Page 34 of Hades

I laughed softly as I retrieved my basket of nail polish and climbed into bed next to him. For the past eight months, Simon and I had been dating again. It was different this time, compared to our younger days. We didn’t stay out as late as we used to, and sometimes the kids tagged along for dinner or a movie. On more than one occasion, we had to cancel our date because Mia or Casey got sick, and we decided to stay in, eating ice-cream together, cuddling up on the couch.

“Pick a color,” I said, presenting the nail polish to him.

Simon scanned the choices and selected one—a delicate lilac that shimmered faintly in the light.

“This one. Reminds me of that dress you wore to Bobbie and Psycho’s wedding.”

I hummed in agreement.

“You loved that dress.”

“I loved what happened when I took it off, too,” he replied.

I breathed a quiet laugh as I settled back against the pillows, presenting my hands to Simon. With surprising patience and attentiveness, he took his time painting my nails, blowing faintly to dry them. He angled my hand this way and that, applying pressure on my wrist or in the center of my palm to guide me.

A few months ago, Simon made a request for date night. He wanted me to wear a peachy coral pink nail polish. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it. He never had an opinion like that before, so I indulged him.

Until we got home and my hands were wrapped around his cock, coral pink polish against his tanned skin. That’s when I realized the color flipped a switch in his brain. He was so turned on that he couldn’t think straight—a breathless, squirming, begging mess, just for me.

Ever since then, I let Simon choose the color of my nails. And he was the one who volunteered to paint my nails for me. I suspected he liked the excuse to hold my hands and kiss my knuckles, stroking his thumb along my palms and my wrists.

Of course, I was sworn to secrecy. I couldn’t tell anyone in his club. Simon had a reputation to maintain as Hades, Road Captain and rebel outlaw. I didn't mind keeping this special, sweet side of Simon private, just for me.

“I’ve been thinking,” I said, watching his studious expression while he worked.

“Mmm?”

“Casey is six years old now.”

Simon nodded.

“That damn kid is growing like a weed.”

I shifted closer, brushing my breast against his bicep. Simon paused and his gaze slid over to my bare shoulder. He dipped his head, brushing his lips there.

“I’m not getting any younger either,” I pointed out.

Simon glanced up.

“Meaning…?”

I leaned forward, bringing my mouth to his ear.

“I want another baby.”

His eyes darkened as he searched my face. He carefully capped the nail polish and tucked it back into my basket.

“How long have you been thinking about this?”

“Nearly a year,” I replied. “My birth control prescription needed to be refilled last month. But I decided to skip it.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. The tip of his tongue flicked out, wetting his lower lip as his gaze roamed over me from head to toe. He casually hooked a finger into the hem of my towel and gave it a little tug. I shimmied my shoulders and the towel came loose, pooling around my naked hips.

“Fuuuuck,” Simon growled.

He shifted on top of me, sucking one of my nipples into his mouth. A blissful smile spread across my face, getting exactly what I wanted. I threaded my fingers into Simon’s hair, holding him in place. He slotted his hips between my thighs, his cock twitching in the thin fabric of his sweatpants.

“You should have told me sooner,” Simon said, grinding against me. “We could have cancelled our date and stayed in bed all night.”