Page 95 of Rush

Ares stares across the table at Lo, brow still raised. “And, just out of interest, baby brother, just exactly who fits the prime rib steak category that would be good enough for my girl?” Ares’s arm comes around the back of my chair.

Lo leans back in his seat and puffs out his chest. “Well, me, of course.”

He shrugs, and everyone at the table bursts out laughing.

Me included.

And, just like that, my somber thoughts are gone, replaced with happiness.

“I had such a good time tonight,” I tell Ares as he unlocks his apartment door, letting us in. “Your family is amazing.”

“Yeah, they’re pretty great,” he says, locking up behind us.

Missy and Lo are both staying at Zeus and Cam’s tonight, so they can spend some time with the kids before they go back to college.

“Although I think I’m going to have to watch my little brother around you,” Ares says, coming over as I take my shoes off.

My feet press on the cool floor, and I almost moan with relief. High heels are a killer. “Don’t be silly,” I tell him. “Lo was just winding you up.”

“Yeah, well, it worked.” He wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You’re mine.”

“And you’re mine,” I say on a yawn.

“Am I boring you?” He chuckles.

“Never. Just too much food.”

I stuffed myself. The food was amazing. Almost as good as the company.

I swear, I’m in love with his family. They are awesome. Watching them interact, it was how I imagined it would’ve been for me if I’d had a brother or sister.

“Bed?” he asks.

I nod on another yawn.

He toes his shoes off and then leads me through his apartment, turning off lights as he goes, heading to his bedroom.

I brought an overnight bag here with me earlier, as we decided we’d stay at his place tonight. So, I grab my wash bag and toothbrush.

We brush our teeth, side by side. Then, Ares disappears into the bedroom while I remove my makeup.

When I’m finished, I flick off the bathroom light, and on tired feet, I pad into his bedroom. Ares is already in bed, sitting up, chest bare, and I know he’ll be naked beneath the covers, as he doesn’t wear a stitch in bed. He’s reading something on his phone; knowing him, it’s probably the latest sports news. The lamp next to his bed is illuminating the room for me.

I remove my dress, laying it on the chair, and then take off my bra, leaving me in my panties. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk over to his dresser, grab one of his football jerseys, and put it on.

I could wear my own pajamas. But I like to wear his shirts.

And I know he likes to see me in them.

I climb into bed next to him, snuggling close, feeling drowsy already.

He puts his phone down and turns off the light. He scoots down, putting his arm around me, holding me close. Soft lips meet mine. “Night, babe.”

“Night,” I murmur.

Then, it’s lights out.

I wake slowly, rousing to the feel of velvet lips pressing kisses to my inner thigh.