Through My Window (Hidalgos #1)(26)

My face looks horrible. The whole right side is swollen and there’s a bruise going up from the middle of my cheek to my right eye. The corner of my mouth has a small cut on it. I had no idea that man hit me so hard. As I inspect my face, I notice bruises on my wrists and arms—I guess from when those other guys grabbed me.

A shiver runs through me as I remember what happened. After taking a shower and brushing my teeth, I leave the bathroom in my underwear, toweling my hair.

“Pokémon panties?”

I scream at the sight of Ares sitting on my bed. There’s a bag of take-out food and two coffees on the nightstand. I cover myself with the towel.

“I thought you left.”

He smiles. “I just went for breakfast. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, and thank you, that’s very kind of you.”

And kindness is not your thing, I think.

“Get dressed and have something to eat. Unless you want to do it this way? Without clothes. I wouldn’t complain.”

I gave him a murderous look. “Very funny, I’ll be right back.”

After getting dressed, I start on breakfast, trying to ignore the beautiful creature in front of me so I can eat.

Ares takes a sip of his coffee. “I have to say it. I won’t be able to live in peace if I don’t say it.”

“What?”

“Pokémon? Really? I didn’t even know Pokémon underwear existed.”

“It’s my underwear; no one is supposed to see it.”

“I’ve seen it.” His eyes catch mine. “I’ve touched it too.”

I almost choke on my breakfast. “Ares . . .”

“What?” He looks at me playfully. “Oh, you’re remembering that, aren’t you?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“It’s hot.”

He smiles mischievously but says nothing. I finish eating and take a sip of coffee, keeping my eyes anywhere but on him, even though I can feel his gaze on me. It’s making me nervous and hyperaware of how I’m dressed, and every detail about me that he can see and disapprove of, like my wet, tousled hair.

Ares sighs. “What happened last night?”

I look up, and I feel like I can tell him everything. Why do I trust him after he broke my heart? I’ll never understand.

I run a hand through my hair. “I decided to take a shortcut.”

Ares gives me a disapproving look.

“What? I was tired, and I thought nothing would happen.”

“The shorter, darker roads are not somewhere you should be at that time of the night.”

“Now I know. Well, I walked under the bridge, and three men were there.”

Do you want something, pretty girl?

I clench my hands in my lap. “They took my phone from me, and one of them . . .”

It’s going to go real bad for you, pretty girl. The man’s words haunt me.

Ares puts his hand on mine. “You’re safe now.”

I take a deep breath. “Two went away and left me with the third one. He dragged me into the dark and told me not to scream, but I did and so he hit me. The man who called you heard me, and then the other guy ran away.”

“Did he do anything to you?” Ares’s eyes have a flash of anger that surprises me. “Did he touch you?”

I shake my head. “No, thank God.”

“It’s okay.” He squeezes my hand, and his palms are soft. “You’ll be fine.” He smiles at me, and for the first time it’s not a smug or mischievous smile. It’s a genuine smile, one that he hasn’t shown me before. Ares Hidalgo looks so honestly grateful that I’m okay that I feel the stupid urge to kiss him.

It’s at this moment that I realize that he and I have never kissed even though we’ve done intimate things together. Why have you never kissed me? I want to ask him, but I don’t have the courage, not now. Besides, what would I gain by asking him that? Especially if being with him is out of the equation.

He has been sweet and kind. He behaved like a gentleman, but that doesn’t mean that his way of seeing things has changed, nor mine. Ares strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, tracing circles, and I feel the need to thank him. “Thank you, really. You didn’t have to do all this. Thank you very much, Ares.”

“I’m at your service, always, Witch.”

Always . . .

That makes my stomach flutter and my heart beat faster. He reaches over and takes my chin.

“What are you doing?”

He assesses the bruised side of my face. “I don’t think you need to take anything, but if you’re in pain, you could take an analgesic. You should be fine.”

“Are you a doctor now?”

Ares gives a small laugh. “Not yet.”

“Not yet?”

“I want to study medicine when I finish high school.”

That surprises me. “Really?”

“Why so surprised?”

“I thought you’d study business or law like your father and brother.”

“To work for my father’s company?”

“I never imagined you as a doctor.”

You would be a beautiful doctor, though.