Cassie knew that if the plane went down in that moment, as long as she was in Ares’s arms, she wouldn’t care. She felt like crying but she pushed it down and grinned at Ares and wriggled a little on his lap. ‘I’ve got a new addition to the list.’
His eyes turned molten. ‘I’m sure we can accommodate late additions to the list.’
A short time later, when they were safely cruising, Ares made good on fulfilling Cassie’s wish list. They were in the bedroom at the back of the plane and Cassie was biting down on her hand to avoid screaming out loud.
Ares’s head was between her legs, his hands holding her thighs apart, and his tongue was engaged in sending her spiralling into a paroxysm of pleasure so intense it was almost painful. She had her other hand on his head, fingers tangled in his thick hair, simultaneously pulling him closer and pushing him away.
When Ares finally lifted his mouth from her clasping body, he was smiling. He moved up her body, stopping to press kisses to her belly and then enclosing a nipple in his hot mouth, teasing the sharp point with his teeth.
He lifted his head. ‘You’ve now been inititated into the mile high club.’
Cassie was still reeling from the intensity of the orgasm. A short sharp dart of jealousy struck her to think that this wasn’t Ares’s initiation into the club. But then this was the last time they’d— She reached for him to stop her mind going down that path.
‘Kiss me, Ares.’
He obliged, with a deep explicit kiss. Cassie spread her legs wider and reached down, wrapping her hand around him, stroking his erection, making him stop the kiss and hiss. His cheeks were flushed. ‘Cass…you’re killing me.’
‘I want you inside me. Now.’ She sounded so bossy. He’d turned her into someone greedy.
He found protection and rolled it onto his length. Cassie already felt the pain of regret and separation and as he entered her, it tinged this lovemaking with an unbearable sense of poignancy. This time was different. Eyes connected, Cassie couldn’t have looked away even if she’d wanted to. When the climax broke over her she didn’t even care that Ares would see the moisture in her eyes, she couldn’t stop it.
He chased his own completion, his body jerking against hers, and she lamented the barrier stopping his seed from spilling into her. She felt it on a very primal level, that she was meant to be with this man. In every way. But she bit into his shoulder to stop herself from saying the words that wouldn’t be welcome.
And yet, as she gripped him close to her, legs wrapped around his back, hearts slowing down in unison, she desperately tried to tell herself that it was just hormones and amazing sex, that she couldn’t possibly have fallen for this haunted lone wolf.
But she knew she had and that this would be her cross to bear for ever. She wanted to hate him for that. But she couldn’t even do that.
‘Wear this.’
Cassie took the baseball cap Ares handed her, and put it on her head. She’d tied her hair back into a bun. They were in a chauffeur-driven SUV being taken from the airport to the museum. It felt strange to be back in a busy city again. Jarring.
She still felt a little over-sensitised after the plane. She’d noticed that, after making love, Ares had washed and dressed and left her to do the same, saying something about making calls.
Since they’d landed he’d been solicitous but was clearly drawing back. Putting boundaries back in place. Boundaries that had never really been there. And it felt so wrong. Cassie wanted to stamp her foot and demand he look at her. She smiled at herself mockingly—exactly how a petulant princess would behave.
They pulled to a stop on the banks of the Arno river, in front of the imposing building that housed the famous galleries. It rose up, dominating the landscape. Cassie still couldn’t quite believe Ares had thought of this.
He was out of the SUV now and holding open the door, looking around. She saw him nod to someone in dark nondescript clothing getting out of another vehicle and asked, ‘Who is that?’
‘Your security. They’ve been replaced by a new team, vetted by me.’
Feeling desperate at this evidence of her real world encroaching ever more steadily, she said, ‘But you can protect me.’
He took her hand, and said, ‘I’m not taking any chances.’
Cassie couldn’t help her bruised heart from wishing he meantnot taking any chancesbecause he cared for her, but she knew he was just doing his job. Before they took a step towards the galleries he faced her and said, ‘When we’re finished here I’m going to hand you back over to your team and you are not to try to evade them again, understand me?’
He sounded so stern that Cassie looked at him and said meekly, ‘Yes.’
Still holding her hand, he led her into the main gallery. Ares had organised the tickets ahead of time and so they were able to join the throngs of other tourists, all drinking in the spectacular art. But already Cassie knew she’d have to come again because this trip was ruined by the distraction of knowing that these were her last few moments with Ares.
So, greedily, she clung to his hand. Not that he was pulling away. And she revelled in standing close to him. Smelling him guiltily like someone with a scent kink, rather than taking in the spine-tingling beauty of Botticelli’sThe Birth of Venus.
As they moved from one gallery to the next Cassie asked him, ‘Where will you go from here? Back to New York?’
A muscle ticced in his jaw. ‘No, not straight away. I’ll go to London. I have some meetings lined up there.’
She squeezed his hand. ‘I think you should contact your brother and sisters, Ares, let them in.’
