Ares eyed me as he sipped from the glass, his words leaving a long-lasting impression.
It was at the tip of my tongue to ride on and call him names he would find unpleasant, but I chewed the inside of my mouth to keep from doing that.
Damn it, Catherine! Why do you always feel the need to tick him off?
I seriously want to right now, even though I wasn’t in the mood. There was just this excitement to get him worked up, maybe because I craved something other than Mister Ice.
"I-I’m always at the feet of trouble. My Gramps’ words, not mine," I replied in a raspy tone, choosing my words carefully.
I made the mistake of dipping my gaze to watch the shirt fight to stay put with every stir. He certainly wasn’t doing this intentionally, but my mind made it so, as if spiking the unholy desires to take over and drown me.
Ares’ hand dropped to his side, the ice making soft tingles. "Maybe he’s right. You have a thing for trouble."
Amusement drowned his icy blue eyes, and the highlight made it seem as if I was under the watchful gaze of a beast.
Now my mind is coming up with weird thoughts.
I cleared my throat, massaging my neck, an action that made the air hotter because he tracked the motion, even as I glided it to rest on my chest, where my heart thudded heavily with every beat.
Gradually, his attention dropped to my lips, but it didn’t stay long before we sealed gazes, and I was hauled into those dangerous waters I warned myself multiple times not to tread.
I grew nervous with his extreme regard, praying he wouldn’t start asking questions about what happened, but knowing Ares, he didn’t need to. One look, and I already felt like I could spill my darkest secrets on autoplay.
To save myself the distress, I switched the topic.
"S-So you’re back from New York. It’s a shame it took something like this to pull you out."
Not my best choice of topic, especially when I was still a little bit pissed he left just like that. I certainly hope he doesn’t catch on.
"I was already on my way."
My cheeks turned red when I recalled the last text I sent him. Was that why he didn’t reply? Surely he can’t mean that, because there was no way a text like that would—!
He came towards me, and I panicked, quickly pulling the sheets aside and swinging my legs off the bed.
"I really need to shower. I’m sweaty all over and I can’t get a good—"
Ares clutched my waist and pinned me to his body before I could lose my balance. Coldness seized my spine because his hand had touched my bare back, peaking from the hospital gown.
"You shouldn’t strain yourself," he scolded. "You’re still recovering."
My mouth hung as the words jammed, but I swallowed thickly, murmuring. "I’m just a little dizzy, that’s all."
Ares dropped the glass on the nightstand and led me to the bathroom.
When he turned on the lights, I moved, but paused the next second when he tugged on the knot to keep me in place.
Casting a look over my shoulder, I felt him undo the knot of my hospital gown, flinching when his hand traced the bruises there.
My breath got shaky as he detailed every spot, lowering to the small of my back. I closed my eyes, getting lost in how gently he caressed the area.
"Ares." I threw a look over my shoulder to see the loud rage twisting on his face, crumbling whatever impassive countenance he had.
"It’s alright, it doesn’t hurt as much anymore."
I don’t know why, but I felt the need to say that to somehow calm the storm, for it seemed like a volcano was about to erupt behind me.
"I-I’m fine, Ares."
He released a deep breath and walked to the shower to turn it on, checking the temperature.
"Your..."
Ares’s shoes got wet, and the rest of his clothes followed. He didn’t seem to mind, though. I exhaled low, as the imprint of his fine muscles outlined deliciously for me.
I’m in trouble.
I pulled the hospital gown off me and let it pool on the floor. The action caught Ares’s attention, but his stare didn’t dip.
I strode to the shower, my body drenched instantly from the running water.
"My hand hurts..." I murmured, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip. "Do you mind giving me a hand, honey?"
"Hold me."
I clenched his shirt at the side of his ribcage as he took the shampoo from the stand to wash my hair.
Ares King is washing my hair.
I didn’t know what to think of this moment, and he did it with utter focus on the same level he used to work on papers in the office.
This sight of him felt surreal, but inviting.
"Just to clear the air, I didn’t buy the dildo."
Finally, a smile ghosted his lips even though briefly. It was nice to see it.
"I wish you did."
"And why is that?"
"Already imagining the things I’ll do to tame a bad girl."
My grip tightened instinctively as my pulse raced.
"What kind of things?" I asked in a low whisper, closing my eyes when the water set to wash the shampoo away.
When I opened them, Ares’ face was inches away from me, hair wet, and the dark, inky strand sticking flawlessly to his forehead. His soft breath tingled my face like a feather-like flicker as his hand sank into my scalp to massage.
I did my best not to drift off from the heavenly feels of his strokes and stay level-headed, but there was only so much of that I could do, especially when Ares was in the same breathing space as me.
"There’s no point saying it now. You didn’t dare do it."
"I bought the rose," I countered.
"Did you?"
"Yes. What are you gonna do about that?"
He rested his hand on my neck, monitoring how my pulse picked up in a matter of seconds.
"Say that again and find out."