Page 50 of Bound By Flames
Could this dangerous, broody, grumpy man really worry about me?
“Aren’t you used to threats?”
“Yeah, I am, but it’s different this time.”
“How?”
He stands, approaching me and cupping my cheek with his palm, my body embracing his touch immediately. His touch distracts me from his change of topic.
“Wear your red dress tonight,” he commands before kissing my forehead, which I’m starting to really get addicted to. There’s something so hot about a dangerous man being gentle to a woman. It’s making my knees weaken.
Get it together, Mia.
“Tonight?” I frown.
“Forgot to tell ya, we’re hosting a fight night at the club. It’ll be good for you to properly meet the guys.”
“Wait, wait a second, you mean you’re going to fight tonight?” My eyes widen.
He nods. “Said it was just a testosterone show if I remember correctly?” The corner of his lips rise wickedly.
My lips part.
How am I going to react at the sight of someone hitting him? Why does it feel really wrong all of the sudden?
“Are you sure about fighting tonight? We could, um, we could just watch the fights together—” I fidget with the covers.
“Nah, I want you to see me fight, princess. I’ve been wanting it ever since you talked about it on our wedding day,” he murmurs with a smug smile.
Is he trying to impress me? And why does his attempt at, wait, courting me in his strange and twisted way work?
“Shadow will drive you there. You’ll eat with the guys and then come see the fight. I’ve got it all planned out. Just wear the red dress,” he commands.
What is it about him and this red dress?
My thoughts get interrupted by what he just said.
“Wait, I’ll have to eat there?” Anxiety already tingles in my fingers.
“Don’t worry ‘bout it. I got it all planned out. Larry’s fixing you something.” His hand falls from my cheek to my wrist as if he’s counting my heart pulses. His jaw clenches, and his gaze softens on me, turning me into a puddle.
“The food thing…I want to, I mean… Could you explain it to me? I just want to understand.” His thumb strokes the inside of my wrist gently. My heart is pulsing hard, and my head is already buzzing as if a panic attack is just around the corner.
“No.” I shake my head, trying to make the sound go away. Apart from Kiara, the only person I ever told always minimized it or made fun of me for being such a picky eater. I gave him the list. That’s enough.
“No?” He raises an eyebrow. I guess most people should be afraid of his gaze darkening on them, but it only attracts me more to him.
Like a moth to a flame.
“You're just gonna mock me, Ares, and I'm done having people judge me for this.” I shrug casually as if this is a normal conversation to me. As if I’m not on the edge of a catastrophic panic attack.
“I won't, I fucking swear.” His emerald eyes pierce my soul with determination. “What happened last time was my fucking fault. I should have known better, Mia.” He bites his lips as if he’s mad at himself. He swallows and then looks at me with intensity, taking my breath away. “You're my wife, Mia. I wanna do better.”
Trust him, he didn’t make fun of you last night.
Just give him a shot.
I don’t argue. The anxiety of the topic distracts me from everything else.
