Page 43 of Flowers Near Me

“How do you keep track of which one to use?” Persephone asked.

“Lots of practice.” He swung as if the act was the plainest thing he’d done all day.

After a few missed swings, Persephone groaned. “What’s happening to me?”

His light laugh was still deeper than a voice should be, she reasoned. “You’re twisting from the wrong place. You’ll have better power and control if you focus on your hips and legs and not your back and arms.” He stashed his club in his bag, pulled off his glove, then stood within arm’s reach of her.

“I’ll show you, but I’ll need to move your center.” Gesturing with both hands on the sides of his hips, he twisted to one side then the other.

Persephone stared for a moment, unsure she heard him correctly.

“Go ahead,” she said, hoping it didn’t sound breathy.

Whenever they were alone in the apartment, he rarely touched her outside of offering his arm. Whenever he put a hand on her upper back, it was always with others around. She could admit to herself that the idea of his hands on her in this moment sounded exciting. Maybe she could allow herself to enjoy the moment just this once? Her mind knew it wasn’t real. Her body held still, anticipating his touch.

“Perfect. Get into your stance.”

She did, feet shoulder-width apart and her six-iron firm in her grasp. His fingertips pressed into her hips, his voice in her ear. “Bring your club back.” The effort it took for her not to shudder held her breath hostage.

She raised the club as Hades pulled and pushed her hips, giving her a longer reach. He brushed his fingers down the side of her skirt-covered thigh. A soothing warmth followed the trail of his touch. “Put your weight on this leg. As you swing through, shift your weight onto your other. Ready?”

“Mm-hmm,” was the only response she was willing to give through her pressed lips. Too enraptured by the heat on her back from his proximity, she figured there was no way she’d hit this ball. It wasn’t her fault. She’d have an easier time weeding acres upon acres of wildflowers than ignoring how her body reacted to him.

Hades released his hold on her, and she swung. Eyes on the ball, she watched it wait for its ride, then sail down the fairway. It was her longest shot of the day. Persephone coughed out an incredulous laugh, dropping her club. She spun around, closing the space between them, and squeezed a surprised, stiff Hades in her arms. When the god didn’t move, didn’t breathe, she immediately released him. Why did she do that?

“I can’t believe how different that feels. Er—the uh—stance.”Understatement.If he had any idea how much he’d captivated her with his touch, she’d have no chance of protecting her heart. To her dismay, it appeared this effect was one-sided.Good.She needed the reminder that his efforts to win her had nothing to do with genuine interest.

“Beautiful shot,” Hades said with high brows. One hand remained tucked into his pocket as he reached down to pick up her club.

She cleared her throat and wiped her palms down her skirt. “The weight shifting. It’s a good trick.”

“You move like you were made for this.” Hades held out his ungloved hand and helped her in the cart. The controlled gesture proved this was simply a business deal between them.

Still, the headiness of their golf excursion clouded her thoughts all through the rest of the day into the evening.

While lying in bed, the moment with Hades’ hands on her hips replayed on a loop until she fell asleep.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A DANGEROUS GOD

PERSEPHONE

As soon as the marketing team received approval for the ad campaign, Persephone’s calendar filled with endless studio sessions, leaving only a handful of minutes with Hades each day over the past few weeks. It’d been almost two whole months since she’d been forced to work for him. Yet, every second with him felt borrowed when it should’ve been a relief that they were too busy to spend much time together.

Hades asked to join her when she ran on the track to which she replied, “Isn’t ityourtrack?” It was nice to have company when exercising. Hades made a great workout companion too. He’d share how other parts of Underworld Unlimited were faring and would invite her opinion on the matter. Afterwards they’d shower and dress separately before returning to the kitchen to sip coffee and read the news on their phones. Their shared morning rituals were silent echoes of each other, a stubborn tether Persephone clung to, even as their schedules pulled them apart.

After Persephone watered the ever-growing, nature-defying garden in the apartment’s large sitting area, she’d play fetch with Cerberus. It wasn’t the dog’s fault his owner was evil. Between Hades’ and her continual acquisition of plants, the room was starting to resemble a greenhouse. How these sun-loving flowers were surviving with the artificial lighting, she had no clue. But Hades was convinced it was her magic. More likely, he or Hecate enchanted them before delivering the plants to the penthouse.

Charon, as usual, met her in the lobby with a fresh cup of coffee. For the past three weeks, she’d spent hours in front of the camera, reciting lines she’d rehearsed, but today, it was simple B-roll footage. Even straight-backed Charon had looser shoulders and a lively gait when they entered the studio.

“If they get enough footage this session, you’ll have more than one day off.” Charon set her tablet onto the table.

“That sounds great.” Persephone took a sip then asked, “When’s your next day off? Do you sleep?”

Laughing, Charon crossed her legs and rested her interlocked hands on one knee. “I like being busy.” No surprise there. It seemed like Charon never stopped working. She was always available whenever Persephone texted, called, or emailed her.

“But what about hobbies?” It felt like something Persephone ought to know by now. They’d spent so much time in the office together but hadn’t discussed anything personal. “What do you do for yourself?”

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