Page 26 of The Bonventi War

"No, but I've always wanted to. It looks so beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you, I assure you. I'm Ares, by the way."

I roll my eyes and turn back to Gio. "What are you doing here?"

Gio's eyes raise from my sports bra to meet mine.

"It's a public gym, remember?"

I roll my eyes.

"Well, we were just leaving," I say quickly, grabbing Morgan's arm.

"Were we?" Morgan protests, but I'm already pulling her toward the locker room.

"Have a good workout," Gio calls after us, and I can hear the amusement in his voice.

Once we're safely behind the locker room door, Morgan turns to me with wide eyes. "Damn, Raven. Did you see Ares? He's like a freaking Greek god. And Gio—I think he was kind of checking you out."

"What? Don't," I warn her, but my heart is still racing.

"But—"

"Not. A. Word."

She mimes zipping her lips, but her knowing smile says it all. I busy myself gathering my things, trying to forget the image of those tattoos, that smirk, the way his muscles moved...

"Dammit," I mutter, slamming my locker shut harder than necessary.

Why does this asshole have to be so annoyingly hot? Like, can't I catch a break?

Maybe I need to find a new gym.

13

RAVEN

My back hits the cold wall, and I gasp. His hand wraps around my throat, squeezing with just the right amount of pressure.

"Stop fighting me, Raven," Gio growls against my neck, his other hand pinning my wrists above my head.

I can feel his body's warmth and his masculine scent filling my nostrils. It's intoxicating, setting every nerve ending on fire.

"Gio," I gasp, struggling against his iron grip. "I hate you. Get off—" I say as I arch toward him.

"Your body says different." His teeth graze my neck, and I bite back a moan. "See?" His tongue traces the shell of my ear. "You're mine, Raven. Accept it."

I try to twist away, but he presses closer. His muscled body traps me against the wall, skin against skin. Each point of contact burns.

His mouth moves lower, and when his tongue flicks across my nipple, a moan escapes me, unbidden and raw.

"No," I protest weakly, but my body screams yes.

"Stop fighting me," he says as he takes my nipple in his mouth, his tongue hot on me. "You've been wanting me as much as I want you."

I moan, unable to hold it in.

"Spread your legs," he commands, his voice rough with desire.