The Wrong Bride (The Windsors, #1)(18)

I nod, my heart aching at the thought of them together. I can’t even stay in my own house when I know that Ares is staying over. I can’t stand the idea of them together, just a few doors down. The last thing I want to think about is how they’ll be spending every night together from now on.

“I’m sure that’s negotiable, Han. Just talk to Grandma Anne.”

She throws her hands up and sighs. “Don’t you think I haven’t tried? She won’t budge on it. Grandma doesn’t want me to work at all. The closer we get to the wedding, the more I’m second-guessing this.”

I inhale deeply and force myself to look my sister in the eye. “You love Ares, don’t you?”

She nods. “With all my heart.”

“Then you’ll be okay, Han. I know that being with him requires sacrifices on your part, and I’m sure it’s the same for him, too. For years now, he hasn’t been able to date you publicly because of your career. That can’t have been easy on him either, you know? There must have been so many things he’s wanted to do with you and couldn’t. Now it’s your turn to make some sacrifices. That’s what marriage is supposed to be, right? Compromise.”

She nods and turns back toward the mirror, her eyes roaming over her dress. “Yes, I guess so. I guess the worst part is that Ares is so perfect. All of our issues stem from me. I know he deserves everything, but I’m still having a hard time pushing aside my ego and my aspirations. One year is enough for people to forget about me, you know? Imagine three years.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “You’re Hannah Du Pont. There’s no way anyone will ever forget about you, Han. You could take a ten-year hiatus and it still wouldn’t matter.”

She smiles at me then. “Thank you, Rave,” she says, her voice soft. “I needed this. I needed to talk to someone who won’t judge me for my selfishness, for the thoughts that I shouldn’t be voicing at all.”

I shake my head and smile back at her. “You’ll be okay, sis. In two weeks, you’re going to be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen, and soon all of your doubts will seem like a distant memory.”

She nods, a hint of insecurity in her eyes. “You’ll be by my side, won’t you?”

“Always,” I promise. I’ll always be there for her, even if doing so rips my hearts to shreds over and over again.





Chapter Eleven





Ares





I know I’m dreaming when I see her smile at me so innocently, her body pressed against mine. I’ve been having this exact same dream for years. She’s wearing that same red dress that she always wears in this dream, the one she was wearing on Sierra’s 21st birthday.

It’s so short that bending her over will expose her tight ass, and the fabric strains against her breasts, barely containing her beautiful body.

“Ares,” she begs, “please.”

It’s been years since I last saw her look so shy. “You don’t know what you’re asking for, Raven,” I whisper, my hand tangling into her hair. I clench my jaw and ball my fist in her hair as I tilt her face up toward mine.

Her chest rises and falls rapidly, her pupils slightly diluted. The way she’s panting betrays her desire. She looks like she’s silently begging me to kiss her, to ruin the pink lipstick she’s wearing.

“I know exactly what I’m asking for, Ares.”

My cock is throbbing inside my jeans as I turn us both over, pushing her against the wall. “You shouldn’t even be here, little girl. You’re too young. Too innocent. What do you think you’re doing here, huh?”

She smiles at me and slides her hands up my chest slowly, until she’s got her arms wrapped around my neck. “I’m not as innocent as you think.”

I narrow my eyes at her and take a step closer to her, caging her in, my body pressed against hers. “What does that mean?” The back of my hand trails over her face, my touch possessive. “This isn’t the first time you sneaked into a man’s bedroom late at night?”

She looks to her left and smiles. “No.”

I smirk at her and move my hand back into her hair, needing her with a desperation I can’t quantify. All night, she’s been looking at me like she wants me to bend her over and fuck her, but I didn’t think she’d act on her desire.

“Little liar,” I whisper as I lean in further, my lips hovering over hers. “You know I hate it when people lie to me, Raven. Don’t make me punish you.”

She tilts her head a little, her lips brushing over mine hesitantly. “Punish me, Ares. I’m begging you,” she whispers back.

I groan as my lips come crashing down on hers roughly. I’ve been wanting to taste her for longer than I dare to admit, and this kiss is everything I thought it’d be, and more. Raven rises to her tiptoes, her hand hesitantly sliding over the back of my neck, until I can feel her fingers thread through my hair. She moans against my mouth, and I deepen our kiss, forcing her lips apart.

Fuck. She tastes like whiskey and sin. Her tongue tangles with mine, and the way she kisses me makes my fucking cock twitch. I need to know whether her tongue is that skilled when I push my cock into that hot little mouth of hers.

“Raven,” I moan, pulling away from her. My head is buzzing, and we’ve both had far too much to drink. I can barely think straight as I trap her lower lip between my teeth, needing more. “We need to stop,” I whisper, knowing it’s the right thing to do.