Page 56 of Flowers Near Me

Brushing her sleeves, she hummed in the affirmative.

“Well then, we ought to practice before we head into the restaurant. Work out all the kinks before the big performance.”

Her face snapped to his. There was a glint in her eye he couldn’t quite decipher. “No.”

He feigned disinterest and adjusted his watch. “Sephy, it’s lucky for you that you’re sitting next to the world’s most able lover. It’d be a shame not to practice with the best.”

She huffed a laugh. “You’re a confident one, that’s for sure. And if you wanted to kiss me so badly, you should’ve put that into the contract.”

“Funny you should mention the contract?—”

Persephone cut in, “No. There’s no way you could’ve finagled something like that into the agreement.”

Crossing his ankle over his knee, he sunk back in his chair. “Not explicitly, no, but I like to think it’s implied. Still, I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to. Instead, let’s make a deal. One kiss and I’ll make a donation of any amount to Helena’s school.”

Her eyes widened but the rest of her stayed frozen until she pulled part of her bottom lip with her teeth. If she said no, he decided he would keep his contribution to the school a secret. But if by some glorious turn of fate she agreed, he’d tell her on their drive home.

“Any amount?” she asked.

Hades nodded.

While she stared back, he imagined what it’d be like to kiss her now. In this fantasy, he’d unbuckle his seat belt and close the distance with one step. The moment she returned the kiss, he’d free her from her seat and pull her onto his lap. Her skirt’s modest front slit could be easily pushed up her smooth legs. He hadn’t stopped thinking about them since their time together in the gym. It had been hard not to stare at her in her shorts and tank top while they’d worked out together. His self-control had gone through a gauntlet these past couple of months.

Yanked from his thoughts as she replied, he had to ask her to repeat her answer.

“Setup an endowment fund. One that would support the school indefinitely and maybe I will kiss you,” Persephone said in a crisp voice.

“Done.” He beamed at her, delighted she’d agreed to a kiss. The crackle of power sealing the bargain filled the car’s interior with a pungent cedar scent. “I’m starting to think you like this idea given that your suggestion barely covers what a kiss from you is worth. You might never admit it, but you cut me a deal and for that, I am grateful.”

She pushed her hair over one shoulder. “You’re impossible sometimes.” The words coated with jest hung between them for a silent moment.

“While we’re on the subject of our impending date, let’s discuss what it is you’re willing to do,” Hades said as he leaned back in his seat and turned his head towards her. “May I hold your hand?”

She dipped her chin. “Yes, simple things like that. Don’t fondle me and it’ll be fine. What you’ve done in public so far has been acceptable so I assumed this would be no different.”

One side of his mouth lifted. “Would you sit in my lap during the meal?”

She shot him a tired look and chided, “No.”

He lifted his hands. “That’s fine. Save that for in private… I understand.”

“Hades.”She groaned.

Laughing, he said, “Don’t blame me for trying.”

Persephone’s cheeks flared as she struggled to contain a smile, and the sight sent a pleasant shiver down his spine. He watched her as she turned to look out the window and the car came to a stop.

Charon said from the driver’s seat, “I’ll text you with updates after I get back to the office.”

Unbuckling his belt then Persephone’s, Hades replied with, “Thank you,” and hurried out of the car to open Persephone’s door. Her soft fingers slid into his offered hand, and he tamped down the desire to pull her all the way to his chest. The sweet hint of jasmine wafted past him as she stepped out.

“It’s showtime,” Persephone whispered near Hades’ ear, sending his heart racing. They’d had a few meals together in public, but his excitement had only increased. Sure, she still rolled her eyes and batted away his advances, but her bristling had morphed into feigned annoyance and hidden smiles.

Walking hand in hand, they smiled at the journalists who parted and peppered them with questions. Hades slowed his steps and put a hand on Persephone’s waist to turn them both towards the group.

“We’ll answer a few questions,” he said, his back to the restaurant.

A few reporters spoke over one another but ultimately yielded to a woman with a tight ponytail and tailored blazer.

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