Page 101 of Going to Hell
I scrambled to come up with something else he might want instead. Not as badly, of course, but something that might keep him at bay for a few more days while I came up with a better idea.
Fingers trembling, I fished the key out of my cleavage and held it up.
“Here. You can have your treasure in exchange for a few more days of your patience.”
Surprise lit his eyes for a moment as he glanced at the key. He tilted his head and focused on me. A shiver teased my spine as he traced his fingers down my neck and shoulder then ran them along the neckline of my gown.
“You offer me this treasure freely? Willingly?”
His fingers dipped lower, caressing the curve of my breast and skimming over my nipple. Electric tingles danced along my skin, raising goosebumps on my arms and making it hard to breathe. And think.
I retreated a quick step, and he silently snarled at me.
“The treasure isn’t the key, is it?” I asked, breathless.
His gaze narrowed.
“I tire of your games.”
I lowered the key, looking down at it as my mind raced. It had to be important. Didn’t it? If it wasn’t a treasure, then why had Persephone died holding it?
“I’m not playing games. I’m trying to understand. I thought you were talking about the key when you said you wanted your treasure.”
His fingers nudged my chin up, so I looked him in the eyes.
“I treasure you above all else. Give yourself to me, Goddess. That is all I desire. All I have ever desired.”
I couldn’t do that. Yet, considering how badly Hades wanted Persephone, I knew he wouldn’t wait indefinitely. That was obviously why he’d put a time limit on their contract in the first place.
My mind immediately went to the five hundred plus contracts Hades and Persephone had made. Did I dare make one of my own?
Did I have a choice?
Think this through, Ashlyn.
“I can see you scheming, Goddess,” Hades said angrily. His hand closed around my arm, and he plucked the key from my fingers, tossing it aside.
If I made a new deal, I needed to guarantee my safety and survival once he realized the truth. And I would need to do something to ensure he wouldn’t lose his control and force me into having the sex like he wanted. Whatever deal I made needed to have a time limit. A short one since, realistically, I wouldn’t get away with denying him for long. Each day, Hades grew bolder in his pursuit of what he wanted.
What would he take in exchange for all of that, though?
“Not scheming,” I said slowly. “Fearing. What happens when I give you my body and you realize that I’m exactly who I say I am? A fragile human. I don’t want to die in the rubble of your anger.”
“I would never hurt you,” he said angrily.
Did he even realize his grip on my arm had tightened? I looked pointedly at the hand, which hadn’t hurt me. Yet.
He released me.
“Forgive me, Goddess.”
I didn’t acknowledge his bitter apology.
“You would never hurt Persephone, the goddess, but there’s no reason for you to spare me. Can I, Ashlyn, the human, make a contract with you?”
He held out his arms, and the existing contracts flared to life, coating his skin in golden script.
“Choose its location, and let your will be recorded.”
