CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
ALEXANDRA JONES
ICONTINUE SKETCHING ON THE CANVAS, LOOKING up to see Ares fiddling with my stuff. I shake my head and push my canvas to the side, sliding off my bed as I slowly make my way to him. “I can’t paint you if you keep moving.” I rest my hands onto his thighs, and he drops the paintbrush a small smile spreading across his face.
“I can’t concentrate, I’ve been sitting here for two hours now.” My hands slowly move up his thighs.
“I can make you concentrate another way...” I murmur seductively, a mischievous glint in my eyes.
He grabs my wrist, shaking his head with a mix of desire and caution. “You don’t want that—not with Coraline downstairs.” Ares tries to resist, but I can sense the temptation in his voice.
I slowly fall to my knees, my eyes never leaving his. The air in the room feels charged with tension and desire. I reach for his belt, my fingers moving fast as I undo it, I then unbutton his trousers and attempt to slide it down. He was hesitant at first, but with a slight tug he gives up. I can feel the heat radiating from him, and it only fuels my own desire. “But what if I do want that?” I whisper, my breath warm against his skin as I slide my hand inside his boxers, teasing him with gentle touches.
Ares takes a sharp intake of breath, trying to maintain his composure.
I take his cock out of his boxers, and it is already hard-veiny and thick. I brush my thumb over his tip, and he tenses as I begin to rub up and down. I look up at him as he rushes his hand through the top of my hair, I bring his tip towards my lips and allow my tongue to swirl around it-teasing him. I watch as his head falls back once I push a couple inches of him further into my mouth, I wanted to gag-to choke because of how big he was.
I wasn’t used to having something like this inside my mouth.
His fingers rush through my hair, I glance up at him whilst his cock was deep in my mouth-I rub the bit I couldn’t fit.
He groans and grabs my head before looking at me.
“I’m sorry Angel…fuck!”
Why is he apologising?
And then suddenly, he takes charge and begin to thrust into my mouth. I grab onto his wrist as he fucks my mouth, saliva spills from the side and I watch as he moans my name. Big wide eyes.
“Fuck, just like that.” He pushes me down and keeps me there, with his dick in my mouth suffocating my airways. I cough onto my saliva around his dick, my eyes watering as I look up at him.
I grab onto his leg. “Good girl, just like that.”
His head falls back, and my fingernails dig into his thighs.
He pulls himself out of my mouth and I use this opportunity to breathe before I feel him release all over my face, he gathers it and pushes it into my mouth. “Swallow.”
I do as he says.
He lifts me up and kisses me.
As I make my way to the bathroom, I take the opportunity to freshen up and tidy myself before returning to the room. Upon my return, I notice Ares adjusting his zipper, I walk over to him and button up his trouser before looking him in the eyes. “What is it butterfly?” he asks me.
“What do you mean?”
“You have something you want to ask or tell me; I know you.” I scoff, resting my hands on his chest before pushing him back slightly.
“I keep forgetting you do.”
“So, then what’s the question?”
It was about the cabin.
Clearly it was a big part of my life, and something I do want to know more about. Ares raises a brow, trying to figure out my question. “I want to see the cabin.” I whisper, lowly so he couldn’t hear me.
But he did.
“Alex-”
“Alexandra! Where are you?” I hear Auntie Coraline’s voice, my eyes widen, and I grab onto Ares before opening my closet in a hurry. I try to shove him inside, but he wouldn’t fit.
“Get in!” I whisper-shout at him, my heart pounding in my chest. He widens his eyes, clearly unsure about squeezing into the small space. Why did this man have to be so bloody tall for?
“I’m not going to fit-”
Before he can finish his sentence, I use my body strength and push him inside. He lets out a surprised yelp as he hits his head against the ceiling, and I quickly close the doors-resting my body against it.
“Alexandra, what’s the Wi-Fi password?” Aunt Coraline’s voice floats in from outside, and I feel a surge of panic. She must not find out that Ares is here, I don’t care if she knows about our past or that we would often do things like this. I just really don’t know her thoughts about Ares.
“It’s on the back of the box behind the TV,” I answer quickly, trying to keep my cool as I step away from the cupboard.
Aunt Coraline enters the room slowly, her eyes locking with mine.
“What are you up to?” She mumbles.
“Me? Nothing? Why would you think I’m up to something?” I rub onto my nose. Shit. Why did I do that? I could never hide a secret.
“So…no one came to give you a visit today?”
“No. I was painting.” I rub my nose yet again, I use my free hand and interlock my fingers together tightly.
“And if I open this cupboard, no one will fall out or anything?”
“Why would you think anyone would be in there?” I question her instead of answering her.
“How about you tell me, Miss Jones?”
“Urm…”
“Get out Ares.” She speaks firmly, settling down onto my bed.
The cupboard door suddenly opens, and Ares slides out swiftly-rubbing onto the back of his neck in pain. He shakes his head at me, leans against the wall and folds his arms. I take a quick look in Auntie Coraline’s directions, and she smirks towards Ares. I’m caught between them, feeling like I’m in the middle of some secret conspiracy.
“This—please don’t tell Mom,” I plead, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. “He just came to say hi, nothing bad-”
“You’re lucky it’s him, otherwise I would have,” Ares chuckles, adding to the mysteriousness of the situation. “Now, your parents are out of town for a job thingy, their excuse to have sex, and I’m in charge for the week. So, no hiding, no sneaking—ahh, I’m only joking. Do whatever the heck you want. Consider it a week off from being a determined Catholic.”
I’m still trying to process everything she’s saying, feeling a bit overwhelmed that she caught me with a boy in my closet. Why isn’t she upset that I lied to her?
“So... you’re not telling mum?” I ask, still not entirely sure if I can trust her word.
“No, Alexandra, I’m not,” Aunt Coraline replies with a smile that seems to hold a hint of mischief. “I knew you wouldn’t give up on her,” she adds, looking at Ares. “You tall son of a handsome bitch,” she playfully remarks, making Ares chuckle.
I’m left feeling both puzzled and relieved, trying to understand the dynamic between my Aunt and Ares. It’s clear that they share some kind of secret camaraderie, but for now, I’m just grateful that she’s not going to spill the beans to my parents.
Aunt Coraline exits the room, and I shoot a glare at Ares.
“What?”
“Why are you best friends with my Auntie?” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against him, “I keep forgetting you guys knew each other before.” I realise, he presses his lips against mine.
I push away.
“And earlier?” I ask.
The cabin.
“What do you think?”
His hesitation was evident as he said, “I don’t know, Alexandra... I haven’t been there since you...you know…”
Since I forgot about him.
I know.
And it must be a lot to ask from him, because at the same time I do want to go and explore my life before. I do want to know why I loved this cabin. We made a deal; he would help me try get my memories back-and his words: ‘without a fucking doubt.’
But clearly there is doubt, and it was in his eyes.
“I mean, if you don’t want to go then its fine.” I speak.
“I don’t mind, let’s go.” He changes his attitude to the situation.
A smile lights up my face, and I quickly rush to grab my coat and shoes.
“We can go down the stairs now. My parents are gone, and clearly, Aunt Coraline loves you.” We head down the stairs.
I reach the door and I notice Auntie Coraline sipping a glass of wine and sitting on my dad’s favourite recliner seat, she turns to face me as if she had sensed my presence.
“Where are you going?” She asks.
“I’m going out with Ares, is that okay?”
“You’re twenty years old, Alex, I’m sure it is,” she replies with a reassuring smile. With her approval, I headed outside to where Ares was waiting by the car. I close the door behind me and settled into the passenger seat beside him.
“It’s a bit of a drive.” He warns me.
“So... what’s the deal with this cabin, anyway?” I speak, unable to contain my curiosity.
Ares glanced at me briefly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. “It was for you, actually. I built it for you.”
Surprised, my eyes widened, and I stammered, “why would you do that?”
He kept his focus on the road as he explains, “your parents were really strict with you. You hated living there, and you used to confide in me about how you felt like you were missing out on life, that you longed for something just for yourself.”
As he spoke, I shifted in my seat to face him better.
“So, my brothers and I decided to build the cabin,” he continued. “It was meant to be your getaway, a place where you could escape your daily life. We had some wonderful times there—during winters, we would try to ice skate on the pond, but we always had to be back before nine. That cabin became like a second home to us.”
His words painted a vivid picture in my mind.
“I had no idea.”
A small smile tugged at his lips. “I wanted you to have the experiences you craved. Seeing you happy was all that mattered to me.”
It feels weird to matter to someone.
It feels weird to be loved by someone.
It feels weird to be cared by someone.
It feels weird having Ares.
As we approached the cabin, my heart began to race with anticipation. The car slowly navigated through a dense forest, the towering trees forming a protective canopy above, filtering the sunlight and casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. A crisp breeze carried the earthy scent of pine, welcoming us to this secluded haven.
And there it stood, nestled perfectly amidst the trees, like a secret hideaway waiting to be discovered. The cabin’s exterior was a charming sight to behold. It was a rustic log cabin, its timbers weathered by time and yet exuding an enchanting allure. Moss and ivy gently clung to the wooden walls, adding to the sense of belonging in this natural setting.
As we got closer, the sound of gentle rustling leaves and the distant chirping of birds filled the air, creating a symphony of nature that embraced the cabin like a protective melody.
Windows framed with delicate wooden shutters peered out from the cabin’s facade, providing glimpses of the welcoming interior.
We stepped out of the car and onto the soft ground, the crunch of fallen leaves beneath our feet echoed the wilderness around us. I shut the door, taking in a deep breathe.
I reach the front of the door and notice something carved into it, ‘A+A.’
I brush my fingers over it, feeling an electric buzz through my veins. I really did have a whole life. I’m trying my hardest to swallow down the tears. But I couldn’t, and so I turn away and wipe the drop from my cheek. Ares takes out the key from his back pocket and pushes it in before unlocking it. But before he opens the door, “can you do me favour?” He asks.
“Sure.” I smile.
“Can you just-urm-get a shirt for me, in the back of my car?” I nod my head as he unlocks the car, I walk all the way back over and open the boot before noticing a gym bag. Does he mean a shirt inside here? I unzip the bag and notice shirts; I slide one out before closing the trunk and heading back to the cabin.
Stepping through the cabin’s front door, a sense of warmth enveloped me. The interior was cosy and inviting, exuding a rustic charm that felt like a comforting hug from an old friend. Wooden beams adorned the ceiling, adding to the cabin’s character, and the gentle glow of sunlight filtered through the white silk curtains, casting a soft, golden hue on everything it touched.
A quaint living area greeted me, furnished with worn-in leather sofas and plump cushions. A sturdy coffee table, adorned with books and mementos, stood at the centre. To my left, a small, well-equipped kitchen offered all the essentials needed for a simple meal. The scent of aged wood mingled with the aroma of coffee, making the cabin feel even more like a home away from home.
Opposite the living area, a fireplace stood tall and proud, its hearth lined with river stones and logs stacked neatly beside it. I imagined the crackling flames on chilly winter nights, casting a warm glow that must have illuminated countless conversations and laughter. On the right side of the cabin, a modest dining table nestled near the window, providing a picturesque view of the surrounding forest.
A narrow staircase led to the upper level, where I knew I would find the cosy bedrooms, each adorned with soft, inviting quilts and memories of joyful dreams.
“Ares?” I yell his name out.
“Up here.” I follow the sound of his voice and head towards the stairs. Making my way up them, I begin noticing the paint on the wall causing me to stop on my steps.
Butterflies?
They were stunning…“you painted those.” I glance up to the top of the stairwell where he leaned against the wall, “wanted something to do when I went to get food.”
As I tenderly brush my fingers across the pages, tears well up in my eyes. It’s a struggle, allowing someone else to read my own book to me. You want to read it yourself-you want to feel the emotions yourself and laugh at the jokes...Telling you things you should have known.
It hurts.
It really hurts.
Right now, I was just reading the blurb to my own book.
“Let’s recreate a memory!” I say with a playful smile, leaning against him.
My hands trace a path over his biceps, feeling the strength beneath my touch, and then wrap around the back of his neck, drawing him closer.
“You always wanted to go ice skating, but we never got the chance,” he whispers, a hint of longing in his voice as he pulls away slightly, heading to the cupboard to retrieve a pair of skates.
I raise an eyebrow playfully. “How come we never got the chance?”
A gentle smile plays on his lips as he looks back at me.
“Because we were too busy fucking.”
“Just sit on that rock.” He instructs me, I look ahead at the frozen lake and shake my head.
“No, no Ares I can’t ice skate.”
“You can.” I shake my head as he sits me down before kneeling in front of me, he slides of my shoes and slips on the skates before he tightens it.
“What if I fall?”
“I’ll catch you.” He speaks, looking me in the eyes.
“What if you don’t get there in time and I fall inside the cold water?”
“I’ll always get there in time.”
After he does my other skate and his own, he stands up and offers me his hand. I grab onto it, and he heads to the ice, but I stop-I can’t do this. I have never touched the ice in my life, because of the movies I’ve watched alone in my room. The ice always breaks! It aways cracks and the person falls through unable to get out. I do not want that to be me. But I want to do this, I wanted to feel the thrill of things, so why is it when the opportunity comes- I cower?
“You can do this angel, come on.”
Yes, I can do it.
And I will do it!
Grow up Alexandra Jones!
I trust you Ares.
I tighten my grip around his arm and cautiously step onto the ice, my heart pounding with nervous excitement. Taking another step, I cling onto Ares as if my life depended on it. He stifles a chuckle, and I feel my hands sliding up to his coat, seeking support.
“I’m going to fall,” I admit, my voice trembling slightly.
“You’re not going to fall,” he reassures me with a warm smile. “Think about it like this: you’re the paintbrush, and the ice is your canvas.”
His analogy elicits laughter from me, helping me relax my grip on him. “Okay, maybe I won’t fall,” I say, trying to convince myself.
Feeling a bit more confident, Ares begins to have some faith in me. Faith that shouldn’t exist. Because I know for a fact that if he lets go, I am falling. And suddenly, just as I anticipated, he speaks, “I’m going to let go of you now.” Ares gradually pushes me away, gliding a bit further back on his skates.
“No! No don’t!” I look around me, staring down at the ice. “Ares! Please!”
Panic rises within me, and I instinctively separate my legs slightly to steady myself. Closing my eyes to focus, I take a deep breath before carefully attempting to skate towards him, my movements hesitant at first.
“See, you can do it,” he encourages, his voice gentle and encouraging.
A sense of accomplishment fills me as I manage to move a few inches forward. I can’t help but smile; I’m actually ice-skating! Gaining a bit more confidence, I decide to push myself a little further, but the momentary lapse in focus causes me to lose my balance. With a small shriek, I slip and fall onto my back on the ice.
I groan, trying to sit up slowly.
Ares asks, concern evident in his voice. “Shit, you alright?”
“‘I always get there in time’ my ass!” He extends a hand to help me up, but before I can take it, I playfully grab his arm and pull him down beside me on the ice.
The ice on my legs and cheeks burns, but in that moment, all I can feel is the warmth of his hand interlocking with mine. I gaze down at our entwined fingers, a soft smile playing on my lips. My heart flutters with joy, and I wish this moment could last forever.
In his presence, time seems to stand still. The world fades away, leaving only the two of us, wrapped in an enchanting cocoon of affection. I don’t want to let go, not even for a second, as his touch indulges every fibre of my being. There’s a deep connection between us, a bond that goes beyond words. It’s as if we share a language of the heart, communicating with a single glance or a touch.
As the snow gently falls from the dark skies, I steal a glance at his handsome face. His eyes meet mine, and I feel a magnetic pull, drawing me closer to him. With a soft sigh, I sit up and lean in, pressing my lips against his, savouring the sweetness of our kiss. His hands find their way into my hair, holding me gently. Our hearts beat as one, the world around us fading into oblivion.
His lips are like poetry against mine, every touch expressing the depth of our emotions.
We part our lips and press our foreheads against one another.
Fire and Ice.
Dark and light.
Sadness and happiness.
Evil and good.
It is weird how everything has its own opposite, but you know they belong to each other.
Diávolos and Angelos.
Ares and Alexandra.
However, the one thing that bugs me, is if he is okay with me not remembering the past. Because a part of me feels like he’ll leave me if I don’t and call it insecurity and all, but I know that every minute of this is breaking his heart. How could it not? His own girlfriend doesn’t remember him after two long years. I would be broken; my heart would be demolished, and I would slowly give up.
But Ares didn’t give up.
Ares made a plan for me.
Ares watched me.
Ares loved me.
I know he wanted the old ‘us’ back, I can feel it in all our kisses.
“I love you so much, Ares...” I whisper.
“I love you.”