“It’s not like he controls your life.Like, if Xander didn’t like me, would you still be with me?”
“It’s more complicated than an opinion.If he found something in your background that he considered to be a risk, he would dissuade me from being with you, yes.Xander doesn’t like too many people.”
Josie chewed her lip, spinning the possibilities through her mind.She could understand fierce protective love, but she didn’t want to say anything else without understanding how much Xander’s influence mattered to Ares.
“That makes sense from a self-protective point of view.”
“Yes, but that might be hard to accept.We are very much an entity.Xander, Harper, and Logan are my world, and I won’t let anything intrude on the happiness we’ve finally found.”
“I’m not out to destroy happiness,” Josie squeezed his hand.She understood that kind of loyalty.It was only her and her mom; her father left when she was a baby.Lots of people made comments about her still living with her mother, but why wouldn’t she want to live with family, the only person who’s ever had her back?It wasn’t the same as Ares protecting an empire, but she understood fierce love.
He flashed that quick smile at her and her fears eased.
“I want to move, though.”Ares stopped the car in front of a pair of black iron gates and tapped a button that she didn’t notice above his mirror.The gates swing open.
“Why?”
“This house was never my pick.I want trees around me and I don’t want to have to keep adding privacy fences because of the neighbourhood’s increased density.I want a break from work and being here, I feel like I don’t always have that.I want my home to be a retreat, and this is more like a mausoleum.”Ares drove past a square fat building, a guesthouse, to a wide paved driveway, and a garage.The garage opened automatically.He parked, shut off the car, and came around to open her door.
He offered his arm and walked her to the front steps, past a garden and a fountain.
“Its…big.”Words failed her on how to describe the towering house that was before her, up many concrete steps.
“Yes, it is that.”Ares pulled her close and started to climb the step.
Josie hesitated.Shecoulddo it; she absolutely could climb these steps, but her body was already sore from the physicality of the night.
“Do you want to see the pool?We can go through the patio doors.”
“I would love to see your pool,” Josie swallowed past a lump in her throat.Ares didn’t make it a big deal or comment on it but he recognized the issue and offered a solution.Taking her arm in his, he guided her to a path that led to a fence that opened to a large covered pool, dim lights and a garden.
“Hot tub in the corner,” Ares gestured to a small pagoda.
“I’d love a hot tub,” Josie murmured, thinking of much relief that would give her sore aching muscles.
“We’ll make use of it,” Ares pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her and she rested her head on his chest.
“This feels good,” Josie whispered.
“I could stand outside in December on a starless evening with you all night long.”His breath tickled the side of her neck.
“I am getting a little cold.”
Ares chuckled.“Let’s move this inside.”
The sultry way he said inside made her pulse leap again.What was she doing here, at this gigantic mansion with this man who could have any woman he wanted?She pushed those thoughts away as Ares took her hand and led her inside to an anteroom, where they took off her shoes and Ares took her jacket, then laced his fingers with his, bringing her through a pair of wooden double doors.
She focused on the feel of his hand in hers and felt like she was floating.
“Welcome to my home.”Ares held the door open for and with her heart in her throat, she stepped into an open plan room, the massive kitchen to the left.A hallway to the right.The kitchen was like what she dreamed about and she couldn’t help running her hand along the marble counters.
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Ares came up beside her.
“It’s a lovely space.”
“But it’s not what I would have chosen.”He took her hand in his, guiding her into the vaulted ceiling front room.
“Is that a stripper pole?”
