A Taste of Greek (Out of Olympus #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

ground, trying to think up something to say. To stall. “Right now, I have to focus on my research paper, I’m going to be working day and night . . . ”
    His hand lifted her chin, pulling her to him again, moving in for another kiss. After a heart-pounding second, Penny grabbed the rail behind her and stepped back. Her hand immediately touched her swollen lips that were throbbing in protest. When Hermes released her, somewhat reluctantly and clearly surprised, she dropped her head and noticed his shoes under his silk slacks.
    He wore brown leather sandals, a strange choice of shoes to go with his otherwise impeccable outfit. Doing a double-take, she looked at them once more. Were those gold-colored wings peeking from beneath the seam of his pants or was the light of the streetlamp playing tricks on her eyes?
    Hermes.
    A Messenger who spoke Ancient Greek.
    Wearing winged sandals?
    Her gaze shot up to his. It couldn’t be. Was it possible? No! She’d clearly had too much wine. It had to be that and . . . his kiss. Yes, it had to be the kiss. It was making her all woozy. Though maybe she should just ask him about the odd sandals. She opened her mouth, but he spoke first.
    “Let me walk you home.”
    “Uh.” It was silly. No, she was clearly mistaken. “I’m just down the street,” she muttered. “There’s no need.”
    He looked disappointed, and she had to admit, part of her was disappointed too. She wanted to take him home. To feel his hands on her body, to feel every inch of his glorious body. To make love to him for hours on end. She was an idiot for turning him away tonight. But something in her refused to give in.
    “Fine.” He pressed a card into her palm. “Call me.”
    She averted her eyes and nodded. Then she made a motion to leave.
    He stopped her. “You’re not going to call me, are you?”
    She didn’t answer. She wasn’t sure she could handle someone like him now. Not with everything else going on.
    “Then you leave me no choice but to convince you to call me.”
    He leaned toward her. His hand touched her arm. She sucked in a quick breath, wondering what he meant by his words, when he pulled her into his arms. His lips were on hers before she could react, his kiss robbing her of her will to protest. Her lips parted, allowing his foraging tongue inside her, allowing him to take possession of her.
    She’d never been kissed like this: with such single-minded determination, such heat, such passion. And the power that oozed from him, the strength that seeped from his body, weakened her knees and made her want to do only one thing: surrender.
    When she suddenly felt cool air waft against her burning lips, she realized he’d released her.
    “So, are you going to call me?”
    She opened her eyes. “Yes,” she whispered. It was all she could say, and it wasn’t a lie.
     

5
     
    Hermes ignored the bells, the shouts, and the other loud noises that filled the casino, and walked through the gaming floor as quickly as he could without attracting attention. When he reached the far end of the massive hall, he spotted a door that said Authorized Personnel Only . With a quick glance over his shoulder, he made sure the coast was clear, and pushed the door open, closing it behind him just as swiftly. The long corridor was lit with neon lights and provided a stark contrast to the fancy furnishings and decorations on the casino floor itself.
    Knowing his way, Hermes walked along the labyrinth of corridors until he came to a door marked Boiler Room . He sighed as he stepped inside the room. Hades did have a twisted sense of humor. When constructing the access points to his underworld empire, he’d insisted on making it as easy as possible for those souls to enter who were most likely going to end up with him anyway: the gamblers, the cheaters, the thieves. Zeus had had no objections, agreeing that entrances in casinos and near other establishments of vice were only fitting for this purpose. How