Page 5 of Hades

I chewed the inside of my cheek, gauging his reaction. When my sister, Tessa, gave me Greyson’s number, I didn’t hide anything about the baggage I would be bringing into a potential relationship. Wasting my time with someone who couldn’t tolerate my kids would be pointless.

So, Greyson had the full layout of what he was agreeing to by going on a date with me. And he didn’t even bat an eye.

“Despite everything going on in your life, I’m glad you were able to meet me tonight,” he said, his voice a rich, smooth timbre.

A familiar tug of need coiled tight in my lower belly.

I wasn’t starving for sex, since I still found myself tumbling into bed with Simon more often than I should after our divorce. The attraction between us was a habitual comfort, like the embrace of a favorite old sweater. Soft, familiar, and well-worn, easy to slip into without thinking about it.

Every single time, I swore it wouldn’t happen again.

But I still ended up turning to Simon when life became too heavy to bear on my own. When I needed to be held.

Greyson took my hand, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. I couldn’t deny how handsome he was—with a strong, square jawline, a hint of silver at his temples, and a lean, muscled figure indicating he was in good shape.

The attention was flattering and…exhilarating. I knew dating would bring a new set of challenges at this stage of my life, compared to my twenties, when I first met Simon. I’m a plus-sized curvy woman in my mid-thirties now, with the stretch marks of a body forever changed by two pregnancies.

After more than ten years of my life wrapped up in Simon, I wondered if I knew how to navigate this dance of attraction with another man. Someone who wasn’t my ex-husband.

Greyson made it so easy though, with his gentlemanly manners, his compliments, and his unwavering eye contact.

On Saturday night, the Old Spruce Pub was packed with people. Every table was claimed, and every seat at the bar was full. The scent of beer, steak, and fried food filled the air, delicious and mouthwatering. The buzz of conversation and clattering silverware created a crescendo of noise swelling toward the ceiling. The wood panelled interior and low light created a cozy, intimate atmosphere, providing the perfect excuse for Greyson to shift his seat closer.

He watched me with piercing blue eyes that made my heart skip a few beats.

“I should be the one thanking you,” I said, leaning in to be heard. “I’m sure you have plenty of options to date in Aurora, and yet you came all the way to my humble little Juniper Creek to have dinner with me.”

Greyson brought my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles as he held my gaze.

“It’s worth the trip for a woman like you.”

My cheeks warmed at his praise. I had prepared myself for an awkward, disastrous first date as I got back into the swing of things. But this was going well—very well.

“Oh, I bet that silver tongue and those pretty words open all kinds of doors for you, don’t they?”

Greyson chuckled and dipped his head, bringing his mouth close to my ear.

“Sometimes. Is it working?”

A thrill zipped up my spine. I sucked in a sharp breath of surprise as a rush of heat flooded through my body. Then his lips met the curve of my neck and I melted with a sigh, my eyes fluttering closed.

My phone rang, slicing through the moment with a jolt of alarm. I gave a disappointed whimper and broke away from Greyson reluctantly.

“I really need to just check that. It could be my kids.”

“Sure, no problem,” he replied. “I understand."

I cast a grateful glance at him, rummaging around in my purse until I found my phone. The caller ID showed Simon’s name. If he was sabotaging my date out of jealousy, I would kill him.

“Don’t freak out,” he said as soon as I answered.

My heart lurched and a thousand worst case scenarios flew through my mind.

“That’s not how you start a conversation if you intend to keep me calm, Simon. What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I took the kids to the park to burn off some energy. And Casey fell from the monkey bars.”

A lump formed in my throat. I pinched the bridge of my nose, willing myself to think clearly and not panic. Simon wouldn’t call me for a minor accident like a playground tumble. Casey must have been injured. I just needed to know how bad it was at this point.