Chapter 18 JOSIE
As soon as the gates closed behind her and Josie parked, her palms sweated on the steering wheel. All week she had been longing for Ares to text her, to call her and showing up in person, even coincidentally was way, way better, so why when she was about to go inside his house did she feel shaky?
Because she was mad.
Carter was out of line in setting up that meeting with Jared. It left her feeling like she had been ambushed and violated.
Her whole life people had thought she couldn’t do what she wanted to do or that she was dumb just because her brain was different.
She startled at the gentle tapping on her window.
Ares flashed her a smile, showcasing those impressive dimples and her anger eased.
I’m so lucky he even looks at me.
“Hey.”
“Are you okay?” Ares offered his arm and she took it. “The pavement is slippery, watch your step.”
Josie carefully navigated where she placed her foot, but she leaned on Ares for support. He didn’t miss a beat, slowing his stride to match hers.
Her eyes pricked with tears.
Inside, Ares took her jacket, helped her take off her shoes.
“I can get used to being spoiled like this.”
“This is me being a gentleman. You haven’t seen spoiled yet,” the wicked grin he sent her made her tummy flutter.
Inside the vast house was quiet, the low lighting on in the kitchen and living room.
“Hey guys,” Harper gave her a huge smile, turning from the stove.
“Hi, Harper.” Seeing her friend in her own house somehow made her feel weird but Harper came over and hugged her.
“Are you okay? You look like you’ve been crying.”
“I’m okay, just had a long night.”
“This man can make anyone feel better,” Harper grinned.
Josie blushed, but Ares pressed his palm into the centre of her back. It felt comforting, like it belonged there.
“What are you doing, love?”
“Taking a moment for self-care. Both of my Doms are asleep,” Harper crumbled up an empty bag of chips, and swiped an iPad off the counter.
“You deserve a break,” Ares said.
“Yes, I do. I want to go somewhere warm and sunny and have them bring me snacks. Logan got his cast on and apparently it hurts twice as much now that the swelling has gone down. Xander’s been so stressed because Logan’s been out of commission. Do you guys want any hot chocolate? I made too much.”
“We have plans,” Ares brushed Josie’s cheek and kissed her, long and slow. His kiss made her so dizzy she forgot to feel embarrassed…mostly. His phone rang and he broke off the kiss.
“Got to take it.”
“It’s okay, I understand.”
Ares smiled, then strode away into the dining room.
“Now you get to be entertained by me,” Harper poured hot chocolate into a huge purple mug with a skeleton and slid it across to Josie. “You look like you need it.”
“Thanks. I still feel like crying.
“I find kink a good outlet.” Harper raised her eyebrows.
“Maybe.” Her thoughts were all jumbled. What happened with Carter tonight felt like her freedom being infringed upon and here she was wanting Ares to tie her up?
“I wouldn’t want to be beaten by strangers or in a violent way. But when it’s with my men who love me and can take me to the place where pain becomes pleasure, it resets me. I know I'm safe with them and can let my guard down.”
Josie sipped her hot chocolate. “That’s exactly how I felt with our last scene. Safe, like I was being guarded.”
“Exactly. And nothing happens without your consent.”
“I know. Thanks for the hot chocolate.”
“Any time.”
“Thanks for keeping my girl company,” Ares strode into the room, stopping behind her chair.
My girl.
The way he said it, in that sultry deep baritone, made her cheeks hot and soaking wet between her legs.
“Ready?”
“Yes,” Josie accepted his outstretched hand and got off the stool. “Night Harper.”
“Have a good one,” Harper winked.
Josie laughed as Ares guided her to the stairs. She sighed, her legs feeling so sore and tired.
“Can you do it tonight?”
“I can. I kind of wish there was an elevator inside this gigantic house.”
“I did make inquiries. We can’t install an elevator. Not enough ceiling clearance or something,”
“It’s okay. I don’t expect you to retrofit your house for me.”
“There isn’t anything I won't do for you, Josie.” Those words wrapped around her heart and pulled and she concentrated on taking the last few steps.
“Good. Now I can do this properly,” Ares caged her against the wall, tipped her chin down and crushed his mouth against hers.
A whimper escaped her at the feel of his tongue pressed against hers.
He kissed her with a fierceness that stole all her thoughts, only made her focus on how good it felt to have his body pressed against hers, to have his hands roam, trailing over her hips.
She needed to touch him and her hands slid up his muscled forearms, down his back, until she wrapped her arms around his waist. He pressed her to him, kissing her fervently, stealing her breath.
He kissed her, his lips moving from her mouth to the corners of her eyes.
“Time to show you my closet,” Ares rested his forehead on hers. His lips were so perfect, the way his green eyes were heated with lust made her swallow hard over a lump of nervousness in her throat. But it was the good kind of nervousness, anticipation making her even wetter.
Ares laced his fingers through hers and she loved how his holding his hand felt. He led her to his bedroom, past the bed, to the closet. Lights turned on automatically as they walked.
“I don’t know what to say.” Josie spun in a circle, trying to take in the perfectly organized space. Everything was organized by colour. A whole rack devoted to suits. The man had more shoes than she’d ever worn in her life. “Can I move in here?”
Ares laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist. “If you want.”
He pressed a button on a panel and a whole cubic storage system rolled out. “My toy collection. What would you like to use?”
“Oh.”
Several shelves had bundles of coil roped in various textures and colours. Vibrators in their packages. Paddles and floggers hung on the wall. She passed on those, but tentatively reached for a wheel with spikes.
“Maybe not this. All these choices are overwhelming.”
“How do you want to feel tonight?”
Josie shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She couldn't get Carter and Jared out of her head and how they treated her. “Honestly, I want to curl up in a ball and cry.”
“You can do that. If that’s what you need,” he dragged the back of his knuckles against her cheeks.
His touch, the closeness of him, comforted her to the point of tears.
“I want to feel pushed.”
“Pushed to do what?” He massaged her back in slow circles, his breath warm against her ear.
“To let go.”
“This scene is going to be amazing, sweet girl. I’m going to take this,” he grabbed coils of rope. “And this,” he took a vibrator still in its packaging and passed it to her. Josie blushed looking at the toy. It was a finger vibe. “And close your eyes.”
Josie did, gripping the package tightly. She giggled as something soft swept against her neck.
“Open your eyes.”
She did, blinking. “A mitt?”
“Yep. One side is soft and the other—” Ares flipped his hand around to show her. “Is spiky. May I?”
“Yes.” Josie tensed, waiting for the pain but as Ares brushed it up and down her arm, she exhaled. “That feels good. A little rough but I like it.”
“A little ouch,” Ares grinned wickedly, pressing his palm to her back. She felt the pressure of the spikes through her shirt, but it wasn't an unpleasant sensation.
Ares stopped when they were at the foot of the bed. “Here is good. Do you remember how we started the scene last time?” His eyes smouldered with banked heat. He tipped her chin to him.
That gesture made her feel wholly his.
“Yes.”
“Good. Stay right there.”
She focused on trying to stay still but felt certain he could hear the drumming of her heart.
Ares turned, dropping the ropes and toys on the dresser. From the top drawer he pulled out a bottle of lube and safety shears. “You’re so pretty, waiting for me like that. This is the kind of submission I love.”
“Why?” she kept her stare straight ahead, shivering as he lifted her hair from her nape and pressed his lips to her skin.
“Because you want to be here. I’m not compelling you with force but with need. Undress, if you’re ready.”
Quickly, she got herself undressed, hesitating a second when everything but her bra and panties were off.
“All of it,” His breath was hot against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. His fingertips slid under the edge of her bra. “You’re so pretty. I love touching your body.”
His silky voice set her trembling with need. He undid her bra, set it on the chair, then he strode back, intent in his gaze.
“I like how you say nice things about my body.”
“You have a gorgeous body, sweet girl. This ass is delicious. How can I not compliment it?”
They’d hardly started, and she already felt weightless. That’s what being with this man did.
He nuzzled her neck as he rolled down the waistband on her panties, helping her to step out of them.
She turned to face him. When she met his eyes, it felt like liquid heat swam through her veins.
She stood on her tiptoes, wavering a second but stayed on her feet.
The fact that he didn’t reach out to steady her, made her heart open for him even more.
Ares understood her. She pushed his blazer off his shoulders, folded it, and set it over the arm of the chair in the corner.
Ares stood relaxed, his hands at his sides but his eyes tracked her every movement and it made her hyper aware of how she moved, like she was performing for him and his smile was a ripple of approval.
Her fingers shook as she unbuttoned his shirt.
She got the first three buttons undone and he kissed her, sweetly and gently
“You look so sexy, performing this act of service for me. I'm so eager to get you back in my ropes.”