Chapter Twenty-Two
ARES
“I ’ve got it.” I round the front of the car and the valet steps back from the front passenger door. “Key is in the cup holder.”
“Yes, sir.” The man in uniform walks around the back to get into the car and park it for the evening.
I open her door and hold out my hand. She hesitates like she’s going to argue with me again. Something we’ve been doing more of lately. Only because she thinks this won’t work, as if our family won’t approve. It’s not their life, though. This is about us, and I will keep doing whatever it takes to prove it to her until she understands.
Her fingers lace into mine as she steps out. It sends sparks down my arm and straight to my chest. Her eyes meet mine and I know she feels it too. This thing between us, whatever it is, it’s constant.
She holds my hand until we walk past the concierge desk, then she drops it. I immediately miss it and want to reach out. I know why she did it though. We’re about to be with family. Apollo let me know we’re eating in the wine cellar. I don’t think we’ve ever eaten in here before.
The cellar is often used for wine tastings, but it never occurred to me how a small intimate gathering could take place there. It’s not something I’ve seen the country club advertise. Although, it’s possible my mom or Arthur asked about it. Our families have been members of the club for a long time.
We walk through the grand arched doorway. The room is softly lit. The last time I was in here there were a handful of standing tables made of iron and wood. Now, there’s just one large round table covered with a deep maroon tablecloth.
The moment we walk into the room, everyone turns to stare. My mother stops mid-sentence.
Arthur arches a brow. “Well, look who showed up together.”
It doesn’t sound suspect. Although, I know they’re surprised.
“Yeah, he offered to pick me up at school since we’re both up there. Did y’all know he bought a condo?” Kyra smiles as she moves to hug our parents. “Happy Anniversary weekend.”
“That was nice of you to bring her, Ares.” My mom smiles as I hug her.
“We were both headed this way. It seemed stupid to take two vehicles, and I didn’t feel like getting on a plane this time.”
We slide into the two open seats. Me next to my brother, and her, between me and her father. Across from us, my nieces are between my brother and sister-in-law, and she and my mom.
“Auntie Kyra! Uncle Ares!” Elena shouts with excitement. She has bread in her hand with butter smeared on her cheeks.
“Hi sweetie.” Kyra smiles at her. “Pass me that baby.” She quickly gets up and doesn’t return until baby Cora is in her arms.
The sight of her with a baby in her arms. Fuck. Now all I can think about is what it would be like if she held a baby in her arms that came from both of us. I know she’s still going to school, but how mad would she be if I got her pregnant while she was still in school?
Dinner starts. Pre-planned dishes are brought out in rounds. Apollo clinks his fork against his glass for a quick toast. Small talk makes the rounds as we eat. It’s simple and just the needed escape for an evening. I hope it will make Kyra stop worrying. Our family is close, but I honestly think they would be fine with it. It would be a shock at first, sure.
Kyra is describing the games she’s been organizing and the whole family seems as entranced with her as I am. I can’t believe I never noticed before. Not like this. Growing up, I thought she just held their attention because she was spoiled.
“She’s always been like that.” Her dad laughs and looks at my mom. “The Hardest little worker, determined to leave her trail on the world.”
Kyra laughs, and the sound hits me right in the chest. It’s unexpected, this feeling. A warmth spreads through me.
I love her.
I lean back slightly, my eyes staying on her. She’s gorgeous, inside and out.
Next to me, my brother clears his throat. I glance at him, and he gives me a look.
She tells everyone about the paper she’s been working on and lets it slip that she’s been helping at the auction house, and it helped inspire her.
Eventually, the kids get restless, and my brother and Daphne decide to leave early. We all stand, finished with our meal anyway. Everyone discusses meeting back at the beach house.
Kyra leans in slightly. I place my hand gently at the small of her back—just for a second. We’re the last to leave the room. My brother pauses.
“Ares, a quick word.” My brother pauses.
Kyra takes Elena’s hand and walks with the others up ahead.
“What’s up?”
“I know you guys are getting along now, but why does it feel like more is happening?”
I shrug it off. “I’m not sure I understand.” The lie slips out easily, even though I’d rather not lie to my brother. I don’t plan on giving her up, and the sooner she agrees with me, the sooner our family can find out.
He gives me a look, the same look he gave me at the table. “Just saying, if you’re trying to keep something quiet, be a little more discreet.” Then he walks off to catch up with the others.
I stand there for a moment before walking up to the rest of them. My eyes are on Kyra as she holds our niece's hand and laughs at something my mom said. She’s completely unaware that the first crack has found its way through in this secret she wanted to keep. It makes me smile, knowing my brother didn’t immediately turn down the idea. Now, I just need to keep proving to her how good we are together.
* * *
It’s not until late in the evening when I sneak from my room to hers. I quietly close her door and step softly across the rug towards her bed.
“Kyra?” I whisper.
As I get closer, I see her steady breathing. She fell asleep. It shouldn’t bother me so much that she’s sleeping without me until I remember what I did the other night. Would it be wrong of me to do it again? Only if she doesn’t want it.
My heart is pounding with excitement. I pull back the covers and see the small pajamas she’s wearing. My lips move to her neck, and I place a few small kisses.
I kiss my way down her body. My gaze stays locked on her face to see her still asleep. I grab hold of her silky pajama shorts and drag them down her legs. My eyes go back to her face. She looks so sweet and innocent. I swallow back my groan. My hand moves to her breasts, feeling the warmth of them before slowly rubbing one of her nipples between my thumb and forefinger.
She stirs gently but stays asleep.
Fuck, this is so wrong. But so right.
I quietly and quickly remove my shorts then crawl back up over her body. My fingers move to her cunt, sliding through the little bit of slickness. I gently rub as my eyes stay on her face. Her lips part and she moans softly, but her eyes stay closed.
My hand moves to my cock, and I rub myself in her. She sighs. I line myself up and ease into her slowly. My eyes go down to watch as I push into her more. I can’t help but be entranced by how tightly she wraps around me. My gaze flickers to her face as I continue to press into her fully.
Kyra moans lightly, but her breathing steadies out. She’s still asleep.
I pause for a moment, taking her in before pulling out, then burying my cock in her. She feels like heaven. I grip her hips and continue my slow leisurely pace. Her inner walls squeeze me. I know she would prefer to use a condom, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to use one with her. I’ve always wrapped up, but that was before her.
The urge to figure out how to secretly get her off birth control comes to mind. I noticed the pills the other day and I wonder how easy it would be to replace them with placebos.
She whimpers beneath me as I pick up the pace. Her walls are now gripping me tighter. I pick up the pace slightly, not wanting to wake her. She didn’t seem upset with the idea of me trying this again with the intent of not waking her up. So far, so good.
I plant one arm above her, hovering above her so I don’t wake her. Her back arches slightly as I press in deeper. I almost want to wake her up, just so she can see how beautiful she looks beneath me. But no, I don’t want to. Not this time.
It takes everything in me to remain quiet while I get closer to reaching my release. I quietly groan as I press deep inside of her. Once I’ve completely emptied myself, I hesitate to pull out. I’m not ready.
The idea of keeping my cum inside of her is almost enough to get me hard again. I want to do whatever it takes to make her see we’re not ending. Even if I need to get her pregnant to make her realize it.
Kyra’s breathing remains steady as I roll us over. She relaxes in my arms and mutters something incoherent. My eyes grow heavy, but I remain sheathed inside of her. Tomorrow, I’ll will make sure she knows this thing between us is real and serious.