Page 48 of Infinity Chronicles 2
Maggie pushes herself away from the desk and she comes to stand in front of me. Both of her hands reach out and she cups my shoulders. “I always knew you wouldn’t work here long.” She looks over my shoulder, her eyes focused on something behind me. “You guys are on the right track,” her eyesstart toglaze over as a fog covers them, “but watch out for the one who knows.” Her voice takes on a monotone edge.
“Knows what?” My question comes out a little high-pitched. I don’t know why her eyes frighten me so bad, but they do.
“You guys back here?” Ares’s voice jolts Maggie and she steps back shaking her head.
“Right here.” Maggie releases me, all evidence of her episode gone from her face. I open my mouth to ask her what she meant again, but Ares opens the door and pokes his head into the office. He looks from Maggieto me,then back to Maggie.
“We were just getting Laura’s new schedule straightened out,” Maggie tells him before hehas an opportunity to ask anything.To me she says,“Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine. I’ll see you after school on Friday.” I open my mouth to ask her about what she said, but Maggie tilts her head, widening her eyes a fraction.
Instead I mumble, “Yeah, okay. That works.” Still feelinga bitoff kilter, I look away from Maggie. It’s obvious she doesn’t want to talk about the warning shejustgave me. Ares pushes the door open, stepping fully into the room. He’s eying both of us with what I’d assume issuspicion, but he waits us out. Crossing his arms over his wide chest like he’s expecting his presence alone is enough to have us squirming.
“Thanks again Maggie, if you ever need me to cover a shift, all you have to do is ask, anytime.”
“Good to know.” Moving in she opens her arms, leaning in for a hug. Awkwardly I lean in with my feet rooted to the floor so only our upper bodies touch. In my ear she breathes, “He’s not ready to know.” Then she releases me in the same moment. Rolling my lips together I lean back, brushing my hands down my shirt and apron.
“Go on now, I’ll see you Friday.”
Without looking back at her I move closer to Ares, who’s still in hisI know something is uppose. I grab his bicep and give him a slight squeeze. He doesn’t budge right away and he’s continues staring Maggie down. “I’m starving, have you eaten yet?” It’s only three o’clock, but I didn’t take a lunch so it’s not a lie.
Ares's head turnsto me andhis eyes narrow. I gaze back up at him, hoping he can’t read the secret on my face. His arms fall to his side, but he gives Maggie one last parting glance. “Linda and Carolyn both know. My parents should be here soon,” he announces while opening the door again for us to exit.
“Good,” is Maggie’s only response.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
On the ride home Ares keeps looking at me. I keep staring ahead like I’m not catching all his furtive glances. But after about five minutes Ibegin tofidget, rub the side of my face, and tuck my escaped hair behind my ear. I’m not good at this game. He, however, is and it’s on the tip of my tongue to blurt out what she said, but I can’t. Maggie said he wasn’t ready to know and I don’t want to screw anything up.
“Are there any leftovers?” I finally crack, I can’t keep up the silent broody thing he has going on.
Ares purses his lips, since that was not what he was hoping to hear. “You can have anything you’d like.” He looks over at me waiting until I meet his eyes. “All you have to do is tell me.” I bite my lip. He’s making it seem like we’re talking about food, but I know better.
“I really liked those chicken tacos. Are any of those left?” I avoid his innuendo.
Ares grunts and his hands tighten on the wheel. “We’ll see.”
I lean back in my seat as he slows to make the turn into the driveway, and even though it was hard telling Maggie I couldn’t work as muchright now,Ido feel ahefty sense of relief. Knowing I’ll have more time with the guys makes it awhole lot easier to appreciate.
Ares brings the car to a slow stop but he doesn’t move to get out, or even turn it off. “I will assume that whatever you’re not telling me is because Maggie told you not to.” Ares turns so his back issomewhatagainst the door and he can see me better.
I chew on my lip, warring with myself for not telling him. Ares sighs, squeezing his temples between his thumb and other fingers. “I will also assume she has her reasons, so I willtry,” he puts major inflection on the word, “to let this go.”
Reaching over I pull his hand from his face. “It’s nothing bad, okay?” My hand is still on his wrist and I offer the small bit of information hoping it will ease him.
His mouth tightens, but he jerks his chin down once. The sun is still high in the sky shining down through the sunroof, and shadows dance over his features even as the light bathes him in a warm glow. “What are you looking at?” His question makes my cheeks flush, but I don’t look away.
“You.” I don’t tell him how sometimes I wonder what I did to get so lucky to have him and the others in my life. Without their help I wouldn’t have any idea what, or who I was. I’d still be in that camper begging for my mom to come back with no hope of ever finding her.
The corner of his lip curves up. “Do you like what you see?” His cheesy line makes me bark out a laugh, my head thrown back. It’s something I would expect Ollie to say, not Ares. He’s usually as smooth as silk.
I lower my chin, looking in Ares’s direction when my peals of laughter subside. He’s leaning over the center console and his face is only a few inches from mine. Any lingering giggles die on my lips when he leans forward and seals his mouth to mine. Ares kisses me like he wants to steal my breath from my body with hungry little nips of his teeth, while stroking his tongue with mine.
My heart picks up to a steady gallop. The low console between us feels like an obstacle I want gone. It’s keeping me from getting as close to him as I want, keeping him from getting as closeto meas I need.
Like he knows exactly what I’m thinking, Ares slides his hand under my arm and lifts, pulling me over. Thankfully, the SUV interior is roomy and with his help I crawl over. With the steering wheel at my back I straddle Ares’s thighs, never breaking the kiss.
Having him under me changes the dynamic of our kiss. I’ve never been the one to dominate a kiss with him before, he’s always the one in control. With the roles reversed, I place my hands on his wide shoulders and my hands trace over the thick muscles that lead up to his neck. Lowering myself onto his lap, Ares makes a low groaning noise. His hands tighten around my waist as he drags me even closer. My breath leaves in a heavy pant as our chests fuse together. There isn’t an inch of space between us, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
My nose brushes against his as he tilts his head trying to deepen the kiss. I can already feel his hand traveling up my back and I know right where it will land. Ares’s palm settles on the back of my neck, his fingers tilting my head, so he can hold me in place. Slitting my eyes open when Ares moves his lips down my neck, I see his inky lashes fanned over his cheeks and the tip of his tongue as he delivers a lazy lick up the side of my throat. I tilt my head back to give him better access, but Icatch a glimpse of our surroundings.
