Rush (Gods #2)(31)

Did they not order any for my sake?

I know Ares doesn't drink, which is because of his dad, who isn't here  tonight. He avoids all places where they serve alcohol, which I can  totally understand.

I know Missy and Lo had coffee with him earlier, as they were both coming from there to here.

If they aren't drinking for my sake, then I feel really touched that they would do that for me. But really embarrassed, too.

I wish I were a different person for him. A better person. One who could  come to a restaurant and order alcohol and not end up in rehab straight  afterward.

"A sparkling water for me," I say quietly, feeling awkward.

"And for you, sir?" the waiter asks Ares.

"Diet Pepsi."

Ares takes my hand and squeezes it, as though he can sense my inner turmoil.

I look at him and offer a smile. It's forced, but I don't want him to worry, and I definitely don't want to spoil his evening.

"So, I have a question for Ari," Lo says, pulling my attention from Ares  to him. "What exactly are you doing with my thick head of a brother?  You do realize, you could do a million times better than him, right?  Yeah, yeah, he might be a famous football player, but he's batting way,  way above his average with you. You're like prime rib steak, and he's  burger-and not even a good burger. He's like one of those shitty, skinny  ones that are made mostly out of water."

Lo grins, and a small laugh escapes me.

I glance at Ares, who raises a brow at me, as though to say, What did I tell you?

Ares stares across the table at Lo, brow still raised. "And, just out of  interest, baby brother, just exactly who fits the prime rib steak  category that would be good enough for my girl?" Ares's arm comes around  the back of my chair.

Lo leans back in his seat and puffs out his chest. "Well, me, of course."

He shrugs, and everyone at the table bursts out laughing.

Me included.

And, just like that, my somber thoughts are gone, replaced with happiness.





"I had such a good time tonight," I tell Ares as he unlocks his apartment door, letting us in. "Your family is amazing."

"Yeah, they're pretty great," he says, locking up behind us.

Missy and Lo are both staying at Zeus and Cam's tonight, so they can  spend some time with the kids before they go back to college.

"Although I think I'm going to have to watch my little brother around you," Ares says, coming over as I take my shoes off.

My feet press on the cool floor, and I almost moan with relief. High  heels are a killer. "Don't be silly," I tell him. "Lo was just winding  you up."

"Yeah, well, it worked." He wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to my forehead. "You're mine."

"And you're mine," I say on a yawn.

"Am I boring you?" He chuckles.

"Never. Just too much food."

I stuffed myself. The food was amazing. Almost as good as the company.

I swear, I'm in love with his family. They are awesome. Watching them  interact, it was how I imagined it would've been for me if I'd had a  brother or sister.                       
       
           



       

"Bed?" he asks.

I nod on another yawn.

He toes his shoes off and then leads me through his apartment, turning off lights as he goes, heading to his bedroom.

I brought an overnight bag here with me earlier, as we decided we'd stay  at his place tonight. So, I grab my wash bag and toothbrush.

We brush our teeth, side by side. Then, Ares disappears into the bedroom while I remove my makeup.

When I'm finished, I flick off the bathroom light, and on tired feet, I  pad into his bedroom. Ares is already in bed, sitting up, chest bare,  and I know he'll be naked beneath the covers, as he doesn't wear a  stitch in bed. He's reading something on his phone; knowing him, it's  probably the latest sports news. The lamp next to his bed is  illuminating the room for me.

I remove my dress, laying it on the chair, and then take off my bra,  leaving me in my panties. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk over to  his dresser, grab one of his football jerseys, and put it on.

I could wear my own pajamas. But I like to wear his shirts.

And I know he likes to see me in them.

I climb into bed next to him, snuggling close, feeling drowsy already.

He puts his phone down and turns off the light. He scoots down, putting  his arm around me, holding me close. Soft lips meet mine. "Night, babe."

"Night," I murmur.

Then, it's lights out.



I wake slowly, rousing to the feel of velvet lips pressing kisses to my inner thigh.

A hot tongue runs up my center, making me gasp. My hands reach down,  running through Ares's silky hair. He moves up my body, pressing kisses  as he goes, his hand pushing his jersey up my body. I lift my arms, and  he pulls it off over my head.

"I like you in my jersey," he says, voice low in the dark.

I smile. "I know."

"But I like you better out of it."

"I know that, too."

His lips meet mine in a gentle kiss. I can feel his erection, hot against my thigh.

His hand comes up, covering my breast, thumb brushing over my nipple, making my hips jerk up.

"I want you," I whisper.

His hips circle, cockhead rubbing over me. Then, he slowly pushes inside me.

I'll never get used to the feeling. The euphoric sensation of him filling me so completely.

When he's seated to the hilt, he stays there, unmoving, eyes staring down at me in the dark.

I can feel the fast beat of his heart thrumming through his chest into mine.

"Ari … " My name is like a whispered plea on his lips. "I … " A kiss. "I'm … crazy about you."

"Back at ya, babe," I tell him, sifting my fingers through his hair.

"And I … " A deep breath. "I think you should leave some things here, like a toothbrush."

Huh?

Another kiss.

"A toothbrush?" I murmur.

"For when you stay over. And I'll leave one at yours."

"Okay … but are we actually talking about toothbrushes while your dick is inside me?"

He chuckles. "Sorry."

He shifts his hips, withdrawing to the tip, and then pushes back inside, hitting me right in that sweet spot.

My legs come up around his hips, my eyes closing, while I revel in the feel of him inside me.

"Maybe a drawer, too," he says.

I pop an eye open. "A drawer?"

"For your stuff, to keep it in," he explains.

"Okay."

"And I'll have one at yours."

"Okay … " I repeat, dragging out the word. Then, I squeeze his ass with my feet to urge him to start moving.

"Maybe a key, too. For here. And I can have one to your place. Or is that too soon?"

"It's fine." I push up onto my elbows, bringing my face close to his. "What's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean … you're not usually this much of a conversationalist in bed,  except for the odd command, like, ‘Suck it harder,' or heated praise of,  ‘Fuck that's good, babe.'"

I laugh, but he doesn't.

And that worries me. "Ares … is everything okay? Me and you are … "

"Fine. Better than fine. I just realized something, is all."

"What?"

"I love you. I'm in love with you. You were lying there, sleeping, and I  was watching you-in a non-creepy way. And it just hit me. That I  fucking love you."

My heart has stilled in my chest.

He loves me.

"You love me?"

"Apparently so."

Then, I smile big. "It's a good thing that I love you, too, then, or this would be awkward as hell."

"You love me?"

I press a kiss to his lips. "Yeah, I do. Madly, deeply, head over heels in love with you."                       
       
           



       

His hand goes to the back of my head, fingers threading into the strands of my hair. "Say it again."

"I love you."

"Fuck, that's hot. You're making me harder, babe."

"So, fuck me then and finish what you started."

"Finish?" He chuckles a low, dark, sexy sound. "Babe, that word isn't  even in my vocab when it comes to you." Then, he kisses me hard with his  mouth and makes love to me with his cock for the rest of the night.





It's amazing how life can change in the blink of an eye. One blink, and  my hedonistic lifestyle-the one I was so sure that I loved-came crashing  down around me, bringing me to a new reality. A clean, sober reality.  But also a lonely, empty reality. Then, one person came along and  changed everything so very completely again.

One kiss changed everything.

Now, my life is full and happy because of Ares.

Nights that I used to spend with Netflix, feeling lonely, are now spent  with him. Sometimes, Netflix joins us. Sometimes, we just chill.

I've never been this happy. Ever.

I adore him. Love him …

And, best of all, he loves me.