Page 32 of A Goddess Unraveled (Olympus Rising)

After Lexi finished her tea she switched to wine, and both seemed to hit her with equal force. As soon as she admitted to feeling lightheaded, Hades swung the balcony doors open and escorted her outside for a breath of fresh air, although standing on a tower floating magically over a gorge didn’t produce the most calming effect.

The sky had gone completely dark. The kind of dark she’d never seen before because there was no moon or stars to give it light. But an ethereal glow that undulated like snakes moving through the grass hovered close to the ground.

“What causes the ground to glow like that?”

“It’s one of the wonders of the underworld.” Hades’s voice tickled Lexi’s ear as he stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist and his chin resting on her shoulder. “To be more specific, you’re seeing the essence of the souls who have chosen to remain here rather than take the Lethe. Does it bother you to know that?”

Did it bother her? She’d only experienced the tortured souls waiting at the gates. “It would only bother me if they were unhappy.”

“They’re not unhappy. But I wouldn’t say they’re happy either. They’re simply content. How are you feeling now? Still lightheaded?”

As he spoke, he peppered his lips across her neck. She knew he was eager to make good on his promise to ravage her, and she felt the same need to be close to him. So why was she stalling? Was she just feeling overwhelmed? The enchanted bedroom was a little much, but she wouldn’t dare bring it up.

Hades and his perky staff of nymphs had made her feel welcome despite the short notice and the many reminders of who he was. And Lexi had made this choice knowing she would be exploring a world that was unknown to her. Wasn’t that exactly what she’d been complaining about since she’d turned eighteen?

“I’m good now, thank you.”

“I need you like the horizon needs the sun. But I sense your reluctance to submit.”

His whispered plea floated across her skin, making her heart skip a few beats. He was everything she’d imagined in a man. And this one was a god. She couldn’t be turning chicken now. She’d always had plenty of courage, but her heart had never been involved before. Was this what it felt like to fall in love? When the thought of losing it sounded like the worst pain in the world? She wasn’t that far gone yet, although it felt like she was heading there.

She turned in his arms, speaking to his eyes where she could see the answers. “I would be lying if I didn’t say my heart is doing funny things to my head, and I doubt it’s the wine or that strong cup of tea.”

He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “It’s been a long time since a goddess has stirred me like you do, but if you need more time, I can wait to claim you here, in my domain. When a flower buds, the fortunate witness the splendor. / But when it opens, only the privileged bask in its beauty .”

Lexi felt certain she would swoon. She didn’t even care if the words were his or something he’d read. Despite his position as the ruler of the underworld, Hades had no qualms about wearing his emotions on his sleeve. If there was any love involved, she loved this about him.

“I’ve never been more ready to be claimed by you,” she said.

“Your surrender is my salvation.” Hades’s lips twitched, as if he could taste her already, and Lexi clenched, feeling his need between her thighs.

His arms came under her and he easily swept her up to carry her inside. He’d already lit the many candles perched in stands around the room, which offered a warmth she’d come to expect with Hades. At the foot of the bed, he set her on her feet again. He stood very close, his eyes like an ever-burning flame, his smile tilted higher on one side.

“May I divest you of your clothing, Lady Lexi? I wish to gaze upon your beautiful form unhindered.”

Flames seemed to lick her body from the inside as Hades continued his poetic assault. Was all this adoration really in her future? She freaking hoped so.

After her nod of consent, Hades worked deftly to untie the tassels of her blouse. If she’d known she’d be escaping to the underworld today, she might have worn something more practical. But he reached her cleavage with no problem, pressing his lips there, and the ache building between her legs turned into delicious torture.

His hands slid down her body and under her shirt, and he caressed her skin like she was more valuable than any of the artifacts in his palace. This went on for several minutes, and when she thought her body couldn’t handle the unrelenting rush of goose bumps, he grabbed a handful of fabric and lifted it over her head, casually tossing the shirt onto a nearby chair.

Again, Hades took his time tracing the outline of her bra, running a finger along the seam while holding his lower lip captive between his teeth. When he finally made it to the clasp, his breath left him in a low hiss as the bra fell to the floor. Lexi reveled in his teasing possession, dropping her head back as he bowed to her chest. A moment later, he took a nipple into his mouth, warming her even deeper, and she dragged her fingers through his hair as his tongue circled and flicked.

He was smiling when he broke away, his nimble fingers already working on her jeans. The zipper lowered, then he eased his hand down to cup her mound over her panties. Heat flooded from his palm, and she cried out softly. His fingers were so close, pressing gently, taunting her with the promise of more.

Her jeans left her hips, pooling at her ankles, and she stepped out of them, leaving her in a thin cover of lace. Hades backed up to take in the view. His eyes roamed her body with intent, one brow lifted in a sinful quirk. But she knew he was no villain. A villain wouldn’t be able to melt her heart with a single look.

“I think I’ll leave the lace on for now,” he said. “All right, Lexi. It’s your turn.”

He held up his arms in surrender, and Lexi’s heart pounded even harder. She’d never taken a man’s clothes off before. But Hades’s playful smile made her less nervous, and she slipped her hands under his shirt to explore the contours of his chest. She’d already sensed the power idling underneath, but it felt even stronger now.

Buoyed by adrenaline and a tidal wave of desire, she rolled up his shirt and jerked it over his head. Then she followed her instincts and stepped into his chest, pressing her breasts against him. The blood in her veins rushed southward, keeping her fueled as she pulled him in for a kiss. Tongues, lips, and hands all groped for purchase as the seduction notched up a level. With his hard-on grinding against her belly, her climax was already close enough to touch.

Almost greedily, Lexi lowered his zipper and slipped her hand inside. His pants dropped easily to the floor, granting her full access, and she traced his thickness through his briefs, imagining the strength behind it. She’d felt that strength before and was eager for more. When she started to remove the barrier, Hades caught her gently by the wrist.

“I want to savor this a little longer.”

He tugged her onto the mattress, and she tried to relax against the headboard, which was made of polished tree branches, intertwining in a tangle of knots and limbs. It had not been built for comfort or promoting intimacy, but she couldn’t help grinning at the thought of him forgetting this fact in his haste to take her to bed.

Hades crawled across her body, snugging his hardness against her center, and she was back in the race. She hooked her legs around his waist, maneuvering him toward her finish line. She was so close. Too close.

“I need this,” she declared, more to herself than him, but Hades’s breath hitched.

“You have it, Lexi. You deserve it.”

Without further ado, he yanked off her panties. Apparently, he’d hit his wall of restraint because his briefs were the next to go. Lexi bit her lip as she glanced down at him. So much had been hidden in the darkness of the limo.

“Do you want the reins? Or should I lead?” he asked as he fondled her. Of course, this didn’t help her think.

What did she want? Was it too soon to know? If someone had forever, how would they want to kick things off? Life was a journey of one according to her father the hypocrite, and she needed to get a fucking move on.

Shifting her weight to the right, she rolled Hades onto his back, and he relinquished full control. When she had him pinned beneath her, she smiled like a fool. “That was fun.”

“Indeed, it was.” He offered her a deeper glimpse behind his eyes, and she thought she saw vulnerability there. “I’m afraid you have me at a loss, again. But your choices matter to me. There should be contraception under the pillow, should you require it.”

She felt around beneath the pillows stacked two deep until she found the edges of a plastic wrapper.

“I assure you, they’re fresh,” he said as Lexi studied the silver packaging. She’d never seen one up close.

“We’ll worry about it next time.”

She threw the condom on the floor, having already done the math and deciding they were safe enough for eternity. If she had to endure one more distraction, she was going to scream, and Hades seemed happy to oblige. He stood at the ready as she lowered herself onto him. The fit was snug and perfect. Just like the first time.

Lexi felt like a horny schoolgirl cornering a boy in the locker room. Not that she’d ever done that. But now she had a god in her bed, filling her, plush and powerful, and she brought her mouth to his neck, tasting the salt on his skin and wishing she wasn’t so close to losing it.

A strong gust of air suddenly swirled around them, forcing the curtains open like sails and whipping her hair into her face. She even felt a hum of energy building, as if a lightning strike was coming next. Who had invited the elements? Was it another wonder of the underworld?

In her wildest fantasies Lexi hadn’t imagined it being this good. She arched her spine, rocking into his pelvis and taking him as far as her body would allow. A long moan escaped Hades’s lips, something unrestrained and otherworldly, and he snuck his fingers between her legs.

Damn .

She gyrated into him like a horse bucking against its ties. If she truly had forever, then there was no reason to hold back now. She released the imaginary reins as she crossed the finish line, and Hades held on to her hips like a sailor battling a hurricane. The rush was fantastic, and she savored every moment of it. It felt like decadence, that thing the gods all sought. She could see herself falling victim.

When the sensations ebbed and the wind died down, Lexi realized she had shut her eyes. As she blinked, the room swam back into view, and she found Hades staring at her, his face awash with emotion. She was pretty sure he hadn’t crossed the line yet, but he didn’t seem one bit concerned. He slowly withdrew as the throb between her legs retreated. Then he took her hand and wrapped it around him.

“I’m all yours.”

So that was his game. Despite her indifference toward their unprotected romp in the hay, he was making his own call. The only way to interpret that and not lose the mood was to consider him a gentleman.

The wind continued to keep them company, only now it came in the form of a sultry breeze, the air still tingling with electricity. She took him in hand and stroked from front to aft, the moisture collecting between her fingers as she watched him lose himself. Within a few moments, he was throwing his head back, lifting his ass off the bed, making a beautiful mess of the fresh linens.

Then they collapsed together in a heap of exhausted satisfaction. He pulled her into him and rested his brow on her forehead. She felt invincible and exposed at the same time. Maybe that was the euphoria of sex everyone talked about. Or could love have played a role?

Hades lifted his head lazily, introducing her to the smile of a contented god. “To hell with commanding the elements, I think you just came into your power.”

She grinned. “You are my source, mon ami .”

With her body humming and the air buzzing, Lexi felt like a goddess for the first time. She had a place among her peers, perhaps beside the ruler of the underworld. Something about it felt like fate, like everything that had come before had been guiding her to make this choice. Hades had given her the fuel she needed. No doubt, it would take her further than she’d ever been. And Lexi was sure she would need a lot of it to get her through eternity.