Page 37 of Bound By Flames
“Would you like some tea, Mrs Malone?” asks Maria, always so discreet and anticipating my needs.
“That would be great. Thank you, Maria.” I’m grateful for her kindness after I gave her the list of things I like to eat, which Ares asked me to write. I was really embarrassed to have to detail exactly how I wanted them to steam-cook the vegetables and remove as many carbs as possible but honestly, it’s a relief. Eating has been easier since. She disappears five minutes before coming back with a wood tray, green tea, coconut chia pudding, and an apple cut into a flower shape. I can tell the cook is trying really hard to do something with the small list I gave him. Never been in a place with such kind people.
I mean, they’re not all kind.
One of them is still getting under my skin.
But it soon will be over.
“Here,” Maria says before fidgeting in front of me. I’m sat in my work clothes, a tight turquoise dress with big golden loops on my ears and coral lipstick. It doesn’t really match the whole cabin vibe of the home but somehow I enjoy the contrast.
“Are you okay, Mrs Malone?” She joins her hands in front of her as if she’s truly worried.
Can she tell I’m about to escape tonight? Did I do anything to betray my plan?
“Yes, of course, just a bit tired,” I make up on the spot before watching her nod and move away. I drink my tea, listen to the latest pop songs I’ve downloaded, and then head to the bathroom to take a shower. It’s been a long day of video calls with clients and so much online shopping for them that my eyes are sore from watching screens all day. Between going out with Shadows and Ash for my matcha latte and talking to my clients, my social cup is full. I let the hot water ripple on me. Burning, just how I like it. Just enough to make my skin tingle, making it barely tolerable.
Always one foot too close to the cliff.
Always trying to reach my limits.
I close my eyes and let the burn sink into my skin, blooming into red shapes decorating my flesh. I grab my cinnamon shower gel just beside Ares’s all-in-one men's thing. How can he only use one product and smell so…so, damn it, so good.
Don’t think about him.
Not here.
Not now.
One sniff can’t hurt, right?
Just as I’m about to open his bottle and act like a teenager having a stupid, stupid crush, voices break me out of my daze.
Strange, I didn’t know we were expecting anyone.
Maria would have told me. The voices get clearer as I slide the door and enter our bedroom with my towel on. It sounds like a man and a woman are talking; only I know Maria's soft tone, and this is not it. I don’t even bother getting dressed and walk quietly to the stairs with my towel still on.
Well, I’m technically in my house, why wouldn’t I be able to get downstairs in a towel? It’s not like I’m butt-naked parading around the house. The towel goes to my thighs.
Words are muffled in the living room. It’s hard to hear from the entryway but Ares’s deep tone is impossible to mistake.
“...handsome, I was in the neighborhood and—” a familiar voice says. Focusing on its dripping honey tone, I gasp silently.
Carolina. What is she doing here?
Feeling bold, I glance at them from the entryway, hiding behind the wall of the stairs. Talk about making stupid decisions.
How about eavesdropping half-naked on your fake husband and a man-eater?
“...it’s a good idea, you probably should—” Ares says but I don’t catch all of it.
Is he asking her to stay?Perhaps he’s looking for a replacement already?
Hissing a breath, I pull the towel tighter around me, as if it could somehow protect my heart from whatever flirting banter is happening in there.
“...couldn’t say goodbye properly last time I—” she says, and I swallow hard, hearing fabric fall on the floor. Taking one last dangerous glance, hoping to not get seen, I trip on my toesand fall on the floor, my towel still, thank god, tucked around me.
Only I don’t get up right away, struck by the view of Carolina’s bare back in front of me, her blouse resting on the beige rug as if she was only starting to strip for Ares.
