“I don’t think so. He’s made it very clear that he’s not interested in me,” I say.
“Ares is really complex, just like Artemis. They’re boys being raised by absent parents who have always prioritized business and money over them. Tonight is a good example. Here we are having a party in their house, and they’re nowhere to be found. His dad is probably on a business trip, and his mom? Having fun with other high-profile ladies in town somewhere. His parents have always made it clear to them that having feelings is a weakness. It’s giving another person power over you.”
“And why is Apolo different?”
“When Apolo was born, Grandpa Hidalgo moved here for a while. He was the one who raised Apolo with a lot of love and patience. He tried to instill that in the two older boys, but they were already grown up and living through things they shouldn’t have been living at that age.”
“Like what?”
“That’s not my story to tell, sorry.”
“You’ve told me a lot. How do you know all this?”
“I grew up with them. My mom is close friends with their mother, and she would always drop me off here when she had things to do.”
“Samy! The driver is here. Let’s go!” the boys shout. Gregory, Luis, and Marco are drying off beside the pool, staggering back and forth.
“I’m coming!” Samy gives me a short hug, breaks away, and smiles at me. “You’re a good person, so don’t think I’m mad at you or anything because of Ares, okay?” She jumps out of the pool, and I’m left in the warm water. The lights are off, but the torches around the pool are burning softly in the darkness.
I smile back. “Okay.”
I watch them leave. Apolo walks behind them, mumbling something about seeing them out. I realize it’s time for me to leave too. My eyes scan the pool, and I freeze when I see Ares at the other end, his arms outstretched on the edge of the pool, facing me. We’re alone. And from the way he’s looking at me, I know he plans to take advantage of that.
Have you ever tried to run in the water? It’s freaking hard. Since when did the edge of the pool get so far away from me? Nervously, I glance back to see where Ares is, and he’s gone.
Shit! He’s coming from underwater! I’m being hunted!
I reach the edge and grip it tightly to lift myself out of the pool, but I’m only halfway there when strong hands grab my hips, pulling me down roughly. Ares presses me against the pool wall. I feel his hot breath brushing the back of my neck. “Are you trying to escape, Witch?”
I swallow, trying to free myself. “It’s late, I have to go. I . . .”
Ares sucks on my earlobe while his hands squeeze my hips gently. “You what?”
I make the huge mistake of turning in his arms, my hormones screeching at the sight in front of me. The Greek god all wet, his soaked hair sticking to the sides of his face, his creamy skin looking flawless, and those infinite blue eyes reminding me of the sky at dawn. His lips look so kissable.
I try to think of all the damage he has done to me with his words, with his actions, but it’s so hard to focus with him this close. Ares caresses the side of my face. The action puzzles me. It doesn’t seem like something he would do.
“Stay with me tonight.”
That surprises me, but my absent dignity finally appears and takes over. “I’m not going to be that girl you use whenever you want, Ares.”
“I don’t expect you to be.” He sounds honest, and he seems so different, like he’s tired of being an arrogant jerk.
“Then don’t ask me to stay.”
He gets closer, his thumb still stroking my cheek. “Just stay, we don’t have to do anything, I’m not going to touch you if you don’t want me to, just . . .” He sighs. “Stay with me, please.”
The vulnerability in his expression disarms me. My heart and my dignity are at war.
What can I do?
TWENTY-ONE
The Game
My reflection in the mirror gives me a disapproving look, as if judging me. I sigh.
What am I doing? Why did I decide to stay? I shouldn’t be here.
But how could I say no? He asked me with those puppy eyes, a clear plea on his face. No one can judge me, not even my reflection. Having the guy you’re crazy for, all wet and sexy, begging you to stay with him, is too much. The alcohol clouding my brain isn’t helping either. Besides, my mom’s not home, so I won’t get into trouble.
I shake out my wet hair and dry it with a towel. I’ve already showered, abandoning my wet dress for a shirt that Ares loaned me. In his bathroom. I can’t believe I’m here in the bathroom attached to his room. I feel like I’m invading his privacy. It’s spotless. The white ceramic shines. I’m afraid to touch anything and ruin the tidiness.