The men storm into the restaurant, both of them seething with hot anger that I could cook marshmallows on. Ares looks the worst, his eyes bright beyond compare, veins popping from his uncovered arm all the way to where his button up is pulled up. Josh seems just as mad, but handles it better, his mouth in a tight line. I look over to see the wait staff hide, none wanting to deal with this type of crazy.

Jessica is the first to break the silence, "I didn't intend to run, okay? I just got... overwhelmed and needed a moment with Vee. Please believe me."

Ares crosses his arms, the muscles shifting delightfully. I let myself watch them, his head turning to one side when he notices. If he wasn't a psychopath...

"And you couldn't have done that in a break room? In the safety of our building?" Josh retorts walking over to Jess grabbing her shoulders to pull her into a tight embrace. She pulls back against him, but soon enough holds still so he can pull her in closer.

"Josh, take her back. I'll handle Veronica alone."

"Yes sir." The hug becomes a hold while he walks her out, they both turn in the direction of main city.

"I suppose we lost huh? Barely even a day." I let my tears fall now. The need to be strong for Jess falling off my shoulders the moment she is out of sight. I cover my eyes and lay into my palms, my elbows holding me up as I cry into them. I don't care how much I embarrass myself right now, but I assume Ares would.

I hear the shuffle of his shoes across the floor and the presence of him squat next to me. I try to turn away from him, but his palm comes up to the side of my face slowly getting me to face him. His thumb rubs back and forth underneath my eye and along my cheek bone. The other hand comes up as well wiping away tears on the other side, soon my face captured in his large calloused hands. The callous confuses me, as a white collar man their hands tend to be soft, but the welcome rough is unexpected.

He gives me a small smile, "I am not the bad guy, love."

"Well you sure do come off as one."

He gives a glance to the ground and then back at me, I use the moment to suck my snot, "I simply want to take care of you. Love you. Everything in between."

"And that doesn't freak you out? You've known me what? A little under a week?" His hands are warm, the sparks addictive where he touches me. I make so move to leave his hold.

"For us it's different. Love at first sight, then it's forever. I am not trying to lead you on, we just have some hoops to jump through before I can be honest with you."

"You claim love but won't be honest?" Please just tell me to silence my crazy.

"You don't fight my touch, I know you feel it. That energy between us. Somewhere you know just as much as I do you belong to me. I just need you to say that, and all your questions are answered."

"Say I belong to you? I belong to no one." I spit finally pulling from him to where his hands drop to his sides.

He sighs disappointed, and some part of me is as well.

"Come, let's get you home." He stands with his hand out, "And you either hold my hand or go over my shoulder, and like before, I know what I prefer."

I snatch his hand letting him pull me up to standing, "You are such an asshole."

"Mm." He studies my face and trails down my neck stopping on the opal, "The necklace is beautiful on you, it only adds to your breath taking beauty."

Don't do that. Don't sweet talk me.

"Thanks."

We exit together, his hand wrapped through mine. I try not to blush when he opens the door for me letting me out first, or when he turns walking me back towards the bank, "Josh and I spoke. You both would be better to start next Monday after some processing time. Enjoy the break. I can send over training videos for you both to study at your leisure."

"Uh... thanks."

He stops at a light, peering down at me, "You never have to thank me, love. My life is dedicated to you and your happiness."

"That's indeed overwhelming. A billionaire and a waitress?"

"A man and his future wife."

I couldn't fight that blush, my cheeks turning a burning red to match the light above us. I walk forward dragging him with me, and he smirks at my reaction. Whatever drug he laces himself with is starting to impact me, a little too much.

The new apartment comes into view and Jessica is laying into Josh at the entrance. Her face is hot, his scared as she pokes at him and throws her hands up before finally stomping into the lobby. We walk up behind him, Ares mocking him as one would a brother, "Trouble in paradise?"

"It wasn't my fault she tripped and fell into me!" He throws his arms up walking away with more angry purpose in each step. I try to pull my hand from his, but he holds just a little tighter.

"Do you hate me Ms. Smite?" His words are delicate, thoughts traveling a mile a minute behind his eyes.

I take a moment to think over it, pulling back my hand again. This time he releases me, "While I want to, Mr. Gray, I don't think I do. Is that crazy of me?"

He smirks, "No, my love, it isn't."