Chapter 38

Persephone

We’d been making polite conversation for the last twenty minutes. Hades was doing his best to fit in, but it was obvious he felt out of place. I honestly didn’t blame him for feeling somewhat ill-at-ease at The Cauldron. We seemed to be the main attraction at the club. Even without his magic, Hades was recognized by many in the preternatural community, and he was rarely seen out of the demon realm. He’d also made a spectacle of himself when he’d cleared out a table for us.

As if all that wasn’t enough to make him the center of attention, it hadn’t taken long for the murmurs of my identity to make their way around the club. I’d say I was sorry for bringing him out and making us the center of attention, but I’d be lying. Hades was going to have to get used to it if we were going to be together. I had no intention of remaining cooped up in the demon realm. Still, I felt bad that he was so ill-at-ease.

“I’m sorry this is making you so uncomfortable,” I said with a hand on his arm.

His eyes widened. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m fine.”

“The attention must be strange,” I told him.

He chuckled. “The attention is nothing new. I was God of the Underworld. I also have a reputation for being insane. Whenever I go out in public, I get my share of attention. That’s the case even in the demon realm. I’m just not sure what I should do in a place like this. It’s also a struggle to keep my hands to myself.”

“I wish you wouldn’t keep your hands to yourself,” I admitted softly. “I’d like to have your hands on me.”

His eyes widened ever so slightly, and his nostrils flared.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” I asked with a sweet smile.

“I’m beginning to think you love making me uncomfortable,” he murmured.

“It only seems fair since I’m constantly dying to have you touch me,” I admitted.

“How would you like me to touch you?” he asked, his voice rough with arousal.

“You two should dance.” Beatrice’s suggestion upon returning to the table with Lucifer wasn’t a welcome interruption.

Things had just started getting really interesting with Hades, and I’d have liked my friend to stay away from the table a little longer. Then again, having Hades wrap me in his arms as we danced to the slow song playing sounded nice to me. “We should dance,” I told Hades.

He looked unsure of how to respond to my suggestion.

“She’s going to get you out there, so you may as well give in now,” Lucifer told him. “You already know how persistent your witch is.”

I smiled because I liked being referred to as his witch. My smile widened when Hades stood and put out his hand. “Shall we?”

Placing my hand in his, I allowed him to help me to my feet and lead me to the dance floor.

“I’m not sure how this is done anymore,” Hades admitted as I placed my hands on his shoulders. His hands went to my waist, but he seemed unsure of their placement.

“You’re doing fine,” I assured him. “There’s nothing to it. Leave your hands there, pull me closer, and move to the music.”

Hades did as instructed. I couldn’t resist the temptation to lean against him and breathe in deeply.

“You always smell incredible,” I told him.

“This is nice,” he said in a strained voice. I could feel his erection between us.

“I want to spend more time with you like this,” I confessed. “It always feels like you’re trying to put distance between us, and I hate that.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said so softly I barely heard him over the music. “There’s also a lot going on right now with your great-grandfather and the possible plot on Olympus.”

“That is a load of bull spit,” I muttered.

Hades pulled back so he could see my face. His lips twitched when he asked, “Did you just say bullshit?”

“No!” I replied. “I said spit. This situation doesn’t call for profanity.”

“Why not?” he asked.

“It just doesn’t,” I told him.

“It might be more satisfying to say my response is a load of bullshit,” he argued.

“I’ll stick with spit this time,” I assured him.

“Let me guess,” he began with a fond smile. “Your parents had a swear jar when you were growing up. Each time you used profanity, you had to put money in the jar.”

I laughed at his assumption. “I actually suggested a swear jar because of my mom’s use of profanity. She used some very colorful phrases each time she stubbed her toe.”

Hades gave me a fond smile. “Your face lights up when you talk about your family. I never smile when I think of my family. Our upbringings were very different. We’re very different.”

“Us being different is a good thing,” I argued. “You’re a very moody man. Can you imagine having to put up with a woman who has your temperament?” Before he could respond, I continued. “Can we go back to one of the hallways where it’s quieter? I want to talk to you more, but this is a bad place for it.”

I expected him to tell me no. Instead, Hades took my hand and led me off the dancefloor to the hallway leading to the offices near the back of the club. As soon as we were alone, we simply stared at each other.

“This was a bad idea,” Hades finally said.

He was getting ready to insist we head back out to the main part of the club, but I didn’t want that. I needed more time with Hades. “Please, don’t walk away from me. I’ll even use a curse word if you stay.”

“Really?” He looked intrigued. His hands landed on my hips, and he backed me against the wall. “Which word are you going to use?” His lips brushed against my ear. “The dirtier, the better.”

“Can I touch your cock?” I asked.

“Fuck,” he ground out before his lips came down on mine in a kiss that had me shaking with need within seconds of him claiming my mouth.