“What?” I arch a brow.
“This.” He points his index finger toward me and then to himself.
“Absolutely not,” I stare at him hard.
“Thought so.” He chuckles.
“What’s so funny?” Looking back at him, anger sizzles under my skin.
Rubbing a hand on his mouth, he grunts, “A man's gotta eat, that’s all.”
“Well, eat at a different dinner because this,” I mimic him by pointing at him and then at me with my index finger, “isn’t happening. Ever.” Then I pull the cover up to my chin.
“Alright, alright…then goodnight, princess.” His voice is soft and surprisingly warm.
God, why is he calling me this nickname? I’ve known him for less than a day, and he already has a nickname for me.
“Goodnight,” I reply, as cold as ice.
The air in the room is suddenly heavy, and my PJs are making me sweaty. As much as I act as if it was annoying to share a bed with him, I actually kind of like it. Falling asleep is the worst part of my day. My brain rewinds everything I ate and it drives me slowly insane, keeping me up at night trying to count the calories I should aim for the next day. So, focusing on him instead of food is actually making me feel way better right now. I can’t remember the last time I went to bed without staying stuck like a broken record.
Minutes tick by, and I relax a little. I try to stay awake and wait for his breathing to slow down before making sure he’s completely asleep. After what feels like the thirty longest minutes of my day, I open my eyes, glancing over at him. He’s asleep, his jaw clenched. The muscles in his arms are taut, the tattoos on his skin shifting with every tiny movement.
In another life, I can’t say I would complain about lying next to this handsome man.
Quietly, I slip out of bed, careful not to make any noise. My outfit seems to glow in the dim light, contrasting with the dark room. I tiptoe toward the door, glancing back once to make sure he’s still asleep.
I step into the hallway, closing the door silently behind me. The relief is immediate, but so is the tension.
I didn't notice how hot it was in there, or was it just me?
Walking inside one of the guest bedrooms, I lean against the door, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. It’s a nice room, with navy blue sheets and light velvety curtains, but as soon as I crawl into the cushy bed, I can’t help but feel alone. Tugging the cover over me, I close my eyes and my mind drifts to the brutal kiss we exchanged today. It was intense. That’s the only word coming to my mind. Never in my life had I been kissed this way. After reminiscing about my day and the calories I ate, I hear a light noise in the distance, but I’m already drifting into sleep, the sound echoing far away.
Ares?
Ares
I’m not gonna lie, it was kind of adorable to watch her sneak out like a little mouse thinking I was asleep. I had a lot of work to get done in my office anyway, and night is usually when I’m most productive. It’s quiet, and I can hear myself think. I took a nap and woke up at two AM to get to my office downstairs.Stepping outside the bedroom, I walked directly to the guest bedroom, where I knew she was.
Watching her from the door, I froze. Her brows were furrowed, her body shivering, most likely in the throes of a nightmare. I didn’t like that. I didn’t want my wife, no matter who she was, to be afraid.
I took her in my arms as gently as my large palms allowed and walked her back to our bed. I didn’t know if she was aware of what was happening, but her body relaxed instantly in my arms, her head nestling inside the crook of my neck. Her cinnamon scent hit me like a sudden wave of comfort.
I laid her on our bed, the moon cutting through the window, casting a glow on her face, illuminating her like a painting. Her lashes rested against her cheeks, and her lips, slightly parted, were like a fucking perfect, peaceful bow. I tucked the sheets around her, and as if she knew she wasn’t alone anymore, her body stopped shivering and melted inside the mattress.
“Night, princess,” I whispered and walked away to my office.
At least work would keep me away from thinking about the goddess sleeping in my bed.
Chapter 4
Ares
It’s been two months since we got married and every night, still, Mia escapes to the furthest guest room. And just like on our wedding day, I pick her up in the middle of the night and tuck her back in our bed for her to wake up the next day.
We don’t even talk about it. It has sort of become our routine.
To be honest, I haven’t really talked to her since that day. I go to the club before the sun rises and come back when she’s already asleep. Sometimes, I come home a bit early and see her working out on a mat in the living room, but we mostly ignore each other.
