“No, not all the time. I’ve learned to control it. And some people have a natural barrier.” Ares takes my hand, pulling me toward the bed. My vision isn’t as clear as it was when I was sharing his power, but it’s better than it was before.
“What did it feel like for you? Were you with me? Did you see what I saw?” I can’t keep the excitement from my voice as I climb into bed.
“I don’t know, it’s never happened before. I think I was—or could have been—with you, but I was also here. I could feel you on my skin, all over me, inside me. Turn over.” I do it without thought, curling my knees up. Ares scoots in behind me, wiggling his arm under my head.
“Did you see Milo? Why was he so dim?”
Ares grumbles, “Later.” His other arm snakes over my waist, securing me to him.
My body relaxes against his. “Why are you so tired?” I whisper into the darkness.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” he answers on a sigh.
“Why? Did you stay up with Mia? What were you guys doing?” I try to sound causal, but probably fail.
“I took her to the kitchen. We had a drink, but she still didn’t want to sleep alone.” My body stiffens. Did he sleep with her, did he hold her like he holds me? “Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” he orders. “I sat with her until she was finally ready to go to bed. By that time, I was already too awake to go back to sleep, not to mention there was someone in my spot.” I feel the blunt ends of Ares teeth as he nips my shoulder. “I got a few things done in the office, and then it was almost time for you to get up. So, I decided to get ready for the day. I had a nice start to my morning.”
Ignoring his comment, I ask, “So that’s it? You’re just normal tired?”
“What other kind of tired is there?”
I flick my fingernail over my thumb. “You know, just more tired for other reasons. I guess.”
“You’ll have to tell me about those reasons, or show me.” Ares's voice takes on an edge.
“I think you would know those reasons far better than I would,” I rebut. I’m being petulant, and I know it.
“No, I don’t think I do.” Ares’s tone is light and airy as he sighs.
I snort. There is no way he doesn’t know what I’m alluding to. “I thought you were tired, go to sleep,” I demand. His bicep is under my neck, with his forearm pillowing my head. I turn and bite the inside of his arm—not hard, just a nip like he’s given me.
Ares’s body coils behind me, and I have a moment where I think I’ve hurt him. He drags his arm out from under my head and I roll toward him in the process. An apology is poised on my lips as his face hovers above me. “I’m—” That’s all I get out before his mouth drops to mine. His lips push against mine heavily. He pulls back, but only long enough to lick the seam of my mouth. He takes a stuttering breath, and when he leans in again, it’s painstakingly slow. With a slight tilt of his chin, his lips land on mine with a scant amount of pressure. Following his lead, I let my lips barely graze his, pulling back the moment his lips pucker to return the kiss. Ares’s palm lands on my lower stomach. I suck in a breath when I feel the heat of his hand through the fabric of his shirt.
He nips my top lip, pulling enough that I push myself closer to him. Ares's palm travels up past my navel, and slowly continues while I’m chasing his lips with mine. Our mouths are open now, but neither of us has deepened the kiss yet. Ever so slowly his fingers reach the bottom of my bra. My nipples tighten, he hasn’t even touched me there yet, but my body knows he might, and it’s already ready.
Ares’s nose bumps with mine in a deliberate caress. I feel his warm breath as he pants, his breathing becoming shallower. “Laura.” I hum in response, my hand reaching up to tangle in his hair. “This okay?” The tips of his fingers glide over the bottom of my bra between my breasts, his palm still flat on my sternum. My back arches, and his forehead rocks on mine. My body seems to think it’s ready, but I’m not so sure. Taking my hand from his hair, I guide his hand up between my breasts until his fingers are at the base of my throat. Ares's whole body rocks against mine, his hand trembling as his palm glides up my neck.
I’m not sure I trust myself to let him touch me too much more. With the way my body reacts to his, I’d probably ask him for more than I’m ready for. His fingers tighten under my jaw and he turns my head away from him, his nose nuzzles my ear. His breath has gone almost ragged. I feel the tip of his tongue stroke behind my ear, and a soft whimper comes from me as I shift, feeling restless.
Ares turns me back to face him, his mouth descending on mine as he controls me and our kiss. His tongue traces over my lips slowly before he delves into my mouth. A groan of satisfaction leaves me when I can finally brush his tongue with mine. Turning my hips so I can get closer to him, I find myself almost covered by his body. Reaching under his arm, my hand lands on his bare back, sliding down until I encounter the fabric of his sleep pants.
Ares always asks me before he takes things to a new level of intimacy, even the first time he kissed me. Why don’t I want to give him the same courtesy? I want to let the tips of my fingers explore what’s just on the other side of that barrier. He rocks against me again, and my body follows his, my hips rising off the bed as I arch into him. “Oh, hell,” Ares rumbles, nipping at my lips. I pull back, my eyes slowly opening as I lick my lips.
“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?” I ask huskily, feeling brave knowing I’m affecting him.
Ares makes a sound somewhere between a grunt and a groan, and his forehead drops to my shoulder. “You started it.” His voice comes out mumbled from between us.
“Me? How did I start it?” I’m completely baffled. He’s the one who kissed me.
I feel his teeth on my shoulder as they scrape my skin—just enough where I can feel the pressure. I gasp as his tongue licks over the bite. Oh goodness, how can I feel that in places he wasn’t touching? “Oh,” is all I have to say after.
Ares pulls my back into his chest and tucks me into his side again, spooning me. His lips and nose push aside the fabric of my borrowed t-shirt so he can kiss his way all over my back, neck, and shoulders. A few spots he hits have my body arching into his; he gives those spots a little extra attention before moving onto the next areas. I’m almost panting when his fingers flex on my hip, drawing me back into the crook of his body.
His kisses slow until he settles with his mouth near my ear and his scruffy chin against my shoulder. I’ll probably have stubble burn all over my neck tomorrow, but I can’t even pretend to care right now. My body is languid next to his. My shirt has ridden up with all of my movements, so I can feel the softness of his sleep pants on the backs of my thighs.
The weight of Ares's body behind me slowly increases. He’s relaxing, his muscles loosening as he drifts off. I close my eyes even though I feel like I’m way too keyed up to fall asleep, letting the comfort of his embrace lull me.
As my body relaxes, the thoughts I’ve been trying to keep at bay begin to circle in my head. We still haven’t found my mom. Ares installed a fancy security system in my motor home—it’s probably worth more than the whole vehicle—but he’s able to monitor if anyone comes or goes from his computer; even his phone has the app. She hasn’t been back—not that I expected her to, at this point. I just wish I knew where she was, how I could find her.