Page 61 of Flowers Near Me

“Hm…” He tapped one finger on his mouth and narrowed his eyes. He rolled three ones, one two, one three, and one four. With feline speed, he removed the three and four combination. Something about the smooth movements of his hands and the smile that peeked through every time she caught him watching her warmed her chest.

“A five to your nine… I’m going to take my chances.” Rolling the four remaining dice, another seven combination with a six and a one, and then two threes. With a sigh, Hades lamented, “Six it is. Your turn, love.” He plopped the dice into the cup and handed it to her. Feeling bold, she brushed her fingers against his as she reached for the cup.

They continued until they reached the thirteenth and final round. Persephone’s hearty lead of thirty points cast away her previous worries.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been beaten that handedly. Rematch?” Hades asked.

“Why not? How ’bout the loser goes first this time,” she answered with a wink. She’d felt bold after her win and knew she shouldn’t be careless. She could hear her mom’s words cautioning her tonever let a win cloud your judgement,but she was feeling high.

Lines bracketed his mouth in a look between a sneer and smile. “How kind.”

Hades reset the point counters and took his turn.

After eight rounds it was clear Persephone would win again.

“Using your magic, little goddess?” Hades teased in a deep timbre.

Her cheeks went hot at the accusation. Even if she could cheat by magic, she wouldn’t. “No,” she fired back with a laugh.

Hades smirked and hummed his suspicion. “Alright… let’s see if I can climb out of this hole.”

With two more pitiful rounds, Hades chuckled in defeat. “Well done, Sephy. Luck seems to favor you tonight. How about we set a wager now that you know I’m not a threat?”

Her brow dropped. “Why?”

“Why not?”

She glared at him.

“Come on, love. Think about how much more fun we’ll have with stakes.” He reset the counters, filled the cup with dice, then lifted his eyebrows at her.

She pursed her lips. “What kind of wager do you have in mind?”

By the way his eyes sharpened, she knewexactlywhat it’d be.

“Another kiss,” he answered.

She shifted in her spot. The smooth long-sleeved shirt and joggers she wore felt cool on her hot skin. “Two kisses in one day?” She scoffed but inwardly her heart paced.

“Well… only if I win.”

“You’ve had eons to play this game. You think you can lull me into a bet after losing two rounds?”

He cocked his head. “No, love. I figured I needed to lose at least three rounds before I’d fool you,” he quipped. “One more chaste kiss. And only our lips can touch if that makes it easier. Plus, I’d have to win, and you have yet to offer your terms.”

With a subtle grit in her tone, she said, “Fine. If I win, then you have to…” She considered a few options.

Agree to no more tricks?

Stop trying to make me fall for you?

Or kiss me until I couldn’t care if you broke my heart?Shit.

She kept drifting into his undertow. “Hm… you have to promise to never speak ill of my mom again.”

He straightened his neck and his eyes went wide. “What if she crosses me?”

“Really, Hades? You think she’s the one trying to mess withyou? Isn’t her daughter living with you?” Her voice was surprisingly lighthearted.

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