They stared at each other, and the air was heavy. Persephone itched to reach for him—to bring his lips to hers, to taste him. All she had to do was close the gap between them and they would ignite—fall so deep in their passion, nothing would exist beyond their skin.

A knock at her door tore her from her thoughts and sent her heart into a frenzy.

“Persephone! I’m ordering pizza. Any requests?” Lexa called.

She cleared her throat. “N-no. Whatever you order is fine,” she replied through the door.

“So, pineapple and anchovies. Got it.”

Her heart was still hammering in her chest. There was a long pause on the other side of the door, and for a moment, Persephone thought Lexa had left, until she asked, “Are you okay?”

Hades’ chuckled and leaned in, pressing his lips against her skin. Persephone exhaled, her head rolling back. “Yes.”

Another long pause. “Did you even hear what I’m going to order?”

“Just get cheese, Lexa!”

“Okay, okay, I’m on it.” Persephone could tell by the tone of her voice, she was smiling.

Persephone pushed against Hades’ chest and met his gaze.

“You shouldn’t laugh.”

“Why not? I can hear your heart beating. Are you afraid to be caught with your boyfriend?”

Persephone rolled her eyes. “I think I preferred lover.”

His laugh was a deep rumble. “You are not easy to please.”

It was her turn to smile. “I would give you the chance, but I’m afraid I don’t have time.”

Hades eyes darkened, and his hold on her tightened.

“I don’t need a lot,” he said, hands twinning in her dress as if he wished to rip it from her body. “I could make you come in seconds. You won’t even have to get undressed.”

She almost took the bait and challenged him to prove it, but then she remembered how he’d left her in the dining room the day before, and despite returning and making up for it, she wanted to punish him.

“I’m afraid seconds will not due,” she said. “I’m owed pleasure—hours of it.”

“Allow me to give you a preview, then.” He held her close, his arousal pressing into her softness, but she kept him at a distance, palms pressed against his hard chest.

“Perhaps later,” she offered.

He smiled. “I’ll take that as a promise.”

With that, he vanished.

Persephone showered and changed. When she left the room, Lexa was curled up on the couch. Persephone sat beside her, sharing Lexa’s blanket and the popcorn.

“What movie are we watching?”

“Pyramus and Thisbe,” she answered.

It was a movie the pair had watched over and over, an ancient tale about forbidden love retold in modern times.

“I’m just glad you didn’t say Titans After Dark.”

“Hey! I like that show.”

“The way they portray the gods is totally inaccurate.”