in the office, and then it was almost time for you to get up. So, I decided to get ready for the day. I had a nice start to my morning.”
Ignoring his comment, I ask, “So that’s it? You’re just normal tired?”
“What other kind of tired is there?”
I flick my fingernail over my thumb. “You know, just more tired for other reasons. I guess.”
“You’ll have to tell me about those reasons, or show me.” Ares's voice takes on an edge.
“I think you would know those reasons far better than I would,” I rebut. I’m being petulant, and I know it.
“No, I don’t think I do.” Ares’s tone is light and airy as he sighs.
I snort. There is no way he doesn’t know what I’m alluding to. “I thought you were tired, go to sleep,” I demand. His bicep is under my neck, with his forearm pillowing my head. I turn and bite the inside of his arm—not hard, just a nip like he’s given me.
Ares’s body coils behind me, and I have a moment where I think I’ve hurt him. He drags his arm out from under my head and I roll toward him in the process. An apology is poised on my lips as his face hovers above me. “I’m—” That’s all I get out before his mouth drops to mine. His lips push against mine heavily. He pulls back, but only long enough to lick the seam of my mouth. He takes a stuttering breath, and when he leans in again, it’s painstakingly slow. With a slight tilt of his chin, his lips land on mine with a scant amount of pressure. Following his lead, I let my lips barely graze his, pulling back the moment his lips pucker to return the kiss. Ares’s palm lands on my lower stomach. I suck in a breath when I feel the heat of his hand through the fabric of his shirt.
He nips my top lip, pulling enough that I push myself closer to him. Ares's palm travels up past my navel, and slowly continues while I’m chasing his lips with mine. Our mouths are open now, but neither of us has deepened the kiss yet. Ever so slowly his fingers reach the bottom of my bra. My nipples tighten, he hasn’t even touched me there yet, but my body knows he might, and it’s already ready.
Ares’s nose bumps with mine in a deliberate caress. I feel his warm breath as he pants, his breathing becoming shallower. “Laura.” I hum in response, my hand reaching up to tangle in his hair. “This okay?” The tips of his fingers glide over the bottom of my bra between my breasts, his palm still flat on my sternum. My back arches, and his forehead rocks on mine. My body seems to think it’s ready, but I’m not so sure. Taking my hand from his hair, I guide his hand up between my breasts until his fingers are at the base of my throat. Ares's whole body rocks against mine, his hand trembling as his palm glides up my neck.
I’m not sure I trust myself to let him touch me too much more. With the way my body reacts to his, I’d probably ask him for more than I’m ready for. His fingers tighten under my jaw and he turns my head away from him, his nose nuzzles my ear. His breath has gone almost ragged. I feel the tip of his tongue stroke behind my ear, and a soft whimper comes from me as I shift, feeling restless.
Ares turns me back to face him, his mouth descending on mine as he controls me and our kiss. His tongue traces over my lips slowly before he delves into my mouth. A groan of satisfaction leaves me when I can finally brush his tongue with mine. Turning my hips so I can get closer to him, I find myself almost covered by his body. Reaching under his arm, my hand lands on his bare back, sliding down until I encounter the fabric of his sleep pants.
Ares always asks me before he takes things to a new level of intimacy, even the first time he kissed me. Why don’t I want to give him the same courtesy? I want to let the tips of my fingers explore what’s just on the other side of that barrier. He rocks against me again, and my body follows his, my hips rising off the bed as I arch into him.