Page 38 of Beneath Scarred Vows

Something darkens in his eyes—awareness, maybe. Probably. I am not being sly here. It's blatantly obvious the way I'm looking at him. I feel like I've been frozen in place and it's a bit embarrassing.

"Do you mind?" he asks.

My stomach drops like I've been caught doing something wrong. "What? Sorry?"

He smiles.

"Do you mind helping me choose? Which one do you like better for my tux?"

Jesus I didn't even realize he was holding up two shirts. I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

"Oh, umm—" I wave vaguely in the air, then lower my hand. "The black one."

He sets the other shirt down and starts to dress.

"Do you like them?" he asks, glancing down.

"What?" I manage, my voice embarrassingly hoarse.

"The tattoos," he clarifies, nodding to his chest.

I swallow hard. "Yes," I say truthfully, and smile. "I think they're beautiful."

I want to ask him what they mean, but I don't. I'm not supposed to care about him, and the fact that I want to know unsettles me.

"I'm glad," he says, deep and slow, his words almost sounding heated—or maybe that's just me. My face feels like it's on fire, and my body is tingling.

He takes a step closer, and I tense up. We've been sharing a bed for some time now, but it's been a cold arrangement. Most of the time he's not here, but if he is, it's him on his side, me on mine.

This is different. This is… well, it's making my palms sweat.

"I saw that your dress is ready," he says, nodding toward the walk-in closet where Emma has prepared everything. "I'm sure you'll look beautiful tonight."

"I should—" I stop and clear my throat and point toward the closet. "I should go get ready then," I say, but I don't move.

Neither does he.

Ares looks me up and down and says, "I look forward to seeing you in it."

I smile and almost giggle, but I stop myself.

The compliment catches me off guard.

Now I know the heat rising to my cheeks is visible.

I force myself to turn and respond.

"Thank you. I'll go get dressed now."

It's stupid, but it's all I can say. I walk inside the enormous walk-in closet and shut the door.

My heart is beating a million miles a minute. I'm flustered, wet, aroused, and emotions are firing off in me I've either never felt or had long thought I didn't possess.

Dammit.

I think I have a crush on this man…

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