The intensity that his eyes held had me looking away in guilt. Ares deserved better than being stuck with me. His life wasn't any better than mine from what I had gathered. After everything, to be stuck with me and the problems that I brought...

Gripping my chin, he forced me to look into his eyes again. His narrowed. "Let there be no doubt, Nea. I would have forced my way into that frantic heart of yours regardless of Zev's actions. You were always going to be mine, it was just a matter of time."

His words had my lip quivering as emotions overwhelmed me.

"You don't mind that you have to... share?"

It felt humiliating to repeatedly bring it up, but it would be stupid to act oblivious to what the future held. Even if we made it out of this realm, it would be with Ryder. Although I had defaulted to depending on Ares for safety when my past made a reappearance, safety he had actively demonstrated on multiple occasions he was capable of providing, it didn't unwind the string of fate that Ryder had slowly been winding around his hand, drawing me in closer. Even knowing now from his failed plan that it was possible to survive the breaking of a bond, the thought of even considering breaking Ryder's had my stomach rolling violently. I couldn't do that to him, even if it was for Ares. Not after he had admitted that Kitsunes only mated once and for life at that. But even if I didn't have the looming pressure over my head or the pressure of any repercussions, I had a feeling I still wouldn't have been able to bring myself to break his bond.

His lips quirked up. "It'll just make it more satisfying when you choose to seek me out, little one. I'll consume you so thoroughly that you'll forget the others exist."

His words had me biting my lip. The action drew his eyes and soon his thumb when he lifted it to free my lip from my teeth. My breath fanned over the digit.

"Then do it," I dared, my heart racing in anticipation

The small curve of lips grew. "I intend to, but patience," he said as he pulled away.

Getting off the bed he stood at the side and began to unbutton his pants. The large bulge was enough to have me swallowing nervously, but it was nothing compared to the thick length that bounced at me when he dropped his pants and stepped out of them. I assumed he'd be large given the size of the rest of him, but...

Intimidating. It was intimidating. Every inch of him was so damn intimidating, so of course, his dick was as well. The size had a nervous sweat breaking out on my brow.

It was clear in his expression that he was enjoying my reaction as I openly eyed the instrument that I was sure would be responsible for my demise with worry.

I swallowed nervously. Although the sheer size was frightening, I hadn't expected Ares's dick to make my mouth water.

His cock bounced provocatively as he made his way onto the bed and between my knees again. Climbing over my body, his face hovered above mine as he held himself up with his arms on either side of my head

I could see mischief brighten the flakes of gold in his eyes. "Don't think I've forgotten all your past transgressions. I fully intend to break your habit of stubbornly refusing my help to the point of your detriment."

I blinked at him. "Wh-"

He didn't give me a chance to be stubborn. Sliding his hands up my stomach, he pushed my shirt up, revealing my bare chest to his eyes. It wasn't the first time he had seen them, but it was the first time he was looking at them with his interest clear in his eyes.

It just made it clearer how professional he had acted during each instance he had gotten a glimpse of my bare body while treating me. Fear and pain were too busy flooding my mind with thoughts in those moments for me to notice that his eyes, and touch, didn't linger longer than necessary.

He continued to push my shirt up until it was wrapped around my wrists. There, he held them together and grabbed the two sleeves. Winding them around my wrists, he tied them together above my head. With a final tug to make sure they were secure he withdrew. When I began to bring my arms down along with him, he stopped me, returning my arms to where he had left them.

"Keep your arms raised. If you bring them down, I stop." He lowered his face until his lips hover over mine. He paused for a moment before gently pressing them against mine in a sweet, lingering kiss that had warmth unfurling in my lower abdomen. He pulled back until only a hair of space was separating us. "It's meant to punish you by denying you the ability to touch me, but it's also an out. If you change your mind and want me to stop, bring your hands down and I will. Your voice will suffice too."

An unexpected burn started up again behind my eyes at his consideration. I wasn't used to it. Any of it. I wasn't used to Ares.

I hoped one day I would be. But I doubted that would stop him from still surprising me.

I nodded my understanding, not daring to open my mouth. I was positive my voice would crack from the emotions I was experiencing.

At my nod, his lips descended on mine once more. As his tongue explored every inch of my mouth, battling with mine for control. He would tease me by letting me take the lead before taking back control without warning. Raising his hand, he trailed his warm palm up my skin before cupping my breast.

My lips chased after his when he pulled back. Pinching a nipple between his fingers, he looked at me with such hunger I could help but squirm. I tried to close my legs self consciously as I felt myself grow wet, but Ares was stationed between them.

He pressed his hips down against me, pressing his hardened length against me. Before I could scare myself too much, he dropped his head and trailed kisses down my neck and chest until he reached one of my hardened nipples.

He gave it a teasing nip, looking up at me with amused eyes before flicking his tongue out to soothe the pain. He took his time teasing and exploring my breasts, marking them up with harsh kisses and gentle bites.

A whine left my lips and my hands clenched the pillow above my head tightly when one of his hands travelled down the exposed expanse of my stomach, towards the point that ached the most to be touched. He teasingly trailed his fingers low, making me think he was going to give me what I wanted before moving his hand away, avoiding contact with the point I need him to touch.

I was beginning to understand why not being allowed to touch him was a punishment. Aside from the fact I wanted to reach down and forcefully place his hand where I needed it, not being allowed to only made me want to touch him to grow. It made my fingers itch to trace the dips and groves that covered his body, to trail down the expanse of muscles that ran down his stomach. I'd like to see how he enjoyed it when I trailed my fingers along the V of his hips only to stop before reaching the point he had been anticipating.

When another whined protest left my mouth, it was joined by Ares's amused chuckle. He tsked when my hands jerked in frustration.

"Is that you asking me to stop, little one?"

His smug question earned him a glare in return. He could tell it wasn't.

"No, it's me wondering if you even know what you're doing," I replied, the growing frustration making me snap.

His own narrowed in return, but the amusement only grew. "Hmm, I guess I'm going to have to spend a great deal of time practicing then. I hope you don't have too many plans, you'll have to cancel then to make sure I learn right."

I couldn't stop my mouth from dropping open at his cunning response. It only provided to give him more material to work with to make my face flame dangerously red.

Reaching up two fingers, he placed them under my Jaw and shut my mouth. "Don't worry, I'll get to that later. Right now, I want a taste."

Heat rushed to the apex of my legs when Ares moved back and kissed his way down my stomach, no more teasing fingers driving me mad... for now.

Ares made his way down until his face hovered over my exposed slit. His warm breath hit the wetness coating my lips making me shiver. Seeing the slight movement travel through my body he smiled as he flicked his eyes up to look at me. The hunger in his eyes rivalled the one in mine.

I gasped when without warning he grabbed my legs from behind the knees and pushed them up, folding me in half.

I couldn't help but bring my bound hands down in a panic, causing him to pause immediately.

"Do you want me to stop?" His question lacked every bit of teasing his previous one held. Though hunger burned in his eyes, he held himself still looking at me with level, serious eyes.

"No," I shook my head, making the hint of concern fade from his eyes. I hadn't realized his muscles had become so tense until he visibly relaxed. "It's just- it's embarrassing," I managed to squeak out as I grabbed at his hands where he held my knees together towards my chest, leaving my bare opening exposed to his eyes.

His eyes softened, but it didn't stop the sadist side that had made an appearance with my embarrassment and discomfort.

When his grip holding my legs loosened and he began to draw his hands back, I thought he was going to be nice and let me drop my legs, but I was wrong. He moved his hold from the back of my knees to the backs of my thighs. Spreading my legs open further, he pushed them back against me, spreading me open for his eyes to see.

I tried to cover myself again, but he grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head again with a reminder of the consequences for bringing them down.

Holding my thighs back and open, he hovered his face over my slick slit.

I couldn't help but send a silent thank you to the women who had forcefully held me down to pluck and wax me. I doubt Cassius would have been so adamant that I be presentable if he knew what his efforts would go towards.

"If you find this embarrassing, little one, then I'm afraid your heart won't be able to handle the other plans I have in store for you."

"Other plans? What other-"

My question was cut off by a gasp when Ares drew his tongue up my slit unexpectedly. It was followed by another swipe that delved deeper.

"Fuck," he hissed against me, his hands tightened on my thighs while my own grasped onto my pillow tight. "You taste so fucking good."

I couldn't help the loud gasped moan that escaped my lips when Ares dove in like he was a starving man staring at his favourite meal. His tongue swept up my slit before finding my clit and torturing it. He dragged his teeth over it as he began to push a finger inside.

I brought my hands down to cover my mouth before another moan could announce to Zev in the other room exactly what we were doing. Not that I doubted he already knew.

The moan I was trying to stifle turned into one of frustration when Ares froze in place. He rose his head.

"Hands. Up."

My heart stuttered from the intensity he was looking at me with. I rose them without question.

"I like hearing your moans. So much that I want everyone to hear me play you like an instrument."

And that's exactly what he did. His tongue wound up every nerve in my body as he dove two fingers into me with a confident thrust. He used his mouth and his hands to drive me higher and higher, making my breathy gasps and moans grow. My breath hitched as he added another digit and increased his pace. I could feel myself winding tighter and tighter, waiting for the final push that would unravel my entire being.

But I didn't come.

Just as I was about to explode into a million different pieces, Ares slowed his actions. A whined protest left my lips, but I wasn't complaining long before he picked up his pace again.

That is until he did it again.

"Ares," I couldn't help but hiss out in frustration as I felt another climax slip away.

"What is it little one?" He asked raising to look at me. "Feeling a little frustrated?

"Yes." I didn't bother to hide the frustration he was asking about as I breathed out the word.

His eyes watched me for a moment. "You know what else is frustrating, little one?" He asked. "Trying to ensure you don't die while having you fight me every step of the way."

Harsh breaths left my lips as Ares worked to wind me up again. I expected it, but I couldn't stop the frustrated sob that left my lips when his pace slowed once more just as my pleasure began to crest.

A frustrated tear left my eye at the same time my patience snapped. Without thinking, I reached my bound hands down and grabbed Ares's hair. The strands felt soft as I forced his head back down and ground against his lips chasing after the climax he wanted to deny. I was sure I'd look back at my actions and want to hide in a hole, but the need inside me was too strong to think rationally at the moment.

My mouth dropped open in a wordless moan and my back arched as a wave of pleasure crashed over me. I clenched Ares's hair tightly, refusing to let him go as I rode his face through the waves.

When the rolling wave of pleasure left me twitching in aftershocks, my hands dropped to my stomach. I could feel sweat drip down my back as I lay panting in the aftermath of Ares's attention.

A dark chuckle made me flinch in my blissed-out state. Sitting back on his heels, Ares licked his lips before wiping his lower face on the back of his hand. The dark look in his eyes as he looked over my twitching body had me shivering in anticipation.

His eyes locked with mine. "You just significantly reduced the amount of sleep you'll be getting tonight."

I felt my face warm as I faced the aftermath of my desperate action.

"Ares-"

Grabbing me by the waist, he pulled me down towards him. Pinning my knees to my chest, he folded me over again. I had a feeling he liked how vulnerable and exposed the position left me feeling.

Keeping me folded in half and exposed, he brought his face close to mine until his warm breath fanned over my heated skin. I could feel his bare length press up against my slit as his body pressed down on me. He ground against me, making me jerk back like I had been struck by lightning when his length dragged through my folds and touched my overstimulated clit.

My breathy moans and struggles brought a gentle smile to his face as he held my squirming body in place.

Sitting back on his heels, he looked down at my flushed form as I lay bare and spread for him. A bead of sweat travelled down between Ares's stomach as he reached down and positioned the tip of his length at my opening.

My heart thrashed against my chest as the weight of him rested against me.

Tightening his hold, he looked me in the eyes. "This is your last chance, Nea. Do you want this?"

If I didn't know that he was asking me so often because he was concerned for me, I'd think he was trying to find an out. But the hunger in his eyes burned too brightly for him not to want this.

"Yes. I want you, Ares. I... I think I love you," I whispered.

His stilled.

For a moment hesitation entered my mind, but that was before he dropped his head to kiss me so hard I thought I might have fallen just a little further. He consumed my mouth so thoroughly, all my worries fell away.

I moaned when I felt Ares grind against me, wetting his length, but it turned into a gasp as he began to push into me. I couldn't help but bring my hands up between us to push him back when I began to feel the burn of him stretching me open.

Once again, he didn't hesitate to stop, even with his cock halfway into me. He pulled back to see if I was alright and only continued my reassurance and once he was sure.

Slowly, using small thrusts, he worked his length into me while his lips kept mine occupied. When his hips lay flush against mine, he pulled his head back to look down at me. It was the first time I noticed the level of restraint he was using. His muscles were clenched and almost shaking from holding himself back. He knew he was big and he didn't want to hurt me.

He brushed sweat-drenched hair off my forehead before resting his against it. "I know that I love you."

With those words, he withdrew his length until only the tip remained before thrusting it back in. I gasped, the sound was quick to be followed by my moans as he continued to thrust into me at a steady pace.

Ares wound his fingers in my hair, forcing me to look at him. "I've known for a while now, little one," he said, his words punctuated by thrusts of his hips.

Another moan quiet moan escaping my mouth was cut off by Ares's lips as the sound of his skin meeting mine grew louder in the room.

My eyes clenched shut as the pleasure heating my body grew. Raising my bound hands to the back of Ares's neck, I held on to him tightly as his thrust began to grow harsher. With each one, I was driven closer to the edge. I was at the edge before I even expected it.

"I'm-"

I wasn't able to give much of a warning to Ares before I clenched down on him. Reaching for the pillow above my head, my back arched off the bed, forcing Ares to sit back on his heels. Grabbing my waist, he continued to thrust into me as I clamped down around him, my mind shattering in a million little pieces.

"Shit," he hissed under his breath as my body convulsed in pleasure again, holding him in a vice. "I'm close."

I don't know what spurred me to say the words, but I was saying them to Ares before I could truly understand what I was telling him to do. All I knew was it would solve one of my biggest problems at the moment.

"Ares, come inside."

Though they were whispered, Ares's pace faltered like I had shouted them at him. He looked at me with wide eyes before they narrowed in consideration. When he had wordless resumed thirsting into me, I had assumed he had agreed.

Which was why I was surprised when after lowering his body over mine with an arm by my head, he pulled out and finished over my stomach with a groan.

His eyes remained closed for a moment before opening to meet mine. Both of us were breathing harshly, pleasure still buzzing under our skin.

"I'm glad you've decided to accept me completely, little one, but I'm not creating a child out of spite."