Page 54 of Flowers Near Me

Her skin prickled with unease. He had no right to criticize her mom that way, so why did it feel true? Why did it sound so empowering?

She tried to shake off her conflicted emotions. “I had a whole branch of the company at my disposal and a department I built myself. It’s not a massive empire like yours but it was something I created. It was my responsibility even if it was under the ownership of my mom. She protected my interests and invested in my people. I know you each have your reasons for hating the other, but that doesn’t change that she’s successful in her own right.”

Hades stopped to turn towards her. His warm fingers wrapped around the tops of her shoulders, halting Persephone. A chill swept through the air and the scent of cedar overpowered the salty sweat on her face.

He leaned closer without towering over her. “She protected her assets, of which you are the greatest one. But you’ve been under her thumb this whole time. What if you owned your own company without any other oversight? How would that compare to your division under your mom’s dominion?”

Sighing, she replied, “Of course that sounds promising, but I don’t know if I want my own enterprise. I was excited to run my mom’s business.” To be fair, Persephone hadn’t imagined any other option. Why would she branch out on her own when she had access to her mom’s vast agricultural resources?

Hades released a slow breath and ran his fingertips down the length of her arms. Scooping her hands into his, he raised them to his mouth and put a gentle kiss on the back of each one. “You should be partners with me. Consider it, love. You could have whatever you wanted with Underworld Unlimited.”

Persephone’s head started to spin. What was he offering? What trap had he laid that he now lured her into? The scent of his power warmed her from the inside even as the air around her grew colder. This was the exact type of career decision that she’d normally go and consult with her mom about. She’d never gone this long without her mom’s input before. Now there was an ache in her chest at the realization she’d been without her greatest ally.

He continued, “What if you were Underworld Unlimited’s CEO?”

A bucket of freezing water would’ve been more subtle. Her mouth dropped open. “What?”

Releasing one of her hands, he brushed his knuckles over the apple of her cheek. “I could step down and become president or join the board. You’d gain everything I have and could launch whatever venture you wanted. You’d never need your old job.”

She stepped back and gave an awkward chuckle. “Why are you joking about this?” Crossing her arms, she conjured whatever power she might have inside her chest and was pleasantly surprised by the potency of jasmine and vanilla that filled the space.

He shook his head. “No tricks here. I’m asking you to run Underworld Unlimited and hoping you’ll agree. Sephy, I think we’d make excellent partners and it’d benefit us both. Now that everyone in Olympus already knows who you are, and that you’re a part of my team, what’s the harm? I doubt your mom would step down and let you take over even if it’s in the best interest of Demeter’s Bounty.”

Persephone laughed and stared off towards the other end of the track. His proposal was ridiculous. Clearly, he wasn’t thinking straight. Plus, why would her mom give away her company when the food empire dominated the market? Why build something so grand and toss it away? Not that Persephone couldn’t be trusted with it, but her mom was a powerful goddess. Relinquishing her thriving empire to her inexperienced daughter would spell disaster. Persephone had decades to go before she could come close to her mom’s abilities. Even then, it wouldn’t be enough.

Returning his gaze, she said, “You’re the one I should trust the least. And you have ulterior motives—you’ve already entrapped me with your questionable legal maneuverings. On what planet would joining your team permanently make sense for my self-interests? And CEO? Hades, this doesn’t make sense.” It was absurd.

He sighed and smirked. “I’ll take this as a ‘no’ for now.” Closing the distance between them, he twirled a section of her hair that had slipped from her headband. “But I won’t stop asking. Not until I die and since I’m immortal, well…”

Her hand flew up and gripped his as it hovered by her face. “I’ll keep saying no, so I’d suggest you let it go.” With a step back, she continued, “Now come on, we haven’t really exercised, and you’ve added to my stress.”

She sprinted off at a speed she couldn’t keep up for long.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

THAT’S NOT A KISS

HADES

Hours after their workout in the gym, Hades and Persephone sat in the back of Hades’ SUV as Charon drove them through the loud streets of Olympus towards the restaurant. The black fitted cashmere sweater and umber woolen pencil skirt Persephone wore melded to her frame like a work of art. A piece he’d worship for as long as she’d let him.

Hades had known that when he first asked Persephone to become his CEO, that she’d reject the offer or play it off. In fact, he assumed she’d keep him at arm’s length even if she signed on as a permanent Underworld executive. This did nothing to change his resolve. His once empty apartment was filled with live greenery and Cerberus had regained all the energy of a puppy since she had moved in. He looked forward to returning home, knowing she’d be joining him for dinner.

She didn’t know it yet, but he’d bargained away his empire with the Fates, granting her control over it all. She’d learn soon enough that she already owned it.

Of course her emerald eyes, sun kissed cheeks, and luscious body made her desirable. Yet there was a yearning more intense than any other attraction he’d felt for beautiful women—immortal or mortal alike. Everything about her feltright.There was no doubt she was his whether she recognized it or not.

The night of their first dinner together when his brother Poseidon had dropped in on their conversation, uninvited, and she’d respectfully dismissed him, she’d won his admiration. She could’ve driven him mad bantering with his playboy brother—other flames had had no qualms about doing that in the past—but she didn’t.

When she’d stood up for him during the meeting with his other brother, Zeus, she’d won his whole heart. No one in her position would’ve vouched for him—in front of her own mother no less. Here, Persephone faced an unknown empire and had had every reason to slight him in that moment, but she’d still chosen to honor him.

The feats they could accomplish together would write history. Existence wasn’t worth it without her at his side.

“Persephone, has Hades briefed you on the reporters who will interview you today?” Charon called from the driver’s seat. His assistant’s voice sounded warm and pleasant unlike the clipped, expeditious tone she often used with him.

“Yes. They’re going to ask about the app’s progress and if we’re officially dating. Correct?”

Sitting one seat away from her, he studied the slope of her nose, the length of her dark lashes, and the way her hair trailed over her shoulder past her chest. He’d noticed that since she’d moved in, her face had more color, she stood taller, and her hair grew with impossible speed. It had to mean that she was exactly where she was meant to be. Now, figuring out how to convince her of that was quite the challenge.

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