Page 24 of Hades’ Revenge

“I didn’t.” She traced her finger along the tattoo under my thumb that extended to my wrist. “My father thought the hospitality industry was more practical, and since he was paying, I had to agree.”

Oh, Leonardo, you’re making my job so much easier.

“I still got to go to NYU and he pays for the seamstress, so it was a win.”

“You should have been able to choose what you wanted to major in.”

“You know my dad.” She tossed her wavy curls over her shoulder, revealing her plunging neckline. “He gets what he wants.”

So do I.

“Speaking of that,” she said. “I have to leave the day after tomorrow.”

That’s not going to work. I let her continue as I pondered how I wanted to play this.

“My father is holding a reception in the city on Friday night, and I have to be there.” She shrugged. “He’s hosting some important associates, and he has insisted that I come home for it.”

“I see.”

“I promised my mother I would be there, because that was how I got her to help me stay these extra days. She said I should have some fun before I’m expected back.”

“I guess I owe Gia a thank you for letting me have you for a few more days,” I said.

“You’re not mad?”

“I would never expect you to go back on your word to your mother.” Being a liar is more your father’s style. “We’re just going to have to make the most of these two days.”

Letting her go home so soon wasn’t in my plan, but it was a hurdle I would overcome. It would give me an opportunity to figure out how I would get her back to Greece. According to Atticus, she would finish school a semester early. I had to find a reason to get her here before school started in the fall. I had him looking into online classes for her to complete her degree.

“What do you have in mind?” she asked.

I slipped my fingers inside her panties and ran them along her bare mound. She bit her bottom lip and stared at me with her wide, intuitive eyes, daring me to go further.

“You’ll have to come to the house and stay with me.”

“You want me to leave the hotel?”

“Yes,” I whispered into her ear. “I need you in my bed for the things I have planned.”

“I can do that.”

“Good girl.” I removed my hand from under her dress and trailed it up the side of her body. “I’m going to kiss you in front of all these people.”

“You’re asking?”

“No.” I brushed my fingers along her neck before capturing the side of her face in my palm. “I’m warning you.”

“That’s considerate of you.” She dropped her gaze to my lips. “But for the next forty-eight hours I’m yours, so you can do whatever you want.”

“You’re going to be mine a lot longer than that.” I leaned into her face. “And I do intend to do whatever I want with you.”

Drifting my lips across hers, I tasted the sweet, fruity essence of prosecco on them before tilting my head to the side and kissing her. As our tongues mingled, our lips molded into one another, creating the perfect fit.

I pulled back, still holding her face in my palm, trying not to forget myself. I wasn’t known for kissing so intimately in public.

“I smeared your lipstick.” I swiped my finger underneath her bottom lip, wiping the smudge away.

“You’re the sexiest man I’ve ever…” She looked over my shoulder to the other side of the bar.