“Ares,” she begs. “Oh God, Ares.”
The way she moans… goddamn. I could come to the mere sound of her. Raven’s lips fall open, and she looks into my eyes as pure pleasure rocks her body, her pussy clamping down on my fingers viciously. “Ares,” she moans as she comes from me, and it’s the most beautiful fucking sight I’ve ever seen. One hit, and I’m a fucking addict. It’s insane to know she’s going to be mine for the rest of our lives.
I watch her as she comes down from her high, the sweetest fucking smile on her face. “You’re so beautiful,” I whisper. “Did you know I was completely enamored the moment you walked in today?”
Her eyes widen, and I smirk as I line my cock up against her. “Look at me. Tell me you want this, Raven. I don’t… I don’t want to take your virginity if you aren’t sure. You and I… our futures are entwined for the rest of our lives, but we aren’t married yet.” I meant to tell her I’d understand if she wanted a life of her own before she’s tied down to me, but I can’t fucking say the words. I can’t. I want to be her first and only.
“You’ll always be the only one I’ll ever want,” she promises me, and I push into her slowly. Raven groans, her eyes widening as she adjusts to my size. “It hurts,” she whispers. “Just… do it quickly, please.”
I bite down on my lip harshly as I push all the way into her, a pained groan escaping her lips as I fill her to the hilt. “So fucking good,” I moan, my forehead falling to hers. Her pussy is like a hot, soft vice, enveloping my cock perfectly. I hold as still as I can to give her a chance to get used to me. I’m too scared to move, to hurt her.
I pull away from her a little to look at her, holding myself up on one arm while my free hand traces over her face. “Marry me,” I whisper. “I know my grandmother and your parents have already agreed on it, but you and I have never spoken about it. Raven, will you marry me?”
“Ares,” she whispers. Her voice sounds further away than it should, and I groan.
“No,” I beg, not wanting this to end yet unable to keep myself in this dream. “Fuck!”
“Ares?”
I sit up with a shock and look around my bedroom, my eyes landing on my grandmother. She’s standing by my bed, her arms crossed.
“You were late for our standing breakfast date,” she remarks. “You’re never late, so I came to check up on you.”
I grab my phone and frown. I slept through all of my alarms. How? Fucking hell. “I’m sorry, Grams,” I tell her. “Give me a moment to get ready, okay? I’ll meet you downstairs.”
She stares at me for a moment, but then she nods and turns to walk away. I fall back onto my bed the moment the door closes behind her and brush my hand over my face.
Fuck.
This fucking dream again. It’s tormented me for years now. I might not remember much of Sierra’s 21stbirthday, but I remember the morning after. It wasn’t Raven I woke up to. It was Hannah.
ChapterTwelve
Ares
* * *
I tighten my grip on my phone, my anger simmering just below the surface. “You know how Grandma feels about our weekly dinners. What do you mean, you can’t make it?” I ask Hannah.
“I’m sorry, Ares. I’m stuck in a meeting.” She sounds apologetic, but it just doesn’t ring true to me.
“You’re stuck in a meeting every single week, Han. I’m tired of making excuses for you.” It’s obvious that my grandmother hasn’t been happy with Hannah recently. She made that abundantly clear during our breakfast date this week, and I’m done defending Hannah.
She has shown no real interest in our wedding, and she’s constantly declining invitations to spend time with Grandma. Family is important to me, and it’s the one thing I need us to be on the same page about. But we aren’t. Nothing is more important to Hannah than her career, and I’m worried that won’t change once we get married.
“Ares, I’m already sacrificing so much by getting married to you. Are you seriously kidding me right now? Do you know how many roles I’ve had to decline because we can’t get our schedules to align? Why can’t you be more supportive?”
I grit my teeth and run a hand through my hair. “How could I possibly be any more supportive, Han? I’ve agreed to keep our relationship a secret foryearsso you wouldn’t be accused of nepotism by your colleagues — or inundated with gossip pieces about me handing you the roles that build your career. I’ve supported you from the sidelines, quietly, and all I’ve asked for in return is that same level of support. I don’t need you to support my career, Han, but I need you here with my family. I need you to be there for our weekly dinners, and I need you to attend some of our charity brunches every once in a while. I need you to start acting like we’re afamily.”
“Ares,” she snaps. “Are you seriously trying to say that you built my career for me? You may have given me the roles I wanted, but I wouldn’t have succeeded if I wasn’t talented. Don’t take that away from me.”
I look up at the ceiling and inhale shakily. “You aren’t listening to me,” I say, my voice soft. “I never said I built your career, Hannah. I said I gave you the roles that allowed you to do so. There’s countless talent, but there are few opportunities. I’ve literally invested in entire movies just because you wanted a specific role. I’ve never asked you for anything in return, but I’m asking you now. I need you to start prioritizing my family and me.”
“This is such bullshit, Ares. Why can’t you just be more understanding? Why do you bring up our relationship being a secret every single time, anyway? How come you can’t understand my need to keep my private lifeprivate?”
Why is it that every time I try to talk to her about the way she lets me down, the situation gets turned around and I end up being the villain?
“Han, I can’t do this again. Let’s just not talk about this, okay? I need to go anyway, or I’ll be late for dinner.”