Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
RIVER
R iver spent the rest of the day in her room, even telling Cherry to leave her alone. River could only take so much of her frantic energy before she snapped, and luckily, Strider saw that point coming and convinced Cherry to go check on Bianca and find food.
The moment they'd left, River locked the door behind them and hid under the covers of the large, soft bed.
For hours, one by one, every single person in the estate knocked on her door to try and get her to answer. By the time Bianca made her way to the door, River couldn't hold back the scream that ripped from her. She tried to cover it with a pillow, but she could still hear her little sister's apology and then her footsteps leading away.
When had she become the Ice Queen from that stupid kid's movie?
River watched the sunset behind the trees surrounding the estate. As her eyelids grew heavy, a click and the sound of something sliding made her eyes pop back open. She looked over to find a large figure slithering through her now-open window.
River reached for her knife when a familiar face smiled.
"Hi."
River blew out a harsh breath. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I almost threw a knife at you."
"Wouldn't be the first time, Kitten." Apollo chuckled and sat on the inside ledge of the window. "Sorry, but you weren't going to let me in if I knocked again, so I decided I better try the other way to ensure you don't starve to death."
Apollo reached out the window and pulled on a rope.
She felt more like a kidnapped princess in a tower than ever as he pulled a basket through the window.
"What are you, my Prince Charming?"
"If that's what you want."
River sighed and sat up. "What did you bring as a peace offering?"
Apollo walked to the bed, set the basket down, and let her open it.
She grabbed the soda, cracked it open, and sucked it down. Then she rooted around and fished out a sandwich and a bag of chips.
"What? No prime rib in this place?" she joked.
"I will happily cook you one myself if that's what you want."
She looked at him skeptically. "You cook?"
He shrugged. "Technically, I like to grill and smoke better than cook, but yes, I can."
River bit into the sandwich, not even bothering to see what it was. She shook her head.
"What?"
"I never would have thought the King of the Lycans was a grill master."
"Not all of us like to rely on others to do everything for them."
She looked at him, and he held up his hands.
"Sorry. I know you don't like it when I disparage my brother."
"It's not that I don't like it as much as it's unnecessary. I see both of you how I see you, and talking bad about each other only makes you look bad, not him."
Apollo nodded. "Agreed."
His agreement should have surprised her, but it didn't. Apollo seemed to want to win her over the old-fashioned way. Not with trying to make Ares look worse, so he looked better. But old habits died slow as did old hurts. She couldn't expect him to change overnight.
"So what's been happening out there?"
Apollo shrugged. "Not much. Ares took to pacing in front of your door for about an hour until your mom came out. She chased him away, yelling the whole time. Bianca and Zeke tried to calm them both when they got into a yelling match in the dining room. At which point Strider stepped in and got everyone to back off."
"And you did nothing, I suppose."
"Oh no. I stood in the doorway and watched the whole thing. It was quite entertaining until your mom spotted me. I'm smarter than-" he paused. "I'm pretty smart though, and I offered her a beer instead of arguing with her. I'm not sure if she appreciated it or if I just caught her off guard because she took it from me, downed it, and then walked away."
River chuckled. "Wow. You are smart."
He shrugged. "I try."
Silence fell between them as River finished her sandwich.
"I'm sorry," Apollo finally said.
"Not again."
"No. I'm sorry for everything. All of this. But most of all, I'm sorry I'm too selfish to let you go. I just… I can't. You've become everything to me in the few days I've known you. No matter how happy that might make you, I can't give you to Ares."
River set down her can of soda and scooted closer to Apollo. "I am sorry that my indecision is hurting you both. But you have to understand. That feeling you feel for me, I feel that too. I feel it for both of you. I can't explain how or why, but I can, and I do. Which is why I… I can't choose. I can't. I need you both."
She moved until her knees touched his. He looked into her eyes.
"I need you, Apollo. Don't make me choose between you. Please don't." Without thinking, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
Apollo hesitated only a moment before he returned her kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth, and she climbed onto his lap and wrapped her good arm around his neck.
Apollo skimmed his hands under the back of her t-shirt, and goosebumps raised on her skin.
She deepened the kiss and moaned as she rocked her hips into his. The contact with her core made her wolf howl. She needed him. All of him. She needed to feel him inside her. Make love to him. Claim him.
"Apollo."
He kissed down her throat, and a slight rumble started in his chest, which relaxed her and drew her in. He kissed her collarbone and kissed across her shoulder.
She winced and pulled back slightly as he got to her injury.
"Sorry-"
She cut off his apology with another kiss. His lips were soft but needy. His kisses passionate and full of promise. River wanted nothing more than to fall into bed with him and feel his mouth touch every inch of her body.
"Apollo, I want you."
"I'm yours, River. Just say the words, and I'll make it permanent here and now."
"I…" She faltered. She did want him. She wanted him to bite her, to take her, to claim her. But she couldn't unless she knew that she could have Ares as well.
"Apollo-"
This time, his lips stopped her from speaking. His hands tangled in her hair, and he flipped over and gently laid her on the bed. His arousal pressed into her core through their clothes, making her want him more than ever.
Making love to him would be just that—making love. Gentle, tender, caring, he would satisfy her every need and desire because it would make her happy and nothing more. She wanted that. She needed that. She needed someone to take care of her, protect her, and make her feel worshiped.
Apollo kissed down her neck and nipped at her breasts through her shirt. His hand slid down between her legs, and she moaned.
"You aren't making this any easier," she panted.
"It's not meant to make things easier. It's meant to help you choose."
River couldn't help the laugh that erupted from her. "I have to admit this is a much better tactic."
He kissed over her stomach and raised the hem of her shirt, tickling her side with his breath.
"I'll keep doing it as long as it takes until you make the right choice."
A knock on the door cut off her laugh.
Apollo growled.
"River?" Ares's voice floated through the door. "Are you all right?"
Apollo opened his mouth, but River pressed her hand over it.
"Don't you dare?"
He grinned mischievously and peeled her fingers from his mouth before pressing his lips to hers again.
She kissed him back, her wolf whining for more.
"River?" Ares called again. "Answer me, or I'll break open the door."
Apollo kissed her harder and rubbed between her thighs, making her heat further.
"River-" A crack sounded, and a screech of metal before her bedroom door swung inward.
River broke the kiss with Apollo, and they both stared at Ares as he stood in the doorway. Comprehension dawned on his face, and he roared as he ran to the bed. Apollo jumped up, but River leapt off the bed and between them before the two could come to blows.
She pushed Ares with all her strength. He didn't move backward, but he didn't move forward either.
"No!" she said.
Ares looked down at her.
"Don't."
"I saw him groping you. Kissing you," Ares growled.
"Yeah, and you and I did a hell of a lot more than that," she retorted.
Apollo growled behind her as Ares rested his hand on her waist and squeezed it. His very touch made her wolf roll over and beg for more. Memories of his hands on her in the hotel's shower in New York made her skin prickle.
"I'll go," said Apollo. I need to answer some phone calls anyway, and I have a couple of investment proposals to go over."
River turned and he kissed her on the head as she gave him a side hug.
"I'll see you later."
Apollo nodded. "Good. Because I have a surprise for you tomorrow."
"A surprise?"
He nodded.
"Tell me."
He chuckled. "Then it wouldn't be a surprise, Kitten. Be patient." Apollo kissed her head again before leaving.
Damn. She wished she could have just five more minutes alone with Apollo. That would be all it would take for her to make him fold like a pup and tell her the surprise.
But that wouldn't happen. At least not right then.
Ares closed the bedroom door, but it swung inward again because he'd broken it. He glanced around and then pushed a massive armoire in front of the door.
"Holy crap, was that necessary?"
Ares rounded on her. "Yes."
The look in his eyes made her body heat.
He strode toward her, his penetrating gaze boring into her and making her wolf roll over in submission.
"Did you let him in?" he demanded.
River's eyes flicked to the window, and Ares' gaze followed hers.
He growled. "Damn, monkey always did like getting around the estate using the roof."
River stared at Ares, his mere presence making her wolf pant with need.
"Does it bother you he was in here?" she taunted.
Ares strode toward her. She backed up until her knees hit the bed.
He loomed over her and grabbed her hips, pulling them into his. The contact sent shockwaves through her.
"Of course, it bothers me. You're mine. I don't want him anywhere near you."
"And it bothers me that Vanessa was in our house when you told me you sent her away."
Ares nodded. "She just picked up the last few things she'd left her. I didn't even see her. Theo let her in. As far as I know, she got her stuff and left."
River's wolf didn't like it.
A smile played on Ares' lips. "Are you jealous, Little Wolf?"
"Jealous, no. Murderous, possibly."
He chuckled. "Then you know how I feel about you with Apollo."
"You know that I'm his too."
"Not if I can help it." Ares's lips smashed into hers, and just like that, nothing else existed except him.
His tongue probed and claimed her mouth. His strong hands roamed her skin, making her mewl with need.
He kissed across her chin to her earlobe and bit it.
She grabbed onto him. "Ares," she breathed.
"Yes, Beloved." He bent to his knees and buried his face in between her breasts. Lifting her shirt, he exposed her stomach and swirled his tongue across her skin.
She raked her nails through his hair.
He unbuttoned her jeans. "Tell me, you missed me."
River whimpered as he ran his tongue down over her hipbones.
"I… missed you," she choked out.
Ares purred and slid her jeans down over her hips.
Ares never asked what she needed. He just gave it to her and took what he needed in return. It was as if their bodies were one already, and he knew where to touch her to bring her the most pleasure.
He scooped his hands around her hips to her rear and squeezed.
River moaned as her body thrummed. "Ares. I want you."
"I want you too, Beloved." His mouth planted over the apex between her legs, and he teased her through her panties.
"Ares-"
"Say it. Say the words. Choose me. And I promise I will give you everything you've ever wanted and much more."
He nipped her sensitive nub, and her breath hitched. She couldn't help it. Though she'd been begging Apollo for the same thing only minutes prior, she couldn't help how her body responded to Ares's touch.
"Ares…"
He nipped her again, sending sparks through her legs. "Say it, River. Tell me you want me to claim you. To make you mine forever."
She did. By the gods, she did. She wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anything… except Apollo. She wanted Apollo just as much. Apollo, with his easy smiles and worshiping kisses. And Ares, with his fiery looks and demanding presence. Two sides to one coin. Total opposites, yet both what she yearned for. The city life and the country life. Simple yet complicated. Just like she was.
Ares stood, gripped her face, and kissed her hard. She returned his kiss with equal fervor. But as soon as the kiss started, it ended, and he pulled away, leaving her whirling.
Ares stepped away, his eyes black. "You need to decide, River. You can't eat your cake and still have it."
He was teasing her. Taunting her.
Well, she could play just as hard as he could. River shimmied off her jeans and whipped off her t-shirt, ignoring the scream of her arm.
Ares groaned as she neared him, and the bulge in his pants grew noticeably more prominent.
She pressed her hand to the front of his pants, stroking downward.
His eyes closed, and he sucked in a sharp breath.
She stroked him again and then reached between his legs, grabbed his balls, and squeezed slightly.
He hissed.
She pulled his lips down to hers but stopped an inch away.
"Baby, I don't like cake. I prefer baklava. It has many, many layers that I can eat one at a time, savoring them. So that by the time I am done enjoying each gooey, honey-soaked layer, I am satisfied."
He leaned in, but River backed away, turned, and crawled under the covers. The sounds of his heavy breathing filled the room.
"Please put the armoire back where you found it before you leave. And make sure someone fixes that door. Who knows who could slip into my room at night and try to take advantage of me with my door broken."
Ares snarled. "Don't worry, Little Wolf. The only one slipping into your room from now on will be me. Anyone else will die."
* * *
ARES
Ares closed River's bedroom door, slid off his belt, and wrapped it around both handles, securing them. He looped the belt several more times and then pulled on the end to ensure it couldn't get any tighter.
He stared at the door momentarily, unable to believe he'd had the strength to walk away from her. His mate. His beautiful, curvy, enticing, infuriating mate.
Mine. Take. Mine.
Ares wolf would not stop screaming at him. Over and over and over. His nails lengthened, and his fangs descended.
Ares grabbed his head. Shut up! Shut the hell up!
A chuckle sounded behind him, and Ares whirled around. Apollo leaned against the doorframe of his room, sipping a beer.
"What the hell are you laughing at?"
Apollo snorted. "She told you the same thing, didn't she? That she couldn't choose between us. And now your wolf is going haywire."
Ares took a step forward. "She will choose between us. You better believe she'll choose. I just hope that when she does, you can take the rejection with the grace of a would-be king."
Ares strode past Apollo and down the hallway toward his room.
"And I hope, Brother, that when she chooses me, you will move far away and never bother us again."
Ares stopped. His wolf snarled. He wanted to kill Apollo. Kill Apollo for touching her. For tasting her. For even wanting her in the first place. Apollo the perfect. Apollo, the gentleman. Apollo, the older brother.
Ares clenched his fists. "Believe me, Apollo, if she chooses you, I won't just disappear. You'll never even hear my name whispered again."
Ares stalked to his bedroom and straight into a frigid shower.