"I am indeed, would you prefer I wasn't?"

"Yes... no."

The side of his lip raises, eyes becoming more honey than before, "Ready, love?"

"Let me grab my wallet, and then yes."

I turn away running over to my kitchen bar to grab the small dollar store wallet I keep my cash in. Ares is still standing at the doorway when I turn back around to leave with him, his eyes on my hips, "That dress..."

"Yes? Do you have a problem with it?" I pause my steps, placing a hand on my hip.

"You wear that dress well, it will be a shame to remove it later." I feel him testing the waters, and I accept the compliment. After all, my intention is good fuck.

"Good thing it looks better on the floor." I walk over to him laying my fingers on one side of his chest. As I exit the door way I let my fingers follow me going from one side to the other. He sucks in a breath, the electricity that sparks from my touch unimaginable.

"You are a dangerous woman." He says grabbing my hand as it falls from my chest to lead me to his BMW parked out front. I don't respond to his statement, my body freaking from him being so near. I can't remember a time in my life that my entire being craved someone as much as this.

Ares opens the door for me letting me get comfortable before he gets into the drivers side. Instrumental music comes through the car, but nothing felt uncomfortable in the silence. He felt like someone I have known my whole life, and even with my lack of trust towards others, my brain refuses to believe he's another name to add to the no-trust mindset.

I look over to my date studying the little things about him. His light stubble is framed well around his face, no acne in sight. Not that it would have bothered me. I trail my eyes down his well set jaw towards the base of his neck to see small instances of tattoos peaking over the collar, "Tattoos?"

"I have many. They cover most of my back and chest, some on my arms. Does that bother you?"

"Do they have meaning?"

"Every single one." The response is genuine, no hesitation in his tone.

"Then no, no they don't. I love a man with ink. I only have one tattoo myself, however." The admittance on my part is unexpected. I don't share this side of me easily, but with this random billionaire...

"One? Where?" He takes a turn stopping in front of a valet stand. I look around trying to figure out where we are, but he exits the car to run around and open my door once more. He hands off the keys to the valet, the kid shaking in his boots to get to the drivers seat.

I exit the car wrapping my hand around his. I let him lead me towards the glass doors where Fire and Ice are beautifully etched into the main part. It takes most of my mental strength to keep from turning and running away. This is a restaurant I would stare at online with a wish to work at. Only the elite dine here, and I personally don't fall into that category.

"It's on my shoulder blade, a memorial for my parents. They passed two years ago."

He stops to look at me and his eyes are swirling with emotions, "I am sorry to hear that."

"No worries, we ended on a bad note anyways." Why am I saying this. Please shut yourself up, Veronica.

He drags me to the host, the man giving a plastered smile, "Mr. Gray, we have your section arranged. Please follow me."

Section?

"I prefer privacy at all times, money means little to me in order to achieve that. Come, I reserved us the back room."

"Oh... um." I barely know what to say, his beautiful face distracting me from any cognitive thoughts I could have.

"When it comes to you, darling, I would reserve the entire restaurant if you so desired."

"That-that is not necessary. I would- There's no reason for that." That's a lot of emotion rather quickly.

And why don't I mind?

"Here you are, Mr. and Mrs. Gray."

"Smite." The host looks over at me, his eyes wide, "My last name is Smite. Not that it really matters."

Ares stares at me intently, not moving to sit at the table while the host stands there awkwardly. He looks at the host, a nod coming from him setting the host back into gear, "Yes, of course, please enjoy Mr. Gray and Ms. Smite."

The host runs off, Ares pulling back a chair for me so I can sit, him moving to his seat right after. A bottle of cabernet sits with two wine glasses. I take initiative pouring myself the first of the bottle, no need to seem to peckish here.

"Do you enjoy cabernet? I can call for a different wine." He grabs the bottle pouring himself some.

"No, actually, cabernet is my favorite. Thank you."

He hums taking a sip of the wine. I follow suite trying to keep myself from jumping this table into his arms. Whatever is coming over me, I need to get in control.

"Good evening, my name is Walter and I will be taking care you both tonight. May I get you started with Oysters, Escargots, or even Croque Monsieur?"

Ares looks at me, and I shake my head. That sounds like some stuff that I would personally hate. Not that I am picky or anything, but whatever escargots are need to escar-get away from me.

"We need a few minutes to review the menu."

"Of course sir, thank you."

"I haven't been somewhere like this before." I finally admit setting down the menu that is littered with French cuisines. While the names seem beautiful, I barely can read the words let alone say them. Not to mention that none of them have descriptions.

"It is my pleasure to bring you here, what do you normally enjoy in the form of pasta? I can order you something similar if you would like."

"I like red sauce and shrimp." And it normally comes from a bag from Trader Joes.

"You would enjoy Crevette a La Marseillaise." His french is beautiful, the words rolling off his tongue as though he says them all the time.

"Sounds great." Way to make this awkward.

The waiter returns and Ares orders for us, Walter running off as soon as possible to take care of us.

Ares swirls his wine glass, eyes running over my face, "Tell me about yourself, Veronica. I want to know everything."