Page 59 of Going to Hell
“I’m not her,” I repeated with gentle insistence.
“No,” he said, irritably. “You’re Ashlyn, the living human in Hell, looking for her recently deceased uncle. The price is set.”
What was a kiss in exchange for freedom? We’d already kissed twice. What was once more? It was nothing.
Yet, I knew better. I remembered how his lips had felt against mine the last time. Warming. Enticing. Dangerous. He was slowly chipping away at my resistance. But what choice did I have? He didn’t believe a word I’d said. I needed to find my uncle, and I needed Hades’ help to do it.
My gaze dipped to his lips, and I felt an electrifying jolt in my middle at the thought of touching them again.
For my safety, there had to be rules. The gods and their children were bound by rules.
“One kiss?” I asked. “What are the rules?”
A hint of triumph crossed his expression.
“She agrees,” he practically purred, sending more worrisome zings into my stomach.
“She needs to understand the rules,” I said with fake calm. “How long does the kiss need to last?”
Anger flashed across his face, and I realized how rude that question would seem. Yet, I needed to know. An infinite kiss would see me in Hell forever.
“Ten heartbeats.”
I could do that, especially with my heart racing like it was.
“No biting,” I said firmly. There were way too many creatures who liked biting.
Surprise danced over his face.
“No biting,” he said quickly.
“And you have to swear you won’t hurt me because of this kiss.”
“I swear,” he said savagely.
I worried my bottom lip for a moment, wondering if there was anything else I didn’t think of.
“And hands to yourself,” I added.
“I will not touch you if you place your hands on me as proof of your willingness.” He closed the space between us and tapped his chest, right over his heart. “Here.”
Without waiting for me to comply, he reached for my hand and placed it where he wanted it. His smooth skin radiated warmth and teased my fingertips with its silky softness, and I knew my time to negotiate was over.
When he grabbed my other hand and placed it on his twin pectoral, I met Hades’ hungry and almost angry gaze.
“Ten heartbeats,” I whispered, already feeling how mine was racing. Under my palm, his heart started to beat faster, too.
“Ten,” he agreed.
With one last calming breath, I stood on my toes and set my lips to his.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
The musclesunder my fingertips twitched as I brushed my lips against his, and those same little shocks of warmth from before hit my middle again, warming me from the inside out. It was an addictive feeling. One I wanted to feed.
I inched closer. My fingers stroked his skin ever so slightly.
“More,” he demanded against my lips.
