Page 45 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
‘I like order. And I dislike people making a mess,’ I said unapologetically without turning around. I busied myself with cooking, aware of Persephone’s eyes on me the entire time. Neither of us uttered a word.
Once the grilled cheese sandwiches were perfect, I placed them on plates, popping one in front of Persephone and taking a seat in the chair opposite. My eyes fixed on her as we ate, and she stared back at me. The intensity of that gaze sent shock ripples to my dick, and as I felt myself hardening, it was a toss-up between dragging her over the table and fucking her senseless or dropping my gaze. Ultimately, I chose to look away.
‘That was delicious,’ Persephone said as she licked her fingers, then ran her tongue along her bottom lip. Shit. My eyes were glued to her mouth as I felt my cock begin to engorge even more.
‘I should go,’ I said, my voice slightly hoarse. ‘Minthe is waiting for me.’
‘Minthe?’ she asked, but I could see fire ignite in her eyes.
‘Yes. She is something akin to my PA.’
‘I’ll bet she is,’ she muttered.
‘Sorry?’ I could taste her jealousy, like burned sugar on my lips.
‘Never mind.’ She shook her head. ‘Anyway, you promised to tell me what happened to the other Persephone. About the war. Why won’t you tell me?’
‘I will. But I have much to do today.’ I knew I was putting it off, but Fates, even the thought of the time made my shadows twitchy. Her anger tickled my nostrils like cayenne pepper,and she nailed me with a ‘you’re-full-of-shit’ look, causing my erection to soften. I stood and paced towards the door.
‘Running away again?’ I turned to regard her, my jaw tight. She stood with her hands on her hips.
‘You should really stop provoking me,’ I said in a low voice.
‘Or what? You’ll scowl me into submission?’ Her emerald eyes blazed with anger, and before I could overreact, I took a long, slow breath, turned towards the door and said, ‘Enjoy your day.’
‘You too, jackass. You’re such a prick,’ I heard her mumble, and I stopped in my tracks. She was facing away from me as she carefully placed the dishes in the sink. The metallic, bitter taste of indignation filled my mouth. Did she not respect who I was? What I was capable of? This tiny woman was insufferable. Maybe I should let Zeus have her? At the thought, another wave of anger washed over me. My irritation spiked, and as fast as a strike of lightning, I was behind her, my arms wrapping around her body. She yelped and tried to pull free, but I held her firmly against me.
‘You need to watch your mouth, little goddess. It will get you in trouble one day,’ I whispered into her ear, and she stilled, sucking in a shuttering breath. The smell of her arousal hit my nose and dick at the same time.
Fates. I was doomed.
My hand moved of its own accord, sliding over her stomach, down over her rounded hip, and to the apex of her thighs. I’m pretty sure she stopped breathing. She relaxed into me, and a soft groan left her lips, causing my throbbing cock to strain against my jeans and press into her back. I stroked my hand back up her stomach and slid it into the waistband of her yoga pants, then down over the silk of her underwear and gently stroked her hot pussy, finding the nub of nerves with my thumb.She shuddered and groaned, arching closer to me. Gods, she was wet. So wet.
‘You can pick fights with me. Disrespect me. Pretend you don’t feel our bond, butthisdoesn’t lie. You’re so gloriously wet, and it’s because you want me to touch you, isn’t it, Persephone?’ I whispered hoarsely against her cheek.
‘Yes,’ she moaned, her head tipping back against my chest as her hand reached behind, grabbing my arse. As I stroked her, I was close to losing control, and I couldn’t do that. My cock was a long, swollen mass of urgent need, fighting for fulfilment.
I needed her to accept me on her terms. I needed her to love me again, not merely submit to the attraction she felt. If I took her now, I’d keep her, willing or not—and I could not do that. I would not take away her choice.
I withdrew my hand, and she let out a frustrated moan. Then I shadow-walked the hell out of there, her curses bouncing off the walls.
CHAPTER 17
PERSEPHONE
‘You fucker!’ I growl-yelled as I felt him disappear.
I was sure he was going to fuck Minthe, and jealousy and disgust slithered through my veins like poison.
‘You’re such an arrogant twatwaffle!’ Oh, gods, I was furious. Why had I let him do that? Whyhadhe done that? I knew why I’d allowed him. Hades was distracting. Intoxicating. He made me want to simultaneously flee in the opposite direction and rub myself all over him like a fucked-up alley cat. Gods, maybe it was the effect of the stupid bond?
Watching him work in the kitchen—ugh. His body was a masterpiece. Muscles bunched along his broad shoulders and biceps, and his tight butt and muscular legs… I stopped myself before I started drooling. What in the world of all things holy was wrong with me? He was probably banging Minthe as I stood there!
I hated him. He was a god!
But I knew I didn’t hate him, even though I wanted to.
Then, the memory of his voice against my cheek—a voice filled with night and dark dreams—and the feel of his massive erection pressing into my back made my nipples harden, which, in turn, infuriated me even more at the response of my rebellious body. He was driving me insane.
