Page 61 of Beneath Scarred Vows

I force my attention back to her wound. It looks worse against her bare skin—angry and red against her perfect olive complexion. Dried blood has tracked down her arm in small streams. I clench my jaw, holding back the rage.

I slide on the shirt but keep it draped over her left arm so I can clean the wound.

I sit her down and walk quickly into the bathroom to wet a cloth. I gently clean the blood from her skin. Her eyes never leave my face, studying me as I notice she does more recently.

"You're angry," she states simply.

"Yes."

"Because I was hurt?"

I look up, meeting her gaze directly. "Because someone dared to try to take you from me."

The possessiveness in my voice can't be hidden, and I don't try.

She raises her uninjured hand and places it against my cheek. Her palm is warm. The contact jolts through me like lightning.

"I'm still here," she says in a low voice.

With three simple words, she brings attention to the hole in the armor I've built around myself since my father's death. She makes me realize in that moment, that if she wasn't, then I don't know if I'd want to be, either.

It's a deep feeling that's too overwhelming to comprehend right now. I need to give her all my attention.

I finish cleaning the area and gently wrap a bandage around it. "Is that too tight?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "No. It actually feels okay," she says, moving it slightly.

I smile. "I added some numbing gel. I'll add more later if it bothers you again," I say and brush some strands of hair out of her face.

I look down at her exposed shoulder, the button-down shirt still hanging low. My eyes wander a little lower to the top of her breasts—her skin looks so smooth.

I look away, trying to contain myself. I'm torn between anger, revenge, and the burning desire to take my wife right here and now, but after what she's been through...

Her hand reaches out and grabs my chin and brings my eyes back to her. She looks at me for a moment, biting her lip. Shethen leans in and kisses me with such passion I tense. Her tongue slides into my mouth and the primal needs I've been trying so desperately to keep locked in a cage come bursting out.

21

KATERINA

Ikiss him with everything I have. It's been building in me since fleeing the restaurant. Deep down, the only thing I was thinking about was getting back here, to Ares. My husband.

My mouth claims his, not because I've made a logical decision, but because I need to feel him—and maybe remind myself that I'm still here. It's all okay.

His lips respond instantly. No hesitation, no confusion. Just fire.

The kiss is hungry. Desperate. His hands tighten around me, pulling me into his lap as if distance is no longer something he can tolerate.

And right now, I don't want distance either.

I slide my tongue into his mouth, and the second I taste him, something inside me snaps. My body feels like it's floating, and I feel a sudden wetness between my thighs.

I notice Ares is matching my newfound intensity.

He's hesitant, but he isn't too gentle.

He's not slow.

And I don't want it to be.