Neon Gods (Dark Olympus #1)(46)

I shake my head slowly. “You’re wasting time. Shower, Persephone.”

She hesitates a beat, as if I’ve surprised her, and then moves to obey. Within a few seconds, hot steam is curling around me. She steps beneath the spray and runs her hands over her body slowly. Teasing me. Teasing herself. I don’t know which is her main goal, but it doesn’t matter. My cock is so hard, I can barely think straight enough to remember why I can’t touch her. Not yet.

If I start, I won’t be able to stop. Last night was my limit. If she wasn’t practically begging for my cock, I might have a better chance of resisting, but Persephone wants this even more than I do, which is something I didn’t think possible twenty-four hours ago. Now? I don’t trust us together. If I drag this woman to my bed, we won’t surface for days, weeks even. It might result in a whole hell of a lot of pleasure, but it won’t do a damn thing to strike at the heart of Zeus. What the rest of Olympus doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Which is the problem.

Persephone plucks her nipples and skates her hands down her stomach. I’m already shaking my head. “No.”

“No?”

“You heard what I said.”

She props her hands on her hips. “You want me.”

“Yes.”

“Then take me.”

Yeah, it’s official. I like her. I bite back a grin. “I will. When I’m ready.” I push slowly to my feet. “You seem to have things well in hand. Don’t take too long. Whether you’re ready or not, we leave in…” I check my watch. “Forty minutes. So you’d better hurry.”

Her curses follow me into the bedroom. It’s only then that I allow myself to grin. I didn’t expect to tango with her, let alone to enjoy it so much. I head back into the study and sit down to wait.

Thirty-eight minutes later, Persephone sweeps into the room. “Tell me the truth, Hades. You have a Princess Leia fetish, don’t you?”

I stare at her. Speechless. I’m fucking speechless. She’s twisted her hair up into a style that looks almost like a crown, and she’s wearing the clothing I set out for her. It’s a bra and panty set that would be mundane if not for the silk straps that crisscross around her breasts and waist and hips. I can admit that skirt is strikingly similar to Leia’s bikini costume, with a long, sheer panel in the back and a narrow one in the front.

She looks like a present I can’t wait to unwrap.

I make a spinning motion with my finger. Persephone huffs but obeys, turning slowly. Both the bra and panties are technically full coverage but they’re lace and give a tantalizing peek-a-boo to both nipples and pussy. I want her on my mouth, and I want it now.

By the time she faces me again, I have myself under control. Mostly. I stand and hold out my hand. “I have something special planned tonight.”

“I should hope so. It took me a full twenty minutes to get into this thing.” She tugs on one of the straps and winces. Each step she takes toward me puts her legs on display. She’s magnificent. I cast a look at her feet, and she quickly cuts in before I can say anything. “I have small bandages on. I didn’t need the large ones.”

It’s tempting to check, but the fiery look in her eyes says she’s just waiting for me to try so she can tear me a new one. I’m not willing to say I’ve been overly careful with her, not when apparently I have to be careful for both of us, but I plan to keep a close eye on her tonight. The thought makes me smile. “Let’s go.”

We walk out of the room together to find Charon waiting. He flicks a glance over Persephone but keeps his attention on me. “We’re ready.”

I don’t entertain as often as I used to. There are other locations around the lower city that cater to the rich and kinky who are looking to get their rocks off playing on the dark side. My home isn’t open to just anyone; it’s strictly invite only. There was a time in my early twenties where I didn’t give a fuck who showed up, my recklessness giving my parties nearly legendary status, which only added to the myth of Hades. That was a long time ago. Now, I pick and choose who walks through those doors.

Tonight, I’ve loosened the reins a bit, have picked a select few names off the long waiting list. Charon and my other people will ensure the new invitees stay in the appropriate places and don’t get any funny ideas about snooping. “Two people at the door?”

“Yes, Hades.”

“More at the other entrances.”

He doesn’t roll his eyes, but he looks like he wants to. “We went over the entire plan earlier. I’ve followed it to your specifications. We’re all good. No one will end up where you don’t want them.”

It doesn’t feel like enough, but it will have to do. “Good.”

We make our way down to the door I showed Persephone yesterday. It’s so glossy, it’s almost a mirror as we approach, and the reflection of me in my suit and her in that outfit… Persephone is a pretty present—a pretty captive—and I’m the scary fucker who will cut down anyone who tries to take her from me.

I give myself a mental shake. No use thinking like that. She might be mine for the duration, but she’s not really mine. She’s not for keeping. I can’t afford to forget that, not even for a second.

Charon takes up position next to the door. I adjust Persephone’s hand against the bend in my arm. “We’re about to have an audience. It’ll be real this time.”