His mouth tightens, but he jerks his chin down once. The sun is still high in the sky shining down through the sunroof, and shadows dance over his features even as the light bathes him in a warm glow. “What are you looking at?” His question makes my cheeks flush, but I don’t look away.
“You.” I don’t tell him how sometimes I wonder what I did to get so lucky to have him and the others in my life. Without their help I wouldn’t have any idea what or who I was. I’d still be in that camper begging for my mom to come back, with no hope of ever finding her.
The corner of his lip curves up. “Do you like what you see?” His cheesy line makes me bark out a laugh, my head thrown back. It’s something I would expect Ollie to say, not Ares. He’s usually as smooth as silk.
I lower my chin, looking in Ares’s direction when my peal of laughter subsides. He’s leaning over the center console and his face is only a few inches from mine. Any lingering giggles die on my lips when he leans forward and seals his mouth to mine. Ares kisses me like he wants to steal my breath from my body with hungry little nips of his teeth, while stroking his tongue with mine.
My heart picks up to a steady gallop. The low console between us feels like an obstacle I want gone. It’s keeping me from getting as close to him as I want, keeping him from getting as close to me as I need.
As if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, Ares slides his hand under my arm and lifts, pulling me over. Thankfully, the SUV interior is roomy, and with his help I crawl over. With the steering wheel at my back, I straddle Ares’s thighs, never breaking the kiss.
Having him under me changes the dynamic of our kiss. I’ve never been the one to dominate a kiss with him before, he’s always the one in control. With the roles reversed, I place my hands on his wide shoulders, and my hands trace over the thick muscles that lead up to his neck. Lowering myself onto his lap, Ares makes a low groaning noise. His hands tighten around my waist as he drags me even closer. My breath leaves in a heavy pant as our chests fuse together. There isn’t an inch of space between us, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
My nose brushes against his as he tilts his head trying to deepen the kiss. I can already feel his hand traveling up my back, and I know right where it will land. Ares’s palm settles on the back of my neck, his fingers tilting my head so he can hold me in place. Slitting my eyes open when Ares moves his lips down my neck, I see his inky lashes fanned over his cheeks and the tip of his tongue as he delivers a lazy lick up the side of my throat. I tilt my head back to give him better access, but I catch a glimpse of our surroundings.
We’re sitting the driveway, a few steps from the side door where anyone could walk out at any moment. “Ares.” My voice cuts through the fog and I curl myself against him. His hips lift from the seat as he grinds up against me. “Ares.” His name is a breathy plea, but I’m not sure if I’m trying to get his attention or beg him to continue.
He hums a response, his mouth still on the side of my neck. He’s not showing any sign he cares where we are or who might find us. “We should probably go in.” I can’t dampen the pout from my voice.
He groans again, but not the one I like—the sound that makes my toes curl. No, this one is born of disappointment. Ares’s forehead hits my collarbone, and I run my hands through his hair, enjoying the feeling of him clinging to me.
“Give me a minute.” His voice is gravelly as his hands go to my hips, and he squeezes me, halting my movements.
Scooting back a few inches, my lower back hits the steering wheel. “Sorry.” I wince, because I told him we needed to stop, but my body had other ideas.
Ares peers up at me, the darkness receding from his eyes, shrinking back down to dilated pupils. “Why are you sorry?”
Pursing my lips, I widen my eyes then glance down at his groin where his erection is still obvious between us. “Um, I know that getting excited and not, um… uh… finishing can be painful?” It definitely comes out more like a question. I’ve heard more than my share of guys complaining about girls who are teases and the effects of blue balls.
Ares traces his thumb under my eye, and then over my cheek. “Cara, there aren’t, nor will there ever be, any expectations between us. No matter how far we go, or have gone, you can always tell me to stop. There isn’t a point where there’s no turning back.” Ares pauses; he’s looking at me with an intensity I don’t quite understand. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I lift my shoulders. “That you’re okay making out?” Ares is older than the other guys, and I know he has experience with sex, everything about him oozes sensuality. If I’m being honest, it’s part of the reason I’m more comfortable being with more than one of them at a time. There’s a comfort knowing none of them will try anything with the others around.
Ares clears his throat. “Yes, I’m absolutely fine making out, but it’s more than that. My reactions to you are my own; you’re not responsible for sating me.” I bite my bottom lip, this is the first time I’ve had any conversation about sex, and it’s a little awkward.
Ares's eyes close slowly, and when he blinks them open, he exhales a heavy breath. “Let’s head inside.” Leaning around me he hits the button to turn off the car and then opens the door.
As easy as it was to climb on his lap, it’s just about that awkward to climb out the driver’s door backwards. My leg gets stuck over Ares’s thigh, so I end up jumping on one foot until I can pull free. Finally, setting both feet on the ground, I straighten up and run my hand over my braid.
Ares reaches for my hand the moment he gracefully steps out of the SUV. I look around the drive, noting Mia’s car is missing from her usual spot again, but that doesn’t mean she’s not here.
Ares notices my gaze and squeezes my hand.
“She here?” I ask.
“She was when I left to come pick you up.”
“Where’s her car?” Stepping up on the porch he pushes the door open, waiting for me to enter first.
“Don’t know. I didn’t even think to ask.” Ares doesn’t bother taking his loafers off, but he gives them a few extra wipes against the rug.
I kick my sneakers off and use my toe to line them up near the wall. “Finally! What took you guys so long?” I hear Ollie call from deeper in the house. Does he know how long we were sitting in the driveway? I peek back at Ares, and he gives me a slow wink.
Making my way to the kitchen, I find the guys all lounging in the living room area. Dante tracks my movements as I head toward the sink to wash my hands. I’m starving, so I waste no time rummaging through the fridge to find the leftovers I’ve been thinking about all day.
“Anybody hungry?” I call with my head still half in the fridge.
“Always,” Dante answers from much closer than a few moments ago. Startling upright, I glance over my shoulder and see he’s standing right behind me. “Hey,” he rumbles, his eyes running over me like it’s been days instead of hours since he last saw me.
“Hey, I’m going to warm this up, you want some?” I offer, lifting the silver tray filled with the small bites of chicken from last night.
“Sounds good, let me help.” Dante takes the pan from my hand and sets it on the counter. With my hands free I have the urge to close the distance between us. Feeling braver since our bonding, I take a step in his direction. Dante looks at me, his brows raised. Wrapping my arms around his waist and completely invading his space, I lay my head against his chest.