Aaren looked up, drying his hands on a towel. “Hmm?”
“Would you like to sleep over at my place tonight?” Hades wet his lips. It wasn’t a sure thing, since Aaren still seemed to have some sense of duty toward the jackass, but... “I don’t feel comfortable with you being alone with him. He was aggressive tonight. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Aaren rocked on his feet, chewing his lip. “Just one night. Plus I think he’s still full of germs.”
Hades snorted. “Yeah, he was sniffling as he retreated.”
Aaren laughed. Then he fidgeted. “Do you think... Maybe we could stop by his house so I can grab my important things? So he doesn’t throw them out if I’m not there.”
Hades hesitated. “I’ll park on the next street and go up to the door with you. If he’s asleep, I’ll help you carry your things out.”
“Okay.” Aaren bobbed his head gratefully.
Hades hated,hatedthat Aaren was stuck working around this situation. But Aaren was nearly his. As long as he remained patient and helped Aaren, he would get Aaren out of this mess sooner or later. “I’ll see you when you get off?”
“In both ways?” Aaren tried to look innocent, but there was an undercurrent of mischief in his smile.
“Of course,” Hades purred. He blew a kiss, watching as his omega blushed and ducked his head. So adorable.
It wouldn’t be long now, until he could pin Aaren and claim Aaren as his.
16
WAKING UP WITH HADES
Visiting Hades’home in the daytime wasnothinglike going home with him at night.
Aaren squirmed as Hades ushered him through the front door, one large hand on the small of his back. Then Hades’ hand dipped lower, cupping Aaren’s ass as he locked the door.
“Your hand feels like it belongs on me,” Aaren blurted. He kicked off his shoes and watched as Hades’ smile grew.
“You belong here,” the alpha purred. “In my home, and in my bed.”
Aaren shivered. His arms were full of his things—not everything, because he still wanted to maintain some kind of cover with Ballus. But he had brought along the belongings that mattered: family photos, his blanket, the credit card Hades had given him.
“Where do I, um, put my things?”
Hades led him to his bedroom, where the open closet revealed some empty space. One of the dresser drawers was open too—also empty.
“I made some space for you,” Hades said, looking shy. “It’s probably not enough. I did this earlier when I got home, but I’ll buy you a dresser the next chance I get.”
Aaren stared. “I don’t even have that many things. Or clothes.”
“Would you like to have more?”
“Maybe. But I can also just... wear yours.”
Hades grinned. “You can’t wear my underwear. They won’t fit. Will you be going without?”
Aaren’s mouth went dry. “I may as well. It’s not like I can wear underwear while I’m stuck on your cock.”
That drew a laugh from the alpha. “On the contrary, there are types of underwear that contain holes for easy access. I’ll look for some in your size.”
At least he wasn’t letting Aaren deal with the headache of trying to find something that fit.
“Wait,” Aaren said. “‘Types of underwear’? There’s more than one kind of holey underwear?”
“Oh yes,” Hades purred. “It’s a whole genre—ouvert panties. That’s French for ‘open’. Some of them are merely elastic straps held together by bits of fabric. All you’d be wearing are bands around your hips and thighs, and little else. Then there are the criss-crossing flaps—strips of cloth that cross over your front, go under your body, and spread out to either side of your ass, leaving your crack on display. The third style has a hole for your cock and balls to push out of, and another hole at the back for easy access. The fourth—”
