Page 48 of Flowers Near Me

How could she make a god understand? The golf outing was a prime example of why she couldn’t do this. He could turn on and off his feelings as easily as snapping his fingers to make Cerberus sit or fetch. Apparently, she no longer had that kind of command over her heart.

“Human hearts don’t work that way.” Her hand shot up before he could interrupt, telling her she wasn’t a mortal. “There’s only real or fake. I can’t give you a real chance because it could become real to me and then in four months, Ilooklike an idiot and feel even worse. I won’t do that. My heart is soft and pliable so I take great care with it. What you’re suggesting is careless.”

“How are you so certain you’ll look like anidiotin four months?”

“I mean, come on. I could end up mourning real feelings from a publicity stunt. It’s pathetic.” She stood behind the lone dressing room chair, pinching the black fabric stretched across its back. This is how it was with the gods. They’d say or do anything to get what they wanted. Mortals werenothingto them.

“I told you from the beginning, this could be as real or as pretend as you wanted. But my desire for you, Persephone, is very real. I’m not playing a part when I say I want you—beyond the contract, beyond all of this.” His voice grew husky. “I’m already yours. Tell me how I can prove it.”

With a light laugh, she replied, “Fates, you are so convincing.”

Mortals were toys with expiration dates. She did well to remember that.

Hand on his heart, a stern-faced Hades said, “It’s the truth. Why do you think I orchestrated theFlowers Near Meacquisition?”

“Because of the IP. We discussed this.”

He shook his head. “That was an afterthought I shared with my team. We already have IP similar to it. I knew you had interest in the app and saw an opportunity for us to spend time together.”

“Forcibly,” she warned.

“Would you have ever agreed to a date otherwise?”

His assumption was correct. She wouldn’t have and they both knew it.

“Probably not. But what happens when your next project or deal is to be made and a more advantageous match is found?” Persephone crossed her arms with fingers splayed on her biceps. “When this no longer suits your or Underworld Unlimited’s interest, then you’ll move on without hesitation. I think sometimes you forget who my mom is and that even if I haven’t lived as long as you, I still know how gods operate.”

Hades’ gaze dropped to the floor. “I can understand your hesitation, but I have not made promises or assurances to others as I have with you.” Hades gave her a devious smile. “I intend to prove you wrong. You’ll see that I love you.”

Love?This was too much. She wanted to sneak into a closet and scream into a pillow. Or throw herself into a wheat field and let the stalks consume her. Whether from tension, frustration, or anticipation, she wasn’t sure, but she needed to bolster her defenses before she was sucked into his orbit. The gods could warp one’s mind with their alluring words from their perfect mouths.

The most tempting is the most dangerous.

And Hades the most dangerous of them all.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

GAME WITH THE GODS

PERSEPHONE

Amountain of clothes covered the end of the bed. Persephone pushed the mound with her feet to free more of the comforter, but ended up knocking part of the pile onto the floor. Muttering a curse, she reached for her phone to check the time. A jolt of adrenaline shot through her at the 9:30 a.m. on her lock screen.

“Oh shit,” she said to herself, jumping out of bed with her phone. Scuffling to the bathroom, she checked her calendar and released a sigh of relief.

There were no meetings except for one twelve-hour block labeled, “Quality time with my future husband.”

Rolling her eyes with a breathy laugh, she brushed her hair then put on loose joggers and a sweatshirt. She massaged her face with moisturizer before applying lip balm and quick swipes of mascara. She couldn’t help herself.Laura would have turned the tables on him by now and here she was hoping he’d say she looked nice.

Damn the Fates. Damn my heart. And damn that god.

She gathered the clothes from the floor, placing them in hampers or back in the closet. The unacceptable mess was a clear indication of being overworked. Yanking and tucking the sheets into the bed, she stuffed a few hair bands into her jogger’s pocket, then shook out the comforter.

Her thoughts circled around this nagging desire to be wanted by him. Who didn’t enjoy a well-timed compliment, especially from a single and handsome god?

There were worse things.

The last time she’d spoken with him was in her dressing room on set the day before. When she returned to the apartment late last evening, she was too tired to check if he was home. Cerberus had greeted her and curled up on her bed, but had whined to be let out of the room before she fell asleep.

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