Page 61 of Heroes & Hitmen
It’s over almost before it starts– heat blooming, then bursting in a sharp, perfect wave that leaves me shaking and breathless. I collapse against the tile, water washing away the evidence as quickly as it came.
For a second, I just stand there, letting my heart rate slow and my mind settle. I’m not proud of how easily I got off on the thought of him, how much I needed it. But I do feel better. Lighter, a little less haunted.
I rinse off, then step out of the shower and towel myself dry, wrapping the fluffy white terrycloth around my body. When I catch my reflection in the foggy mirror, there’s a flush in my cheeks and a softness in my eyes that wasn’t there earlier.It’s amazing what a well-timed orgasm can do for stress relief.
Ensuring the towel is secure around my chest, I pull the door open and step back into the bedroom. I’m halfway to the closet, mentally planning what outfit to wear to yoga class this morning, when a familiar voice derails my entire train of thought.
“Morning, sunshine.”
I freeze mid-step, whipping toward the open bedroom door. Ares is standing there with one arm braced casually against the frame, his other hand tucked into the pocket of his jeans. His white t-shirt stretches obscenely across his chest and biceps, the sleeves just barely containing the muscle underneath, and there’s a predatory gleam in his dark eyes that makes every nerve in my body go electric.
The sudden pivot toward him also loosens the tuck of my towel. Before I can stop it, the fabric slips free, sliding down my body to pool on the floor.
For a second, neither of us moves. Then his gaze drops– slowly, like he’s savoring every inch of my nudity. His jaw ticks, dark eyes bleeding into molten gold as his wolf surges forward so quickly that a low growl vibrates in his chest. My own wolf perks up instantly, every hair standing on end, every instinct screaming for fight or flight.
Orfuck. There’s definitely a third option my wolf’s considering.
I dive for the towel, snatching it off the floor and clutching it to my chest. When I straighten, Ares isn’t in the doorway anymore. He’s already closed the distance between us in two silent steps,looming over me with a heated stare that threatens to incinerate me on the spot.
I can’t breathe. My heart’s galloping so fast that it’s a wonder he can’t see it beating under my skin.
“What are you doing?” I squeak, clutching the towel to my chest like a shield.
His eyes hold mine as he reaches out to drag his knuckles slowly up my bare arm from elbow to shoulder. Despite the way I’m trying to act unaffected, his touch leaves a trail of goosebumps in its wake.
“Let me see you,” he murmurs, voice low and smooth as velvet.
My pulse skips. There’s a moment– half a breath, really– where I seriously consider letting the towel fall again, just to see the way his pupils blow out and his wolf reacts. My own wolf aches for it, desperate to get another glimpse of his.
But then I remember who I am, and most importantly, the mess we’re currently entangled in. I scramble to wrap the towel around my body again, securing it at my chest and scowling up at him as I take a careful step backwards.
“Ever hear of personal space?” I grumble, doing my best to sound offended and not at all aroused.
Ares grins, all teeth. “With you? Not a chance.”
I glare at him, but my cheeks are burning so hot that I can feel the color all the way to my ears. To make matters worse, my wolf is basically doing somersaults, rolling over with her belly up and tongue lolling out.Traitor.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I snap, spinning away and making a beeline for the walk-in closet.
He trails behind me, footsteps slow and deliberate, and it takes all my willpower not to glance back over my shoulder. Entering the walk-in closet, I grab a pair of black yoga pants, a sports bra, and a fitted tank, yanking the door shut for privacy so I can change.
While I wrestle into my clothes, I fire off the next round of interrogation since he clearly isn’t leaving.
“Where were you, anyways? I figured you were out on a job or… whatever it is you do all day.”
“Still waiting for today’s orders to come in,” Ares replies, voice muffled through the door. “Woke up early, so figured I’d grab you some breakfast before you took off.”
I yank open the closet door, eyeing him suspiciously as I stepout, fully clothed. “Breakfast?” I ask, gaze dropping pointedly to his empty hands.
He holds up a finger, grinning, then turns and strides from the room, returning a few seconds later with a coffee cup and white paper bag in hand. He wiggles them in my direction, like he’s luring a small animal into a trap.
“For me?” I ask, brows raised.
Ares steps closer, passing them over with a smirk. “From that place you like around the corner. The one with the criminally expensive pastries.”
“Liar,” I mutter, already peeling the lid from the top of the coffee cup. I inhale the aroma of the latte, nearly moaning out loud, then peek into the paper bag, finding a chocolate croissant.
I’m speechless– mostly because my mouth is full of pastry within seconds. The first bite is so good I have to close my eyes for a moment, just savoring it.
