Page 56 of Gilded Gods

She stares at my face as if looking at me for the first time. Then she drops to her knees beside the bathtub and brushes the skin beneath the cut on my forehead. “Ares, what the fuck? Why didn’t you tell me about this last night?”

“It’s not a big deal, babe.” I grip her hip and pull her to me so she’s leaning over the tub, her tits falling out of the top. “You should see the other guy.”

That’s bullshit.

Sure, I fucked up my opponent, but he got the kill shot. Atlas said I was unconscious for a full minute, which I won’t tell her. She’ll only worry about me.

“Ares, this isn’t funny.” Her eyes scan my face, which is slightly bruised and won’t look good in my mother’s wedding pictures. “You should have said something. I would have let you get some sleep.”

“In case you didn’t notice, I wasn’t in the mood for sleeping.”

I shove down her shirt and lick my lips. “You have the best tits I’ve ever seen.”

She lets me massage her for a second before sitting back and yanking up her top. “Ares, I’m trying to talk to you. Stop thinking with your dick.”

“That’s impossible when you’re around.” I run my hand up and down her sides, and she winces. “What’s wrong, little dragon?”

“You’re touching me.” She glances down at my hand pressed against her stomach. “There.”

I rub her stomach. “Here?”

She pushes me away. “Stop. I don’t like it.”

I sit up and wrap my arms around Ophelia, dragging her into the tub. A scream rips from her throat as the water splashes her pretty face. The ends of her hair are wet, and she’s so flustered I expect her to punch me.

“Dammit, Ares.” She looks down at her wet clothes, frowns, and covers her stomach with her arms, the fabric clinging to her curves. “I hate you so much right now.”

“No, you don’t.” I hold her against my chest, hating myself for making her uncomfortable.

Now that I understand she’s just as insecure as me, I want to make her feel better. Lord knows I need some ego-stroking.

“How do I help you see that you’re beautiful?” I slide my hand beneath her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Hmmm? Tell me, Ophelia. What do I have to say or do for you to see that you’re sexy-as-fuck?”

“What’s with you and your brothers telling me I’m sexy all the time?”

My eyebrows raise at her confession. “My brothers have been hitting on you?”

She shakes her head. “No, not like you do. Your brothers are more subtle.”

“When I see something I want, I don’t fuck around.” I lean forward and let my lips brush hers. “You’re mine, Ophelia.”

“You can’t claim me. I’m going to be your stepsister.”

Like I need a reminder.

“What did my brothers say to you?”

“Atlas gave me the picture he drew of me.” Biting her bottom lip, she grips my shoulders and straddles my thighs. “And Apollo almost kissed me last night.”

What?

Not my brother.

Apollo couldn’t kiss a woman without throwing up. I’ve tried over the years to help with his issues. None of the girls—no matter how hot and willing—have ever been enough for him.

“I’m gonna kill them.”

Ophelia laughs. “Are you jealous, Ares?”

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