Page 25

~IRENE~

The sun blazes high over Ares’ mansion. A place he once built for solitude is now overflowing with laughter and the sound of clinking glasses. It’s strange, surreal even, to see so many people here. Ares told me he’s never had guests over like this before.

But today? The Panthers are heading for the Stanley Cup. And everyone who matters is here.

My father is standing by the grill, cracking jokes like he’s not the same man who once looked at Ares like he was a wildfire too dangerous to let burn near his family. Now, he’s flipping burgers beside him, laughing and clicking his tongs.

And Ares…God, Ares is glowing. He’s relaxed and happy. His hair is damp from pool water and champagne. His smile is sharp, boyish, and free. He’s breathtaking.

On the lawn, the kids from the center are scattered like sunlight, some kicking a ball around with Langley, others hunched over sketchpads with brand-new crayons Ares bought. Tommy’s shrieking with laughter as Davidson swims circles around him in the pool. Livia and Avery are in lounge chairs, drinks in hand, watching the chaos unfold with grins.

“Bro, your house is insane.” Langley stumbles into Ares, tipsy and laughing. “Why the hell haven’t we been here before?”

Ares throws his head back and laughs, really laughs, and my heart does a somersault. That sound? It’s freedom. He claps Langley on the back, says something I can’t hear, then turns and makes his way toward me.

He walks through the celebration like it’s all background noise, like nothing matters more than reaching me. He’s still damp, shirt clinging to his chest, aiming a wicked grin just for me. Those pale blue eyes, even lighter in the sun, are fixed on me like I’m the reason this whole day exists.

“You calmed down yet?” I ask, my arms crossing as I rest against the bar, teasing him.

“Not even close.” He snorts, his eyes crinkling. He leans in and presses his lips to mine. “But you make it easier. You always do.”

“They love it here, you know.” I grin up at him.

“I only care if you do.”

“I do,” I say, raising my arms around his neck.

His hands slide around my waist, and before I can say another word, he’s picking me up. My laughter gets swallowed by his kiss—deep, sweet, and slow. Like we finally have all the time in the world.

“Hey!” Rowan shouts, his glass raised. “ Stanley Cup run, baby! ”

Damien grabs another bottle of champagne from the ice bucket and pops it with a wild grin. The cork shoots across the yard like a bullet, and then I feel the champagne rain down on us.

The cork was just a warning shot. Now, it’s chaos. Everyone screams and ducks, but not us. Ares just kisses me harder, holding me tight as the champagne sprays down over us like liquid gold.

Ares carries me inside, arms tight around me. His skin is still wet from the champagne, and his laughter is still rumbling low in his chest. My back hits the door as it closes behind us, muffling the sounds of the celebration outside.

I slide my hands down his chest and whisper, “Look.”

He turns his head, his eyes following mine to the massive windows that stretch across the back of his house. The view is perfect—his teammates, my dad, the kids, everyone gathered under the sun, celebrating like this is more than a win.

“All these people,” I say, “in your home. This is your family, Ares. Big, loving, and here to stay.”

His lips part slightly, his eyes flickering across the yard. I know he can feel it, too.

I smile up at him, tears pricking the corners of my eyes as my heart swells. “There’s something I’ve been keeping from you.”

“What?” His brows furrow instantly. His voice is gentle, but I see a hint of fear. Not again, not another secret.

I slide my arms around his neck tighter and whisper, “I transferred colleges. I’m staying in LA.”

“You’re not serious?” His eyes widen.

“I am.” My voice breaks with the smile I can’t hold back. “I’m staying. I want to be here with you.”

He stares at me, frozen, and then he closes his eyes tight, presses his forehead to mine, and kisses me like he’s trying to memorize every inch of my mouth.

“I love you, Ares,” I whisper against his mouth.

He chokes out a laugh, a soft, disbelieving sound.

“I love you,” he breathes, hoarse and raw. “God, I love you, too.”

I laugh as he walks me deeper into the house. “We’re all sticky from the champagne—”

“I’ll lick you clean,” he cuts me off with a devilish grin.

“Ares!” I squeal as he throws me over his shoulder again, laughing breathlessly as he takes the stairs two at a time. “You can’t!”

He slaps my ass and growls, “I can do whatever the fuck I want to my woman in our house.”

“Our house?” I whip my head back.

He sets me down in the bedroom, eyes blazing.

“You own everything. Every part of me is yours, including this house.”

I crash into him, kissing him until my knees go weak. I push him back onto the bed, straddling him, and give him my most sinful smile.

“You mean this is mine, too?” I murmur, palming his already hard cock over his pants.

He tilts his head to the side, watching me with heat building in his eyes.

“All yours,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “What are you planning to do with it?”

I lean down, my lips brushing his ear, my heart pounding.

“Whatever I want. Forever”

THE END