Page 63 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
‘Yes, I—I’ll dance with you.’ And he guided me to the dance floor.
Stupid pulse, please stop racing.
A familiar song began, and he drew me into his arms. I loosened up, the tension within me melting away. We moved together for a while, and then he spun me out, and as I twirled, he grabbed my other hand, pulling my back against his chest—oh, damn, that hard chest… Was he carved from stone? I melded into him, our bodies fitting together fluidly. Then I felt him—his erection—pressing into my back as he wrapped his strong armsaround me, under my breasts. I gasped and turned my head. ‘It was you.’
‘What was me, Persephone?’ he whispered against my hair, causing me to shudder.
‘In your club. That night…’ My voice sounded breathless.
‘Would you be annoyed if itwereme?’
I shook my head, and he turned me around. He bent down, pressing his forehead against mine, and whispered against my cheek, ‘Do you want to go somewhere more private? To chat?’
No, say no. I should say no for a multitude of reasons, the main one being my overwhelming attraction to him. I said ‘Okay’ instead because I’m a raging idiot. He clasped my hand and led me indoors and into one oftherooms. My heart pounded so fast, I thought it might jump from my chest and run back outside to safety.
The room was palatial; vases of flowers adorned every surface.Then I cast my eyes towards the bed, my stomach tumbling and clenching at the same time. The skipping of my breath echoed in my chest. For a moment, a wild thrill raced through me, causing heat to settle between my thighs. My pulse thundered.
‘You smell?—’
‘Don’t say aroused, please.’
‘Why? Does it bother you?’
‘Yes. I don’t need you telling me I’m aroused every time I see you. And if youarereading my emotions, stop it. I’ve told you, it’s rude!’
‘I don’t tell you every time,’ he muttered, and I blew out an aggravated breath. ‘I was merely going to say you smell like Ares.’ He scowled at the words.
‘Oh.’ I grimaced. ‘He’s a complete dick.’
Hades’ chuckle was low and throaty, causing goosebumps to prickle my flesh. I turned and walked away, attempting to calm my racing pulse.
‘My dream. About my ethereal garden.’ I turned, lifted my gaze to him, and noticed him stiffen. ‘It was real, wasn’t it? And when you…’ I stopped. The knot in my throat made it difficult to swallow.
He moved so swiftly that he was suddenly before me, and I jumped.
‘Shit! Can you… Can you not do that?’
‘Why? Does it anger you?’
‘Yes.’ I glared up at him. ‘You’re very fucking annoying.’ He smirked, and I wanted to stab him. Like, I really wanted to stab him. I looked down at my feet as the fluttering in my chest buzzed around like nervous hummingbirds.
‘It was easier,’ he muttered.
‘Easier?’
He nodded with a self-deprecating smile. ‘The wanting and not having.’
‘Huh?’
‘When Morpheus found you.’ He wet his lips. ‘I can dream-walk. It was the only way to see you.’ He looked at me—serious and earnest—like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
I pressed my fingers into my eyes, then raised my head. ‘When you… with your shadows’—I couldn’t say it—‘was that real?’ He briefly closed his eyes and nodded. Hot damn. ‘So you and Zeus both stalked me.’
His brow shot up, and his eyes slammed closed. ‘Are you upset with me?’ he uttered, eyes still closed.
‘No,’ I whispered, and he released a long breath as his gaze locked onto mine again. ‘I recognised the garden.’ My eyes searched his.
‘It is your garden in the Underworld, Persephone.’ At his words, my eyes widened, and a little kernel of happiness took root in my chest.
