Page 29 of Infinity Chronicles 2
Mia’s face twists into a wry grin. “Oh that’d be perfect. You guys don’t mind, do you?” Her voice comes out almost like a whine. I roll my eyes, ready for this show to be over. Ares is the smart one, he got out of dodge.
“I’m going,” I deadpan before anyone can form a response. Milo’s eyes go wide, like he can’t believe I’m leaving him to handle this. I shake my head at him, he can handle it, he a big boy.
Ares is leaning against the headboard when I open the door. His legs are crossed at the ankle, shoes off, and his fingers are laced behind his head. Coming to a complete stop I accuse, “You play dirty.”
Without an ounce of regret Ares shrugs his shoulders. “Youhave no idea.” Theyethangs unspoken between us.
Planting my hands on my hips I tell him, “She already invited herself along.”
Ares rolls his eyes, looking more his age than I’ve ever seen. “She’s not coming.”
“Oh no? Then why didn’t you stick around to tell her that?” My voice is airy, but the challenge is clear.
“I have other things I’d rather be doing than wasting my time on her.” Ares’s pupilsstart tobleed past his irises. My heart rate quickens. He’s only across the room, but it feels like he’s so far away. Ollie told me it would be easier to be apart, but he didn’t mention how hard it would be when we’re together. My hand goes up to my neck, my fingers dancing over the base of my throat as I fight the pull I feel to touch him.
Ares licks his lips. “Come here.” His chin dips down as he peers at me from under his lashes. My feet take me closer without thought and I stop at the edge of the bed. “Closer,” he beckons, his eyes closing as he takes a long blink. Planting my knee on the bed next to him, he doesn’t move. I brace my hand on his wide shoulder, bringing my other knee up to the bed.
“I need to get in the shower,” I remind both of usin a voice barely louder than a whisper.
“We have a little time,” Ares promises, his hand wrapping around my waist. As I settle my rump down on my heels, his eyes search mine, and the darkness in his expands even farther.“Are you okay?” I swallow, not expecting him to ask that question. When I don’t answer right away, his hand reaches up to brush my hair over my shoulder. “I know there’s a lot going on, but are you okay with what happened between us?”
My mouth goes a little dry and my tongue feels thick. I jerk my head up and down a few times. “It feels different,” I confess, dropping my hands in my lap. Ready to havesomeanswers and information, but a little unnerved to be about talking about it.
“I knowCara,” Ares tells me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it sooner.”
I look down at the buttons on his shirt, not sure I can meet his eyes as I ask, “Does it feel different to you too? The connection?”
I chance a peek up at him and see thathe’s relaxed back against the headboard with one hand on the side of my thigh, and the other palm up on the bed beside us. He gives me a look that says I’m crazy for not already knowingit’s different for him too, but it’s not condescending,it’s more likehow could you not know. “Yes, it does,” he answers anyway. Reaching for my shoulder, he pulls me against him and I settle into his side with my head on his chest as I rearrange my legs. I know I need to get ready, but I can’t tear myself away from him.
Ares’s head knocks back against the wall. “Don’t tell the guys, but I really would rather just stay here,” he admits as his fingers trace over the skin on my inner forearm.
“I’m nervous,” I divulge, since it feels safe to say alone with him. He wraps his arms around my shoulders holding me tight to his side.
“You have nothing to be nervous about, but I understand why you are.” He settles himself back, keeping his arms locked around me. “I think meeting them will help you understand alittle bit more about our situation.”
The door opens without a knock, and I look up without moving from my position. Mia stops in the doorway. Her face blanching as she gazes at us on the bed, her eyes leave us long enough to take in therest of the room. Her brows draw together before looking back at us.
“Mia?”
“I looked for you in the office,” she answers Ares before he can question why she’s here. This will get real old real fast. Mia’s eyes track the movement of my hand as I push myself against Ares’s thigh, preparing to get up. His arm, however, tightens against my side locking me in place.
“I’m not working today,” he tells her gently. Mia licks her lips and shifts her weight.
“I need to talk to you.” Her eyes dart to me. I know she means alone.
Ignoring her silent plea, Ares says, “All right, what did you need?”
Mia shifts again, her hip jutting out to the side as her chin lifts an inch. “It’s private.”
“Mia…” Aressays her name witha patienceI didn’t know hepossessed.
“I’ll leave you alone, but first Ijustneed a few minutes. You can spare a moment,” she rushes out.
I’m torn. I don’t want her here, especially in what I’ve come to accept as our space, but I also don’t want to be dealing with her every five minutes. And I have a feelingMia is prepared to do whatever it takes until she feels likeshe’s been heard.
I glance up at Ares, and his mouth is a thin slash. There’s no way I’d want that look pointed at me. Mia folds her arms under her chest looking like she isn’t at all intimidated in the least. I pat Ares’s thigh. It’s strange looking at this womanwho I know has a history with him. I was uncertain, insecure even, last night at dinner. “It won’t work,” I tell her, feeling remarkably calm considering I growled at her twenty minutes ago.
Mia ignores me. “Ares, a minute. Please.”
