Page 34 of Medusa

“And what was his reaction?”

Maddie blushed.

Hestia grinned. “That good, huh?”

“Sooooo good,” Maddie groaned. “I used to think I couldn’t care less about sex.”

“Wow.”

“He’s ruined me for all other men, I swear,” Maddie complained. “Now I just have to get him totalkto me.”

“Yeah, well. You know how men are about talking.” Hestia rolled her eyes.

“Unfortunately.” Maddie put the bowl away and picked up another. “I’m seriously willing to look past the emotional constipation if he could just keep giving me orgasms full-time.”

Hestia looked shocked for a second before bursting into laughter. “You go get him, girl!”

“That’s the plan.” Maddie swallowed nervously. “Hopefully it works out.”

“Sweetie, even if it doesn’t, you’ll survive.”

“Harsh.” Maddie put the second bowl away with a frown. “I don’t want to justsurvive. I want tolive.”

Hestia splashed soapy water at her. “You know what I mean.”

With a shriek, Maddie blocked more attacks with her dishtowel. “I should leave you to finish the dishes on your own!”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Hestia teased. “Go off to your lover, leave me all alone…”

Maddie dropped the cloth on the counter. “All right. See you tomorrow!”

“Hey!” Hestia complained, water dripping from her hands onto the floor as she twisted around to face Maddie. “I was joking!”

“Nope. You said it.” Maddie danced out of the kitchen and then poked her head back in. “You can go home early tomorrow, I promise.”

“Go get your man,” Hestia ordered, a half-smile on her face.

Maddie grabbed her purse from her office, checked her phone for messages, and was out the door, locking it behind her. She didn’t bother going home to change first, heading right on the street from the daycare to where Hera had said Jaden lived with his brothers.

They lived on the outskirts of the Underworld, which Hera had told her was great for the running trails through the woods nearby. The three brothers regularly ran there. The yards seemed to be larger than the ones closer to town, and Maddie found herself daydreaming about what she could put in a garden if she lived here.

Their house came into sight and she admired the white siding for a minute before opening the gate and walking up the pathway. Seeing no bell, she knocked on the red wooden door.

A very large man with blond hair ripped the door open with awhoosh. His gaze dropped from over her head down to her face, almost as if he’d been expecting someone much taller. He frowned.

“Hello,” Maddie said nervously. “May I speak to Jaden, please?”

“I was hoping you were him. My name is Augustine. Will you come in?”

“Thank you.” Maddie followed him into the living room. She sat on the leather sofa. “He isn’t home?”

“No.” Augustine sat in a chair opposite her and braced his chin in his hands. “He did not come home last night. We were hoping he went home with a girl, but he is usually back in the morning when that happens.” Then he looked panicked. “Sorry. I did not mean to imply…”

Maddie waved her hand. “When was the last time he stayed out all night?”

“A couple weeks ago. He did not give us the name.”

“That was me.” Maddie smiled wryly. “At least, I assume so.”

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