Under the floodlight, I can see that he’s wearing shorts, a pair of Converse, and a black T-shirt that matches his hair. I gawk at him as he types something on his laptop, nibbling on his lower lip. Sexy!
But then it happens. Ares’s head snaps up, and he sees me. Those beautiful blue eyes meet mine, and my world stops. He and I have never made direct eye contact. Without meaning to, I blush immediately, but I can’t look away.
Ares arches an eyebrow, and his gaze is as cold as ice. “Do you need something?”
His voice lacks any emotion. I swallow, struggling to find my voice. His look paralyzes me. How can someone so young be so intimidating?
“I . . . Hi,” I almost stutter. He doesn’t say anything, just stares at me, making me more nervous. I grip the edge of my windowsill. “I-I—your music woke me up.”
I’m talking to Ares.
God, don’t faint, Raquel. Breathe.
“You have a good ear. Your room is quite far.”
That’s it? He’s not going to apologize for waking me up? He returns his attention to the laptop and continues typing on it. I twist my lips in irritation. After a few minutes, he notices that I haven’t moved, and he looks back at me, lips pursed.
“Do you need something?” he repeats with an air of annoyance.
That gives me the courage to speak. “Actually, yes. I wanted to talk to you.”
He makes a gesture for me to continue.
I frown. “Are you using my Wi-Fi?”
“Yes.” He didn’t even hesitate to answer.
“Without my permission?”
“Yes.”
God, his audacity is infuriating. “You shouldn’t do that.”
“I know.” He shrugs, showing me how little he cares.
“How do you have my password?”
“I have good computer skills.”
“You mean you obtained it in some fraudulent way.”
“I hacked into your computer.”
“And you can say that so calmly?”
“Honesty is one of my best qualities.”
“You’re an . . .” He waits for my insult, but his sharp gaze affects my mind, and I can’t think of anything creative, so I go for the traditional: “You’re an idiot.”
His lips curve upward in a small smile. “What an insult! I thought you’d be more creative after discovering your password.”
My cheeks heat up, and I can only imagine how red I must be. He knows my password. My frustrating childhood crush knows my ridiculous Wi-Fi password. I’m doomed.
“No one was supposed to know about it.” I lower my head. Ares closes his laptop and focuses on me, amused.
“I know a lot of things about you that I shouldn’t know, Raquel.” Hearing him say my name sends butterflies to my stomach. I try to stay cool.
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Like those websites you visit when everyone else is asleep.”
My mouth opens in surprise, but I quickly close it. Oh my God, he’s seen my browsing history? I’m so embarrassed. I’ve visited several porn sites out of curiosity. Just curiosity. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do.” Ares smiles.
I don’t like where this conversation is going. “Anyway, that’s not the point, stop using my Wi-Fi and stop making noise.”
Ares stands up from the small chair. “Or what?”
“Or . . . I’ll tell on you.”
Ares bursts out laughing. His laugh is hoarse and sexy. “Are you going to tell your mom?” he asks in a mocking tone.
“Yes, or yours.” I feel safe standing at my window, but I don’t think I’d be so brave if we were facing each other in the yard.
He leans back in his chair. “I’ll keep using your Wi-Fi, and you won’t do anything about it.”
“Really?”
The challenge in his eyes is overwhelming. I know mine must be the same.
“There’s nothing you can do. If you tell my mother, I’ll deny it, and she’ll believe me. If you tell yours, I’ll show her the pages you visit when no one is watching you,” he says.
“Are you blackmailing me?”
He strokes his jaw as if he’s considering my question. “I wouldn’t call it blackmail, but rather coming to an agreement. I get what I want, and you get my silence in return.”
“Your silence about information you got by hacking me. That’s not fair.”
Ares shrugs his shoulders. “Haven’t you heard that life isn’t fair?”