AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Because you have a very suspicious mind?’
‘Stop wriggling,’ he growled, his eyes dark and smouldering with so much heat she wondered why she wasn’t engulfed in flames.
‘Then let me go,’ she countered.
He didn’t.
Instead, those eyes dropped to her mouth, and a groan slowly rumbled from deep within his chest. His lips parted and his warm, minty breath washed over her.
Everything tightened within her in howling anticipation. But just when she thought he’d claim a kiss, devour her in the way they both so blatantly wanted, Ares released her.
Her limbs were too leaden for her to scramble off his lap as fast as she’d fallen into his hold. Or perhaps it was the sting of rejection, despite her visceral awareness of his arousal pressing hot and heavy against her hip?
‘Do you not want me any more?’ she blurted, before she could stop herself.
He stiffened, his eyes darkening dramatically. ‘What gives you that idea?’
‘Besides the very obvious altered sleeping arrangements?’ she scoffed, although her voice emerged a little shaky.
For a long time he remained silent, his eyes hooded, his jaw set. Then he exhaled harshly.
‘You were attacked, agapita. Right under my nose. On the day I found out you are carrying my child. The day I discovered you prayed for me when I was...incapacitated. I feel that does indeed alter things a little between us.’
Her heart lurched. Did that mean he’d changed his mind about her?
‘In what way?’ she asked, hope making her breathless.
His hands returned to her hips, tightened on her flesh momentarily before, almost reluctantly he released her again.
‘At the very least I don’t want to visit my...needs on you. Unless you expressly wish me to.’
‘So you’re saying the bedroom ball is in my court?’ she ventured, at once touched and disappointed.
It was a hard thing for the domineering man she knew him to be to admit to, thus explaining his recent brooding. But Ares, after several moments, gave a grudging nod.
‘Ne.’
It wasn’t entirely what she’d hoped for...but it was progress. She could build on it. And, while she wanted to throw caution to the wind and jump his bones immediately, she managed to rise, stay steady on her legs as she walked to the door, keenly aware of the need pulsing between her thighs.
But, more than that, she was entirely too conscious of the warmth burrowing deep into her heart. Those two profound sensations should have kept her moving, and yet her feet slowed at the door, her hand braced on the frame as her body pivoted to face him.
‘Ares?’
His eyes darted up from where he’d been staring at her bottom. ‘Ne?’ he responded gruffly, the faintest flare of heat colouring his cheekbones.
‘For what it’s worth, I appreciate you coming to my rescue then, too. Thank you.’
For the longest time he simply stared at her. Then he nodded abruptly, jerking forward and reaching for his tablet. ‘Close the door on your way out,’ he rasped.
She left with her heart only just a touch more at ease. And, yes, she did realise how easily he’d regained the upper hand.
There were more subjects to discuss, of course. But they’d resolved one. She had over eight months before the baby came. The remaining obstacles would be tackled in time.
The tiny voice that taunted her, saying that she was burying her head in the sand, she strongly ignored, heading for the kitchen.
Most of the French doors and windows were thrown open during the day, letting the light, salty breeze weave its magic through the room. Odessa breathed in deeply and entered the kitchen, a strong yearning filling her heart.
The resident chef looked up, his friendly smile turning a touch wary, then almost comical as she relayed her request.
