CATHERINE
"So you ran..."
"No, I didn’t," I defended. "I left. There’s a big difference."
"Really? It seems that way to . How did it go down again? You left the shower, grabbed a robe, and just..." Tori trailed.
I gave her a warning look not to use that word, but this was Tori, and she was after my life.
"...ran."
"Ugh! I just panicked, you know..."
"What happened? The dick was too good?" she teased, smirking.
My mouth hung as I grew speechless. I really did wish it was all that, but it gets worse. Yes! Ares King fucks like a god, and so help , I’m still feral because last night was beyond anything I could ever imagine.
It’s like when expectation ets reality and you get more than you bargained for. But it wasn’t about that... this was about . I’m shaless to admit I still wanted Ares like I craved water, and that was not a good sign.
"I don’t wanna talk about that right now. I just wanna soak in this pool and forget everything about that night."
That’s the only way I can ground myself and not play the scene like a broken record.
"Sure soak... You haven’t even got in yet, and the water is really great."
"I’m sore..." I mumbled.
"Damn! Are you bleeding?" she asked, worried.
I blushed. "No, I’m aching."
"Then you should dip and cool your precious pearls."
That sounded like a great idea. I took off my hat, dropped it, and rose to my feet.
"She’s diving...!" Tori said in a sing-tone.
I giggled about dipping, but her words stopped .
"Oh! Take off your sarong, you’re not swimming in that thing, are you?"
"You know I can’t take it off..." I reminded her.
"Are you sure the devil isn’t prepping you like so feast? I have to ask because..." She sighed. "God knows that is rabid."
I rolled my eyes. My hips and thighs were covered in nail marks and scratches.
I jumped, hugging my knees midair as I subrged in the water. The cool temperature welcod , and I lingered for a few seconds before erging and gasping for air.
"That felt good!"
"Told you! You were the one who wanted to dip your legs only and be lost in thought."
"I wasn’t lost in thought."
"You kept spacing out like a damsel in distress," she said, and swam towards the other way.
"I’m not a damsel in distress!"
"Enjoying the water?" Athena ca forward, classy as always in her white Bikini.
There’s a reason she’s a model and fashion icon because damn, that shape was enough to die for.
Athena took off her sunglasses and dropped them on the cushioned loungers, and proceeded to the pool using the stairs. She rests her arms on the surface, using her back to face us.
"Is that...." Tori trailed, pinning her gaze on sothing.
"What?" I asked.
She moved close to and whispered. "There’s a micro dusa tattoo on her lower back."
My stomach dropped at her words. I veered my gaze to Athena, who was in the middle of taking a martini from a house staff.
I can’t see clearly without my glasses, but I could tell there was an ink design. Tori and I shared a look, but she didn’t say anything.
"M-Maybe it’s just a fashion statent," I suggested. "It can’t an that..."
"I hope so too."
"Are you guys ready for the family dinner?" Athena raised her glass. "Here’s to a successful one. Gotta make a toast earlier than expected."
"Family dinner?" I frowned.
"Can I take a rain check on that...?" Tori said. "I’m obviously not a King, and the last thing I wanna do is intrude."
"Oh, but you’re invited. I’m not, but I’m still gonna crash like I did the ball. It’s always so fun!"
"You aren’t invited? Why?" I asked, puzzled.
Sa thing with the ball, too. I just realized that.
"Because I’m unwanted." She raised her glass.
For so reason, her words made sad. Agatha clearly did not like her, given how she reacted yesterday when I ntioned Athena. There was so much going on with the Kings, and a loving family was clearly not one of them.
I swam to the stairs and braced to climb, but I froze midway when I felt a chill up my spine. I moved my gaze fast, narrowing them when I caught soone’s silhouette. I used my hand to fra my eyes and discovered Agatha scrutinizing from a balcony before retreating into the room.
I can’t wait to get the fuck out of this estate.
~☆~
Evening ca quickly, and I got ready for dinner. I wore a blue, off-the-shoulder blouse, the short sleeves puffed just a little bit. My skirt was white with small dark dots, flowing down to my ankles, and a slit parting the fabric at the front. I paired it with simple sandals to complete the look.
I was in the middle of applying my lipstick when I caught a movent through the mirror. My entire body stilled when I set my eyes on Ares.
He was just at the doorway, hands buried in his pockets. My pulse raced bizarrely, and I couldn’t stop my hands from quivering as I shut my lipstick tube.
I’m a trembling ss. Fuck!
Ares ca slowly, stopping just a few feet away from , eyes boring into mine, and in a matter of seconds, heat crawled through my skin and settled between my legs, where I still ached, and this ti it wasn’t about last night but the impossible things my body was craving right now.
"C-Can you zip up?" I asked in a whisper.
Ares doesn’t move, and I pondered when this staring contest was gonna end. But then he reached for my zipper and pulled. I waited almost desperately for his skin to make contact with mine and sohow quench this fire, but it never did.
"Did you by chance see Theo rcer at the ball?" he asked out of the blue.
"Y-Yeah, um, just briefly," I replied with narrowed eyes.
"Did he tell you why he was there?"
I tensed when he pinned with his cold eyes.
"H-He had a new sponsor or sothing like that. Why are you asking this?"
Especially right now.
Ares doesn’t reply, choosing his usual fucking silence.
I released a sharp sigh as I dropped my lipstick on the dresser. "Hope I’m not overdressed?" I asked, eyeing his matching linen shirt, sleeves rolled, revealing his corded arms.
I swallowed a lump in my throat as I turned, nervous, my desires on a full swing, and what made it too much for was the blank expression on his face.
I was hoping I would finish up on ti and leave, but it seems like Nico must have called him or sothing.
Suddenly, he took a step closer, and I took one back, gripping the table for balance when my butt pressed into the edge.
Ares reached for , and I shuddered when he used his thumb on the end of my mouth where my lipstick must have smudged.
That simple contact made my heart speed up, and it’s terrifying how much I wanted more.
"You left," he finally spoke, a dark look dousing his blues, making the color drain.
"Yes, I did."
He doesn’t ask why, and I don’t expect him to.
This was for my sanity.
"I-I’d like to terminate the sex contract."
Ares doesn’t blink or flinch. "If that’s what you want."
My eyebrows furrowed, his abrupt reply striking a nerve.
He checked his Rolex. "We should get going."
"Of course..." I murmured, the words too heavy for because of the weight crushing over .
Ares led out of the room, his hand guiding the small of my back. I could feel the chill coming from it, but he didn’t touch , a twisted feeling coiling low on my stomach.
Does he not want anymore? Is that why he easily agreed to it?
Several thoughts stord my brain until I couldn’t think straight anymore, my head growing lightheaded. I looked at his side profile; his attention was focused ahead, and suddenly, I was eager for his eyes on .
What’s wrong with ?
I forced my gaze ahead, mustering up a bright expression to sohow manage the storm brewing inside . The best I could do was act as if I wasn’t affected.
"Dinner with your family doesn’t sound like sothing that will go well..." I said as we got to the venue, it was outdoor dining.
The table was decorated with candlelight and a feast. Everyone was already seated.
"We’re late," I whispered.
"I’m aware."
When we got closer, eyes moved to us, but there was one unwanted face that made my blood run cold.
"There you are! We’ve been waiting," Agatha said with the loveliest smile. "This is our guest of the evening. Piper Fisher."
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