to my lips, giving me small nips as he goes. When his mouth reaches mine, he takes my top lip between his teeth. “I could devour you.” His voice is a soft whisper. What does it say about me that I want him to?
Bringing his hands up over my hips, he continues until he reaches my chest. I lean forward, pushing myself into his hands. He makes a low sound of approval, his thumbs finding my nipples easily. Even over top of my shirt his hands feel amazing. A heavy pant falls from my lips when he gives me a light pinch, followed by his fingers circling my nipple. My hips rock forward to meet his. Taking my hands from his back, I tangle them in his hair, my arms over his shoulders. My skin begins to tingle as I drag in a breath. The thought of having all of him hits me. I want to be surrounded by him, filled with him. Closing my eyes, I drag my fingers down his back, and when he arches into me, I feel a pulling sensation in my chest. Tugging on the imaginary cord, I wrap it around me, encasing myself in Ares’s shadows. His body sags into mine, his forehead hitting the wall behind me. My mind opens, and a rush of energy hits my nerves like an electric shock. I jerk, my nails scoring his back as I cling to him tighter. Gritting my teeth, I push back the feeling, shoving the invading powers back into Ares.
His back arches and his mouth opens, but no sound escapes. Even though we’re standing within his created shadow, I can see perfectly when his eyes snap open, and instead of the pitch black, they now have a constellation of starry white dots. Looking into his eyes is like seeing into the far reaches of space.
“Ares!” A panic-filled shout erupts from me as I place my hand on his cheek. What did I just do to him? Head still tilted back, his eyes close slowly and his head bobs as he takes in deep breaths. “Are you okay?” My voice is barely a whisper now, and I use my other hand to lift the back of his head. “Should I get someone—Dante? I don’t know what to do.” My voice breaks.
“Okay…” Ares finally stammers, “I’m okay.” He takes one step back and stumbles, ending up on the ground as he drops like his legs wouldn’t support him.
“Oh, God,” I fall to my knees, tugging my shirt back down. “Dante, Dante!” I scream. The house is too big. He probably won’t hear me. “Tell me what’s wrong. What can I do?” I plead, my hands running over his chest and face.
“Just need a second,” Ares mumbles, his large body sprawled across the floor in the hallway.
“I’m so sorry, I’m sorry.” Tears blur my vision. “Dante,” I call out again, my voice strangled with emotion.
“What’s going on?” Mia’s voice is on the edge of hysteria. She drops beside Ares's head, her hands shoving mine away. “What did you do to him?” she accuses.
I stand up, backing away, tears falling down my face faster than I could catch them if I tried. “I don’t know. We… I.” I can’t find words. “Help him,” I plead, backing farther away. Ares's head lolls to the side in my direction, his eyes slitted open. When I don’t move, his hand reaches out toward me. I shake my head. I can’t go near him, and I don’t understand what I did to him, or if I could hurt him more.
“Go,” Ares demands, closing his eyes. He tugs his hand from Mia, who has wrapped her fingers around his. Rolling my lips in, I glance at him. I can’t leave him, even if he wants me to. I can’t. “Laura,” he calls, sitting forward, his chest and shoulders sagging with the exertion.
I inch closer, unable to stay away, and I fall on my knees again as I place my hand on his back, steadying him. He leans into me as soon as I’m close enough that he won’t fall over again, sighing.
Mia stands and she’s the one who backs away now, her face contorted in confusion. “I don’t know what you’re doing to him, but I will not let you hurt him.” I look up at her, feeling helpless. Ares's head is in my lap now, his body surrounding mine like I’m the one needing protection. His fingers dig into my back