Page 68 of Reverence

“Why did you do this?” She huffed, climbing out of my car.

This time she didn’t slam the door, she left it wide open and walked towards the electronic gate. “I’m going home.”

I followed suit, hot on her heels. “You’re drunk, can’t find the keys to your apartment and humor me. Are you going to walk home?”

I asked sarcastically. “Please tell me what you plan to do once you get home. Will you stand outside of your door and wait for a miracle to happen?”

She spun around, glaring daggers at me. “I’m tipsy, not drunk. Vast difference.” She spat. “Not that it concerns you but the building security would’ve made a plan. They’ve always got spare keys.”

This woman frustrated me to no end. “Then they’ll make a plan tomorrow. Come inside, Amala.”

I instructed, raising an eyebrow when she started laughing.

“Inside of your house? No.”

“It’s freezing out here and you’re wearing that ..” I paused, slowly dragging my gaze from the tight dress to her face.

Her hair blew slightly, the cold gust of wind making her shiver.

“What?” She sneered. “Wearing what?”

I stepped closer, narrowing my eyes at her. “That skimpy fucking dress.”

She scoffed, turning toward the gate. “Open it. I’m leaving.” She demanded. “Fuck you and your misogynistic ideals.”

“You’re not leaving, not in the state you’re in and for the love of fuck—I’m not misogynistic. Your dress is skimpy.”

I muttered angrily. “Or would you rather I use another term to describe your outfit?”

“Just open the gate, Ares.”

“No,” I said with finality. “Come inside or I’ll carry you in.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Are you daring me?”

I asked, taking another step closer and that’s when I noticed her shivering. “You’re fucking freezing, why can’t you just stop being so stubborn for once in your life?” I snapped.

“Ares.” She moved backward as I stalked closer. “You—”

She couldn’t finish her sentence because I easily tossed her over my shoulder, holding her steady with my palm on her lower back. “Son of a bitch!”

I couldn’t concentrate on the punches she threw against my back or her poor attempt at trying to free herself because her ass and the back of her thighs were inches away from my face.

I walked to my front door with ease, grabbed the keys from my pants pocket, and unlocked it before stepping inside, then kicked the door shut with the back of my foot.

My hand itched to slap Amala’s ass but I refrained from doing so. “If I put you down, are you going to behave?”

She wiggled, still attempting to break free. “Behave? I’m not a fucking dog, Valiente.”

“No, you’re not but I’d be more than willing to put a collar on you and treat you like one.”

The crude comment worked in my favor because her movements immediately ceased.

This is when I set her down, holding her wrist tightly. “See, you do know how to behave.”

She glared at me, her body still swaying slightly. “I’ll take you home first thing in the morning. The guest bedroom is the last door to your left. Check if anything fits you and answer your phone, your friends are worried sick about you.”