Page 73 of Learn My Lesson
“I wouldn’t dream of it being anything else.” He catches her hand and brings it up to kiss her knuckles. But when he speaks, it’s for me. “Rest, little Hercules. You have a long night ahead of you.”
I let myself relax against him, his racing heart against my ear. “I can’t wait.”
1 Technically, this should have happened before their one-month anniversary, but if they were waiting for Meg to heal enough to flog him, it would come after. Time gets a little wibbly-wobbly every so often!
2 My official petition to have more biting as a love language in romance novels.
3 Listen, it’s a classic for a reason!
WICKED VILLAINS HOLIDAYS
MEG
“You’ve outdone yourself, Meg.”?1
“It wasn’t all me. This was Aurora’s brainchild.” I place my hand on the crook of Hades’s arm and allow myself a satisfied smile as I look around the room. Doing a winter solstice party for the Underworld was partly Aurora’s idea, but I’m happy I let myself get swept up in her enthusiasm. The place isn’t exactly transformed, but there’s a definite festive lean to the public playroom. Holly and some strategically placed mistletoe abound, along with a few trees—fake, of course—decorated in themed holiday kink. One has a wide array of glittering tiny floggers. Another has silver ornaments that are all stylized into couples and throuples in sexual positions. We’ve also arranged for a themed public showing, though Aurora won’t tell me the specifics.
All this time, and we’ve never really done a winter solstice event. Oh, we’ve had smaller private parties with requests for a variety of holiday themed scenes, but nothing on this scale.
It feels right that this is the first year to do it. Carver City is at peace, truly at peace. All the territory leaders have settled into their respective roles. No one is grasping for more than their fair share. Some of us will never be friends, but expecting that would be asking for a miracle. It’s more than enough that they have stabilized things to this extent.
Not only that, but I’m…happy. Well and truly happy, without the barbs I used to expect from those closest to me. I have two men in my life who love me above all others, and the three of us balance each other in a way I never could have dreamed.
“Meg.”
I smile to cover up my wandering thoughts. “I’m a little afraid to ask what Aurora’s arranged for the showing tonight.”
Hades raises his brows. “She didn’t tell you?”
“No.” But her mischievous, little smile when we talked about it tells me enough—it will be highly entertaining. That’s all anyone can ask for in the Underworld.
As we stand in the shadow of one of the trees, Hades pulls me closer and arranges me in front of him. The closeness surprises me a little, but I lean back against his chest, enjoying it all the same. We watch silently as people wander into the room in staggered groups.
There’s Yasmina and Jafar. She’s dressed in a flowing red number that flashes her legs and hips with every step. He’s in his usual black suit. They’re such a fucking handsome couple, it would irritate me if I didn’t enjoy them so much. And the way they look at each other? Who could have guessed that they’d still be in their honeymoon phase after all this time, still so wrapped up in each other that they barely seem to notice anyone else in the room.
And, of course, there’s Tink and Hook. I smile. She’s starting to show, her stomach a distinctly rounded curve beneath her dress. She’s also kicked off her heels and is partially curled in Hook’s lap, her expression relaxed and happy. Which might be because she’s with the man she loves, but also might be because of the way Hook’s massaging the back of her neck. That man knows how to take care of his partner. As I watch, he covers one of her hands where she’s idly cupping her stomach and, fuck, if a person could literally have hearts in their eyes, that would be Hook right now.
“Those three seem to be enjoying themselves,” Hades murmurs, guiding my attention to Gaeton, Beast, and Isabelle. I make a face, and Hades gives my hip a light smack even though he can’t see my expression. “Manners, Meg.”
“I’m happy that she makes them happy, but that doesn’t mean I like her.”?2
His dry laugh displaces the air against my temple. “I would never dream of it.”
They do look like they’re enjoying themselves, though. Gaeton strides into the room like he owns the place, an easy swagger that draws every eye in the room. As I watch, he laughs at something Beast says and swings Isabelle up over his shoulder. She’s wearing a short dress, and he delves a hand up beneath the hem, making her jolt. Beast isn’t grinning, but he looks more at ease than I’ve ever seen him before. Happy. He’s happy. Gaeton finds a couch to sprawl on, Isabelle in his lap, and Beast joins them there…and his hand joins Gaeton’s under her dress. If they don’t knock her up soon, I’m going to be surprised as hell.
Hercules walks into the room, and my breath catches in my chest. I suppose I can’t throw stones at all the other happy couples, not when I’m making my own heart-eyes at our golden knight as he strides toward us. His wide grin sends butterflies erupting in my stomach, and Hades exhales slowly. “Do you suppose one day we’ll get used to that look on his face?”
“No.” I laugh. “No, I don’t think we ever will. And I’m okay with that.”
“I am as well.” He brushes his lips against my temple and reaches out to pull Hercules to our side. “Any problems, little Hercules?”
“No. Aurora has things well in hand.” Two spots of color appear high on his cheekbones. “She and, uh, Malone will be ready shortly.”
I should have known that the scene she’s arranging would include Malone. Aurora still works as a submissive and as my second-in-command, but in her time off, she mostly only plays with her fiancée. Occasionally they invite others to participate, but they seem happy enough with the balance they’ve struck.
I take Hercules’s chin and pull him down for a kiss. It’s soft and sweet and promises things to come. “Her outfit must be particularly good to put that look on your face.”
“It’s…confusing.”
