He answered without so much as a second thought. “To start, I’ll take you from behind on your hands and knees.
“And then?”
“I’ll pull you on top and teach you how to ride me until you come apart.”
“Hmm, I like that one.”
She lifted herself and Hades helped her sit on his shaft. She groaned as he filled her, and Hades hands spanned her waist, helping her establish a rhythm until she moved of her own accord, using him for her pleasure. Her arms went around his neck, and she held him close. She bit his ear, and when he groaned, she whispered, “Tell me how I feel.”
“Like life,” he answered.
His hands moved between them, and he worked her, building the tension, until she could no longer stand it—her labored breathing gave way to a cry of ecstasy, and she collapsed against him, her face burrowed into the crook of his neck.
She didn’t know how long he held her like that, but at some point, they moved. Persephone slid from his lap, and Hades restored his appearance before letting Antoni know they were ready to arrive at their destination. Antoni entered a garage and parked near an elevator where Hades help Persephone out of the limo. Once inside, he took out a keycard, scanned it, punching the button for floor fourteen.
“Where are we?” she asked, curiously.
“The Grove,” Hades replied. “My restaurant.”
“You own The Grove?” she asked, surprised. It was a favorite among the mortals of New Athens because of its unique decor and cozy, garden-inspired dining. “How does no one know?”
“I let Ilias run it,” he said. “And prefer that people think he owns it.”
The elevator opened to the roof and Persephone gasped at what she saw. The rooftop of the The Grove looked like a forest in the Underworld. A stone path wound through beds of flowers and trees strung with lights.
Hades led her down the path, which let out into an open space with a table and two plush chairs. The lights that were in the trees from the path crisscrossed overhead.
“This is beautiful, Hades.”
He smiled, pleased with her compliment and led her to the table. A collection of breads and a bottle of wine waited. Hades poured them each a glass, and he toasted their evening.
She found herself laughing more than she ever remembered, the burden of her day long forgotten as Hades told her stories of Ancient Greece. When they were finished eating, they walked through the forest on the roof when Persephone asked, “What do you do for fun?”
It seemed like a silly question, but she was curious. Over the months, she gathered that Hades liked cards, walks, and playing with his animals, but she wondered what else.
“What do you mean?”
Persephone laughed. “The fact that you just asked that says everything. What are your hobbies?”
“Cards. Riding,” he swirled his hand in the air, thinking. “Drinking.”
“What about things not related to being the God of the Dead?”
“Drinking is not related to being God of the Dead,” he said.
“It also isn’t a hobby. Unless you’re an alcoholic.”
Hades raised a brow. “Then what are your hobbies?”
Persephone smiled, and though she knew he was avoiding talking about himself, she answered, “Baking.”
“Baking? I feel like I should have known about this sooner.”
“Well, you never asked.”
Silence fell between them, and they walked a little further before Hades came to a stop. Persephone turned to look at him when he said, “Teach me.”
She stared at him for a moment, stunned. “What?”
“Teach me,” he said. “To bake something.”
She couldn’t help it, she laughed and he raised a brow, not amused.
“I’m sorry—I’m just imagining you in my kitchen.”
“And that’s difficult?”
“Well…yeah. You’re the God of the Underworld.”
“And you’re the Goddess of Spring,” he said. “You stand in your kitchen and make cookies. Why can’t I?”
She couldn’t take her eyes off him. It wasn’t until now that she realized something had changed between them. It had been happening gradually, but today, it hit her hard.
She was in love with him.
She hadn’t realized she was frowning until he touched her face, brushing her cheek with his finger.
“Are you well?”
She smiled. “Very well.” She stood on the tips of her toes and pressed a kiss to his mouth, pulling away. “I’ll teach you.”