“The truth.” I leaned forward, close enough to see her pulse jump at her throat. “And seeing Orion carrying your unconscious body, smoke in your lungs—” My hands flexed. “Every protective instinct I trained into submission during my military years woke up and refused to go back to sleep.”
“Ares.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“I’m direct. So here it is—I want you. I’ve wanted you since day one. I want to strip that kimono off your body and taste every inch of your skin. I want to hear you scream my name.”
Her breath caught.
“But I need you to understand something.” I shifted closer, the space between us shrinking to nothing. “If you say yes, I’m not gentle. I’m not patient. I’ll probably leave marks we’ll both have to explain later.”
“And if I say no?” Her voice was steady despite the heat in her eyes.
“Then we pretend this conversation never happened.” I reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with deliberate slowness. “Yes or no, Tashi. But make it clear because I’m holding on by a thread here.”
She stared at me for three heartbeats. Four.
“Yes,” she said.
I moved.
One second I was across from her. The next, my mouth covered hers with no restraint. This was hunger, pure and simple, hours of watching her laugh while my hands ached to touch her.
She made a sound against my lips—surprise or need, I couldn’t tell—and opened for me. My tongue swept into her mouth, claiming, tasting champagne and desire and something uniquely her.
“Ares,” she gasped when I moved to her neck.
“Say it again.” I gently bit down on the spot where her pulse throbbed. “I want to hear how my name sounds when you’re coming apart.”
Her fingers dug into my shoulders, nails through the fabric of my shirt.
“Ares, don’t stop.” Her head fell back, giving me better access. “Don’t you dare stop.”
God, she was perfect. Responsive and brave, and completely mine in this moment.
I found the edge of her underwear and traced the lace with deliberate slowness while my other hand cupped her breast through the thin fabric of that kimono. She arched into the touch, her hips rocking against my hand.
“Tell me what you want,” I demanded against her skin.
“You. This. I don’t—” She broke off when my fingers slipped beneath the lace. “Oh God.”
“Specific, Tashi.” I caught her eyes and stared into them. “Tell me what you want.”
“I want—” She gasped when I found the right spot. “I want you inside me. Now.”
Direct. I fucking loved that about her.
I lifted her, pushed her against the wall, hands rough on her hips. Her breath came in short gasps. My belt buckle clinked as she worked it open with shaking hands.
“Protection?” she managed.
“Wallet. Left pocket.”
She found it, tore the packet open with her teeth while I fought every instinct screaming to take her without pause. Whenshe rolled it on with hands that trembled, I nearly lost what little control remained.
“Ares.” She met my eyes. “I need?—”
I pulled her down onto me in one smooth motion, and the rest of the sentence disappeared into a moan that made my vision blur.
Tight. Hot. Perfect.
