Page 78 of Beneath Scarred Vows

"I know I said this in the bedroom, but you look stunning," Ares says, his eyes trailing down my body.

I smile. "Feel free to say it a few more times tonight. I don't mind," I say and squeeze his arm. "And you're wearing my favorite look, so obviously I think you resemble a Greek god."

And my favorite look? Ares in his black-on-black suit with matching shirt and tie. He's a vision of power and control. The tailored perfection of it accentuates his broad shoulders, the lean strength of his body. There's something about the look that suits him—dangerous, commanding, unstoppable. It makes my mouth water.

We make our way to the front door, where Derek is there, opening it for us.

"Have a good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Kastaris," he says.

Mrs. Kastaris. It's starting to grow on me a little. That, and no matter how many times I tell the staff, they always refer to me formally in Ares's presence.

Outside, a sleek red Ferrari is waiting for us. Ares guides me to the passenger side, his hand gently resting against the small of my back. The touch feels electric and like home all at the same time.

As I slide into the low seat, my dress rides up slightly, and I feel the cool leather against my thighs.

Ares looks at my legs like he's going to devour me, then he closes my door and walks around to the driver's side.

The engine roars to life, a growl that vibrates through the seat and into my body. I shift slightly, the car's vibration, and maybemy nakedness beneath the dress, creating a delicious tension low in my belly.

I turn to Ares after he places his hand on my thigh. I'm tingling with excitement as he squeezes me tight.

"So you really won't tell me where we're going?" I ask.

His hand slides slightly higher up my leg. "I wouldn't want to ruin it, Katerina," he murmurs, his voice a dangerous caress. "Don't worry, we'll be there soon."

We pull away from the house, the Ferrari accelerating with breathtaking speed. The estate falls away behind us as we wind down the street.

Today has been unexpected. After our lunch, Ares suggested walking the grounds—something so normal it almost felt abnormal for us. His sprawling estate revealed hidden corners I hadn't yet discovered—a small koi pond tucked behind flowering bushes, a stone bench beneath a huge olive tree, and a large garden shed that Ares paused beside.

"I could have this rebuilt," he'd said, running his hand along the weathered wood. "An art studio or something, if you wanted someplace to draw and be on your own."

The offer had caught me off guard. He was thinking about my needs, about creating a space just for me.

"I like the library and being outside too much to be secluded," I'd told him, but the gesture touched me more than I let on.

He'd nodded, but his eyes had held something, a promise to find other ways to make this place feel like home to me.

The memory of what happened after our walk sends heat flooding through me. We'd barely made it inside before his hands were on me, his mouth on mine as he pressed me against the wall. We'd ended up in bed, his powerful body moving over mine, inside me, taking me to heights I'm learning only he can.

"What are you thinking about?" Ares asks now, pulling me from my thoughts.

I turn to study his profile, strong and severe in the dashboard lights.

"This afternoon," I answer honestly, watching as his fingers tighten on the steering wheel.

"Which part?" he asks, his voice dropping.

"The part where you had me up against the wall," I reply, surprising myself with my boldness. "And then on the bed. And then in the shower."

His laugh is dark and full of promise. "That was my favorite part of the day too."

The Ferrari hugs the road as we wind through the main road heading into the city. Chicago glitters before us, the skyline a jagged silhouette against the darkening sky.

"You're different tonight," Ares observes, his eyes flicking to me before returning to the road.

"Am I?" I ask, though I know what he means.

"You seem relaxed."