Page 68 of Flowers Near Me

“Yes, of course we are,” he replied. Soon enough, she’d recognize it too.

“Alright,soulmate,what are we up to today?” She mocked him, but he didn’t care. Even teasing, it sounded lovely from her lips.

“Absolutely nothing. In two days we have to begin preparations for interviews and after that it’s non-stop for almost a solid month. Let’s order in and try to do as little as possible.” The hope of a relaxing evening made him want to shed his suit.

Sephy tucked her legs under her. “That sounds perfect to me. Do you want to go to the gym together before we do all this relaxing?”

He blinked, surprised. Had she just suggested they do something together? “I’d love that. Give me a minute to change.”

Excitement rushed through him, and he took the stairs two at a time to his suite. He swapped his suit for an athletic top and shorts, then grabbed his shoes. As he tied the laces, realization struck him like a lightning bolt.

Fates.

In his rush, he’d forgotten to go to the guest room he’d been pretending was his. He’d headed straight to his real bedroom.

She won’t notice… or she’ll think it’s just a spare closet…He clenched his jaw, trying to steady his nerves.

She’s going to know.

Taking a deep breath, he walked back downstairs, determined to act unaffected. No one intimidated him. Not even her.

But there she was, leaning against the railing, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. “I thought that room was your home office,” she called out, eyes glinting with amusement.

She knew.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

IT’S JUST THE START

PERSEPHONE

Heart racing, Persephone straightened her back as she pushed off the railing and waited for Hades at the bottom of the steps. With just the two of them in the apartment, she’d had little else—other than Cerberus—to watch. She knew which room he slept in and it wasn’t the one he’d emerged from just now.

The smarmy tilt of his head was the only indication that she might be right. Otherwise, he stepped evenly down the staircase, a calm smile on his face, like a cat sauntering past another, poised to attack yet masking interest with nonchalance.

“Can’t a god have multiple closets?” he quipped and swept a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

A low hum sounded in her throat. “Do you have some magical horn of plenty in there filled with workout clothes?”

Heading towards the door to leave the apartment, Hades said over his shoulder, “Are we headed to the gym or the loft?”

She didn’t follow. Feet planted, she waited for him to turn around. When he did, his brow lowered as a half smirk lifted on his face.

“Show me your office, Hades.”

He stalked towards her, his smile growing with every step. “Sure thing, love, but it’ll cost you a kiss.”

“Oh, for Fate’s sake.” She stopped her eyes mid-roll. “Not every question is an opportunity for a bargain, you know.” Though her shoulders were tall, butterflies danced in her stomach.

Invading her space, he dipped his head low to hers. “So what do you say? Will you sneak up there on your own later to take a peek? Or kiss me now and see whether or not you’re right?”

He was baiting her, but she wanted to bite. Reaching one hand out, she grasped the back of his neck with a slight dig of her nails in his skin and closed the gap to kiss him. She pulled his bottom lip between hers with a gentle tug before releasing him and backing away. The intensity in his eyes made her wonder if he was upset. With an abrupt turn, she spun on her heel and started up the steps. If she remained facing him, then he’d see the flare of need she felt building within her. It was better to turn away, distracting herself with the reveal of the room in the loft.

Over her shoulder, she called, “Come on. No secrets betweensoulmates,right?”

He appeared at the top of the staircase before she made it to the last step.

Her cheeks flushed when he leaned in to whisper, “I’d be honored to show you our suite.” The wordourconjured a vision of her permanently living with him, and she wasn’t as put off at the idea as she should be.

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