Page 25 of Blood Descendants
Ares works us through the crowds, and just before we go up the stairs to go to the next level, I spare one glance over my shoulder.
I don’t know who it is I’m looking for, who is watching us. And maybe they haven’t gotten out of the next elevator yet. But one thing is for sure, I shouldn’t be looking around for them. This has to look real.
The air is warm when we step outside. Despite being seventy floors up, there’s barely even any breeze. Up this high, the city feels… calmer. More still. Below, I see headlights moving up and down the streets, but no longer can I hear thousands of humans around, no longer can I hear the constant horns blaring or the sound of sirens racing down the street. This is the city that never sleeps, and I love every minute of it. But this high up, it feels different.
Hand in hand, Ares and I wander to the tall glass walls that prevent anyone from doing something tragic. I place my hands on the glass, leaning up against it, taking in the modern miracle that is my hometown.
The lights are spectacular. It’s like looking up into the skybut multiplied by a thousand. Billboards and home lights. Streetlamps and headlights. It glitters in the darkness, the sun fully set into the west.
Ares settles in behind me, his body aligning with mine. He wraps his hands around my waist, and once more, he brings his nose to my neck. He inhales, and I wonder if he’s doing the same thing I was doing in the elevator.
“Do I ever need to worry about this position?” I find myself asking. I feel his breath on my neck, and I know his teeth are only an inch away from my skin, at best.
“I told you, Vengeance,” he says, his tone low and a little rough sounding. “You smell like dessert. My mouth hasn’t stopped watering since I laid eyes on you at that party.”
He leans in closer, his body fully aligned with mine. And he brushes the tip of his nose from my collar bone to the hallow behind my ear. “But my control is exceptional.”
I realize then that my eyes have slid closed, and my head has tipped back to rest on his shoulder. Goosebumps cover my entire body.
I’d be embarrassed if we didn’t need to be putting on exactly this kind of show.
Ares tugs me from the railing. A wicked smile pulls on one side of his mouth as he walks backward for a moment, leading me to the end of the observation deck. His wicked lips pull a smile to my own.
It’s way too damn easy to pretend in this scenario. With this man. It makes me wonder. Have I really been this damn lonely? That I’m this willing to jump in the deep end?
But it doesn’t matter. I’m here now. And right now, it feels pretty intoxicating.
Ares’ eyes never leave me for a second, and I feel my skin heat. I know this is for show. But the effect he’s having on me is very real. Nerves are making me feel ready to jump out of my skin. This distance between us feels awful after experiencing his closeness just a few moments ago.
But I don’t have to wait. Because when we reach the far end, where the view is the best and the entire night seems to be celebrating for us, Ares stops. And he holds my gaze. He takes me by one hand, and he drops to one knee.
“Lana,” he begins. He’s way too good at his. His volume is perfect. Not awkwardly loud, letting on that this is meant to be overheard. It’s just like it was meant for only the two of us. “I don’t care if it’s quick. I don’t care if there’s going to be people who question. I knew you were mine from that first day. And every day since has been the best day of my life. You’re the other half to my soul.”
I stare down into his eyes, and my heart is beating about ten thousand miles per hour. My free hand covers my mouth, which is pulled into a shocked smile. It isn’t hard to fake this right now. Every reaction is genuine in this moment.
“I’m looking for forever with you, Lana,” Ares says. He looks so hopeful. So happy. He looks in love. “Will you marry me?”
Pound, pound, pound,my heart is going crazy.
I honestly never expected to hear those four words spoken to me. With as little dating experience as I’ve had by this age, I truly never expected that those words would ever be asked of me.
And now here they are. Asked by a rich vampire who looks like he could tear up the roughest of the rough.
Fake, my brain reminds me.
“Yes,” I answer, the word coming out a little emotional, an act, as I nod. My hand drops from my mouth, and a wild grin pulls on my lips.
And there’s that dazzling sight again. Ares smiles, the full, wide, uncontrolled version that makes my brain stop working. He pulls a black box from his pocket and opens it. And, there, inside, is the ring I was admiring.
I nearly choke on the shock as Ares slides it onto my finger. It has physical, tangible weight.
My gaze returns to Ares. For the briefest second, I see warning flash through his eyes.
But I only get one second to understand its meaning before Ares rises. His hands come to either side of my neck. He tips my head back just slightly, and then his lips are on mine.
This kiss is molten. Heat and fire and the sun.
Ares’ lips mold to mine perfectly. And his lips are hot. So hot.
