Page 42 of Hell On Earth
“You used to say blood would rain,” I said, needing to be sure this was real.
“When I mistook you for a goddess I once knew.”
I studied him intently. His eyes were clear of any madness and reflected only patience as he waited for me to decide.
“Does beginning again mean you’ll sleep on the couch tonight?” I asked, still unsure what he was asking.
He chuckled.
“My desire to be with you has only grown since you woke me, Ashlyn.”
“But that was when you thought I was Persephone.”
He cupped my face between his hands, his fingers teasing the skin as he slowly dipped his head.
“It grew with each sweet concession you made to free me from a past that had blinded me to what a future with you might hold. You, as you are right now, Ashlyn, are everything I want.
“Beginning again means I will not judge you by Persephone’s past actions. It means you are free to love me however you will, and I am allowed to do the same. I only ask one thing of you. Kiss me when you crave the feel of my lips against yours, but never again touch me without feeling to calm me. Please.”
The tormented please at the end wrapped around me. Standing on my toes, I removed the inches separating our lips and kissed him gently.
“I’ve never kissed you without feeling,” I said. “No matter how much I tried not to, I always wanted more.”
He groaned and reclaimed my lips, kissing me hungrily. My heart beat rapidly in my chest, and I gripped his wrist as he continued to hold my face so he could control me. And I loved every second of his demanding need.
Hades knew exactly who he was kissing, and he still wanted me.
When I was dizzy with the need for air, he broke away to kiss a path from the corner of my mouth down my neck. The things his tongue did to my skin didn’t help me regain my breath. I panted and clung to his shoulders as he worked his magic.
“Tell me you desire me as much as I desire you,” he said roughly between nips. “Tell me I fill your waking thoughts and that you dream of me when you close your eyes.”
Coherent thinking was a struggle, but I did understand that, although Hades got that I wasn’t Persephone, he was just as desperate to be loved as he’d been.
“I do,” I said.
“Tell me you need me.”
“Let me show you. Sit on the couch,” I said, nudging him again.
He willingly obeyed, taking me with him. Sprawled in his lap was one of my favorite places to be, but it wouldn’t accomplish showing how much I cared for him, only that I liked how much he cared for me. Yet, when I tried to stand from his lap, he didn’t want to let me go. It was like an octopus held me. I laughed and tipped my head back as he continued to nibble at my throat.
“I promise you won’t regret giving me some freedom,” I said. “A new beginning means trusting that I’m not trying to get away from you, right?”
He growled and grumped but did loosen his hold with one last kiss to my clavicle.
I quickly slipped from his lap and grinned down at his scowl.
“Stay just like that,” I said.
The scowl stayed in place, but more importantly, so did the hands resting on the seat of the couch as I moved to stand between his legs.
His expression lost some of its surliness when I leaned forward and set my hands on his shoulders.
“Are you playing with me, Ashlyn?” The low rumble of his voice held a hint of warning.
“Define play,” I said as I slowly straddled his lap.
“You tempt me,” he breathed.
