

"Longer than I want to admit," he responded. "I ended up standing in the supermarket for twenty minutes trying to work out where they'd moved the cereal to. I almost messaged you to ask if you knew because you did most of the shopping."

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