Page 29 of Flowers Near Me

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

PINNED, TAILORED, UNDONE

PERSEPHONE

I n the cramped fitting room, Persephone traced the off-shoulder sleeves and sweetheart neckline of the black ballgown. The tailor worked beside her, pinning the side seam with meticulous precision. It was stunning. She couldn’t wait to see Hades’ reaction to it. His compliments on her everyday outfits felt lavish. This was going to blow his mind.

It had been over two weeks since her first interview, and she was grateful that no more unexpected poppies had appeared. Under Hecate’s daily guidance, she’d learned to summon and banish the flowers, mastering her magic one poisonous petal at a time.

“Do you realize you’re officially halfway through the term of your six-month contract?” Charon asked, holding her tablet and swiping through what Persephone assumed were an array of calendars.

As instructed by the tailor, Persephone twisted side to side, making the dress fan and sway. Fluttering black petals sewn to cover her chest waved along. She answered, “That’s not possible. I thought I had at least a week or more before I was halfway.”

Charon leaned against the wall, giving the tailor room to work around Persephone. “If you count the gala as the final date, then no, you’re not halfway. But remember, under the original terms, you have no legal obligation to attend.” Charon didn’t look up from her tablet, and Persephone sensed a slight strain in her voice. Was Charon worried she wouldn’t attend? Or was she suggesting that Persephone miss it? She hoped it was the former, as the assistant was becoming a welcome companion at these events.

Lifting her arms so the tailor could adjust the floral appliqués of the bodice, Persephone said, “I’m going to the gala, don’t worry. I can’t wait for the app to launch—I think it’ll take off fast.”

“You and Hades have done your part to get the word out.”

“We all did, Charon. And how is Eurydice?”

“Better now. The ‘snake bite’ forced her to rewrite a significant portion of the code, but her team got it working again.”

“I can’t wait to see the newest version and how much it’s changed.”

“ Which fitting room? ” Both Persephone and Charon’s attention snapped to the familiar deep voice outside the closed fitting room door.

Persephone gawked at Charon. She couldn’t believe he’d showed up here. “Can you stall him?” Would he portal into the fitting room?!

Charon’s hand was on the doorknob before Persephone finished her question. “On it.”

“How close are you to finishing?” Persephone asked the tailor.

“Just one more minute and we’ll be set. It’s mostly there.” She tapped the waist of Persephone’s dress. “How’s it feel?”

“Perfectly tailored.” Persephone smiled at her. The tailor smiled back with a few pins pinched in between her teeth.

She heard Charon’s muffled voice from the other side of the door. “You’re supposed to be uptown for a meeting. Why are you here?”

Hades laughed. “Oh, so that’s why I was booked across town today.”

“What happened to your meeting with the director, then?” Charon asked, and the door frame creaked as something or someone pushed against it from the other side.

“We finished early. Shocking, right? Try to contain your excitement.” Persephone pictured the smug look he probably wore on his face, matching his mocking tone.

Charon replied, “That is great. Now you can get back to the office. Hecate has urgent items for you to approve.”

“Good idea. I’ll just check on Sephy then head there.” Hades gave three knocks before shouting, “Sephy, I’d like to see your gala dress.”

One locked door was nothing to a god. Hades could’ve portaled in by now, so he must’ve wanted permission. That knowledge didn’t stop Persephone from covering her chest with crossed arms despite being already clothed by the midnight flowers decorating the bodice.

“As soon as the tailor’s done, you can come in.”

“Finished,” said the tailor who began gathering her things.

Carefully pinching the satin fabric nearest her knees, Persephone lifted her skirt and stepped off the miniature platform. Hanging on a hook, a silk robe was within reach. She grabbed it, then quickly threw it on and tied the belt with shaky hands. Was she ready for him to see the dress?

Equally excited and terrified, Persephone opened the door and the tailor left.

Hades’ face lit with joy. “Sephy, it’s wonderful to see you.” Hades held out his hands and gave her a chaste kiss on each cheek. “May I see the dress?”

Cross-armed behind him, Charon said, “No. She’s already told you she wants it to be a surprise, so off you go.”

Looking past Hades at Charon, Persephone said, “It’s alright. I’ve changed my mind, Charon. Give us five minutes.” She appreciated Charon having her back, but she was too curious to see his reaction.

Leaning in to whisper in Persephone’s ear, a smirk on his face, Hades said, “We’ll need more than five minutes, love. I am a god.”

Persephone laughed. “It’s fine, really. I’ve got a plan.”

Hades cocked an eyebrow at her while Charon threw her a stiff nod and closed the door.

“Alright,” Hades said, his tone light and playful. “What’s this plan of yours? Does it involve me helping you out of that dress? Because, trust me, I’m exceptional with my hands.”

“No,” Persephone replied with a sly grin. “It’s even better. I’ll show you the dress today, but only if…” She trailed off, letting the anticipation build.

“Only if?” he prompted, leaning in.

“You agree to grant me a future favor. No questions asked. Deal?”

His mouth pressed into a thoughtful line. “That’s quite the price.”

“I know. So, what’s it going to be? See the dress now and owe me, or step out and apologize to Charon? Actually, you should apologize to her regardless.”

Hades studied her, a flicker of intrigue in his expression. “Fine. One favor, Sephy. Now, let me see the dress.”

“And the apology to Charon?” she pressed.

He sighed, mumbling, “Yes, yes.”

Persephone reached for the robe’s silk tie, but Hades caught her hands. “Let me,” he murmured, his voice a seductive promise.

A rush of adrenaline climbed its way from her stomach to her throat and she gave a small nod. Her breath stopped as he undid the hastily tied bow and dropped the strands to the sides. His fingers skimmed along her collarbone, pushing the silk robe over her bare shoulders and down past the delicate sleeves. His eyes wide and appreciative and his mouth parted, he laid her robe over his shoulder.

He gripped her waist, lifting her in a smooth motion. Feet off the floor and her long silk skirt billowing as he turned her. She clutched his forearms, but his suit jacket slipped over the fabric of his shirt underneath, causing her grip to falter. It didn’t matter because he held her steady and placed her on the pedestal she had stood on moments ago.

Unable to make a sound, she pressed her waist where his hands had just been to feel the shadow of his touch. The simple woven satin across her hips somehow stayed in place when he lifted her, and the black skirt cascaded elegantly towards the floor. When she met his eyes, they were rapt on the dress. Focused as if he were disarming a bomb, Hades’ gaze traveled over the intricate bodice and sweetheart neckline.

“I’m never letting you go, Sephy. Now that I’ve seen how perfectly you belong in my world, there’s no escape.” Hades stared with the barest hint of a smile gracing his lips.

Persephone straightened her shoulders. “Sounds like you approve, then. Well, I’m glad. Now you need to leave so I can change. And don’t think for a second that I’ll forget about that favor you owe me.”

“With all those pins, you’ll need some help getting out of that dress.” He tilted his head, his gaze lingering on her hands as a playful smirk curved his lips. “At least let me have the pleasure of unfastening it before I go.”

She could undo the buttons at the back of the bodice without a fuss or have him call Charon or the tailor back in to help. But she didn’t want to. Here, he’d offered assistance and even gave her an excuse to have his hands on her again.

Before he could see just how red her face was at the prospect of him undressing her, she said, “That’d be helpful. Thank you.”

She cupped the underwire to lift some weight off the buttons while turning her back to him. His fingers brushed the space between her shoulders as he slowly unclasped the top, then took his time undoing each tiny button and exposing more of her back. Soft, warm touches of his fingers skimming along her spine sent her heart racing. He moved leisurely and she felt every touch of his knuckles tracing a path.

Ready to tell him to stop as he neared her hips, he kissed the back of her neck while squeezing her waist. Then he went towards the closed door.

Holding the handle, he turned over his shoulder with a mischievous smile and said, “Every god and goddess in Olympus will envy me standing beside you at the gala.” His voice lowered to a gravelly whisper. “If I kissed you again, I’d be tempted to ruin that gorgeous dress just to feel you beneath it.”

Without another word, he opened the door and stepped out, taking her breath with him.