His very justified sense of injury was no longer so justified and the woman in front of him, who he’d been moments away from taking here on the floor of the gym like a feral youth, was the cause of this introspection.
Ares didn’t need introspection. His life had been perfectly fine. And the fact that her usual sunniness was dimmed…shouldn’t matter a whit. He took a step back and tried not to let his eyes travel down over that perfectly honed body, encased in clinging Lycra. Her little midriff-baring vest top and the leggings that cupped her ass like a second skin.
And he definitely couldn’t think about the surprising strength that had caught him off guard. But then, that just summed up his whole experience with her. Surprising at every turn.
His voice sounded gruff. ‘You should get ready, Cass.’
‘Yes. I should.’
Ares mentally pleaded with her to smile, light up again, but she just turned and walked out of the room looking dejected and he had to push down the surge of protectiveness he felt at the thought of her facing everything ahead of her alone.
She wasn’t his. And she wouldn’t be alone for long. She’d find a husband and carve out a better existence than she’d seen from her parents. He knew she would.
A short time later they were at the same private airfield in Athens where, just days ago, Cassie had evaded her security team and headed off on a solo adventure. Everything felt different though. She was different. She felt as if a layer of herself had been sloughed away and a new layer of skin had formed. She felt more sober. Less inclined to smile for the sake of it.
She also felt heartbroken and she wanted to hate Ares for making her fall for him. But she couldn’t. The thought of going back to Sadat and becoming queen wasn’t daunting. What was daunting was the fact that she had to do it without Ares, and that he wouldn’t be by her side. Ever again.
She was standing in a small vestibule now, eyes hidden behind sunglasses, as Ares spoke to officials to arrange her flight home. This was it. This was where he was going to say goodbye and then it would be as if these last few magical days had never happened—
‘OK, let’s go.’ Ares had taken her arm and was leading her out of the small room onto the tarmac and walking towards the sleek jet.
Cassie tried to get her brain to catch up with her mouth. ‘Where are you going?’
He glanced down. ‘With you.’
Cassie’s heart skipped a beat. ‘What do you mean? Aren’t you staying here? Or heading back to America?’
‘I will be, but not just yet. We’re making one stop before I let you go back to Sadat.’ They were climbing the steps to the plane now. An air steward was waiting for them, smiling. Cassie smiled back and it slipped off her face as soon as they were in the plush cabin.
‘Ares…?’
He was walking through the cabin checking the space and turned around. He was wearing jeans and a dark shirt, sleeves rolled up, buttons undone revealing the top of his powerful chest.
He looked over Cassie’s head to the steward. ‘OK, we’re good to go.’
Cassie folded her arms and cocked one hip to the side, eyes narrowed on Ares. ‘Want to tellmewhat’s going on?’
He reached for her and tugged her to a seat. He took the one opposite and as the plane started to move he said, ‘Buckle up.’
‘Not until you tell me where we’re going.’
He looked at her and then reached across the divide and slotted her safety belt together. Cassie tried swatting his hands away but the sensation of his hands near her belly and legs made her clumsy.
She was tempted to undo her belt to have him do it up again but resisted the childish urge. Eventually under her death glare, as the plane gathered speed and lifted into the air, Ares said, ‘We’re making a little stop en route to Sadat.’
‘I’ve gathered that much,’ Cassie said dryly. ‘Where exactly?’
‘Florence.’
‘Florence,’ she echoed, struggling to understand.
Ares looked at his watch. ‘Yes, it’s a little over two hours.’
And then it hit her. Florence. Her insides turned to jelly. ‘Are we going to the Uffizi gallery?’
Ares nodded. He said a little gruffly, ‘I wanted to give you one more experience from your list.’
Cassie shook her head, overcome. ‘Ares…’ She undid her belt and launched herself out of her seat and into Ares’s lap. His arms went around her and he commented, ‘I don’t think we’re technically cruising yet, so you’re in breach of safety procedure.’
