[Music: Three Steps Ahead By Jared Benjamin]
If I were told I'd be in this position with my devil boss, I'd have laughed and called them crazy. But here I was, trying to show I was at least a little bit interested in him.
"What do you say, honey?" I muttered, putting up my best softest expression. "Shall we get down to it?"
Ares stared at me blankly, not a hint of emotion. This was gonna be harder than I—!
His fingers curled around my throat, and the pressure in the air compressed. His action was so sudden, and my entire body screamed in alarm.
There was nothing romantic about this. This was a predator savoring the sight of its prey.
"Are you scared, Catherine?" he asked, as my pulse hummed beneath his touch.
"No." I feigned courage. "We're acting, aren't we?"
A smile touched his lips, briefly. "Yes... we're."
"Then, I'm not a prey." I grasped his wrist with two hands. "I'm your wife."
Ares blinked before he leaned closer, nose brushing against mine. "Yes, you're."
"Then act like I am."
It took two beats before Ares' lips brushed against mine, but he didn't kiss me, nor did he attempt to do so; he just lingered there as if scrutinizing my response.
He lowered, and I slanted backwards, my hair slopped behind until my eyes were locked on the high ceiling.
I shuddered when his lips redirected to the base of my neck, pulse racing as he pressed them down to taste my skin.
A soft breath released from me as I closed my eyes, the cold numbing my entire body. This was a fatal position, and if he wanted to, he could rip open my veins.
Why was I thinking about such an unrealistic scenario?
"You're shaking," he murmured against my skin. "Excitement or fear?"
"Excitement."
A random sound rolled off him—a chuckle. Did Ares King make a carefree sound?
"What's the next lesson?" he asked when our eyes connected.
I tried to speak with a less trembling voice. "L-Lesson two: Eye contact. You can't look at me impassively."
This was the hardest one yet. Those are dead eyes staring right back at me. Nothing can crack those.
"Let's skip that. Clearly, physical touch is your language. We'll focus on that."
He tipped his head slowly, intrigue drowning his gaze.
"Lesson three..." I summoned the courage to place my hands on his chest. "Our chemistry has to be in sync. If we're off-tone, we can't convince them. I think this is something we can work with."
"How so?"
"You were once my boss."
He licked his lips. "Turn."
My heart skipped a beat at his sudden command. Skeptically, I did as he said.
"Bend over the counter."
"Tha-That's not—"
"We must show we have some kind of dynamic, don't we?"
This was not what I had in mind, but I did it anyway.
"Lower."
I was only in a shirt and shorts, my ass will peek out!
"Lower," he reprised.
I swallowed as I pressed my front against the counter, chills grasping my spine.
Suddenly, the phone rang, breaking whatever spell that had infused the air. I attempted to rise.
"I haven't told you to move."
I froze.
Ares grabbed his phone. "Speak."
Muffled voices came through the speaker.
As the minutes passed, I tried to steady my breathing. I thought about moving, but I couldn't bring myself to, especially when his hand stroked my spine.
"I'll handle it when I get there. Keep them... entertained." He ended the call.
When he released his hand, I took that as a go ahead to move.
"I have something to take care of. I'll be gone for a few hours."
"Am I needed?" I asked, trying to compose myself.
"Not today." He placed his hand beneath my chin so my eyes met his. "We'll continue our lessons later."
"A-Actually, I think the charity ball will be a success."
A faint smirk ghosted his lips, gone as quickly as it came. When he walked past me, I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.
What the fuck just happened?
~☆~
I left tons of messages for Tori, but she didn't reply to any of them. We have never had a fallout like this, never. I really wish she'd at least talk to me.
I dropped my phone, staring at the ceiling. It's been a few hours since Ares left, and I've been cooped up in my room.
The master suite had everything I could want, and I'm far too comfortable. It didn't feel right.
I sit up, threading my fingers through my hair. I know why it felt this way, for years I worked harder than anyone, and rest felt like a bad Juju.
I looked at the unopened boxes and shopping bags. The least I could do was stop being lazy and unpack. I grunted, forcing my body off the bed and doing the needful.
It took forever until I was down to my last box.
"There you are!" I cuddled my bunny teddy bear, giving it a big kiss.
Setting it aside, I checked for more things, and froze when I saw a picture frame. It was my graduation photo, taken with Tori, granny, gramps, and... Dan.
I held the frame tightly as a sting found my chest. I thought I got rid of everything.
Without a second thought, I opened the frame and took out the picture. I thought about ripping his side off, but he was between Granny and Gramps. This was the only photo I had from that day.
Dan was so heavily ingrained in my life, and now cutting him off felt like a crime. I can't completely erase five years, but he erased me so quickly, like I never mattered.
Sometimes I wonder how someone you thought you knew more than anyone else in this world would just change.
Aggravated, I shoved the picture back in the box.
~☆~
The night of the event came too quickly. Any moment from now, my face will become the new trend in Midnight City. I might as well give them something to talk about.
Starting from tonight, I'm no longer Catherine Lane but Catherine King. Saying that internally made it easier to get into my new persona.
I had my hair packed in a low bun, with waves of it framing my face. I went for a sharper makeup to set the tone of a billionaire's wife, smoky eyeshadow, and a deep red lipstick.
I wore contact lenses, and it made my hazel eyes appear lighter. I could barely recognise myself at this point.
My dress was silver, it hugged my body all the way to the ankles in a striking look. It had a one-shoulder design that highlighted the neckline. The back was open, tied with a neat knot that let a strap of fabric fall elegantly down to my spine.
"Face it with courage," I said to myself before stepping out of my room.
My heels click-clack as I descend the stairs, catching Ares' attention. He was dashing in his three-piece dark grey suit.
Our eyes locked in an unbreakable connection, and didn't leave mine until I was down the last flight of stairs.
"How do I look, honey?" I asked, already getting into character.
Unlike his apathetic reaction when I tried the wedding gown, this time he took me all in—slow, and focused.