I snatched my phone and shoved it in my purse.
The silence was loud.
Ares' icy gaze on my side profile put me on edge to start explaining myself, but I didn't.
I took off my heels when we reached the penthouse. Julian opened the door, and I stepped out barefoot, giving him a big kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you, Julian."
He gave me a big smile that reminded me of Gramps.
"Welcome as always, Mrs. King."
I giggled. With heels in hand, I walked through the door, ignoring the looks I got.
I punched in the password, but I kept getting it wrong, not until Ares did.
I whipped my head to him and smiled sweetly. "Thank you, honey."
The elevator doors dinged open, and we both stepped in. I was hoping to get into it alone, but now I'm stuck with him, and it was another unnerving stillness.
I cleared my throat, hoping to reduce the tension, but it only got worse. I thought he would question me about the call, but he didn't.
His indifference was far worse than a confrontation.
"I-I didn't violate the clause. The call was just from an old friend." My mouth moved as tension struck me too hard.
Just when I thought I would die from it, the doors opened, and I scurried away. "Good night!"
~☆~
I was nibbling on my nails as I scrolled through photos of me and Dan over the years. From college days, when we were friends, to the years we dated. There were so many, so many memories stashed into a folder. I took everything from my phone too and piled them up.
Granny always told me that I was the kind of person who couldn't let go that easily. I would keep things, meaningless things, and hold onto them like they were relics. She told me it was both a good and a bad thing.
She was right.
I moved the cursor to delete, lingering for a minute. My mind replayed those memories again like a broken record.
My eyes stung, but I was done crying. I clicked delete.
Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?
I clicked yes, and five years were gone like a snap of a finger.
I grabbed my phone, changed his number to Stone, before blocking it.
Daniel Stone was my first and last love. Love was bullshit, and all it did was burn you.
I'm done with love.
~☆~
I released harsh breaths, focusing on running while my headset blasted one of my favorite songs.
Suddenly, I felt a chill at my back, and I pushed the button, the treadmill slowing down as I faced Ares at the door.
I once said I preferred he wear a shirt, but I have rethought that. He was wearing one now, and the poor material looked like it was fighting for its life. Clutching those fine muscles was clearly a tough job.
I pulled down my headset. "Hey!" I pitched, coming down, and grabbed the bottle of water. "I hope you don't mind."
"No, the gym is as much yours."
"Great! You do your thing and I do mine." I drank from the bottle, keeping my eyes on him.
He took off his shirt, and my water almost came out of my nose.
I coughed softly as Ares walked past me to the Smith machine. The soft clink of metal echoed softly as he slid the bar in place. His hands wrapped around the steel, veins flexing.
I gulped audibly as he pushed the weight upward, the muscles in his arms tightening. His breath came steady and deep, with a quiet growl beneath those fine layers.
I think I felt that vibration between my legs, too.
All the while, Ares didn't look away from me, and it became harder to ignore the swirl of desire swelling in my eyes.
Realizing I have let them come forth, I lowered my gaze... a mistake. His sweatpants didn't hide the line of his cock—! Oh my god! How is that—!
I looked to the ceiling and turned away. My cheek burned so hard it felt like a fire scorched it. I'd better get out of here before I pass out.
"Catherine."
I froze at the door. Hearing him come up behind me, I twirled, letting my eyes catch on every movement.
"Hmm?" I replied absently.
I licked my lips when he got close, still not able to have enough. I noticed there was an uneven skin on his abs, a scar, maybe?
"I have a meeting today."
"Am I needed?"
"Yes, we'll head to the company together."
"O-Of course, I'll get ready."
He looked at his phone and did some pressing. I heard a ding on mine, resting on the bench.
"I just sent you an upfront payment."
"Upfront payment?" I asked with wide eyes.
"It was listed in the contract."
This is why I really need to pay more attention to details.
"How could I forget?" I said dryly.
I froze when his hand reached for me and tucked some loose strands from my ponytail behind my ear. His action was so sudden it felt like I had hallucinated it.
However, when I veered my eyes to his fingers close to my cheek, not touching, I knew it was real.
Why do I want him to touch me? Get a grip!
"Get ready, Ms. Lane." He stepped past me. "Two hours."
My chest rose and fell heavily, and I just stood there, still trying to collect myself.
Blinking, I picked up my phone, and my eyes almost bulged out of my socket when I saw the money.
I quickly dialed Granny's number, one of my real smiles touching my lips.
~☆~
I never thought I'd be back with this company. Two weeks ago, I tried to leave it all behind, but that has changed.
As Ares and I stepped into the ballpen, eyes flew to us, but they were discreet because not everyone could gape long because of Ares' presence.
I saw the news this morning, and the city has gone wild with the revelation. I could only imagine the buzz within the company.
I bet they said all sorts of things. But I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed that contract.
I grabbed Ares' arm tightly and walked closer to him, bypassing all the stares, and for once, I felt on top of the world.
When we stepped into the executive suite, I peeled my hand off him to walk to my desk, but Ares stopped me.
"You work in my office now."
I faced him. "Why?"
"You don't need to go about those errands."
"Ah... you mean your coffee orders? Never like those, an improvement I see..." I teased.
His lips twitched, closing the distance between us, hands buried in his pocket. "You never laid any complaint about these errands."
He's speaking a lot today. A good mood, it seems.
"Well then, you were my boss. Now I'm your wife, and being your secretary is just a bonus. Which means I can complain as much as I want."
A spark of dark humor lit Ares' blue eyes. "Careful now, Ms. Lane, that mouth of yours will get you in trouble."
I folded my arms. "What are you gonna do about it, Mr. King?"
"I'm not above putting you over my knee and proving a point."