Page 28 of The NemeSis
“You smell like sunshine on a rainy day.” He groans. “It consumes me.”
“Ares,” I plead for him to stop. This is wrong.
“Fuck, Kyra.” His lips graze my jaw.
Ares pulls back slowly, searching my eyes. His thumb traces over my lip. With a growl, he takes a step back. Small. Followed by another. And one more.
“Why are you here?” He looks away.
“Um. I—” I hesitate as I pull out my phone and open the message. I turn the screen to face him. “Tonight.”
His gaze turns to my phone, and he nods. “I forgot how cryptic they are.” Ares laughs. “I’ll pick you up at a quarter til. We’ll walk over. Do you know what you’re going to wear?”
“That’s part of what I was hoping you could help me with.”
His nostrils flare. “Don’t you have class right now, Kyra?”
I nod. “I couldn’t concentrate on the one I even went to.” I slip my phone back into my bag and drop it to the floor. My eyes scan the space. He already had some stuff delivered? “When?”
Ares turns to look at the space. “I couldn’t sleep very well on the floor.”
My eyes scan over the rug I picked out to the sectional I picked out. I walk past and see a mattress on the floor with rumpled blankets and pillows.
“I had the mattress delivered late last night. I’ve got a delivery coming this afternoon with the actual bedroom furniture, built-ins, and that damn chaise you said I needed.” He steps up behind me.
I turn around in time to see his eyes scanning up my body. “Will you help me figure out what to wear tonight?” I repeat myself.
He nods. “Let me get changed and we’ll go somewhere. I know just the place.”
* * *
I pacemy room while Beth snickers on her bed. She helped me curl my hair and pin it in place. My hands were shaking, I’ve been so nervous. I pause in front of the full-length mirror in our room and take in my dress. It’s a little long.
The corset style top isn’t as tight as I thought it would be at first glance. The design of the straps and the nearly open back probably account for this. Puffed sleeves fall down my arms slightly. It has a sweetheart neckline and thin straps that come across almost like a halter top to hold it in place. With the open back, I’ve had to forgo a bra. The entire dress is a light sage, almost forest green with scattered pale pink flowers and a darker greenery printed onto the many layers. It flares out slightly at my waist, ruffle style layers all the way to the floor. A high slit is up one side that is only revealed when walking or moving.
I normally have no problem wearing heels, but as nervous as I’ve been feeling about not knowing what tonight will be about, I wear some smaller ones that wrap across my feet and ankles more securely.
Ares assured me the evening wouldn’t be physically exhausting. It would be more mental games, and I’d be observed on my attitude and how I handled situations. Nothing he said helped; it was still vague. I thought the dress he picked out would be overdressed, but he insisted. Then I worried it wasn’t enough. Was there a dress code?
“Girl, relax.” Beth tosses a piece of popcorn at me. “He should be here any minute.”
My phone buzzes on the dresser. I walk over to it and pick it up.
Ares: I’m downstairs. Leave your phone upstairs and bring nothing. Trust me.
Me: Okay
I turnmy phone off and leave it sitting next to my bag. I spin around to see Beth still curled up on her bed with her laptop open and a big bowl of popcorn.
“He said to leave my phone behind and not bring anything. But you know my passcode if there’s an emergency.”
“It’s going to be fine.” Beth rolls her eyes. “Have fun.”
“Right.” I nod. “I wanted this. This is the group I know I need to connect with.”
“Exactly,” she assures me. “Part of the reason you won’t be social chair next year.” She motions with her hand for me to leave the room. “Good luck and be yourself. You’ve got this.”
Easier said than done.
