“Thank you.”
I don’t know why I’m suddenly so nervous. I’m going to see Ares. I feel like it’s been so long, but it’s really only been a few days.
Just give him back the phone, Raquel. Walk in, give him the phone, and walk out. Simple. Easy.
I knock on the door and hear him shout, “Come in!”
I open the door and peek inside. It’s an ordinary playroom with a pool table, a huge TV with different consoles underneath it, and plush furniture. Ares is sitting on a couch in front of the TV with a controller for what looks like a PlayStation 4 in his hands, playing something with a lot of shooting. He’s shirtless with only his school uniform pants on. His hair is messy from the headphones he’s wearing, and he’s biting his lip as he plays.
Why the hell do you have to be so hot, Ares? I’ve forgotten why I’m here. I clear my throat, uncomfortable.
“Guys, I’ll be right back,” Ares says into the microphone connected to his headset. “I know, I know, I have a guest.” He exits the game and takes off his headphones. His eyes meet mine. “Let me guess. You came to return the phone?”
He stands up, which makes me feel small, as usual. Why does he have to be shirtless? That’s not how you greet a visitor.
I find my voice. “Yes. I appreciate the gesture, but it’s too much.”
“It’s a gift, and it’s rude to refuse a gift.”
“It’s not my birthday or Christmas, so there’s no reason for a gift.” I hold out the box to him.
“Do you only receive gifts on your birthday and Christmas?”
Yes, and sometimes not even on those dates.
“Just take it.”
Ares just looks at me, and it makes me want to run away. “Raquel, you had a horrible experience that night and lost something you worked hard to get.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’m not an idiot. I’m guessing that with your mother’s salary and the bills she has to pay, she could never have bought the phone you had. I know you bought it yourself with your money, with your hard work. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them from taking it away from you, but I can give you another one. Let me give it to you. Don’t be proud.”
“You are so . . . difficult to understand.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“No, I’m serious. You tell me you don’t want anything to do with me, but then you go and do nice things like this. What are you playing at, Ares?”
“I’m not playing games. I’m just being nice.”
“Why? Why are you being nice to me?”
“I don’t know.”
“You never know anything.”
“And you always want to know everything.” His blue eyes stare intensely at me as he approaches.
“I’m beginning to think you like to confuse me.”
Ares gives me that smirk that suits him so well. “You confuse yourself. I’ve always been clear with you.”
“Yes, very clear, Mr. Kindness.”
“What’s wrong with being kind?”
“That doesn’t help me forget you.”
Ares shrugs his shoulders. “That’s not my problem.”
A wave of rage runs through me. “And here comes the moody Ares.”
Ares furrows his brows. “What did you call me?”
“Moody. Your mood swings are too constant.”
“As creative as ever.” Sarcasm flows through his tone. “It’s not my fault that you like to give meaning to everything.”
“Everything’s always my fault, isn’t it?”
“God, why are you so dramatic?”
The rage continues to grow inside me. “If I’m such a bother to you, then why don’t you leave me alone?”
Ares raises his voice. “You called me! You looked for me!”
“Because I didn’t know another number!” A flash of what looks like disappointment crosses his face, but I’m too upset to care. “Do you think I would have called you if I’d had a choice?”
He clenches his fists at his sides, and, before he can say anything, I throw the phone box at him. He catches it in midair.
“Just take your stupid phone and leave me alone.”
Ares throws the box on the cabinet and takes long strides toward me. “You are so ungrateful! Your mother didn’t teach you any manners.”
I push his bare chest. “And you’re an idiot!”
Ares takes my arm. “You’re crazy!”
I slap his arm to free myself. “Unstable!” I turn my back and lunge at the doorknob, but he grabs my arm again, making me face him. “Let me go! Let me go!”
His soft lips press close to mine.
And there, in his playroom, Ares Hidalgo kisses me.
SIXTEEN
The Kiss
I would like to say that I didn’t kiss him back, or that I pushed him away and ran from him. But the moment his soft lips touch mine, I lose all sense of time, place, space. I lose all rationality.
I kiss him back instantly. His kiss is not gentle or romantic; it is demanding, passionate, and possessive. He kisses me as if he wants to devour me, and it feels incredible. He takes my face in his hands, deepening the kiss. Our lips move in sync, his tongue tempting and brushing. Our breaths quicken, and I feel like I could pass out at any moment from the intensity of this kiss.
I melt in his arms.
I never thought anyone could make me feel this way. My whole body is electrified, blood rushing quickly through my veins. Ares presses my body against his, stealing a small moan from me that gets caught in his mouth. His lips move aggressively against mine, his tongue invading my mouth, sending shivers of pleasure throughout my body.
Ares lifts me up, and I immediately wrap my legs around his waist. I gasp as I feel how hard he is against me. He doesn’t stop kissing me for a single second as he carries me over to the couch.
He slowly lays me down and climbs on top of me. I run my hands over his defined chest and down his abdomen, feeling every muscle. He’s so fucking sexy. He slips his hand under my shirt to touch my breasts and a moan of appreciation escapes me. I’m too turned on to think of anything. I just want to feel him, all of him, against me.
Ares moves away, kneeling between my legs, and unbuttons my pants with impressive agility. Seeing him like this in front of me—his blue eyes shining with desire, undressing me—takes my breath away. I feel surprisingly comfortable with him as he removes my pants, tossing them aside, and returns his mouth to mine.
He runs his hands down my bare legs and moans. “You’re driving me crazy.”
I bite his lower lip in response. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone before in my life. My rational side goes on vacation and hormones take over. Desperately, I grab the button of his pants to take them off. He stands up and lets his pants fall to the floor along with his underwear.
God, he’s naked and his body is perfect. Every muscle, every tattoo . . . everything about him is perfect. His lips are swollen from kissing, and I imagine mine must be the same. He hovers over me again, kissing me leisurely, wet kisses full of passion and desire that bring me to the edge. His hand travels inside my panties, and he moans again into my mouth. It’s the most exciting sound in the world.
“I love how wet you are for me.”
I can feel how hard he is against my thigh and I’m dying to feel him somewhere else. His fingers find that nerve-filled spot and caress it in circles. I arch my back, panting.
“Oh God, Ares! Please.” I want him, that’s all my mind can think of. I need more.
As if reading my mind, Ares lifts my shirt, freeing my breasts, attacking them with his tongue, massaging them with his free hand. This is too much.
Wanting more, I take him in my hand, and, for a second, it scares me how big he is, but my desire overwhelms my fear. “Ares, please.” I don’t even know what I’m asking for.
Ares raises himself just an inch from me, his eyes piercing mine, his fingers still moving inside my panties. “Do you want me to fuck you?” I can only nod, and he licks my lower lip. “Do you want to feel me inside you? Say it.”
I bite my lower lip as his fingers drive me insane. “Yes . . . please . . . I want to feel you inside me.”