“Just about. This one for the room, right?” Ollie points at a swatch of dark graythathe’d already set aside for our main bedroom.
“Ares, make him put me down.”
He ignores me. “Yeah, that will do.”
I shove my hands into Ollie’s back pockets and give his rump a hard squeeze. He clenches his muscles and yelps. Then delivers another hard swat to my butt. “Be good, Muenster, and I’ll let you down.”
I growl. If I could see himright now,my look alone would kill him. Bending his knees, he sets my feet back on the floor. I straighten up immediately and flip my hair back over my head. I glance around again, noting the emptiness of the store. It’s just past eight in the morning and there aren’t many people out buying paint this early.
Ares reaches for me, placing his palm on my neck, under my hair. He tugs me close, his lips going to my temple. I feel his smile against my cheek. I stare at Ollie, daring him to try something again. I’ll be ready this time.
The girl clears her throat, drawing Ollie’s attention and his mischievous smirk to her. Her eyes go wide, and she blinks several times. “Did you want me tostart mixing these?” she finally blurts.
Ollie places his hands on the desk to sort through the different colors. “Sure thing.” He pushes a few in her direction. “We’ll need these two in the big bucket.”
Snapping my foot out, I kick him with the inside of my foot. He barely moves, but Ares lets out a dark chuckle against my ear.
Ollie turns to look at me slowly. “Ares, hold her. I have an idea.”
Ares’s fingers tighten on my neck as he draws me closer. “I wouldn’t do it if I were you,” I warn, speaking to both of them. “Ares, if you hold me for him, I’ll take back my offer of always.” I cross my arms over my stomach, waiting for Ares to catch on to what I’m saying. He’s quick and the pressure from his hand lightens immediately. It’s my turn to smirk now. Ijustlearned how easy protection really is.
I lean forward a little and crook my finger at Ollie, telling him to come a little closer. “I win,” I whisper.
Without any warning he leans forward and plants a kiss on my lips, when he pulls back his eyes are dancing with playful joy. “For now.”
Ares tugs me back again, settling me close to his side and I ask, “Did you find any curtains?”
His shoulder lifts in a slight shrug. “I found something we can use temporarily.”
“Should we go grab them while she’s mixing the paint?” I suggest, since I’m tired of standing here.
“We can, I came back because I could tell youwere going to kill Ollie.”
“Kiss me, you mean? She was fighting the urge not to kiss me,” Ollie counters.
“Do you think he knows the difference between the two?” Ares jokes.
Ollie bats his ridiculously long eyelashes in our direction. “Might need a reminder.” He puckers his lips and starts making smoochy noises.
“We’ll give you a demonstration later,” Ares retorts dryly. “Come on, let’s grab a cart for the paint.”
“Go ahead, I’ll wait here.” Ollie returns his attention to the color swatches the girl hasn’t picked up yet, examining them.
Ares slides his hand down to my lower back, guiding me away from the paint center and a few aisles over, until I see several window treatments highupon the wall. He passes them, heading toward the opposite end.
“What do you think of these?” He touches a set of large white plantation style shutters.
“For outside?” They don’treallyfit with the exterior of the house.
“No, for our room. I usually get blackout shades, but I thought with something like this, we could open them more, let the light in.”
I tilt my head and study Ares. “I think that’s very thoughtful of you.” He’s conceding it’s not only his room, but something we can all share.
Ares places his lips in my hair. “I think I enjoy touching the light.”His words are spoken softly, reminding me how he once called me his light. I wrap my arm around his waist, enjoying the feel of him.
His hand smooths over my backside and he gives me a little tap. “I think these will do until we all decide on the furniture and decor.” He points to a heavy pair of black drapes with a thick thermal backing.
He grabs four packages from a lower shelf, holding them under his arm. He’s left off his trademarked vest today, going instead with a fitted, charcoal button-up shirt and black trousers. I feel underdressed next to him in my jeans and oversized t-shirt, but he looks at me like I’m decked out in the latest fashion.
