provides. I want to breath air that isn’t tinged with his cologne and food making, both my mouth water.
“Cara wait,” he calls with his door open but the engine still running. Ares jogs up to my side, halting my hand as I’m about to place the key in the door. He nudges me to the side so he’s the first one through the door and the hot air hits my face like a blast. I groan, the cooling unit must be broken again, because I know I left it on. I was rushing to get out of here yesterday.
I flip the toggle switch to the left of the door and the small light above the dinette flickers to life. Ares is a few steps ahead of me, his eyes scanning everything visible, which is most of the RV. He strides to the driver’s area, tugging back the heavy curtains. After a brief search he turns to face me.
With his attention wholly on me I shuffle my feet, running my hands over my hips. Stopping at the apron, I look down and untie the strings, pulling it free. It’s strange how having him here makes the place I’ve always called home feel so much smaller than it ever has. Even with him standing across the room he’s still so close. Ares’s head lowers and he’s still staring at me from under his brow as he saunters up to me.
“Um… do you want something to drink?” I blurt out as he nears. Ares bites the corner of his lip and shakes his head. When he releases his lip his tongue darts out, licking over his bottom lip. My heart stutters, then thuds to life with a heavy beat. Backing up, my rump hits the kitchen counter. He follows and I tip my face up, watching his approach. He stops when his body is just a hair’s breadth away from mine.
Now, that tiny distance seems like too much. I find myself wanting to lean forward, to breach the last of the space between us. “Oh Cara,” he purrs, placing one hand on the crook of my neck. His thumb runs from the bottom of my jaw down my throat and I swallow. Ares’s eyes search mine. “I should have let one if the others come.” His words are spoken softly, his thumb caresses the hollow of my throat and sweeps back up to my jaw. “I have no desire to deny myself.”
“Deny yourself what?” I breathe, my body leaning toward his without my permission. I feel like I’m playing a dangerous game, but it doesn’t stop me. I think the payoff will be well worth the price.
Ares’s hands go to the counter on either side of my hips as he leans his body into mine, pushing me against the counter. Dipping his head, his lips are barely touching the apple of my cheek and his nose traces along my temple and hairline.
“This Cara… this never ending pull that makes me want to carve a hole in my chest so I can carry you there.” His words should frighten me, and if I’m honest they do, but not the way it should. I feel the slight pressure of his lips as he plants a tiny kiss right next to my ear. A shiver works its way over my skin, making the hair on my arms stand. “Are you okay?” Ares’s question forces me to examine whether or not I am. His nose runs down my cheek, stopping at the corner of my jaw. “Cara, tell me if this is okay?” His words vibrate over his lips and onto my neck.
“Are you allowed, I mean is it okay? I don’t know what rules there are—”
Ares stops my babbling when he lightly brings his lips to mine. He doesn’t move, just presses them on mine gently. I think he’s giving me time to adjust, or to push him away. My lips part as a weighty sigh escapes and my muscles go slack. It’s only him and the counter behind me, keeping me upright.
Ares groans, his hands reaching up for my neck as he moves his lips against mine for the first time. “My brothers will kill me, but I don’t care. I can’t help myself.” I feel the tip of his tongue roll over my bottom lip. I mimic the movement on instinct, my tongue tracing the same path as his. How can it feel so different when he does it? I must lick my lips