by Katee Robert
“I love you,” I blurt out. “Both of you. So fucking much. It scares the shit out of me.”
Hercules flicks his gaze to my face, more serious than I’ve ever seen him. “You both know I’m head over heels for you two. I have been since that first night.” He glances at Hades. “So, no shit, I love you.”
I find myself holding my breath and relax as Hades strokes my drying hair. “You know I love you, Megaera. I may not say it often enough, but I have ever since you walked through my doors, full of fury and a determination to save someone who didn’t deserve it.” He leans over until I can see his face. “I haven’t taken care of you the way you deserve, and I’m sorry for that.” He glances at Hercules. “And you. You were never part of my long-term plan, and yet here we are.” He hesitates. “I don’t give my love easily, little Hercules. You’ve slipped in when I wasn’t paying attention.” He gives a slow smile that makes my stomach flip over despite how exhausted I am. “Now you’re mine forever.”
“I’d like to propose a new bargain.” He squeezes my hand. “The three of us—for good. Three lifetime bargains in one.”
Hades goes still. “Three.”
“Yes. Not just a bargain with you; a bargain with one another.” Hercules smiles and it’s so sweet, it washes over me like golden sunlight. “The three of us on equal ground, such as it is.”
I find myself holding my breath. Hades doesn’t make us wait long. “A bargain it is, then. A mutual claiming.”
“Sounds kinky,” I murmur.
He chuckles. “When you’re healed, it will be. Until then, we seal it with a kiss.” He brushes his lips softly against mine, and then repeats the move with Hercules. Hercules presses a quick kiss to my lips and stands.
My heart is so fucking full, I can barely stand it. “I think this is the best bargain I’ve ever made.”
“The feeling is entirely mutual.” Hades lifts me into his arms. “Come on, love. Let’s get you in bed.”
It’s not as graceful as we’ve been in the past. The pain meds haven’t quite kicked in yet, and I’m moving like a person three times my age. They bracket me in, warming me, comforting me with their bodies better than they ever could with their words. Surrounded by the two men I love, the two men who love me, something inside me relaxes, and despite my pain, I draw my first full breath in what feels like years.
This is right. This is exactly where we’re meant to be.
This is fucking perfect.
Thank you so much for reading Learn My Lesson! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you did, please consider leaving a review.
The Wicked Villains series continues in A Worthy Opponent with Tink and Hook’s story. With Tink’s contract coming to a close, she’s got vengeance on her mind. The only person who can help her? The man determined to bring her to her knees…and put a ring on her finger! But can Tink and Hook get over their animosity to bring down their mutual enemy? Only one way to find out!
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Acknowledgments
Whew, this book! This story was most definitely a labor of love, and it wouldn’t have been possible without a most excellent group of people.
HUGE thanks to Christa Desir for editing and really helping me make the story shine. It’s a thousand times better than it was when I finished that early draft and your insight was invaluable in making that happen.
Big thanks, as always, to Lynda M. Ryba for an excellent eye in copyediting. I’d be lost without you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the early readers of this book: Jenny Nordbak, Joanna Shupe, and Andie J. Christopher. Your comments give me life!
I have the best support team in the world. It’s science. Big thanks to Piper J. Drake and Asa Maria Bradley for always being in my corner.
Thanks and a whole lot of sorry-not-sorry to my FB group, The Rabble. I promise that tormenting you with sexy teasers is only a positive thing, because it inspires me to up my game. Your enthusiasm is priceless.
All my love to Tim and my family. You may never understand my obsession with villains, but I appreciate you indulging me. Kisses!
About the Author
Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her titles The Marriage Contract and The Bastard’s Bargain were both RITA finalists. Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and a Great Dane who thinks she’s a lap dog.
www.kateerobert.com
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