Page 69 of Unleash Hades
“I… I…”
I waited. It was agony.
“I can’t.”
My heart sank, and I felt the shackles back on my wrists, stopping me from doing what needed to be done. I was a collared dog, held back on a leash.
I took in a deep breath through my nose, feeling my nostrils flare at my self-control.
“I’m sorry.”
What did she have to be sorry about?
I lowered my hand from her hair, down to the soft curve of her breast, grazing it lightly with the back of my index finger. She inhaled, her chest heaving forward towards me, as if craving more of my touch.
“You will call for me, when you need me,” I whispered. I leaned in just a little more, and her arms loosened from their protective grasp. “I’ll be ready.”
“How can you be so steadfast?” She leaned forward, inching towards me.
I was ready to crumble with every little hint of desire. The way her lips parted, and her breath grew ragged. The way her pink tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip, moistening it until it shined.
I wanted to taste that lip.
But I had to wait.
I had to wait for her.
“Hugo,” she whispered, as her hands unclasped and she slowly, carefully, placed her palms on my chest. “I don’t understand you.”
“Why?”
“You’re always there for me, and I give you nothing in return.”
“Why would you need to?”
“Because… because… no one gives without expecting something back.”
I carefully lay my hand over hers, pressing her palms deeper into my chest. Could she feel my heartbeat? Could she feel me?
“You asked for nothing when you had your sister rescued,” I mentioned, lifting my brow.
“That’s different. She’s my sister.”
“You asked for nothing when you took in your friend’s twins.” I could play this game for hours. All of her selfless deeds.
“They lost their mother because of me.”
I disagreed with that, but I would not argue with her on it. Not yet.
“You give food to that man outside your building everyday…”
She gasped, her eyes widening. “How did you–?”
“I’ve installed cameras in your home, and I can see through any lens that’s online, at any time.” She did not know me. She did not know I could do this.
I didn’t know how much to tell, but I had already shown her enough. Why not tell her the rest?
“Rafe works for me,” I finally answered. “You don’t need to feed him anymore. He eats just fine.”
