Page 55 of Bound By Flames
“Is it really necessary? Isn’t one enough?” I frown.
“Nah, gotta make sure no one's bothering you or taking you away. Can’t take any risk.” His words send a shiver down my spine.
“Do you do this often?” I ask, curious.
“Protecting? Yeah, I've done it a lot since last year and kind of made it my speciality in the club. Tank calls me the bodyguard, like in the romantic movie, ya know? To piss me off, but I don't mind.” His gaze studies the crowd.
“Okay, I'll try to stay away from the bad guys then. Don’t want you to get in trouble.” Shoving my elbow gently into his ribs, he answers by dramatically resting his palm on his side as if I had hurt him badly. We move down a corridor at the back of the warehouse, each step dimming the light further as we approach the metallic door at the end
“I'll wait there for you.” He knocks two times, then one time on the door. A signal. The sound of a lock makes my finger tingle as Ash rests his back on the wall, motioning me to enterwith his hand. I nod, and push open the door, discovering a large office made of wood, metal, mixing rustic style with high hand steel furniture.
Just like his house.
Ourhouse.
Ares’ bare chest greets me and takes me out of my thoughts immediately.
Wow.
I’ve seen my husband's chest before, but in this context, with bandages on his hands, black boxing shorts and ink running all over his body, he looks more like a UFC fighter than a businessman.
Stop drooling.
I close my jaw as a wicked grin appears on his face, his dark gaze softening as he drinks in every inch of me.
“Fuck, Mia. You look—” he rubs his lower lip with his index finger, “edible.”
Edible.
That’s a first.
I’ve been told I’m pretty, beautiful, hot, and all the shebang, but edible? It kind of tops all of them. My hair on my nape rises as he meaders toward me, circling me like a vulture.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with Erin and Shadow?”
“I-I wanted to see you before the fight,” I stutter. His brows furrow, his eyes searching me with concern as if he was looking for a sign of injury.
How am I supposed to keep him at arm's length when he does that?
“Just…don’t get hurt,” I manage to say in a breath, the closeness of his body crowding my brain to function properly.
“You’re worried about me, woman?” His thumb strokes my lower lip.
I let him do it for a second before reminding myself who he is and why I’m in his office right now.
A man who collected me as a payment.
A dangerous man known for having no moral compass.
Stepping back, I push his hand away, watching his jaw tick. I clear my throat and run a hand in my sleek hair. Thank God I’ve put that much effort into tonight. It makes me feel much more confident.
“No, I just wanted to make sure I’d still have a husband to run from tomorrow,” I snap.
“Mia.” He tilts his head to the side.
“I’m gonna go now.” I clear my throat. “Have fun.” I turn my back on him like I’m not completely petrified of the idea of him being hurt in that cage. A possessive hand grips my hips, his chest touching my back and towering over me, making my heart skip a bit.
“I know what you’re doing, princess,” he murmurs to me.
