"So his dad sent an invite to a ball? What are we in the eighteenth century or something?"
"Exactly my thoughts," I said, angling my waist so that I could see my ass in the mirror.
The red marks all over it made me feel like cursing Ares to oblivion, but I found myself admiring the imprint because it felt like he had marked me in some way.
God! I need to really stay off those smutty books. They are messing with my head.
"Instead of a good old-fashioned meeting with the in-laws, it’s gonna happen at a ball?"
"Come on, I never once expected meeting Ares’ family is gonna be anything but normal. I prepared for the worst."
Or not? It wasn’t until Athena chased me in the woods that I realized the Kings would be more than I bargained for.
"Or weird. I always knew the Kings were a bunch of high-class eccentrics. No offense."
"None taken. Ares’ mood changed after that. It was also like he wasn’t pleased by the card or something."
"Wait, you can tell from that cold-blooded expression?"
"He gets silent."
"Isn’t he always like a man of few words? Yeah, silence is a good change," she said sarcastically.
"Dead silent," I clarified as I opened my cabinet to search for the ointment. "He said no word the rest of the day. It felt like I was with a ghost."
"Okay, girl. You’re the only one who can decipher that one. So that means you’re attending this ball?"
"I don’t know yet." I opened the lid and dipped my finger into the cream.
"But it is a social event, right? I mean, that’s necessary given the contract stuff and all. You’ve only gotten one official appearance so far. Isn’t it like your job to convince the entire city that you’re a legit couple?"
"Yeah, that’s the plan, except I don’t have details about this—What are you eating?" I asked when I heard chewing sounds.
"Hmm... Pizza."
"Damn, now I want one. That right there will be my dinner."
"And soda."
"Ugh, that hits the spot!"
"Easy now, munchkin. You’re gonna add more fuel to that ass."
I hissed when I applied the cream to my still-hot bottoms.
"Are you hurt or something?"
"Yeah, I um..."
"Hmm?"
I rest my palm on the counter. "Ares spanked me."
I could already picture the look on her face with her pizza halfway to her mouth. "I’m sorry, what?"
"You heard right."
"What kind of kinky shit are you doing with the devil? You better not lie to me!"
Awesome... I shouldn’t have made that confession, but there’s no going back now.
"It’s not the first time."
She gasped. "Catherine Lane!"
"I didn’t tell you this because I didn’t want you to overreact."
"Overreact? Girl! We talk about boys for breakfast, but this is far from that. A whole lot is going on wherever you are, and I’m getting the full tea. You’d better spill before I come over there and eat your cheeks!"
Okay! She’s on overload, and deflecting will not be such a good move.
"Look, I can’t exactly tell you everything, but..."
"But...?"
I swallowed heavily, not knowing how to explain myself.
"Holy shit!"
I should be thankful for her perception.
"I knew you were always into something like that."
"You do?"
"Girl, the smutty books gave you away, and I don’t wanna bring this up, but you always mentioned you wanted more with Dan, but he never got the message."
"I see..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Spill!"
"I like it, okay? This thing with Ares."
Tori sighed. "It’s your fantasies coming true, so I can’t question you or your sex life. If anything, I’m cheering my munchkin on to get that meat."
"W-We haven’t had sex yet, nothing like that."
"What? I thought you were already climbing that devil."
"Not yet."
"Not yet? So you have that in mind?"
"Yes?"
Tori sighed again. Uh-oh, that never sounds good when she does that twice.
"Look, it seems like whatever in that contract must have stated something like this along the way, either way it’s something you took charge of and accepted."
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me.
"But Cat, getting carried away doesn’t sound like a good idea."
"I’m not getting carried away."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes! I just wanna fuck him out of my system, that’s all."
"Wow! Now you’re using my words because that is exactly what I said about Jacob, remember? And what happened after?"
"It’s not gonna end that way, I’m sure of it, the sooner I end this, the better."
I said it more to myself than her. A shifty feeling swamped me, but I shoved it aside.
"I don’t wanna see you get hurt. I mean, Ares King obviously wants you as much as you want him, blah blah blah, but don’t forget whatever this is has no endpoint. The sooner you realize that, the better."
I had no idea why a tightened sensation found my chest.
"I’m very much aware. Um, I have to go, gotta order that pizza!"
"Okay."
"Bye!"
The call ended, and my once bright expression dropped. I stared at myself in the mirror for a long time before I finished applying the ointment.
I walked out of my room into the corridor, and on making a turn, I saw Ares in the middle of fixing his running shoes.
Shocked to see him, I hid behind the wall, mentally cursing myself for doing such a thing.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out. "Hey!"
Ares tightened the knot and rose to his full height, my eyes roaming his entire massive frame in thirst.
He was wearing a black track jacket that hugged his broad shoulders. The fabric stretched across his ripped body. Below, compression tights clung to his legs, showing those defined muscles; over them were loose shorts.
Ares’ gaze dipped, and I followed, my pulse quickening when I realized I had stepped out without wearing any shorts.