Page 31 of Hades

She shook her head. “I can’t talk about it. Not yet.”

I wanted to push. Everything in me wanted to make her answer, but I simply nodded and held her close without agreeing. The moment I got the chance, I was taking that asshole out. Raven would never be free, would never know a moment of peace as long as that motherfucker still drew breath.

We stayed like that for a long time, both of us lost in thought while the rain pounded down around us. Eventually Raven fell asleep in my arms and the sounds of her deep, even breathing relaxed me. I didn’t sleep, I couldn’t because my mind refused to let go of the picture she painted of her life with Viktor. I just couldn’t see it, Raven dressed up in designer threads, at his side like some fucking high priced accessory. She wasn’t meant to be tamed. She was wild, that’s how she was meant to be.

Her soft breaths turned to tight moans and fearful groans. I didn’t want to wake her, so I simply held her tighter and kissed her cheek and her head until she relaxed into a peaceful sleep again. I hated seeing those nightmares return but it filled me with pride to know that my touch, my voice, kept her calm.

Surrounded by her warmth and her scent, eventually I fell asleep too.

Chapter Seventeen

Raven

How the fuck was it possible that the past four days—on the run, mind you—had been the best four days of my life? It rained nonstop since we got up here, which meant we were stuck inside in the smallest house imaginable with nothing to do. Well, nothing except cook and talk, make love, and talk. And a few times, we fucked. Really good and hard.

I hate to be the type of girl to think this shit, but it was magical. It was like those cheesy romance movie montages of a couple smiling, eating dinner together, walking around some nondescript city, kissing, and having dinner with friends. And of course, falling in love. It was just like that, except for the part where we were falling in love.

That wasn’t happening.

At least I didn’t think it was.

“You can’t make grilled cheese with that bread,” Hades insisted. “You need sandwich bread, maybe brioche in a pinch.”

I laughed, turning to face him and finding him so close I saw the threads of gold woven in his gray eyes. “When did you become the master grilled cheese maker?”

His brows dipped in a serious expression. “Twenty-twelve.”

“Funny,” I snorted, rolling my eyes and shoving him away with my hip. “I can and I will make it with this bread right here.” It took a few tries, but I made a loaf of bread, sliced it and slathered it in butter. Ready for the skillet.

“I guess we’ll find out.” He stayed close, really fucking close, and watched me carefully. His hard, bare chest pressed against my back, so warm and dizzying but also comforting.

I loved having him this close, hovering protectively and curiously. It was nice, but I reminded myself not to get used to it every time I found myself thinking about being with him beyond this mess with Viktor. Tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed and I had no idea what Hades was feeling about me or our situation, and if I thought about it too hard my chest ached.

“Hey, where did you go?” Hades put two fingers to my chin and turned me to face him.

I shook off those sad fucking thoughts and tried for a smile. “Nowhere.”

He crowded me after that, bracketing me between his arms. “Don’t lie to me, Raven.” His jaw clenched like he was angry.

“I’m not,” I insisted.

He hit me with those arched brows and those eyes that held the barest hint of a smile. “Raven.”

I let out a heavy sigh and rolled my eyes. Again. “Fine, I maybe was getting carried away in my mind and in my feelings about us.” I held up a hand to stop his attempts at reassurance. “It’s the sex,” I tried for a laugh. “It’s too good and it’s getting to me, but don’t worry. It’s my problem, not yours.”

Hades wore a dark expression as a low growl tore through him before he reached behind me and turned off the stove.

“Hey, I wasn’t done with that!”

“Yeah,” he growled. “You were.” He pulled me against his chest, so close I felt his racing heart under my hand. “You think this doesn’t mean anything to me?” His expression was fierce.

I took a step back, suddenly nervous. “No,” I shook my head. “That’s not what I meant, just that I know it doesn’t mean that much.” My head shook and my body flushed with heat. “Like I said, this is my problem and I’m dealing with it. Or I will.”

The intensity in his gaze faded into something else, something softer and maybe even affectionate. Hades’ lips tugged into a grin as he ran his fingertips from my lips and down my chin and throat. “You don’t know what you mean because you’re too chickenshit to ask.” His voice was low and rough, and that shit was really sexy.

I notched my chin up defiantly and folded my arms, putting some distance between us. “Then consider this as me asking.”

He shook his head, sliding his palm up my throat and to the side of my face. He smiled when I leaned into his touch. “That’s not asking,” he teased. “Woman the fuck up and just ask me. Ask.”