Their eyes met and held. "No, I am not sorry that I slayed Perseus. It would've happened sooner or later. He was ambitious, but he never thought beyond his need for power."
"Then why are you here?" Taylor refused to let him off the hook. He'd avoided her for days, could've died in the Pit, and now he was here, claiming that they needed to talk. Uh-huh, he’d have to do better than that.
Hades scrubbed a hand over his face and she noticed how tired he appeared to be. She looked closer. No, not tired.
Weary.
"It's a simple question, Hades," she said.
He sighed. "Taylor, nothing about you is simple." Hades walked over to her bed and sat down. "I came here because...I needed...I thought if I saw...I wanted to...Damn it! Kings don't beg."
Taylor tilted her head. "Nobody asked you to."
"Then what must I do?" he asked in frustration. "What must I give up in order to have you in my arms once more?"
"I'm not interested in your kingdom or your crown, Your Majesty."
Hades' lips twitched. "Good thing. Because I don't have one."
A King without a crown. Now why didn't that surprise her?
He glanced up and looked so lost, so desperate, so lonely.
It wasn't his words that swayed Taylor, though they did touch her deeply. It was the desperation, the need to connect—his need to be loved that moved her across the floor and into his arms.
Hades didn't try to kiss her. He waited for her to make the first move. Feeling empowered, Taylor straddled his lap and softly pressed her lips to his forehead. Her mouth moved to his eyes, where she gently kissed each lid. Her lips glided over his stubbled jaw before settling on his firm mouth.
There she deepened the embrace. It took a moment or two of exploration, but Hades finally kissed her back. He made no move to touch her, which only made Taylor hotter. She set the pace. She controlled the rhythm. By the time her tongue teased its way into Hades' mouth, they were both ravenous for more.
His callused hands brushed her thighs as they journeyed toward her hips. Instead of gripping them, he bypassed them and went straight for her ass. Hades' large hands cupped her bottom and squeezed, then kneaded the flesh. Taylor's head fell back, exposing her neck. Within seconds, his lips were upon her. His teeth grazed the side of her bare throat as he sucked and licked his way from her ear to her shoulder and back again.
She moaned and scooted closer until her moist sex met his hard shaft. Two many layers of clothing separated them, which was good because Taylor wanted to play. This might be the last time she got to sleep with the Dark King and she planned to enjoy every minute of it. She rolled her hips and kicked her leg up over his head, until she was facing the door.
She ground her bottom into his erection. Hades hissed and his hands clamped down on her hips, keeping her in place before she could pull away again.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Dancing." Taylor gasped as sharp teeth latched on her butt cheek.
"I like it," he said.
She tossed her hair back and looked over her shoulder at him. "Most men do."
Hades' blue eyes flashed red. "I am
not
most men."
Taylor smiled. "No, you most certainly are not."
He seemed satisfied by her answer, but he didn't let her go. "Take your pants off. I want you to
dance
without them."
His raspy voice made her shiver in a good way. "You'll have to let me go a minute."
Hades did so reluctantly.
Taylor reached for the front clasp and undid her pants. She stuck her thumbs into the waistband and slowly shimmied out of them, making sure she had the King's undivided attention. She bent over in order to give Hades a clear view of her thong-covered bottom. Her long hair fell down her back and over her shoulders.
He growled low in his throat, then reached out and ripped the material off her. "That's better," he said, flicking the thong from his claws. "Now come here."
Taylor turned slowly, but instead of going straight to him. She performed a short bump and grind. Her hands stroked her chest, before sliding over her thighs. By the time she finished the dance, Hades' cock looked as if it would split his pants open.
The King's body trembled, his control barely tethered. His claws were buried in the furs on her bed. She noticed several holes where there'd been none before. His teeth had grown sharper and he stared at her through cat's eyes.
To have such command over one of the most powerful beings she'd ever met was...
intoxicating
. Taylor smiled to herself, determined to enjoy it while it lasted. She allowed her hips to sway as she walked over and climbed back onto his lap. "Once again, you have far too many clothes on."
Hades grabbed her, crushing her to his chest. He didn't stop kissing her until Taylor was breathless.
"I've missed you," he murmured, brushing the hair away from her face.
His admission tore at her heart and strangely gave her
hope
.
Hades caught the bottom of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Taylor had removed her bra earlier, so she was bare to his hungry gaze. His eyes seemed to glow the longer he stared at her.
"I cannot seem to get enough of you. I stayed away, but I couldn't stop thinking about you, remembering the feel of you beneath me. You haunt my nights and occupy my thoughts during the day."
Taylor felt the same way, but there was no way she'd ever tell him. He already had far too much control over her.
Hades grinned knowingly, then leaned forward and latched onto one pink nipple. His sharp teeth caused a delicious pleasure-pain each time he sucked.
Taylor arched her back encouragingly. She didn't want him to stop. He hadn't touched her where she needed it most, but she already felt her body going molten. Her fingers threaded through his silken hair, then brushed over his shoulders. It wasn't until she reached his waist and Hades flinched that she remembered that he was injured. She tried to pull back, but his hands tightened.
"You're hurt," she said. The man required bed rest. He might think he was invincible, but he wasn't. He bled like everyone else. The last thing he needed was to make love.
It's just sex. Don't ever forget that,
she chastised, but it was far too late to walk away unscathed.
Hades looked up, his handsome face harsh with desire. Somehow he managed to do so without releasing her nipple. His cat's eyes were almost solid red now with only a single circle of blue around the outer ring. Without a word, he let her know that he wasn't about to stop.
***
Hades spun Taylor until she was lying flat on her back. He hadn't released her breast, couldn't release her. She tasted too delicious. He inhaled. She was in heat. If he marked her now, she'd carry his heir. His beast clawed at his insides, demanding to be released. Hades shackled it and kept sucking. Her sweet scent filled his nostrils, making him even harder. He was still amazed he'd kept his hands to himself for as long as he did. Her dance alone nearly unmanned him.
He reluctantly released her nipple in order to feast upon the other. Her puckered flesh was flushed with blood and hard as Zaronian pebbles. With a thought, Hades willed his clothes away. From the moans coming from Taylor's throat, he didn't think she'd noticed.
Her lush thighs parted, leaving her sex open and ready for him. The rich musk called to his beast. He would taste her there before he impaled her upon his cock. Hades released her. Taylor immediately grabbed her breasts and pressed them together, offering herself to him. Hades fought the urge to return for another taste. He had richer valleys to explore.
He slid down her body, kissing and laving her navel before nipping at her hipbones. She jumped and her hips rocked up to greet him. Hades closed his eyes and inhaled.
Definitely in heat.
In the past, he’d always avoided bedding women, when they were in heat. Their scent was far too tempting, but with Taylor it was almost too much to ignore.
Hades growled in frustration. He parted her nether lips quickly and latched onto her clit. The tender bud swelled with blood as he gently bit down. Taylor shuddered.
"Not yet!" he snapped. Hades wanted to lap up her juices, wanted them running down his chin before he allowed her to come. His rough tongue went to work licking and swirling, flicking and flitting.
Taylor's back arched and she moaned.
Hades kissed her inner thighs, then sucked her clit even harder. Taylor's body quaked and she gripped the furs in tight fists.
"Please Hades," she pleaded.
Her juices pooled. Hades licked them up and went back to feasting. He wasn't nearly finished with her. He'd never be finished with her. For the first time in his life, that thought wasn't frightening. Hades refused to examine why.
He licked her, swirling his tongue around her entrance, until Taylor cried out. Hades felt the ripples from her release, but he refused to stop. He wanted her to beg, to never forget who'd brought her so much pleasure. He wanted Taylor to remember...
him
.
Hades plunged his tongue inside her spasming channel and purred, long and loud. Taylor screamed his name and her body bucked. He held onto her until her heart-rate calmed, then Hades slowly slid his body over hers, settling his hips between her boneless thighs.
He positioned his cock at her dripping entrance. "Taylor look at me."
Her lashes fluttered, but didn't open.
"Taylor!" She would be with him. She would know who possessed her.
Her eyes snapped open at his tone, but remained unfocused.
"No one will ever make you feel the way that I do. The way that I have," he ground out, as if his words could will it so.
She didn't say anything. She simply stared at him, but Hades read her thoughts easily. Taylor didn't want what he said to be true, but she believed that it was. And for Hades that was enough for now.
He surged forward, burying his cock deep within her body.
Mark her
, an insidious little voice whispered.
Hades shook his head to clear it. He couldn't. Wouldn't. His wants and needs didn't matter beyond the physical. But even as the thought trickled through his mind, he knew it was a lie.
Hades pulled back and thrust forward hard. He needed to be closer. Needed to bury himself inside her until they became one being, their two halves making a whole. His mouth latched onto Taylor's. He poured every bit of his frustration, his anger, his passion into the kiss as he fucked her with the power of his beast.
***
Taylor whimpered and clung to Hades. She wrapped her long legs around his hips and hung on as he fucked her. Each stroke, each thrust bound her to him, until she knew there was no escaping the Dark King. Taylor felt his anger. Felt his frustration. And worst of all, she felt his love. The one thing she could never have. The one thing he would never give her.
It wasn't fair.
Hades was inside her body, inside her head, and had a permanent place in her heart. Each thrust solidified his position. She'd never get him out. Never.
Taylor surrendered to the inevitable. If all she'd ever be was a mistress to the Dark King, then so be it. She'd settle for that, if it meant having Hades in her life.
Her body relaxed, cradling him close. His grunts of passion turned to sighs as he did his best to lose himself inside of her. Taylor ran her hands over his back, careful to avoid his injuries. She held him as tight as she dared, encouraging him to let go. Hades shuddered and reached between their bodies. He strummed her clit and Taylor shattered again.
She gulped in air as the orgasm rocked her.
Hades' body lost rhythm as she clamped down on his thick shaft.
"Let go," she whispered.
"Not yet," he grit out.
"Now," Taylor murmured.
Hades trembled and his hips jerked. "No!" he bellowed, but it was too late. He spilled his warm essence inside of her. The Dark King collapsed, gasping for breath.
Taylor bore his weight easily, willingly. She continued to gently stroke him. His eyes were closed and his face was now lax. The tension that had been there earlier was gone for the time being.
He rose just enough to look down at her face. "What am I to do with you?"
"You know, I've been asking myself the very same question," Taylor said.
Hades slid off her body. "Let me clean you."
Taylor expected him to go into the bathroom and get a towel. So when he slid down her body and settled between her thighs, she was confused. "What are you doing?"
He didn't answer. Instead, Hades gently licked her labia. Taylor fell back on the bed. She supposed that was one way to clean down there. He neared her over-sensitive clit, taking his time to thoroughly cleanse the area. She'd never think about bathing in the same way again.
She quivered as a gentle orgasm rippled through her. "I think you've got everything," she gasped.
"Sorry, I hadn't intended to bring you to release. I only wanted to clean you, but your scent is distracting," he said.
Taylor flushed. "Do I smell bad? Let me take a quick shower."
"No." Hades held her down on the bed. "You misunderstand. Your scent is richer now, sweeter, riper because of your heat."
She sat up. "My what?"
"You're in heat," he said, licking her once more. His eyes fluttered shut in ecstasy.
Taylor gaped at him. "What do you mean I'm in heat?" She wasn't due for another week and a half.
"I believe the term that you use on Earth is ovulating. You are fertile." Hades stuck his nose into the thin line of curls covering her sex and inhaled.
Taylor felt the color drain from her face. "Are you telling me that I might be pregnant?" Her heart slammed against her ribs and panic set in. A wave of calm washed over her a second later. She knew it had come from Hades.
"Would that be so bad?" he asked.
She stared at him, preparing to give a flippant answer, but he looked so serious. Taylor sighed. "No." She shook her head. "It wouldn't be bad, but it would be a surprise. To be honest, I haven't given children much thought." She had no choice but to lie. Hades’ opinion on the subject was clear. Taylor didn’t want him to think that she was trying to trap him somehow.