Page 73 of Raising Hell
She nodded. “He would, Mother. And bottomless too.”
A small laugh escaped me, and I shook my head as I glanced at Hades again. He was playing with my ankle, sending tingles of awareness up my leg to pool in my stomach.
“Naked around you would be dangerous.”
He jerked his head up, his gaze trapping mine.
“Never dangerous. If you bared yourself to me once more, I would take care. There would be no pain, only pleasure. I vow it.”
“And that’s why it would be dangerous,” I said as my face heated. “I’m a human. I’m not meant for a god.”
“I disagree.”
“That’s because you’re not thinking like a human.”
“Then tell me.” His eyes flashed red. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Panic surged through me at the overwhelming need to spill everything. My eyes went wide as I opened my mouth. I tried to fight it. I tried to swallow the words. But nothing worked. I couldn’t even look away from his heated gaze as he compelled me to reveal the truth of what he did to me.
“Just looking at you muddles my thinking. Kissing you makes me forget everything but your taste and smell. You say you crave me? I couldn’t stop kissing your neck. If you hadn’t said Megan was coming, I don’t think I could have stopped myself from giving you everything like you wanted. You say you would be gentle, but I would still suffer even if you brought me nothing but pleasure because I know I’m not your immortal wife, and loving you while you think I am is a pain-filled lie.”
He dropped his gaze to my ankle, his strong fingers circling it like a shackle but warm and gentle. It didn’t matter. The damage had been done.
I struggled to breathe through my panic. My wide-eyed gaze scanned the room. How many of the lingering creatures had witnessed my weakness? How many would try to compel me now?
“Father,” Zotera said. “I think I heard Mother’s stomach growl. Can we go to the dining hall?”
I shot Zotera a grateful look, and she nodded at me in understanding. When Hades stood, he didn’t look at me or offer his hand.
He knows he can have youat any time, my mind whispered.
Trembling with fear over the power I’d just handed him, I rose and shook my skirt back into place.
“Where is the dining hall?” I asked, moving away from him.
“You know we cannot walk there,” Hades said.
I froze. Zotera gave me a pitying look and glanced behind me. I didn’t turn to look at Hades. I couldn’t. Not now.
“Come to me, and I will take us there.”
The soft rumble of his voice sent a shiver through me.
He knows,that little voice in my head whispered again as if I wasn’t very aware.
“Please. I want to walk.”
He didn’t say anything. Zotera’s gaze bounced between us. Then she turned and headed for one of the hidden passages. My eyes tingled with the pre-rush of tears.
“Goddess, I am yours,” Hades said, closer now. “Today. Tomorrow. For all of eternity. I will not take what you’re not willing to give.”
“But that’s the problem, isn’t it? Even if I’m not willing now, you can make me willing.”
“Never.”
“But you just did,” I said, trying to push back the terrified need to cry.
“Never again,” he said softly.
