Page 91 of Flowers Near Me

“Little goddess. I’m not taking you like this until I can haveallof you and we’re not ready for that.”

Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean? Are you worried I’ll get pregnant? Because Hecate already gave me a preventative elixir.”

Of course Hecate had. What a meddlesome goddess.

“No, it’s not only that. If we continue, I’m afraid you’ll always wonder if being with me wasyourchoice. Don’t give regret an opportunity.” His body roiled against him, screaming,Take what’s being offered.

“Wouldyouregret it if we continued?” The question cut more than expected.

“I’ll give you anything, but I’m not taking something this significant in a moment of passion.” He sat up and pulled her with him to set her on his lap.

“Why is it problem? We’re both willing.” The pleading in her eyes almost had him relenting.

He shook his head. “When we do this, I need it to be after we’ve committed ourselves to one another.”

Her face pinched in confusion. “It can only happenafterwe’re married?”

He nodded. “I’m not taking something from you until you’ve decided I’m right for you.”

She trailed her fingers along the waist of his pants and tension built in his groin. Frustration wound itself in his chest as he sat back, but the thought of their first time happening like a tryst on the couch made his insides burn with acid. Sephy deserved to be properly bedded like a goddess and this wasn’t it. But the hope of it coming sooner than expected stirred his desire.

“I understand,” she finally said, “but if you turn me down again, I will take it personally.” Persephone stood up, putting much needed space between the two of them. Had she pressed him to continue what they’d started, he wasn’t sure he’d have had the resolve to stop. “Alright, mister. Let’s eat these pastries then.” She reached for a croissant, but the chill of the air left in her wake did little to temper his craving for her.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

FALLING INTO DARKNESS

PERSEPHONE

“Iwish I didn’t have to leave again,” Hades said as he trailed his fingers through Persephone’s hair. It drove her mad that she kept having weird health issues. One moment she’d be perfectly fine, the next, she’d feel like she was going to pass out. She’d never felt this pathetic before.

It should’ve been the two of them attending the afternoon meet and greet with the flower vendors and farmers, but earlier that morning, standing and waiting for the coffee to brew had proved to be too difficult a task for Persephone. She’d fallen right after a sharp pain erupted in one temple. Thankfully, strong arms had caught her before she hit the floor. They’d cuddled for a while after that, and she’d felt so much better. It was like Hades was the drug her body craved.

“Ishouldbe going with you,” Persephone said. “I feel better than I did earlier. I’ll be fine.” Her knees sank into the cushion as she gripped the back of the couch, hoping the position reminded him of how she’d straddled his lap yesterday. She really needed to get out of the penthouse too because being inside doing practically nothing was making her insane and depressed.

Buttoning his cuff links, Hades closed the distance from the kitchen to Persephone in three strides. “Your well-being isn’t worth the risk. Save up that energy for our date, little goddess.” He gave her a wink, then held her face in his hands and planted a slow kiss on her lips.

Gripping the sides of his jacket, she tugged him closer and rose higher on her knees to push her body against his.

Pulling back while keeping his palms on her cheeks, Hades said, “I know what you’re doing, love, and it’s going to work if you don’t stop.”

Persephone simpered and pressed harder into his chest with hers, parting her lips in a deeper kiss before releasing him with a light giggle. “Fine. Try not to miss me too much.”

Hades’ eyes narrowed and his mouth turned into a mischievous smirk. “I always miss you when we’re not together. Try to behave while I’m not here. Save the strenuous activity for me.” He winked and disappeared as he portaled away.

Emptiness settled in her gut. It was bad enough that Hades’ kindness monopolized her thoughts. Now their amorous encounter from the day before consumed her. Both happy and frustrated at his conviction to stop, Persephone wasn’t sure committing to marriage at this point made sense. Why did it matter to him if they were married or not? She was afraid of the answer. That he really did care for her and that what was blossoming between them was more than mutual attraction between two people in proximity. Their potential as a lasting couple was feeling more and more like an inevitable fate.

Cerberus whimpered nearby and lifted his head in a huff.

“What’s bothering you, friend?” teased Persephone. His smooth ears felt like velour under her fingertips. “You’ve been with Hades for a long time. Why have you stayed?” she asked, stroking the fur on his neck now. It dawned on her that the dog didn’t have a collar. He never had, come to think of it. The beast was formidable in his true form. He could venture out on his own. So why hadn’t he?

Several days later,hundreds packed into the covered amphitheater, and under cloaked darkness, gawked at the huge screen. Persephone watched Eurydice’s presentation as she jumped from function to function, citing features unique to the app’s experience.

“It makes custom recommendations for items to buy and sell based on users in your area. Connect with friends—” Taking a sip of water, Eurydice continued on as Persephone’s mind wandered and she shifted on her feet.

At the edge of the curtain lining the stage, Charon bumped Persephone’s shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” A lie, but the truth meant another hour sitting on a couch while a carousel of staff brought tea, water, and crackers. To spend one more sedentary minute in a bed or chair would destroy the little hope gained from watching the app take flight. Exercising wasn’t an option, but standing on the sidelines as Eurydice dazzled the crowd was just as invigorating.

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