he stood, in his True Religion jeans like they were made for every curve of muscle, and a black silk shirt that set off his olive-toned god looks. It wasn’t the least bit tempting. Okay, a little, until I heard the yip of Persephone’s dog and my spit dried up.
“Hello, Hades. Nobody left to torture in Tartarus?”
He held a hand to his chest. “You wound me, Sharisse. I don’t torture anyone because then they can’t serve me. And I would never do that to you. I can think of much more pleasant things we can do together.”
“I’m sure you can. Do you have Persephone’s permission to play with mortals?” Daddy told me the best defense was a great offense. Charge!
His eyes grew cold.
“Just in case you didn’t know, Mr. Omnipotence, she’s in the next room. And she thinks I’m chasing you. When she saw I had the exact same ring you gave her, she had a fit! Bad timing, bad choice, and bad idea! She scares me, Hades. Let me go.” I jammed my fists on my hips.
He smoothed his countenance and spread out his hands. “Sharisse, calm down. Persephone and I have an open relationship. When she leaves me every spring, I’m so lonely down in Tartarus. She understands I don’t like to be alone.” He made a little pout, which on a different person I’d want to taste.
“I’m sure you can find someone who doesn’t mind sharing you with the missus,” I retorted. “You haven’t gone through the whole pantheon yet, have you? You could have one playmate here and another down there. As long as you’re cheating on her, don’t stop at one. But don’t think to include me.”
Hades stepped closer. “Now you’re just being nasty. You’re safe here with me. Here and in Tartarus, Persephone and I are free to come and go as we please, but under the terms of the agreement Zeus worked out, Persephone and I cannot meet each other on the mortal plane. I can’t go into the next room and placate her, but neither can she burst in here to confront me about you.” He licked his lips, so slowly. “If you would simply consent to give me one night, I would give you anything you desire. I’ll get you a different ring. A bigger one. A pink one.”
We stared at each other for a moment.
He continued. “I can guarantee that no harm would befall you. Would that soften your heart, my sweet Sharisse? Or perhaps …” Suddenly Hades was dressed in blue-pinstriped superfine wool trousers, a white cashmere sweater, and Gucci loafers. A cream cashmere coat was draped casually over his shoulder. An errant lock of hair slipped down across his forehead. With a deft twist of his head, he flicked it back.
When I pulled my eyes away from his elegant attire, I noticed we stood outside a marble building.
“Buon giorno,” said a man strolling by.
We were in … Milan. In front of Ferragamo’s. The mecca for shoe worshippers, of which I was a devout subject. Was Meg psychic? Or had Hades eavesdropped? My palms sweated and my heart pounded. Was this fear, or temptation? I couldn’t tell the difference, and I was afraid of both.
“Ooh,” was all I could manage. Hades stepped in front of me and opened the door.
“Shall we?”
I just wanted to look. On my grandmother’s grave, I swore I wasn’t going to accept anything.
“Ah, Signor! E Signorina! Come stai? Prego! Prego! ” The man in the shop bowed, gesturing for us to come farther in.
“Giuseppe, my friend, how are you? And that lovely wife? Your children?”
Oh, he was smoother than Swiss chocolate. Asking about the wife and kids! How underhanded! He was just weaving a spell around everyone!
“Buono, buono.” They conversed while I slipped away to admire the displays. There was gilt everywhere, and each seat was a cream-colored upholstered cloud. The floors were buffed ivory marble. Even Giuseppe was attired in a costly, custom-made suit. His midnight blue shirt, against his pewter suit and yellow tie, created a picture of noble elegance. Soft music, the enticing aroma of leather, and the personal pampering added to the luxurious decadence. All around me were one-of-a-kind shoes, some with fourteen-karat-gold buckles or buttons. The inventory in this place could probably feed a third-world nation for several days. Now I was starting to sound like Meg. But it was true.
Hades came up behind me. I knew he was there; I could feel him breathing down my neck. I ignored