Page 51 of Broken Obsession

He’d said as much back at the boathouse, but that’d been before he’d actuallyseenAres at work.

The Black Hart was right. There was a big difference between imagination and reality. Eden had tortured the people responsible a million times in his mind, but it hadn’t been anything like the real thing.

“Your tea is getting cold,” Ares said, fortunately missing the way Eden flinched since it took him a second before his eyes opened. He blinked and straightened, stretching his arms before shaking his head the way a dog would.

Tea?

Eden peered at the mug closest to him. “Where did you find tea in my house?”

“I didn’t. I brought it with me.”

He quirked a brow. “You carry tea around in your pockets?”

“I did tonight.” Ares shrugged like it was no big deal and picked up his own mug, sipping lightly before grimacing. “Needs more sugar.”

Eden watched as Ares got up and ambled to the counter, dragging the small sugar bowl he’d gotten at a thrift store two years ago closer before adding a large spoonful to his tea. “By all means, make yourself at home.”

He grunted half-heartedly. “Thanks.”

Eden had said it sarcastically, but whatever. “Did you put any in mine?”

“Ransom doesn’t like sweet things.”

He glared. “Yeah, well I do.”

Ares carried the sugar bowl to the table and set it down in front of him, then retook his seat. He blew on his tea and took a sip, practically melting into his chair afterward, eyes drifting shut as he cradled the heated mug against the center of his chest.

“What are you doing?” Eden was baffled by this display of…he didn’t even know what to call it. The guy was far too comfortable, relaxed and at ease…Meanwhile, Eden felt like he was about to explode from the anxiety alone. “Didn’t you come here to fuck me?”

Ares’ eyes popped open, but he didn’t sit up, merely peered at him from beneath those stupid, attractive long lashes.

A flash of embarrassment raced through him, and Eden grabbed the sugar and added three spoonfuls to his mug with more haste than was necessary. He barely bothered with stirring it before taking a deep drag, burning his tongue in the process. The second he started coughing, Ares was on his feet.

The Black Hart took the mug from his hand and set it aside, then rubbed circles on his back. As soon as Eden stopped, Ares captured him by the jaw and forced his head all theway back, pressing his fingers into his cheeks until his mouth opened.

“Stick out your tongue,” he ordered, giving Eden a warning look when he didn’t immediately do as he was told.

Timidly, Eden presented his tongue, but all Ares did was inspect it for damage.

Satisfied he was fine, Ares released him and went back to his seat a second time.

Eden blinked as he resettled as though nothing had happened. “That’s it?”

“What else would you like me to do?” he drawled. “Should I blow on it for you, so you don’t burn yourself like a baby again?”

He bristled. “I did not.”

“You were careless. Be more careful, Starling. I just found you.”

“So I should, what, give it more time before I hurt myself so you can get full use of your new toy?” Eden had no clue why he was goading him right now, but the frustration was overwhelming at this point. He needed something to happen. Anything.

Ares tilted his head. “Showering was meant to relax you, not…whatever this is. What’s wrong?”

“You can’t be serious?” He crossed his arms, realized how childish that made him appear, and dropped them back onto the table instead. “Whatever, can you just go already?”

“Why would I do that?”

“If you aren’t going to sleep with me—”