A fierce satisfaction tightened my chest. I opened the front door, then stepped back just enough to let her cross the threshold on her own.
She hesitated a heartbeat, then stepped inside. But when I closed the door behind us, there was no fear in her eyes—just curiosity, anticipation, and the same hunger that had burned through me since the first moment I saw her.
I drew in a rough breath, staring down at her, feeling the last shreds of my restraint finally snap.
I’d held back for days, and I couldn’t do it anymore.
10
CECILY
Istood just inside the entryway, my heart hammering so hard I was sure he could hear it. My eyes darted around to take in what little I could see of his huge house before my gaze snapped back to him. Ares stood only a foot away, watching me with an unwavering stare that sent a delicious shiver down my spine.
He’d left the decision in my hands, and I’d walked through his door. Now he was close enough that I could feel the heat coming off his big body.
My skin was tingling with anticipation, but my mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Even as I leaned closer, I knew that whatever happened next would complicate everything. Beneath all the worry, though, was the knowledge that I wanted him to be my first.
I’d spent my whole life being disciplined. Focused on the next round of training. Another competition where I could prove myself. My chance at the podium.
Right now, I didn’t want discipline. Not standing in Ares’s house with his blue eyes burning into me. I wanted this moment before life pulled me in another direction. To California and another chance for the gold.
I took one step toward him. That was all it took.
Ares closed the last bit of distance between us. One of his hands slid into my hair while the other wrapped around my waist. He pulled me against him like he’d been waiting forever for me to be ready for this step even though he was the one who’d insisted we wait until I was ready. But now he was done holding back.
His mouth came down on mine, and there was no hint of gentleness in the way he kissed me. It was deep and possessive, his tongue stroking against mine as he tilted my head exactly how he wanted it.
I melted against his chest, my hands fisting in his shirt as a soft whimper slipped past my lips and into his mouth. The low groan that rumbled out of his chest made my core clench with pure need while heat flooded every inch of my body.
He kissed me like I was already his. Which in my heart, I was…and always had been.
When he finally pulled back enough for us to breathe, he rested his forehead against mine. “You sure, baby?”
I didn’t even have to think about my answer. “Yes.”
That was the only assurance he needed. His mouth crashed back down on mine, hotter than before. The kiss quickly turned urgent, like he was done pretending he could patiently wait for me.
One of his hands stayed tangled in my hair while the other gripped my waist to yank me flush against his muscular body. I could feel every inch of solid chest and tight abs. It was impossible to miss the unmistakable press of his hard-on against my stomach.
My body responded instantly, heat pooling between my thighs, and my nipples tightening against the fabric of my top where they brushed against his chest. Every stroke of his tongue stole my breath, and the low growl vibrating from his chest mademe wetter. I moaned into his mouth, my hands sliding up his chest and fisting his leather vest.
“You need more, baby?” His palms slid under the hem of my shirt, hot against my bare skin as he pushed the fabric up. “You’ll get it.”
I lifted my arms and helped him strip my shirt off and toss it somewhere behind us. My bra followed a second later. The cool air hit my breasts for only a moment before his hands were on them, his thumbs brushing over my nipples, making me gasp and arch into him.
“Fuck, baby,” he rasped against my lips. “You’re perfect.”
He backed me against the wall, one thick thigh sliding between mine as he kissed me again. I rocked against him shamelessly, chasing the friction as my breath came in short, needy pants.
I was a little nervous because I knew what we were doing would lead to sex this time, but my need for him drowned everything else out. And he didn’t give me time to worry anyway.
Ares reached down and gripped the backs of my thighs. In one smooth motion, he lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. The new position pressed his hardness right against my center, and I whimpered at the pressure.
He carried me like I weighed nothing, his mouth never leaving mine as he moved us through the house. I barely registered the hallway or the turn into his bedroom. All I could focus on was the heat of his body and the strength in his arms.
Ares set me down gently beside his huge bed, but he didn’t step back. His hands cupped my face, his thumbs stroking my cheeks as he looked at me like I was something precious. “Been waiting a damn long time for this, baby.”
“Me, too.” Longer than he knew, but right now wasn’t the time to mention I’d been crushing on him for two years before we met.
