He pushes my shirt all the way up over my breasts. I look down at him, then search the surrounding area. We’re in a hallway, I know we’re on the first floor still, but that’s about all. This area is unfamiliar to me. My hands cover my breasts; I don’t know who else is here. Anyone could walk up on us. Ares makes a low noise in his throat, and I’d feel threatened if I had any sense, but instead I admonish him. “Ares, what if someone walks in?” Removing my hands, I shimmy, my shirt falling over his hands still on my ribs as I cover myself. Defiantly, he wraps both of his hands over my bra-covered breasts. I suck in a breath, my nipples hardening even more with his touch.
Darkness closes in, like night is rapidly falling. “No one would see us unless I allowed it,” he murmurs, his voice low. Using his teeth, he lifts the hem of my shirt as he moves up from the floor. He stoops over me before releasing my shirt to the same position it was in. I’m again exposed to him, only now he’s standing above me, his eyes impossibly dark as his gaze remains fixed on my body.
Ares brings his hand up to his mouth, and he licks the side of his thumb before running his tongue over his top lip. My lips part as I get that deep clenching feeling low in my belly. Tilting his head, he brings the same thumb to my mouth and places it right in the center of my bottom lip. Angling his hand, I feel the tip of his thumb touch my tongue. I close my mouth, rolling my tongue over his finger. Ares’s other hand goes up to my neck, and his fingers tighten, causing me to arch and release him.
When I open my eyes again, Ares is watching his hands as he pulls the cups of my bra down. The damp thumb that was just in my mouth goes right to my pebbled nipple. I jerk, the new sensation almost more than I can bear. Ares stands back, his hand going to his mouth. “Take that off.” His head nods in my direction. I’m not sure if he means the bra or shirt, but I reach around my back to unhook the bra, I’m not taking my shirt off in the hallway. Reaching my hands in the sleeves of my shirt, I pull the strap of my bra down one arm, and then the other. Ares grabs the center of my bra and pulls it away the moment my hands are free. He dips his chin in my direction, and now I know he wants the shirt off, too, but I shake my head in denial.
He groans, widening his legs as he narrows his eyes on me. “Fine,” he mutters, his body slamming into mine. The air in my lungs escapes on a whoosh as he melds our bodies together. “Sorry,” Ares apologizes, then bites the side of my neck roughly.
Placing my hands on his waist, I let my fingers inch up under the fabric of his shirt. Ares kisses his way back to my lips, giving me small nips as he goes. When his mouth reaches mine, he takes my top lip between his teeth. “I could devour you.” His voice is a soft whisper. What does it say about me that I want him to?
Bringing his hands up over my hips, he continues until he reaches my chest. I lean forward, pushing myself into his hands. He makes a low sound of approval, his thumbs finding my nipples easily. Even over top of my shirt his hands feel amazing. A heavy pant falls from my lips when he gives me a light pinch, followed by his fingers circling my nipple. My hips rock forward to meet his. Taking my hands from his back, I tangle them in his hair, my arms over his shoulders. My skin begins to tingle as I drag in a breath. The thought of having all of him hits me. I want to be surrounded by him, filled with him. Closing my eyes, I drag my fingers down his back, and when he arches into me, I feel a pulling sensation in my chest. Tugging on the imaginary cord, I wrap it around me, encasing myself in Ares’s shadows. His body sags into mine, his forehead hitting the wall behind me. My mind opens, and a rush of energy hits my nerves like an electric shock. I jerk, my nails scoring his back as I cling to him tighter. Gritting my teeth, I push back the feeling, shoving the invading powers back into Ares.
His back arches and his mouth opens, but no sound escapes. Even though we’re standing within his created shadow, I can see perfectly when his eyes snap open, and instead of the pitch black, they now have a constellation of starry white dots. Looking into his eyes is like seeing into the far reaches of space.
“Ares!” A panic-filled shout erupts from me as I place my hand on his cheek. What did I just do to him? Head still tilted back, his eyes close slowly and his head bobs as he takes in deep breaths. “Are you okay?” My voice is barely a whisper now, and I use my other hand to lift the back of his head. “Should I get someone—Dante? I don’t know what to do.” My voice breaks.
“Okay…” Ares finally stammers, “I’m okay.” He takes one step back and stumbles, ending up on the ground as he drops like his legs wouldn’t support him.
“Oh, God,” I fall to my knees, tugging my shirt back down. “Dante, Dante!” I scream. The house is too big. He probably won’t hear me. “Tell me what’s wrong. What can I do?” I plead, my hands running over his chest and face.
“Just need a second,” Ares mumbles, his large body sprawled across the floor in the hallway.
“I’m so sorry, I’m sorry.” Tears blur my vision. “Dante,” I call out again, my voice strangled with emotion.
“What’s going on?” Mia’s voice is on the edge of hysteria. She drops beside Ares's head, her hands shoving mine away. “What did you do to him?” she accuses.
I stand up, backing away, tears falling down my face faster than I could catch them if I tried. “I don’t know. We… I.” I can’t find words. “Help him,” I plead, backing farther away. Ares's head lolls to the side in my direction, his eyes slitted open. When I don’t move, his hand reaches out toward me. I shake my head. I can’t go near him, and I don’t understand what I did to him, or if I could hurt him more.
“Go,” Ares demands, closing his eyes. He tugs his hand from Mia, who has wrapped her fingers around his. Rolling my lips in, I glance at him. I can’t leave him, even if he wants me to. I can’t. “Laura,” he calls, sitting forward, his chest and shoulders sagging with the exertion.
I inch closer, unable to stay away, and I fall on my knees again as I place my hand on his back, steadying him. He leans into me as soon as I’m close enough that he won’t fall over again, sighing.
Mia stands and she’s the one who backs away now, her face contorted in confusion. “I don’t know what you’re doing to him, but I will not let you hurt him.” I look up at her, feeling helpless. Ares's head is in my lap now, his body surrounding mine like I’m the one needing protection. His fingers dig into my back and leg, his face burrowing deeper into my stomach.
“Go, Mia.” Ares’s words are stronger than just a few moments ago. I look down, peeling my chest away from him so I can see his face. His eyes are open, and I can see the tawny brown irises. There are no white sparks in sight. I sag and wrap my arms over his head. Tears of relief fall as I sob into his hair. Several minutes pass, neither of us willing, or able, to stand while Ares regains his strength.
A throat clears from a few feet away. “Mia told me you needed me?” Dante sounds dubious as he takes in our positions crumpled on the floor.
“I could have used you, like, five minutes ago. This house needs an intercom.”
Dante’s head jerks back like I’ve shocked him. “Okaaay,” he adds a few extra syllables to the word. “What did you need?”