Page 128

Eve

I shoved against his chest, harder this time, forcing space between us. "I knew it," I snapped, breathless. "You’re distracting me."

Hades barely budged, only rocking back a step with infuriating ease. His eyes gleamed with something dark and knowing. "And here I thought I was just enjoying the moment."

I crossed my arms, narrowing my gaze as heat still simmered low in my stomach. Damn him. "You’re trying to derail my plans."

"Am I?" he replied smoothly, his fingers trailing along the edge of the headboard as if he hadn’t just pressed me into it moments ago. "I’m not sure you seemed all that eager to punish me a second ago."

I scowled. "Don’t play coy, Hades. You’re stalling. You were in the shower for close to an hour not and now.. " I gestured vaguely at his towel-clad form, "this."

His smirk deepened, eyes flicking over me with slow, deliberate intent. "You didn’t seem to mind this all that much."

My face burned hotter. I grabbed the nearest pillow and launched it at him. He caught it effortlessly, his laugh vibrating through the room.

"Fine," I huffed, planting my hands on my hips. "You don’t have any excuse for these things so I’ll just assume the Hand Of Death was hiding from me."

Hades arched a brow, intrigued. "Hiding?"

"Yes." I crossed the room, brushing past him to sit on the edge of the bed. "You’re not as mysterious as you think, you know. I bet you were avoiding your punishment. Maybe it’s fear."

His gaze darkened. "I don’t fear anything." His voice took on a whole nother timber. It almost didn’t sound like him.

My stomach dropped. I had gone too far. "Or responsibility." I glanced at him, I easily. "Or maybe…" I leaned back, giving him a slow, dramatic once-over, "you were just admiring yourself for forty minutes."

To my surprise, Hades tilted his head, considering, his expression softened. "You’re not entirely wrong."

I blinked at his sudden change. "Wait, what?"

He shrugged, tossing the pillow back onto the bed. "I was reflecting."

"Reflecting?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes in disbelief. "In the shower?"

"Best place for it. Quiet, warm. And no one barges in demanding answers." He shot me a pointed look.

I scoffed. "Well, clearly that didn’t work out for you."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment too long, and I could see the teasing flicker behind his eyes before he spoke again. "I wasn’t just reflecting, you know."

I froze.

The way he said it—the weight behind the words—made my pulse quicken.

I swallowed, then I gasped. He was at it again. I straightened my spine and pointed at the bags that were yet to be unpacked. "Get in that onesie or else."

Hades’ gaze flicked toward the onesie crumpled on top of the suitcase, and his entire body sagged as if I’d just delivered the harshest possible sentence.

"You can’t be serious," he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. "Ellen, I’m the King of Lycans. You really think this—" he gestured vaguely at the offending piece of clothing, "—is appropriate for someone of my status?"

I arched a brow, my smirk widening. "I think it’s perfect for someone who took an hour-long shower just to avoid putting it on."

His jaw clenched. "That was… strategic."

I snorted. "That was cowardice."

Hades narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "Careful, little wolf. You might provoke me."

"Is that a threat or a promise?" I shot back, refusing to let him intimidate me.

For a moment, his lips quirked like he was going to take the bait, but then his gaze flickered toward the onesie again, and the battle visibly drained from him. "You know, some mates show love by cooking or giving massages," he grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

I grinned. "I show love by holding you accountable."

He muttered something under his breath, but to my surprise, he finally grabbed the onesie and held it up like it might bite him.

"Just get it over with," I prompted, resting my chin in my hand, fully prepared to enjoy the show.

Hades glanced at me warily. "Turn around."

I blinked. "What?"

"I’m not giving you a free show," he said, as if that was the most logical response.

I scoffed, but his glare was unwavering. "Fine," I huffed, rolling my eyes as I spun around to face the opposite wall. "But don’t think for a second this is saving you from humiliation."

Behind me, I could hear the rustling of fabric and the soft zip of the onesie being opened. A long pause followed.

Then, "Ellen."

I smirked to myself. "Yes?"

A beat of silence.

"…How the hell do you put this on?"

I froze. Slowly, I turned around, expecting to see him in the middle of tugging the onesie over his head or struggling with the zipper.

What I did not expect was the sight of Hades holding the onesie upside down, one leg stuffed awkwardly into an armhole, while the rest of the outfit sagged around him like a deflated balloon.

I stared.

He glared.

"You’re kidding," I blurted, covering my mouth to keep from laughing outright.

"Stop looking at me like that," Hades growled, tugging his leg free with a sharp yank that made him stumble slightly. "This thing’s a death trap."

I couldn’t hold it in. Laughter bubbled up and spilled out of me as I leaned against the dresser for support. "You—" I gasped between breaths, "you don’t even know how to wear a onesie?"

His ears turned red.

Actual red.

It was the first time I’d ever seen him flush, and for a moment, I thought I might pass out from sheer delight.

"I’ve never worn one," he muttered, as if that excused everything. His gaze dropped to the soft, fluffy material in his hands, clearly betrayed by the absurdity of the situation.

I could have died from the impossibly of it all but instead I burst into another bout of laughter.