CATHERINE
My pussy and thighs are scorching. My chest, throat, and eyes had the same sensation too. My head is pounding, and I think every time my eyelid grows heavy, I’m close to La La land.
I want to end everything, stop all this before it gets too late, but I’m conflicted with myself. This whole thing is freaking me out. I don’t wanna be caught in whatever shit this is, but a greedy part of me still needed that money.
Gramps may have been questioning my income, but I have never heard him so vibrant. Granny was back to growing her garden again, this time without pressure.
The thought of ripping that hope from them broke me more.
"You’re forgetting something, baby."
Ares’ words pulled me out of it, and against my better judgment, I shifted my gaze from my hands to him.
"The first contract never mentioned a termination except by the husband."
I drew in sharply in my breath.
"And the sex contract. I told you to say the words like you mean it. Do you know what that entails?"
Everything was clashing on me all at once, and I couldn’t keep up. It became very clear at that moment.
I can’t escape Ares, not yet. Just nine more months in this, and then I would walk away without looking back.
When I didn’t reply, he stood to his feet, still glistening in sweat, the droplets running down the hard-toned lines of his biceps and abs.
I feel sick with myself for being drawn to him despite my dilemma. My pussy was throbbing like it wanted his lips there again, a destructive warmth taking over me, and I couldn’t help it as tears fell again.
What have become of you, Catherine Lane? Have you become so consumed by this man that you can’t even think straight anymore?
Ares rested his hand on the sofa and took my chin. "I’m not done with you yet. Termination is not an option."
What will be left of me after?
I looked away, not having the strength to be soaked in those blue eyes. They chilled my bones.
Nico was back with a new shirt for Ares. After handing it over, I felt Nico’s gaze on me before he left. I just want to spend my time here being invisible and try to stay levelheaded.
"Will you give me a hand, baby?"
Ares pulled on the tie, and I stood to my feet. He undid the knot and freed my wrists.
Trembling, I buttoned his shirt. I was slow, and I kept making mistakes, but Ares didn’t seem to mind.
I was in the middle of buttoning his vest when he took my hand.
"Are you shaking from fright, or from the influence of your orgasm?"
I moved my stern gaze to him, and a slow smirk tugged at his lips as if he got an answer to that question.
"Both."
I tried to pull away, but he yanked me close. Pushing the messy curls of my hair behind, taking his time until it no longer sticks to my face.
"I much prefer the latter, though." He leaned in for a kiss.
"Mr. King, Miss Athena is on her way," Reed said at the door.
I peeled myself away from him that moment. Ares wore his jacket, and he led me out.
"Don’t tell her about the wound," he murmured to me.
I fixed him with a pointed stare.
"There you are! I have been looking everywhere for you!" Athena’s high-pitched voice came through as well as a snappy click-clack of her heels.
"Oh my Cat!" She gasped when her eyes skimmed all of me. "What did you do to her?!"
"We... um... got freaky," I murmured.
"Of course you did! But Jesus Ares! What is wrong with you? Are you a wild animal or something?" Athena grabbed my elbow. "Come with me, I’ll fix you up real quick."
I felt Ares’ stare on me until we disappeared into the next hallway.
~☆~
Athena set her purse on the counter, pulling out a few makeup items and a hairbrush.
"You have a brush and makeup in there?"
"Why wouldn’t I?"
"That’s um..."
"I’m always prepared. Not that I have someone to screw me nuts. This was meant for you. I knew Ares couldn’t resist you in that dress."
I didn’t know if I should be relieved or creeped out by her perception. But I don’t have the strength for any of those. I just sat as still as a statue as she brushed my hair.
"Too bad the curls will go. This look still suits the theme just fine."
Athena styled my hair in side-swept waves. I was stunned by her handwork, and it came out pretty good.
After she finished, she came for my makeup, grimacing at my swollen lips.
"What’s wrong with that buffoon? Was he trying to bite your lips off?" She applied the lipstick, and my face was contorted in pain the entire time.
When she saw my thighs, she was about to flip, but took a deep breath and used concealer to cover the bite and nail marks.
"This will do for now, but you have to apply something, or you’re gonna be swollen."
"A-Ares and I had a... tiff."
"Oh, a spice with drama!"
"He had a gun to a man’s head."
Athena’s action slowed.
"I saw everything... and then he wanted to kill me, but..." I gulped. "I don’t even know what happened, I’m just..." I clenched my hands to keep them from shaking.
Athena straightened her spine, and her lips pursed. "Must have been a hell of a drama." She shut the case of her concealer.
"Will you be honest with me?"
She walked to pack everything in her purse. "About what?"
"You once told me Ares has secrets, but you weren’t specific. Would you tell me what they are?"
"It wouldn’t be so much of a secret if I told you."
"Does Ares work for the mafia?"