As Ares steered them out of the Christmas Market to his car, Josie leaned on his arm for support.
She could pinch herself, because how was this real?Not that Ares Montague’s arm wasn’t a great place to be.It was, and her heart pounded with the exhilaration of this moment and the high of the night.
But she shouldn’t hold on to him as a mobility aid.After the full day of work and all the walking of the Christmas Market, fatigue descended on her.
Josie didn’t want this evening to end…not yet.
“Here you are.”Ares held the car door open.
“Thank you.”Josie fastened her seatbelt as Ares walked around, resting her head against the soft creamy buttery seats of the expensive upholstery.
“Hi.”He slid into the driver’s seat.
“Hey.”
“I want to kiss you.”
“I want you to kiss me.”
Why did this man make her feel brave?Being with Ares made her feel more confident than normal.Confident enough to lean forward, to meet his gorgeous lips, to put her hand on his shoulder, as she lost herself once more in him.He tasted sweet from their dessert and fresh.His tongue stroking hers sent shivers down her spine.The kiss energized her, dispersing her fatigue.
“That was a good first date.”He cupped her cheek.
“I agree.”
Meeting Ares’s green eyes, she laughed and his lips twitched.It felt familiar between them and it made her relax.Though there was no denying the heat between charged with anticipation.
Ares navigated out of downtown easily, not complaining about the traffic or the crowd.
“You don’t mind driving in the traffic?”
Ares shrugged.“I can’t do anything about it, so I don’t see the point in complaining about it.”
A car swerved and cut him off, and he didn’t even utter a curse under his breath.Josie reached across and placed her palm on his thigh.Ares’s hand rested on top of hers.
“My ex hated traffic,” Josie exhaled as she said it, realizing she had tensed up, bracing for road rage.
“Yeah?”Ares squeezed her hand.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t talk about him,” Josie lifted her hand off of Ares’ lap, looking out the window.
“You can talk about anything you like, Josie.I’ll listen to you all day.”
“I’m not that interesting.I should be asking you about your business or project or something.”
Ares laughed, a light rippling sound that filled the car.“Everyone asks me about that.Ask me something else.”
Josie bit her lip, worried that Ares would think that she was interested in his bank account.His warm, strong hand closed around hers.He brought her hand back to the top of his thigh.
“I asked you out.Several times.I’m here with you because I want to be, okay?”His rich, deep baritone made her squeeze her legs together.
“Okay,” Josie grinned.“If you weren’t living here, where would you live?”
“Lots of places make me feel sentimental, but honestly, I love it here.The only other place I would live is wherever Xander did.Is that going to be a problem for you?”
His smile disappeared, like a shutter closing, and Josie shifted on the seat.“What do you mean?”
“Women I’ve dated have had a problem with how much I am “tied to Xander”,” Ares used one handed air quotes.“But he and I are a team.We didn’t have a happy childhood and no matter how much we’ve grown away from that or how much money we have, I will always consider myself my brother’s protector.”
