Chapter Eighteen
ARES
O ne of the reasons I chose this condo, outside of its location to the auction house and amenities, was the extra rooms. Hotels were fine while traveling, but there were enough times when I was still—just enough. A moment in time to be still. I could plant roots, something I’d never considered.
In the past, I often thought how convenient it would be to have a place of my own. It wasn’t just about a place to call my own, but a place to display my art and pieces of history. Up until now, it had all been scattered between my office, my brother’s, and the beach house. Now, it all had a home.
Outside of the large bedroom, one room had been turned into a home office, another a guest room, and then my art room. It was a newer hobby. I was always amazed at the artists I crossed paths with during my travels. It started small, the inspiration. Sketchbooks were fairly easy to travel with. I kept one in my work bag. Painting was something I found mesmerizing, though. I just didn’t have the space to do it before.
The music blares in my headphones, covering the sound of the rain outside. A random playlist I discovered recently of major songs covered in minor tunes. It brought a creative side of me that flowed out on the large tapestry in front of me. Various cool shades of gray and blue were painted on to create the look of the storm inside of an eye, a single tear dropping from the corner holding all of the warmth.
I move the brush with white close to the iris and add a little more light to my lightning. Then pick up the darker blue to create more of the water below. My phone buzzes nearby and the music cuts off to read me the message.
Kyra: I’m here. Are you not home?
I sit down the paintbrush and move to cut off the music and grab my phone.
Me: Be right there.
I sit my phone down. Then remove the headphones and leave them sitting next to it. My bare feet walk out of the room, pulling the door shut behind me. I run a hand through my hair as I walk towards the door. There is zero hesitation as I flip the lock and pull the door open.
Kyra barely walks in the door and I’m pulling her into my arms. My lips press to hers as I slam the door close and push her against it. I lock the door then my hands are on her, caressing her body. Fuck, I missed her today.
I’m not sure how long we stand near the entryway making out before I slowly pull back. I take her bag and carry it to my room; she follows right behind me.
“I could’ve carried that.” Kyra gasps. “Wow, you’ve been busy.”
I glance behind my shoulder to see her pause to take it all in. The walls have paint and wallpaper, furniture is in place. I’ve even been decorating with some of the pieces I’ve been collecting over the years.
“Is that!” She stops and turns. “It’s a little book nook.”
I sit her bag in my room and walk back out to where she is looking over the oversized chaise lounge she’d showed me on the computer that first night. It’s cream colored like she picked out with a soft pink blanket folded up at the end, ready and waiting for her.
“Ares, if you’re trying to get me to spend more time with you.” She shakes her head and falls back on it with a giggle. “This is definitely how.”
I walk over to her slowly, paying special attention to how her eyes roam up and down my body. After work, I’d been inspired to paint. So, I took a quick shower and threw on some sweatpants then got to it.
“You got me a pink blanket?” Her fingers run over the soft fabric.
“What makes you think it’s for you?” I lean against the wall.
Kyra scoots back on the lounger. “It’s pink.” She shakes her head and glances around at the bookcase. “You’ve got a lot of empty shelves. Careful, I might just move in. I could probably fit all of my books here.”
Since that’s my plan, I don’t argue. I stay silent and watch her as she continues to take in the space she helped create. I want her living here with me; I don’t care if it’s too soon. Although, I don’t say it out loud. I can’t scare her off. She doesn’t know yet just how deep I plan on planting myself in her life.
But she will—soon enough.
“How did the meeting go?” I change the subject.
“Better than the last one.” She sits up straighter. “Everyone is excited for the games and now that there are more hands to do the work, I’m finding myself with less to do. It’s weird after all of this time trying to make it happen, but also really exciting.”
“Good.”
“About the party,” she swallows. “Can you tell me what the time frame is on when I can expect to hear anything. Or am I out. Did I fail?”
“Focus on your paper and the games, the rest will take care of itself.”
“So cryptic.” She sighs and scoots forward to get up and stand in front of me. “Okay, you asked me over here.” She lifts her hands. “I’m here. Was it just to show off that the space is livable now?”
“What do you think?”
“I think you like being in control.” Kyra closes her eyes briefly, then opens them before continuing. “What am I really doing here Ares? You asked me to pack an overnight bag.” Her shoulders drop.
My arms reach out around her back, and I yank her to me. I brush her hair out of her eyes, along her jaw, and grab her by the neck. My lips lower to hers, my heart pounding. “I want you here.” My lips brush hers teasingly. “I want you in my bed.” I smile against her lips. “Is it so bad that I want to go to sleep with you in my arms and wake up with you in them?”
Her eyes wide and she pulls back. “You shouldn’t say stuff like that.”
Heat floods my chest. “Why?” My nose nudges hers.
“Don’t make it seem like this is something that can last.”
I tighten my grip on her, refusing to let her go. Ever. “Why the fuck not?”
“You’re my stepbrother, Ares.” Her hands rest at my hips when she realizes I’m not ready to let her out of my embrace. “Your mom. My dad. The world. They wouldn’t be okay with this.” She tries to look away, but my hands hold her in place. “I think I should leave. Coming here was a mistake.”
It’s a lie.
This thing between us came fast and out of nowhere, but it’s deeper than anything I’ve ever felt in my life. There’s no running from it. I couldn’t let Kyra go even if I wanted to. She’s buried into my soul. I know she feels it too.
If she thinks she can fight this, then I’ll let her. I’ll watch her fail. I’ll watch her shatter into a million pieces just to put them back together and fuse her to me forever.
I release my grip on her and take a small step back. Her eyes widen in shock. “Then leave.” Kyra’s brows push together as I take another step back, furious that she’s fighting the inevitable. “If we’re such a mistake, then leave. If you feel nothing, leave.” My feet move again then stop, refusing to move farther than the three feet between us. It’s already taking extreme control to not reach out for her and pull her back into my arms.
Her lip trembles and it breaks something inside of me. A couple of weeks ago, I would’ve loved to be the reason to watch her break. Being the cause of her frustration and tears would’ve made her being back in my life worth the chaos.
Not now.
But I know I need to push her. This will be the last time I give her the option to leave.
“Kyra, I swear to the old gods—if you don’t walk out that door—I’m never giving you up.” It’s a threat, and I mean it with every fiber of my being.
Lightning flashes from the other side of the large windows, lighting up the dim room. As if Zeus himself hears my threat and is prepared to hold me to it. The storm picks up around us, thunder rattling and rain hitting the window sideways.
Kyra’s eyes stay on me. I can see the hesitation, the uncertainty. Those stormy blue-gray eyes hold the entire universe behind them. She could ask me anything and I would give it to her.
Another flash lights us up and my heart stops. Everything stops and I hold my breath. It feels like all the blood drains from my body before time speeds up. Kyra jumps into my arms. Her limbs wrap around me, and I grab her tight. One hand under her ass and the other at the back of her head.
Our lips fuse together, teeth clashing as a fury takes over. Her hands are on the sides of my face then wrapping around me again. Passion takes over, heat fueling my body. All I can concentrate on is how right it feels having her in my arms. I nip at her lip then her tongue dances with mine.
My heart feels like it’s beating in her chest as she pulls back. I suck in her bottom lip, then slowly release it. Her eyes pierce mine. “This is a terrible idea.” I hear her speak the words, but it doesn’t match the desire in her eyes.
Terrible would’ve been her walking out the door, but she didn’t. As far as I’m concerned, she just gave me the green light to own her ass.