Through My Window (Hidalgos #1)(86)

Gregory’s face lights up when he sees me, and I get excited too. He stands up and gives me a hug.

“Raquel, I knew you’d come.”

“Of course, I couldn’t miss seeing your vampire costume.” I give him my thumbs up. “It looks great on you.”

Luis also stands up.

“Since when did you two get so close? I feel left out.”

“I was wondering the same thing,” Ares says as he joins us. He runs his hand around my waist, pulling me to his side.

Gregory shakes his head.

“Easy, baby.” He makes sexy eyes at Ares. “I only have eyes for you.”

Ares gives him a tired look, and I wiggle out of his grip.

“Relax, vampires aren’t my thing.”

Luis intervenes. “She likes. . . . What are you supposed to be, Ares? God?”

“A Greek god.”

Samantha joins us, greeting everyone with a smile.

“Are you living up to your name?”

Luis finally catches on. “Oh, right, you guys are named after Greek gods. Yours is the one of war or something like that, isn’t it?”

“No wonder he’s a troublemaker.” Gregory sighs, and Ares hits his arm.

“Who you calling a troublemaker?” Ares demands.

Gregory again makes eyes at him.

“Hit me harder, baby.”

We all laugh and sit down. Spending time with Ares’s group of friends has become more bearable and definitely more comfortable. I think it was a matter of giving myself time to get to know them until I could stop feeling outside the group and be part of it. Even Andrea can hold a decent conversation without her friend Natalie. However, I haven’t forgotten what Gregory told me about her being a gold digger who broke his heart.

Apolo sits as far from Dani as possible, forcing Dani to chat with Luis, who is flirting with her, unaware that my best friend has her heart set on the youngest Hidalgo and can’t help glancing at him from time to time.

Feeling more relaxed with this group, I allow myself to have a few drinks. They look disgusting but taste delicious, especially one called Drag Me to Hell, which is a delight. But at this rate, if I keep drinking, I’ll end up in hell with a certain Greek god who’s hanging around. I can feel my cheeks and ears growing warm. Apparently, alcohol makes me hot, which makes me an easy target for Ares, so I cut back. I decide to walk to the candle room to see the dark side. I don’t notice Ares following me until I’m inside, and his voice sounds behind me.

“What are you doing here, Witch?” I turn to him, and his blue eyes are glowing with something dark and dangerous: desire.

I swallow hard for the second time tonight. My eyes notice the small couch to the side, and my heart pounds in desperation. We’re alone in the semidarkness.

“We should go back,” I say.

Ares approaches me with slow steps.

“Yes, we should.”

I lick my lips, watching his body, remembering how he feels naked against me.

“Yes, really, we should go.”

He nods, standing so close to me that I’m forced to look up to meet his eyes.

“I know.”

“Then why are we still here?” I ask. His nose brushes mine. My lips open in anticipation, my breathing already a mess. He grabs my neck.

“Because tonight,” he whispers, “you’re going to be mine again, Witch.”

And with that said, he presses his lips against mine.





FORTY-THREE


   The Lack Of Control



- ARES -




I can’t control myself. I don’t want to control myself.

I have waited too long, held on too long. My control trembles and cracks with every kiss, every brush of my tongue against hers, every touch of her soft skin against my hands. I slam her against the wall, kissing her desperately, and her witch’s hat falls off and gets lost in the darkness.

I try to calm myself and be gentle, to feel every part of her, so even though I want to devour her, to penetrate her, to hear her moan my name in my ear, I take my time. I caress and kiss her until her breathing turns to gasps, and I know she’s as turned on as I am. My hands fidget and travel inside that short witch’s dress she’s wearing, my lips never leaving hers. Moving her underwear aside, I slide my fingers over her wetness. She moans, and I suck on her bottom lip.

“Already wet?”

She doesn’t say anything, she just shudders when one of my fingers penetrates her. It feels so hot and wet inside her that I feel like I’m going to explode from how hard I am.

“Ares . . .” she mutters, her voice is full of desire. “We are . . . we shouldn’t be here.”

I sink my finger even deeper inside her and hear her gasp, clinging to my shoulders. My lips leave hers to lick and nibble the skin of her neck. I know it’s her weak spot. She drops her head back, and her hips start swaying to the rhythm of my fingers, driving me crazy. I use my free hand to caress her breasts through her dress.

No more, I can’t wait any longer.

Unable to help myself, I pull away from her, removing my hand from her to free my manhood and put on a condom. She protests impatiently.

“Ares, please.”

I look into her eyes playfully. She doesn’t hesitate to tell me what she wants.