Page 40 of Flowers Near Me

More clicks sounded from Charon’s keyboard. “How much?”

Sucking in a slow breath, Hades considered for a moment. “See if their development office has a capital campaign that needs funding.”

“Will do,” Charon hummed as her fingers flew.

“Charon,” he said as he waited for her to look up from the computer. “Do you think Persephone could be happy here?”

She played with the charm hanging on the long necklace she wore every day. “I do, sir. I doubt she thinks that possible at the moment, but once she realizes she’s got the whole Underworld empire at her disposal, she may relax enough to build a life with you. Can’t blame her for not trusting any of us. I know I wouldn’t if I were her.”

He put his pointer finger on his lips then asked, “If you were me, how would you convince her to let her guard down?”

Charon’s eyes lifted thoughtfully towards the ceiling before landing back on Hades. “She’s an executive like you. She trusts power and opportunity. Show her that you want to give her both but be vulnerable about it. You staked her reputation on this project, so show her what’s at stake for you.”

He considered Charon’s words. Persephone had no idea, but he’d staked his whole empire on her success. But it was too soon to admit that. “Should I tell her about the bargain I made with the Fates?”

Charon pinched the torch charm dangling on her necklace again. “I don’t know.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE FIRST STROKE

PERSEPHONE

The two of them had settled into a daily routine in the apartment. A small breakfast together before they’d take the elevator up to the offices. During the workday, Hades was sometimes playful but mostly professional towards her. It seemed that most of his employees gave him a wide berth.

The forward, flirtatious Hades she’d met that first night in Narcisi started to feel more like a friendly roommate. Sure, he still complimented her at every turn, but his praises felt tailored to her desires. Somehow, he knew exactly what she wanted to hear. Before living with him, she never would’ve described herself as attention-starved. But the way he’d gift her new notebooks and pens, surprise her with lunch, or leave her notes thanking her for her work, made her think that maybe she was lonelier than she realized.

It pained her to consider the possibility thatmaybeshe actually liked being around him. Was it his godly allure and power that drew her in? It had to be that and not something real. Now as they sat close together in his car, she couldn’t help the flip of her stomach when his thigh brushed hers.

“Why am I dressed like a figure skater?” Persephone asked Hades, who was sitting next to her in the back of his car.

“You’ll see. And you look lovely, by the way.” His eyes drifted over the black athletic dress covering her arms, torso, and upper thighs. What looked like scrutiny at first turned to appreciation.

She brushed her fingers across her pleated skirt. “Thank you. So do you.”

The tailoring of his outfit put his lithe yet muscular figure on display, and the deep black made his hair and eyes more brilliant. A mock collar, half-zip top, and simple, fitted pants tapered slightly at the ankle. Persephone held out her forearm, comparing the color of her outfit to his. Both the same shade of midnight.

“Are we playing tennis?”

“Good guess, but no.”

She stroked the soft fabric of her skirt between a finger and thumb. Persephone guessed again. “Ice skating? It’s too warm for that unless we’re headed to a rink.”

Hades chuckled. “Not ice skating. You’re getting colder in more ways than one.”

“Ha.” Out the car window, the city disappeared as they wove through lush suburban gardens filled with vibrant cornflowers and azalea bushes the size of one-story homes. Ancient oaks and pines began to fill either side of the road with fewer homes peeking through the woods. A calm silence blanketed the back seat, and Persephone heard a sigh so soft escape from Hades that she was certain he didn’t know she noticed.

“Golfing?”

Hades beamed at Persephone. “How did you guess?”

“A biton the nose,don’t you think?”

“What do you mean?”

Persephone gestured to him. “You’re an executive who likes to golf. It’s a cliché and not even an interesting one.”

He shrugged. “Lots of people like to golf.”

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